HNY Inclusive Language Guidance > ‘Inclusive language: faith and religion’ – video transcript
‘Inclusive language: faith and religion’ – video transcript
[ON SCREEN: Inclusive language: faith and religion]
We are all free to adopt and enjoy a chosen religion or faith, and to practice freely without any form of discrimination. This also applies to people of no faith or religion or those who are undecided.
Not all people of faith practice a religion or are part of a place of worship. There are also often differences within religious groups through different denominations.
We need to make sure we avoid…
- Stereotyping people based on their faith or religion, how they dress or their beliefs.
- Making assumptions or generalisations.
- Referring to someone’s faith or beliefs unless it is relevant to do so.
- Using words and phrases that amplify stereotypes around faith and religion. For example, we use ‘full name’ instead of ‘Christian name’.
Using the terms ‘faith leader’ and ‘place of worship’ is useful when creating content for the public.
We use capital letters when describing…
- A person who practices a religion like Muslim, Sikh, Christian.
- A religion or faith like Judaism, Buddhism or Hinduism.
- Religious holidays like Christmas, Eid or Vaisakhi.
We should offer pastoral support to everyone, regardless of a person’s beliefs.
You can find out more in the Humber and North Yorkshire Inclusive Language Guidance.
[ENDS]
This page was last updated on Monday 7 April 2025.
