Inclusivity in UK Pastoral, Spiritual, and Religious Care: A Humanist Perspective

Abstract

The perspective in this study sees “the non-religious” not as people without a religion, but as people with sincerely and seriously held non-religious beliefs. As people who want, and should have, the opportunity to both give and receive like-minded pastoral care. The key elements of good non-religious pastoral care practice are described. While real progress has been made in introducing non-religious pastoral care, huge barriers are preventing its effective development. These include recruitment and communications. Working together to remove these barriers can help to ensure that everyone receives appropriate pastoral, spiritual, and religious care. Forming a care service that is better, fairer, and stronger, one fit for the twenty-first century. A person-centered service, putting patients first; all patients, those with religious beliefs and those with non-religious beliefs.