ABSTRACT

The field of law and religion studies has undergone a profound transformation over the last thirty years, looking beyond traditional relationships between State and religious communities to include rights of religious liberty and the role of religion in the public space.

This handbook features new, specially commissioned papers by a range of eminent scholars that offer a comprehensive overview of the field of law and religion. The book takes on an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from anthropology, sociology, theology and political science in order to explore how laws and court decisions concerning religion contribute to the shape of the public space.

Key themes within the book include:

  1. Religions symbols in the public space;
  2. Religion and security;
  3. Freedom of religion and cultural rights;
  4. Defamation and hate speech;
  5. Gender, religion and law;

This advanced level reference work is essential reading for students, researchers and scholars of law and religion, as well as policy makers in the field.

chapter |14 pages

Introduction

The challenge of law and religion

part |138 pages

Freedom of religion or belief as a human right: critical reflections

chapter |15 pages

International law and freedom of religion and belief

Origins, presuppositions and structure of the protection framework

chapter |15 pages

Religion and human rights

Deconstructing and navigating tensions

chapter |18 pages

Human rights within religions

chapter |12 pages

Reframing the state in eradicating discrimination

Freedom of religion or belief and non-discrimination

chapter |17 pages

Conscientious objections

Protecting freedom of conscience beyond prejudice

part |92 pages

Law, religion, state and society

part |95 pages

Controversial issues

chapter |15 pages

Law, religion and gender

chapter |14 pages

Law, religion and security

chapter |17 pages

Curbs and turbans

Challenging (tur)bans

chapter |12 pages

Limitations on religious freedom in Islam

Rethinking through the Maqasid?

chapter |19 pages

Proselytism