Human Rights and Religion

Liam Gearon holds a University Lectureship in Religious Education at the Oxford University Department of Education and a Senior Research Fellowship at Harris Manchester College. He has published widely in the fields of religion and literature, including the critically acclaimed edited work, English Literature, Theology and the Curriculum.

"This timely publication contains excellent resources for information, debate and further study, and can be drawn upon with much benefit by students, researchers and anyone passionately interested in and committed to the advancement of human rights. A valuable contribution to current human rights debates, this book deserves to be widely used and consulted." -- Professor Ursula King, University of Bristol."Writings in Human Rights & Religion illuminate, from disparate perspectives, the sometimes harmonious but often contentious contribution that religious thought and practice offer to human rights. By bringing together authors from a broad spectrum of thought, the book and the editor add considerably to the intellectual climate surrounding the promotion and protection of human rights." -- Dr Rita Maran, University of California at Berkeley."This remarkable anthology provides a comprehensive and informed exploration of the issues surrounding human rights and religion. The selection of texts is perfect; and the commentary is intelligent and informed. I have no doubt that this will become the standard text in this area for many years to come. I cannot recommend it more highly." -- Ian Markham, Dean of Hartford Seminary and Professor of Theology and Ethics."Discussion of generic issues concerning human rights, cultural and religious traditions of world faiths, and the presentation of regional case studies of religious persecution... Human Rights & Religion provides a welcome and substantial contribution to the post-September 11 world." -- Craig Lind, School of Law, University of Sussex."The volume is clearly designed as a teaching aid. It offers generous editorial introductions to each section, copious bibliographies, lists of relevant websites, boxes illustrating important case material, key words at the head of each chapter...It would probably be of greatest interest to students in Religious Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Law and the Sociology of Religion, but practitioners in human rights organisations would also find it useful as a work of reference. This is an authoritative and exceptionally wide-ranging collection that deserves a place in every library." Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies.

• Contents: Foreword by Sumner B. Twiss; General Introduction; Part I: Generic Issues -- Introduction; Religion; The United Nations; Religion and International Human Rights; Part II: Cultural and Religious Traditions -- Introduction; Judaism, Christianity and Islam; Anti-Semitism: Judaism, Christianity and Islam; Theology and Human Rights; Islam and Human Rights: Tradition and Politics; Islam, Governance and Democracy; Confucianism, Buddhism and Hinduism; A Constructive Framework for Discussing Confucianism and Human Rights; Are There Human Rights in Buddhism?; Religious Freedom and Human Rights in India; Gandhi's Philosophy Carrie Gustafson; Minority and Indigenous Traditions; Returning to my Roots: African Religions' and the State; Part III: Regional Case Studies: Human Rights Watch and Survival -- Introduction; Africa; Muslim-Christian Conflict in Sudan; Asia; Afghanistan; China: The State Control of Religion; Politics by Other Means: Attacks on Christians in India ; We Have No Orders to Save You': Hindu-Muslim Violence in India ; Europe; Orthodox Christian Intolerance in Georgia; Middle East; Israel and the Palestinian Authority Territories; Indigenous Traditions in Africa, Australia and the Americas; Indigenous and Minority Traditions: Case Studies from Survival; Africa; Twa in Rwanda ; People of the Niger Delta; Pygmies' of Central Africa; Bushmen in Southern Africa; Australia; Aborigines in Australia; The Americas; Indians in Amazonia ; Indians in North America; Innu in Canada; Part IV: Global Prospects -- Introduction; Religious Freedom; International Justice and Just War Theory; The Proliferation of Rights: Moral Progress or Empty Rhetoric?.