Religion is a public not just a private good
I have learnt that organised religion is not only a personal set of beliefs but also a force for good or bad in society and politics. The British public feel a sense of ownership of the national church, The church of England, and want to feel represented by it. The fact that The Church of England did not ordain women bishops affected all British society not just Christian people and it was pressure from religious and non-religious British people that forced the Church of England to change their decision and ordain women bishops in 2014. The British public feel they have the right to use the Church of England for ceremonies like weddings and funerals even if they are not personally a member of the church. In Britain state religion and state are linked unlike France which keeps the two very separate. If the Church of England is to continue to be the national church of England it must ensure it is trying to represent all members of society from all religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Multiculturalism
This marks a new conception of equality, that is to say, not just anti-discrimination, sameness of treatment and toleration of ‘difference’, but respect for difference; not equal rights despite differences but equality as the accommodation of difference in the public space, which therefore comes to be shared rather than dominated by the majority.
I have learnt that multiculturalism does not just require passive tolerance but rather active accommodation and celebration of differences. Religion is a part of society and Universities need to serve all members of society, its not acceptable for universities to ignore religion and its importance to the students and staff we serve.
I agree with you that universities especially those that promote equity should adopt multiculturalism in pedagogy and also respect students and staffs’ lives outside university. As Jeannine Fletcher suggested in SoN “ … the role of universities not only in creating spaces for interfaith learning and interreligious tolerance, but for producing knowledge and counter-narrative to the White Christian supremacist theological and political narrative we’re receiving.” In addition, since art plays an important role in shaping public outlooks and social spaces, art and design university like UAL should embrace positive attitudes toward religious and racial diversity through artistic creations and knowledge production.