Law and Religion

Gad Barzilai is Professor of International Studies, Law and Political Science, trained mainly in law & political science. He is currently based at the Jackson School of International Studies & Comparative Law and Society Studies Center in the University of Washington, USA. His previous book was awarded the Best Book Prize by the Association of Israel Studies. Barzilai has published more than 110 articles and sixteen books and edited volumes in leading journals and publishing houses. He has offered perspectives and theories for better understanding of law, politics, and dispute resolution. He is now working on developing a macro theory on law and politics in global comparative history. Barzilai is on the Board of Trustees of the Law and Society Association, served at the Board of the American Journal of Political Science, and was the Founding Director of the International Dan David Prize.

'...fascinating insights into one of the most fundamental issues facing our world today...a challenge to anyone with an intelligent interest in the subject of law and religion, particularly to practitioners in the law and to those responsible for framing legislation...reading these essays will certainly make the reader better informed and I think the standard of the analysis in the essays is such as to make the reader also wiser in connection with these topics.' The Right Hon. Lord Mackay of Clashfern '...a very important book. What is impressive in this particular work is the uniform consistency of quality in all of its content, a characteristic that is notably lacking in many collections of solicited articles...a very accomplished aggregate of inspiring ideas on a theme deserving of serious attention.' Modern Law Review '...constitutes an excellent addition to the existing literature in this increasingly important area of law.' Singapore Journal of Legal Studies '...a stimulating mix of disciplines and approaches...This collection will be of considerable interest to those concerned with the interaction of law and religion in the United Kingdom jurisdictions, and is highly recommended.' Ecclesiastical Law Journal '...this book is one that serious thinkers about law and religion should read.' The Christian Lawyer '...a valuable contribution to the effort to bring a broader range of insights and experience to bear on the problems of religious freedom.' Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law '...an interesting sourcebook for the current debates on the position of law and religion at the beginning of the 21st century.' European Human Rights Law Review

• Contents: Series preface; Introduction; Part I Religions as Sources of Human Rights: The morality of human rights: a nonreligious ground?, Michael J. Perry; The metaphorical reciprocity between theology and law, Paul Lehmann; From the trial of Adam and Eve to the judgements of Solomon and Daniel, Daniel Friedmann; Christian natural law: the spirit and method of, Giovanni Ambrosetti; Religious foundations of law in the West: an historical perspective, Harold J. Berman; Law and religion in contemporary Islam, Noel J. Coulson; Characteristic features of Islamic law: perceptions and misconceptions, Mahdi Zahraa. Part II Religions as Traditions of Law: Obligation: a Jewish jurisprudence of the social order, Robert M. Cover; The Chinese conceptions of law: Confucian, legalist and Buddhist, Luke T. Lee and Whalen W. Lai; Hindu conceptions of law, Ludo Rocher; A conversation with Tibetans? Reconsidering the relationship between religious beliefs and secular legal discourse, Rebecca R. French; Consensus and suspicion: judicial reasoning and social change in an Indonesian society 1960-1994, John R. Bowen; Cultured technology: the internet and religious fundamentalism, Karine Barzilai-Nahon and Gad Barzilai. Part III Religions and Human Rights: Conflicts: Female circumcision: religious practice v. human rights violation, Jessica A. Platt; Behind the veil: women's rights in Islamic societies, Nayer Honarvar; Rights, religion and community: approaches to violence against women in the context of globalization, Sally Engel Merry; Nomos and narrative, Robert M. Cover; Disorderly differences: recognition, accommodation, and American law, Austin Sarat and Roger Berkowitz; Are human rights universal?, Shashi Tharoor; Name index.