A Scottish Government bill that would make it harder for parents to withdraw children from religious observance (RO) has passed its first legislative stage. Speaking during the Stage 1 debate, MSPs called for the bill to be amended to include an independent right of withdrawal for children. Amendments can be introduced at Stage 2. Under the Education Act (Scotland) 1980, parents can withdraw their children from RO and religious education (RE) or religious and moral education (RME). The bill would amend the Act to allow children to override a parent’s decision to withdraw them from RO/RE/RME. However, it would not include a corresponding independent right for the child to withdraw from RO/RE/RME against parental wishes. The National Secular Society has criticised the Scottish Government’s approach as “asymmetrical” and said it would create a “distorted hierarchy of child rights”. In written and oral evidence, the NSS called for laws mandating RO to be repealed. Failing that, an independent right of withdrawal for children should be introduced. MSP: Bill is “disappointing in many ways” MSPs from across …