Law and Religion

Law and Religion

In our pluralistic world, a variety of oft-conflicting perspectives informs our understanding of moral and political ideas of justice. Additionally, legal cases increasingly span across borders and involve participants with no shared tradition, creating tensions that reflect fundamental moral conflicts. These resources explore how religion grounds, shapes, and conflicts with our legal systems.

Our Experts

Michael Kessler

Managing Director
Department of Government and Law Center

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Blog Posts

November 25, 2019

How Has Islamophobia Transformed French Politics Toward Muslims?

Ramazan Kılınç challenges typical understandings of French secularism and argues instead that Islamophobia has shaped French policies toward Muslim populations.

November 8, 2019

Religion and Urban Planning: Challenges and Possibilities

How should religion be considered in urban planning? How can religious communities work to promote sustainable urban development? What role can religious groups play in responding to gentrification? How have competing notions of religion and secularism affected urban planning?

Stained glass window from a church in Paris, France

September 25, 2019

The Role of Theology and Organizational Structure in Addressing Clergy Sexual Abuse

How have the distinct theologies and organizational models of the Southern Baptist Convention and Catholic Church impacted the way that these religious bodies have dealt with sexual abuse? Do religious authorities in positions of power have the duty to address tenets of their theology that may contribute to sexual abuse?

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Events

Contraception and Conscience: A Symposium on Religious Liberty, Women’s Health, and the HHS Rule on Provision of Birth Control Coverage for Employees

Sep
21

2012

Contraception and Conscience: A Symposium on Religious Liberty, Women’s Health, and the HHS Rule on Provision of Birth Control Coverage for Employees

1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Georgetown Law Center

May
7

2015

Natural Law: A Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Trialogue

Sep
23

2011

Islamic Law (Sharia) and U.S. Foreign Policy

Nov
6

2019

Current Challenges in Refugee Policy

Sep
16

2019

A Conversation with Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ

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Publications

Report April 20, 2016

Blasphemy Laws as a Challenge to Religious Freedom

On April 20, 2016, the Religious Freedom Project hosted a conference to explore an emerging and urgent challenge to religious freedom: blasphemy laws. Although they are ostensibly intended to protect majority religions from criticism, these laws can in fact harm the majority religion and broader society by discriminating against disfavored members of the majority, oppressing and alienating…