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

Law and Religion A-Z Subtopics

Narrow your search for Religion and Development content by selecting from this list of subtopics

A

Abortion Subtopic

B

C

D

G

Governance Subtopic

H

I

International Criminal Court Subtopic

J

L

Law Subtopic

P

R

Blog Posts

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?

Peace Cross in Bladensburg, Maryland, courtesy of Executive Office of the Governor of Maryland

August 23, 2019

Can a Religious Symbol Serve a Primarily Secular Purpose?

What becomes of powerful religious symbols when they are given public meanings that are diluted and attenuated from their original meanings? Does the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Bladensburg Cross case create workable precedent for use by the lower courts in evaluating these kinds of claims?

DNA portrayed in columns by Flickr user Nuno Ribeiro

April 22, 2019

Faith Communities and Gene Editing

This week on the Berkley Forum, contributors discuss how faith communities grapple with the ethics of gene editing.

Explore All Blog Posts

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

Sep
16

2019

A Conversation with Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ

Apr
5

2019

“Dead” but “Agile”: Discourses of Inalienability, Islamic Endowments, and Post-war Reconstruction in Beirut

Explore All Events

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…