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"Freedom of religion is an issue of universal interest and scope. However, in the last two centuries at least, the philosophical, religious and legal terms of the question have been largely defined in the West. In an increasingly global world, widening our knowledge of this right's roots in different cultural and legal systems becomes a priority. This Handbook seeks to attain this goal through a better understanding of the historical roots and expressions of the right to freedom of religion on the one hand and, on the other, of its theological background in different religious traditions. History and theology provide the setting for the analysis of the politics of freedom of religion, that is, how this right is used in the context of the dialogue/confrontation between countries placed in different cultural regions of the world, and of the legal strategies and tools that have been developed and are employed to protect and foster the right to freedom of religion. Behind these legal and political strategies there is an ongoing debate about the nature of this right, whose main features are explored in the final section. Global, historical and interdisciplinary in approach, this book studies the new relevance of freedom of religion worldwide and develops suitable categories to analyze and understand the role that freedom of religion can play in managing religious and cultural diversity in our societies. Authored by experts, through the contributions collected in these chapters, scholars and students will be able to broaden and deepen their knowledge of the right to freedom of religion and to develop the ability to go beyond the borders of the different cultural environments in which this right took shape and developed.""--

In line with the OSCE's conflict prevention role and its commitments to fostering a culture of mutual respect and understanding, the ODIHR published the Toledo Guiding Principles on Teaching about Religions and Beliefs in Public Schools. The Toledo Guiding Principles have been prepared in order to contribute to an improved understanding of the world's religious diversity. Their rationale is based on two core principles: first, that there is positive value in teaching that emphasizes respect for everyone's right to freedom of religion or belief, and second, that teaching about religions and beliefs can reduce harmful misunderstandings and stereotypes. The primary purpose of the Toledo Guiding Principles is to assist OSCE participating States whenever they choose to promote the study and knowledge about religions and beliefs in schools, particularly as a tool to enhance religious freedom. The Principles focus solely on the educational approach that seeks to provide teaching about different religions and beliefs. Adapted from the source document.

Intro -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- List of Contributors -- Introduction -- 1. Locating the right to freedom of religion or belief across time and territory -- References -- PART I: History of the right to freedom of religion or belief -- 2. The right to freedom of religion: An historical perspective from the West -- First millennium -- The papal revolution -- The protestant reformation -- Religious establishment and religious freedom in Europe -- Religious establishment and religious freedom in the new world -- Modern religious freedom in the West and Beyond -- Further reading -- References -- 3. The right to freedom of religion: An historical perspective from Asia: -- Introduction -- Asia's religious landscape in the precolonial period -- The inclusivist religions of Asia -- Religious domination, discrimination and persecution -- The colonial period and attitudes toward religion -- European colonialism -- The Portuguese attitude -- The Dutch approach -- The Spanish -- The French in Indochina -- British approaches to religious management -- The Japanese as colonisers -- Decolonisation and the making of modern states and constitutions -- Conclusion -- References -- 4. The right to freedom of religion: An historical perspective from Africa -- Introduction -- The continent of Africa -- African traditional religion, Islam and Christianity -- Islam in North Africa -- The Moors and the Tuareg of Central Sahara -- Sudan -- Zimbabwe -- Conclusion -- References -- 5. The right to freedom of belief: An historical perspective on secular humanism -- The precursors -- The enlightenment -- The triumph of anticlericalism? -- Secular humanism to the test of the twentieth century -- Freedom of belief in international instruments -- Secular humanism, a new religion? -- Beyond the Western World -- Conclusion.

What is the place assigned to religion in the constitutions of contemporary States? What role is religion expected to perform in the fields that are the object of constitutional regulation? Is separation of religion and politics a necessary precondition for democracy and the rule of law? These questions are addressed in this book through an analysis of the constitutional texts that are in force in different parts of the world. Constitutions are at the centre of almost all contemporary legal systems and provide the principles and values that inspire the action of the national law-makers. After a discussion of some topics that are central to the constitutional regulation of religion, the book considers a number of national systems covering countries with a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds. The final section of the book is devoted to the discussion of the constitutional regulation of some particularly controversial issues, such as religious education, the relation between freedom of speech and freedom of religion, abortion, and freedom of conscience