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:
- Religions symbols in the public space;
- Religion and security;
- Freedom of religion and cultural rights;
- Defamation and hate speech;
- 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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
chapter |14 pages
Introduction: The challenge of law and religion
part |2 pages
Part 1 Interdisciplinary perspectives on law and religion
chapter |12 pages
Law and religion in the biblical canon
chapter |14 pages
Law and religion in the Western legal tradition
chapter |16 pages
Anthropological perspectives on law and religion
chapter |16 pages
Sociology at the intersection between law and religion
part |2 pages
Part 2 Freedom of religion or belief as a human right: critical reflections
chapter |14 pages
Legal responses to religious diversity (or to cultural diversity?)
chapter |12 pages
Religious freedom as equality
chapter |16 pages
Religion and human rights: Deconstructing and navigating tensions
chapter |18 pages
Human rights within religions
chapter |18 pages
Constitutional models and the protection of religious freedom
part |2 pages
Part 3 Law, religion, state and society
chapter |14 pages
A religious revival in family law
chapter |12 pages
Law, religion and the school
chapter |14 pages
Law, religion and the workplace
chapter |16 pages
Law, religion and economics
chapter |18 pages
Religions, bioethics and biolaw
part |2 pages
Part 4 Controversial issues