Grappling with Religious Differences in South Africa: A Draft for a Charter of Religious Rights

This chapter argues that religious organizations in South African civil society should take advantage of a provision in South Africa's 1996 Constitution allowing for Parliament to adopt Charters of Rights which are consistent with the Constitution, by proposing a Charter of Religious Rights for South Africa. It recounts the history of religious freedom in South Africa, with a special focus on how the state has involved itself in defining and limiting that right. The chapter focuses on religious freedom and church-state relations following the official end of apartheid in 1994 and discusses the current state of religious freedom and church-state relations. It also discusses a proposed Charter for Religious Freedom and makes the case for the charter's adoption. Church and State need to work together to ensure that the interests of all are protected. This will assist the country and its people in managing domestic religious differences.