Routledge Law and Religion in the 21st Century: Relations between States and Religious Communities (Cultural Diversity and Law)

This book brings together leading international scholars of law and religion to provide an overview of current issues in State-religion relations. The first part of the collection offers a picture of recent developments in key countries and regions. The second part is focused on Europe and, in particular, on the Nordic States and the post-communist countries where State-religion systems have undergone most profound change. The third and final part is devoted to four issues that are currently debated all over the world: the relations between freedom of expression and freedom of religion; proselytism and the right to change religion; the religious symbols; and the legal status of Islam in Europe and Canada. The work will be a valuable resource for academics, students and policy-makers with an interest in the interaction between law and religion. Review ’...sure to spark new thought and debate. The collection is wide ranging in terms of its topical and jurisdictional scope...the strength of the book is in its presentation of a multitude of case studies illustrating how various states have addressed questions of secularism, establishment and the place of religion in the public sphere...’ Social and Legal Studies 'This rich volume identifies that there is no incompatibility between religion and modernity. Compared to other parts of the world, Europeans have been slow to acknowledge the growing impact of religion in the public sphere and the presence of alternative modernities. This is not just a matter of data, but of approaches.' Werner Menski, University of London, UK 'It is a sign of the success of the book that this reader was left wanting more. The publication of papers from future ICLARS meetings will be eagerly anticipated. Law and Religion in the 21st Century is a most welcome addition to the growing literature in this field.' Politics, Religion and Ideology 'This wide-ranging volume offers a collection of thirty essays on the timely and topical issue of state and religion relations in an age of religious revival... Overall, the volume is most successful in conveying the message that law in general, and constitutional law in particular, has become a crucial domain for addressing the tensions brought into play by the intersection of state and religion in today’s world. The volume’s comparative outlook is certainly refreshing.' Journal of Church and State About the Author Silvio Ferrari is Professor of Canon Law, University of Milan and President, International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies, Italy. His research interests are in the areas of Church and State in Europe; Comparative law of religions, and Vatican-Israel relations. He has published widely on these and related areas. Rinaldo Cristofori is a Research Student at the University of Milan. His research concentrates on the role played by religion within transitional societies. In 2009, he was a member of the Oxford Transitional Justice Research Group.