Overview

The role of religion as a contentious and motivating force in society is examined here through the lens of the church-state dynamic in countries with three very different approaches to this crucial relationship. Focusing on the United Kingdom, where there is official recognition of one religion by the state, the United States, where law imposes a separatism between religion and the state and Germany, where there is cooperation between the church and state, this book compares these three models. It describes the components of each model, illustrates their operation and uses case law to examine what each model might learn from the other. Controversial and timely issues such as the refusal of medical treatment on religious grounds, the wearing of Islamic headscarves and ritual animal slaughter are discussed with new insight, providing a comprehensive review of varied approaches to law, government and religious freedom.

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9781138260856

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Reviews

'The demarcation of the boundaries between state and religious communities has always been a sensitive matter in the West. Eberle's thorough treatment and comparative analysis of three of the principal models acceptable in the West - establishment, cooperation, and separation - serves as an important and timely contribution to the debate.' Larry CatA! Backer, Pennsylvania State University, USA 'Professor Eberle's book is a tour de force that should be read by scholars, judges, attorneys, and others interested in the area of law and religion. He has the unique ability to compare complex court decisions regarding religion, from three nations, in a clear and interesting manner. His insights and analysis will be illuminating to all readers.' Mark S. Kende, Drake University, USA 'Church and State in Western Society deepens our understanding of German constitutional law, enriches our comprehension of American constitutional law, and enhances our knowledge of the constitutional law of the United Kingdom. Eberle's fluency in the constitutional law of foreign nations has made him a trusted voice for those of us interested in comparative constitutional law, both in order to gain insights into other legal systems and to learn more about our own.' Journal of Church and State

'The demarcation of the boundaries between state and religious communities has always been a sensitive matter in the West. Eberle's thorough treatment and comparative analysis of three of the principal models acceptable in the West - establishment, cooperation, and separation - serves as an important and timely contribution to the debate.' Larry Catá Backer, Pennsylvania State University, USA 'Professor Eberle's book is a tour de force that should be read by scholars, judges, attorneys, and others interested in the area of law and religion. He has the unique ability to compare complex court decisions regarding religion, from three nations, in a clear and interesting manner. His insights and analysis will be illuminating to all readers.' Mark S. Kende, Drake University, USA 'Church and State in Western Society deepens our understanding of German constitutional law, enriches our comprehension of American constitutional law, and enhances our knowledge of the constitutional law of the United Kingdom. Eberle’s fluency in the constitutional law of foreign nations has made him a trusted voice for those of us interested in comparative constitutional law, both in order to gain insights into other legal systems and to learn more about our own.' Journal of Church and State

Author Information

Edward J. Eberle is Professor of Law at Roger Williams University School of Law. He is the co-author of the casebook Comparative Constitutional Law (Lexis/Nexis, forthcoming) and author of Dignity and Liberty: Constitutional Visions in Germany and the United States (Praeger, 2001).

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