Comparative Approaches to Law and Religion examines the methodological challenges of studying the interplay between law and religion across diverse jurisdictions. This volume fills a critical gap in the literature by focusing on ""how"" to conduct comparative research, offering both theoretical foundations and practical applications. Scholars from varied legal and cultural backgrounds contribute chapters that showcase innovative methodologies tailored to specific issues in law and religion.
The book is divided into three parts. Part One explores the foundational theories, methods, and frameworks of comparative research in law and religion, addressing state-religion models, legal pluralism, and the inclusion of minors in research. Part Two applies these approaches through comparative case studies, tackling topics such as medical treatment for minors, religious freedom in the EU, and judicial populism in religion-related cases. Part Three provides a critical evaluation of the methodologies employed, encouraging reflection and dialogue on their strengths, limitations, and broader applicability.
This volume is an essential resource for scholars of law and religion and comparative law. By offering a blend of theoretical insights and practical examples, it equips researchers with the tools to navigate the complexities of interdisciplinary and comparative legal studies across varied jurisdictions and traditions.
List of Contributors List of Illustrations Introduction: The Importance of Methodology in Comparative Law and Religion Camilla Andersen, Mohammad Rasmi Alumari and Renae Barker PART I Comparative Theories, Approaches and Methods 1. How to Do Comparative Law and Religion Jeremy Patrick 2. Understanding Models of State-Religion Relationships Renae Barker and Georgina Clarke 3. The Utility of Legal Pluralism as a Conceptual Approach in the Field of Law and Religion Amin Al-Astewani 4. Minors in Comparative Law and Religion Research Esther Erlings 5. Studies in the Sociological Method of Biblical Scholarship Ronen Shoval PART II Comparative Case Studies in Law and Religion 6. A Socio-Legal Explanation of the Divergent Legal Approaches to State Funding of Religious Schools in Canada and the United States Matt Watson 6.1 Response: Matt Watson, ‘A Socio-Legal Explication of the Divergent Legal Approaches to State Funding of Religious Schools in Canada and the United States’ Paul T Babie 7. American Constitutional Experience and the Interpretation of the Australian Religion Guarantees Paul T Babie 7.1 Response: Paul T Babie, ‘American Constitutional Experience and the Interpretation of the Australian Religion Guarantees’ Matt Watson 8. Refusal of Life Saving Medical Treatment by Mature Minors: A Comparative Analysis of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom Renae Barker and Camilla Andersen 9. Interpreting the Right to Freedom of Religion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: Outlining and Analysing the Function of the European Convention on Human Rights According to Art 52(2) CFR Gerhard van der Schyff 10. The Kirpan case law in Italy and Canada: Comparing law and religion judgments in the rise of judicial populism Tania Pagotto 11. Of Missiles and Wedding Cakes: Utilising Human Dignity to Hold a Hohfeldian Lens in Comparative Jurisprudence Neville Rochow 12. Listening to the People? A Comparative analysis of parliamentary committee inquiries concerning freedom of religious belief in Australia and Scotland Sarah Moulds 13. Religion as Individual Affair and Constitutional Permissions in India: Gathering Comparative Perspectives of Practicing it and Religious Mark on the Body in Public Domain Arvind P Bhanu and Sania Sthapak 14. Grounded Theory in the Study of Religion: A Critical Appraisal to socio-cultural factors and gender based legislation in Brazil and Pakistan Flavia Bellieni Zimmermann PART III Critiquing Comparative Approaches 15. Critique of Comparative Methodology Used in the Volume Mohammad Rasmi Alumari, Camilla Andersen and Renae Barker APENDIX Author Rejoinders and Reflections
Renae Barker is senior lecturer at the School of Law in University of Western Australia and Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Muslim States and Societies. Camilla Baasch Andersen is professor at the School of Law in University of Western Australia. Mohammad Rasmi Alumari is assistant professor in comparative private international law, and head of private law department at the Faculty of Law in Mutah University, Jordan.
