Religious Symbols and the Intervention of the Law: Symbolic Functionality in Pluralist States (Law and Religion)

Book Details:

• Author: Sylvie Bacquet

• Brand: Routledge

• Edition: 1

• Binding: Hardcover

• ISBN: 9781138953833

• Pages: 182

• Release Date: 25-06-2019

• Package Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches

• Languages: English

About The Book:

In contemporary pluralist societies, where diverse faith communities coexist, religious symbols and practices must navigate a complex landscape of cohabitation. Religious Symbols in the Public Sphere by Sylvie Bacquet examines the tensions that arise between minority religious practices and dominant cultural or secular values, especially when religious expressions are perceived as a threat to public order or the secular principles of the host country.

The book focuses on the role of religious symbols, both personal (worn by individuals) and collective (present in public spaces or places of worship), and their relationship with the law. Drawing from legal frameworks in England, the U.S.A., and France, Bacquet explores how each country addresses the right to manifest religious belief while balancing the need to preserve public order and respect for cultural heritage.

A multidisciplinary approach is employed, blending elements from anthropology, sociology, and the history of religion, to contextualize the issue and inform legal perspectives. This book is an essential read for anyone exploring the intersection of religion, law, and society in pluralistic contexts.

Key Features:

• Focus on the intersection of religious symbols, law, and public life in pluralist societies.

• Comparative analysis of legal responses in England, the U.S.A., and France regarding religious symbols in the public sphere.

• Multidisciplinary approach combining anthropology, sociology, and legal theory to understand the role of religious symbols.

• Critical examination of how the law navigates the limitations on religious freedom in the public domain.

This text is a valuable resource for scholars of religion, law, anthropology, and sociology, offering insights into the complex interplay between religious expression and public law.