"Anyone interested in human rights will read Robert Drinan’s informative, passionate and challenging book with deep concern and hope."—Elie Wiesel"Father Drinan’s credentials as a humanitarian, religious leader, and thinker are unassailable. . . . His astute grasp of practical solutions to world problems enables him to debate policy as a scholar and practitioner, as well as a religious leader."—Jimmy Carter, former President of the United StatesWidely known and respected for his work in international human rights, Father Robert F. Drinan here describes the history of the human rights movement since World War II and the obstacles it faces today. With clarity and force, Father Drinan discusses every important human rights issue, the performance of the United States and the United Nations, and how leaders and individuals can mobilize for a more just future.

An eminent religious leader and political activist considers the future of religious freedom throughout the worldFather Robert F. Drinan—priest, scholar, lawyer, politician, activist, and ethicist—has spent his life working to strengthen human rights. In this important book, Father Drinan explores the state of religious freedom worldwide, arguing that international law and legal institutions have not gone far enough to protect religious freedom. The international community, says Father Drinan, has been slow to recognize the urgent need of balancing the requirements of a pluralistic society with the demands of religious freedom.Despite numerous proclamations from the United Nations and from individual nations about the importance of religious freedom, says Father Drinan, there is still no covenant, legally binding instrument, or world tribunal to monitor freedom of religion. Drinan explores the status of religious freedom in certain Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Communist societies whose doctrines may promote intolerance. And he asserts that the silence of international law allows nations to continue to punish persons who practice a faith viewed unfavorably by the government.

Religion as it relates to public education, and problems of religion in public school, such as Bible reading in schools, are treated in this volume.

"Anyone interested in human rights will read Robert Drinan’s informative, passionate and challenging book with deep concern and hope."—Elie Wiesel"Father Drinan’s credentials as a humanitarian, religious leader, and thinker are unassailable. . . . His astute grasp of practical solutions to world problems enables him to debate policy as a scholar and practitioner, as well as a religious leader."—Jimmy Carter, former President of the United StatesWidely known and respected for his work in international human rights, Father Robert F. Drinan here describes the history of the human rights movement since World War II and the obstacles it faces today. With clarity and force, Father Drinan discusses every important human rights issue, the performance of the United States and the United Nations, and how leaders and individuals can mobilize for a more just future.

An eminent religious leader and political activist considers the future of religious freedom throughout the worldFather Robert F. Drinan—priest, scholar, lawyer, politician, activist, and ethicist—has spent his life working to strengthen human rights. In this important book, Father Drinan explores the state of religious freedom worldwide, arguing that international law and legal institutions have not gone far enough to protect religious freedom. The international community, says Father Drinan, has been slow to recognize the urgent need of balancing the requirements of a pluralistic society with the demands of religious freedom.Despite numerous proclamations from the United Nations and from individual nations about the importance of religious freedom, says Father Drinan, there is still no covenant, legally binding instrument, or world tribunal to monitor freedom of religion. Drinan explores the status of religious freedom in certain Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Communist societies whose doctrines may promote intolerance. And he asserts that the silence of international law allows nations to continue to punish persons who practice a faith viewed unfavorably by the government.

Religion as it relates to public education, and problems of religion in public school, such as Bible reading in schools, are treated in this volume.