ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book. The book begins by highlighting key issues from law and religious studies. In various ways and from various perspectives, it then addresses relationships and concerns arising from the encounter between religions and law. The book also concerns the change that the Human Rights Act, 1998, may make, or be perceived to make, in British constitutional law and in a secular society. Religious minorities are given permission, if not encouragement, to seek a hearing in courts that they have not previously had. The context in which this is taking place is one of change in society and in the legislature. The book further provides some case studies in the working of human rights guarantees. It finally discusses a single powerful challenge to the consideration of human rights in relation to religious communities and individuals in the contemporary world.
