Law and Religion in Public Life: The Contemporary Debate

Front Cover
Nadirsyah Hosen, Richard Mohr
Routledge, Apr 27, 2011 - Law - 288 pages

With religion at centre stage in conflicts worldwide, and in social, ethical and geo-political debates, this book takes a timely look at relations between law and religion. To what extent can religion play a role in secular legal systems? How do peoples of various faiths live successfully by both secular laws as well as their religious laws? Are there limits to freedom of religion? These questions are related to legal deliberations and broader discussions around secularism, multiculturalism, immigration, settlement and security.

The book is unique in bringing together leading scholars and respected religious leaders to examine legal, theoretical, historical and religious aspects of the most pressing social issues of our time. In addressing each other’s concerns, the authors ensure accessibility to interdisciplinary and non-specialist audiences: scholars and students in social sciences, human rights, theology and law, as well as a broader audience engaged in social, political and religious affairs. Five of the book’s thirteen chapters address specific contemporary issues in Australia, one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world and a pioneer of multicultural policies. Australia is a revealing site for contemporary studies in a world afraid of immigration and terrorism. The other chapters deal with political, legal and ethical issues of global significance. In conclusion, the editors propose increasing dialogue with and between religions. Law may intervene in or guide such dialogue by defending the free exchange of religious ideas, by adjudicating disputes over them, or by promoting a civil society that negotiates, rather than litigates.

 

Contents

List of contributors
Classifying churchstate arrangements Beyond religious versus
The Christian origins of secularism and the rule of
The future of secularism A critique
Religion multiculturalism and legal pluralism
Religion and freedom of speech in Australia
The reasonable audience of religious hatred The semiotic ideology
Religion and security Whats your motive?
Why should I do this? Private property climate change and Christian
Jewish law in a modern Australian context
Do Australian Muslims need a mufti? Analysing the institution
ifta in the Australian context
Nadirsyah Hosen and Richard Mohar
Bibliography
Index
Copyright

Religion and justice Atonement as an element of justice in both

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