Can God and Caesar Coexist?
Balancing Religious Freedom and International Law
- 272 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
An eminent religious leader and political activist considers the future of religious freedom throughout the world
Father Robert F. Drinanāpriest, scholar, lawyer, politician, activist, and ethicistāhas 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.
Robert F. Drinan, S.J., professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center, has had a long and distinguished career. He has been a visiting professor at four American universities and dean of the Boston College Law School. He was a United States Congressman for five terms as a Representative from Massachusetts. He has served on public and privately sponsored delegations and human rights missions to many countries and has been a member of numerous committees devoted to the furtherance of human rights. Father Drinan has received numerous awards, the most recent being the 2003 Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Instituteās Freedom of Worship medal. He is also the author of eleven previous books.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Contents
- I. A New Global Right: Religious Freedom
- II. The Dimensions of the Freedom of Religion and of Conscience
- III. Religion in the Structure of the United Nations
- IV. Religious Freedom in the United States
- V. Religious Freedom and the European Court of Human Rights
- VI. Vatican II Vigorously Defends Religious Freedom
- VII. The Rights of Dissenters
- VIII. Religious Freedom and Issues of Gender and Sexuality
- IX. When Governments Repress and Persecute Religion
- X. The Peopleās Republic of China and Religious Freedom
- XI. Religious Freedom and the Muslim World
- XII. The Worldās Jewish Community and Religious Freedom
- XIII. Questions of God and Caesar
- Appendix A. United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (1981)
- Appendix B. Vatican II Statement on the Jews
- Selected Bibliography
- Index