Religion, Law and the Constitution: Balancing Beliefs in Britain (Law and Religion) - 9781138838352

This book examines the existing constitutional and legal system in England, Wales and Scotland, through the prism of its treatment of religion. The study encompasses questions of Church/State relations, but pushes far beyond these. It asks whether the approach to religion which has spread out from establishment to permeate the whole legal framework is a cause of concern or celebration in relation to individual and collective freedoms. The primary focus of the work is the synergy between the religious dimension of the juridical system and the fundamental pillars of the Constitution (Parliamentary Sovereignty, the Rule of Law, Separation of Powers and Human Rights). Javier Garcia Oliva and Helen Hall challenge the view that separation between public and religious authorities is the most conducive means of nurturing a free and democratic society in modern Britain. The authors explore whether, counterintutitvely for some, the religious dynamic to the legal system actually operates to safeguard liberties, and has a role in generating an inclusive and adaptable backdrop for our collective life. They suggest that the present paradigm brings benefits for citizens of all shades of religious belief and opinion (including Atheist, Humanist and other anti-theist perspectives), as well as secondary advantages for those with profound beliefs on non-religious matters e.g. Pacifism and Veganism. In support of their contentions, Garcia Oliva and Hall examine how the religious dimension of the legal framework operates to further essential constitutional principles in diverse settings, ranging from Criminal to Family Law. In a ground-breaking move, the authors also set the legal discussion alongside its social and cultural context. They consider how the theological perspectives of the larger faith traditions might influence members' ideas around the key constitutional precepts, and they include extracts from interviews which give the personal perspective of more than 100 individuals on contemporary issues of law and religious freedom. These voices are drawn from a range of fields and positions on faith. Whilst the authors are at pains to stress that these sections do not support or advance their legal conclusions, they do provide readers with a human backdrop to the discussion, and demonstrate its crucial importance in 21st century Britain.

• | Author: Javier Garc?a Oliva, Helen Hall
• | Publisher: Routledge
• | Publication Date: Aug 31, 2017
• | Number of Pages: 498 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Hardcover
• | ISBN-10: 1138838357
• | ISBN-13: 9781138838352