The Internal Law of Religions

This book presents a theoretical basis for the comparative law of religions at the intersection of legal and religious science, of theology and anthropology. It will be essential for those interested or working in the administration of justice and politics, intercultural competence and interreligious dialogue.

Comparative law of religions has developed in recent years as a new discipline at the intersection of legal and religious science, of theology and anthropology. This book presents a systematic theoretical basis for this new discipline.

While law is mostly associated with the state, many religions also have their own internal law. These internal legal norms are aimed at a particular form of behaviour on the part of believers. They therefore play a particular role in conflicts arising today between certain religious forms of behaviour. The comparison of the internal law of religions serves to establish and explain the commonalities and differences between various religious legal traditions. The religions examined here include: the law of Christian denominations, Jewish law, Islamic law, Hindu law, Buddhist law, and other religious legal systems. The work assesses six current approaches to the comparative law of religions, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, leading to the development of a new approach. The book discusses the role of religious law in state law and looks to likely future developments.

The work will be essential for those interested in the administration of justice and politics, for those professions where intercultural competence is required, and for interreligious dialogue.

Autorentext

Burkhard Josef Berkmann is a Professor at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany.

Inhalt

Preface

1. Introduction

2. Overview of various bodies of religious law

3. Various approaches

4. Our approach: research subject

5. Methods of comparative law of religions

6. Universality and particularity of the law

7. The significance of religious law within state law

8. Summary and outlook