Inclusive writing: Religion, faith and belief
General guidance
- Only refer to people’s religion, faith or belief if it is relevant to the context in which you are writing.
- People should not feel obligated to disclose, talk about or explain their religion, faith or belief.
- Always avoid and seek to challenge offensive terminology and discrimination.
- The terms ‘religion’, ‘faith’ and ‘belief’ can mean different things to different people, and people may relate to one but not the others.
- For instance, someone may hold beliefs or faith without belonging to a particular religion.
- Some people may also use the term ‘spirituality’.
- If you are writing about or to a particular person, use the language with which they identify themselves. If you’re unsure, ask them what they would prefer.
- Many religious people do not practise all aspects of a religion, or may interpret or practise certain aspects differently to others.
- For example, not all Christians will attend church regularly.
- Religion can overlap with ethnicity, but do not assume someone’s religion from their ethnicity or vice versa.
- For example, not all people who identify as ethnically Jewish practise the religion of Judaism.
- Do not assume someone’s religion from their name, nationality or appearance.
- For example, not everyone from a Muslim-majority country will practise Islam.
- Remember that there are often many different groups, sects or denominations within wider religions, who may practise differently.
- For example, Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians may hold very different beliefs and practise their religion in different ways.
- There are many religions that are minorities in the UK, but minority religions will differ across different countries.
- Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism are all classified as minority religions in the UK by the Office for National Statistics, but may be majority religions in other countries.
- Other minority religions in the UK include Jainism, Neopaganism and the BaháΚΌí Faith.
- Remember that ‘belief’ also includes humanism, atheism and other non-religious beliefs and philosophies. Do not exclude non-religious people from messages or conversations about belief.
Specific terminology
- Capitalise the names of all religions and religious groups.
- Religious figures, deities, holy texts, holidays and titles are also usually capitalised.
- Consider how to write about religious people. For example, you could use ‘a person who practises Sikhism’ rather than ‘a Sikh’. Ask for a person’s preference if possible.
- Use ‘Muslims’ or ‘people who practise Islam’ rather than ‘Islamic people’.
- When writing about countries or regions with one majority religion, use language like ‘Muslim-majority country’ rather than ‘Muslim country’ or ‘Islamic country’.
- Avoid Christian-centric attitudes.
- For example, remember that not everyone celebrates Christian holidays, but they may celebrate other religious holidays.
- Use ‘given name’ rather than ‘Christian name’.
- When writing to general student or staff groups, bear in mind that many people in the University community do not drink alcohol. This can be for a range of reasons, which can include religion.
Further resources
- Find information about the University’s Multifaith Chaplaincy.
- To find further information about behaviour that is not tolerated at the University, and report unacceptable behaviour, visit our pages for students or staff.
