23/11/2025
GENERAL PRESBYTERY OF THE
FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ULSTER
Government and Morals Committee
PRESS RELEASE
CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLIES AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster has been dismayed by the Supreme Court ruling that Religious Education in Northern Ireland schools has breached the human rights of the young child known as JR87, and her father. This is another case where the reach of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) has gone far beyond what it was originally envisaged to do. The ECHR is a human rights convention that was adopted in 1950 and came into force in 1953 and has become outdated particularly because of its "living instrument" interpretation, which leads to judicial overreach by creating new rights and interfering with domestic law.
The teaching of Christian morality is at the very heart of our civilization. The principles of the word of God have been the basis of the functioning of society. Where that has been abandoned it has led to lawlessness and a deterioration in the culture.
Also, we would make the point that it is a myth to claim that a school can be neutral on religion and Christianity. Take for example, the matter of the existence of God. A school that wanted to be neutral on this matter would have to teach children that it takes no position on whether God exists. Children would be free to make up their own minds on the question. This may sound laudable in today’s pluralistic society, but realise that this means the school would be implicitly teaching the children that the existence of God is not important. It would teach the children that it is possible and reasonable for them to be neutral on the existence of God. But that is simply false. It is not actually possible to be neutral on the existence of God. God is constantly seeking to capture our attention and to get us to obey our consciences and to recognise that He is our Creator. Disregarding the existence of God is actually supressing the witness of the Holy Spirit to His existence. Similarly, it is impossible for a school to be neutral on morality. It will teach that stealing and cheating are wrong. But what is the basis of such morality if they cannot acknowledge that God is the source of it?
So, can a school be religiously neutral? Obviously not. There is no neutral position on Christianity or religion. All religions and philosophies are not equal. There is one that is true and Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
This ruling is another instance in which the overreach of the ECHR needs to be rejected and we would call on law makers to do so.
If you would like more information about this topic call Rev Gordon Dane at 07709117500 or email [email protected]
