Scottish Government Equality Outcomes: Religion and Belief Evidence Review

13 CULTURE

13.1 In 2011, the Scottish Household Survey found that the percentage of adults who engaged in culture in the previous 12 months (i.e. those who attended a cultural event or place or participated in a cultural activity) did not vary considerably by religious belief of respondents^[57]. For most broad religious groups including those with no religion, 87% stated that they had engaged in culture. It was highest for those who were other Christian (92%) and lowest for Muslims (85%).

13.2 Levels of cultural attendance by different religious groups varied by the type of cultural place or event. For instance, adults who were Church of Scotland Christians were least likely to visit the cinema (44%), compared with 60% of those with no religion and 54% overall. Culture-specific festivals (such as mela or feis) were most popular amongst Muslims and those of other non-Christian religions, with 15% and 16% of those religious groups stating that they attended in the past year. Conversely, attending a play or theatrical performance was least popular amongst Muslims, with 13% stating that they had attended, compared with 27% of adults as a whole.

13.3 As with cultural attendance, there were some differences in cultural participation between different religious groups. For instance, the proportion of adults who read for pleasure was highest for other Christians (75%), lowest for Muslims (51%) and this compares with 63% for all adults.