Radical transformations in minority religions: reflections

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Beth Singler
Keyword(s):  
Minority Religions

Reconciling state promises and practices: Constitutional promises and discrimination against religious minorities

2021 ◽  
pp. 003776862110123
Author(s):  
Roger Finke ◽  
Dane R Mataic
Keyword(s):  
Religious Freedom ◽  
The State ◽  
Religious Discrimination ◽  
Religious Minorities ◽  
Minority Religions ◽  
Independent Judiciary ◽  
Poor Predictor

Research on religious freedom has found a vast chasm between constitutional promises and state practices, with constitutional promises being a poor predictor of the state’s support of religious freedom. This research changes the focus from religious freedom to religious equality. We propose that constitutional promises of religious equality will be associated with less discrimination against minority religions and we explore the relationships governance and the promises of religious equality hold with religious discrimination. We find that promises of religious equality are associated with less discrimination. When exploring the interactions between promises of equality and our governance measures, we find constitutional promises of religious equality largely erase the differences in religious discrimination between countries with and without free elections and an independent judiciary. Yet, the reduced discrimination against minority religions does not suggest that the state removes restrictions on minority religions, only that they are equal with other religions.

Formalizing Secularism as a Regime of Restrictions and Protections: The Case of Quebec (Canada) and Geneva (Switzerland)

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-302
Author(s):  
Amélie Barras
Keyword(s):  
Religious Practices ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Public Servants ◽  
Minority Religions ◽  
The World ◽  
Regulatory Regimes ◽  
Context Specific

AbstractIn 2019, the province of Quebec and the canton of Geneva passed bills establishing their states as “secular.” While each law is, to a certain extent, context specific, both present noteworthy similarities. First, neutrality (the cornerstone of laïcité) is articulated around two elements: (1) restrictions that affect the religious practices of public servants belonging to minority religions and (2) protections for Christian symbols constructed as “cultural.” The article questions the implications for inclusive citizenship of formalizing regulatory regimes that differentiate between “religion” and “culture.” Second, a comparative lens enables an analysis of how, through whom, and why similar regimes of regulation travel from one area of the world to another. The article argues for the importance of considering transnational influences when analyzing the regulation of religion to better (1) understand why particular models of secularism gain traction and (2) capture power dynamics structuring these processes of traction.

scholarly journals Hvordan lese islamske Ornamenter i skolen?

Prismet ◽  
1970 ◽  
pp. 85-94
Author(s):  
Geir Winje
Keyword(s):  
Religious Education ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Religious Texts ◽  
Minority Religions ◽  
Fundamental Level ◽  
Geometric Figures ◽  
Norwegian School ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Ornamental Art

This article presents various ways of symbolic reading of Islamic ornaments, derived from academic writings on the subject. They may be categorized as more or less minimalist or maximalist, depending on the degree of explicit meaning ascribed to geometric figures and stylized flowers. The different interpretations of ornamental art is then seen in connection with Religious Education in Norwegian school, and the article proposes among other things a reading in accordance with contemporary views on multimodality and composition. On a more fundamental level, the article discusses the use of religious primary sources in school, especially those representing minority religions. It argues in favour of a didactic model that differentiates between several dimensions in religious texts, spanning from concepts and values that are common to all mankind, to what is specific for the actual religion. 

scholarly journals Framework of communication needed to protect against human rights violations of individuals who exercise their right to religious freedom in minority religions

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanus P. Pretorius
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Religious Freedom ◽  
Freedom Of Religion ◽  
World Peace ◽  
Special Rapporteur ◽  
International Level ◽  
Minority Religions ◽  
Religious Intolerance ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Relationship

The right to religious freedom is generally believed to be the solution to religious intolerance and discrimination and to ensure world peace amongst world citizens. On an international level, the United Nations, through the appointment of a special rapporteur for freedom of religion and belief, has introduced a tool to monitor violations of this right. This tool is known as �the framework of communications� and is focused mainly on the relationship between governments and religions. Unfortunately, religion is not excluded from the violation of human rights within its own ranks. This article pointed out that however pure the intention of freedom of religion, no real measures are in place to address violations of human rights in minority religions. Therefore, a tool is needed to investigate and address alleged violations within minority religions.

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