Religion and Human Rights: An Introduction

Coeditor, Religion and Human Rights: An Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2012) (with M. Christian Green)
Description

The relationship between religion and human rights is both complex and inextricable. While most of the world's religions have supported violence, repression, and prejudice, each has also played a crucial role in the modern struggle for universal human rights. Most importantly, religions provide the essential sources and scales of dignity and responsibility, shame and respect, restraint and regret, restitution and reconciliation that a human rights regime needs to survive and flourish in any culture.

With contributions by a score of leading experts, Religion and Human Rights provides authoritative and accessible assessments of the contributions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Indigenous religions to the development of the ideas and institutions of human rights. It also probes the major human rights issues that confront religious individuals and communities around the world today, and the main challenges that the world's religions will pose to the human rights regime in the future.
Table of Contents

Introduction – John Witte, Jr. and M. Christian Green, Emory University
 
Part I: Human Rights and Religious Traditions
​1.  A Jewish Theory of Human Rights – David Novak
2.  Christianity and Human Rights – Nicholas P. Wolterstorff
3.  Islam and Human Rights: Framing and Reframing the Discourse – Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im
4.  Hinduism and Human Rights – Werner Menski
5.  Confucianism and Human Rights – Joseph Chan 
6.  Buddhism and Human Rights – Sallie B. King
7.  Indigenous Religion and Human Rights – Ronald Niezen
8.  Religion, Human Rights, and Public Reason: The Role and Limits of a Secular Rationale – David Little
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Part II: Religion and Modern Human Rights Issues
9.  The Phases and Functions of Freedom of Conscience – Steven D. Smith
10.  Religion and Freedom of Choice – Paul Taylor
11.  Religion and Freedom of Expression – Carolyn Evans
12.  Religion, Equality, and Non-Discrimination – Nazila Ghana
13.  Religion and Freedom of Association – Natan Lerner
14.  The Right to Self-Determination of Religious Communities – Johan D. van der Vyver
15.  Permissible Limitations on Religion – T. Jeremy Gunn
16.  From Religious Freedom to Moral Freedom – Michael J. Perry
17.  Keeping Faith: Reconciling Women's Human Rights and Religion – Madhavi Sunder
18.  Religion and Children's Rights – Barbara Bennett Woodhouse
19.  Religion and Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights – Ingvill Thorson Plesner
20.  Religion and Environmental Rights – Willis Jenkins
21.  Religion, Violence, and the Right to Peace – R. Scott Appleby
22.  Patterns of Religion State Relations –​ W. Cole Durham, Jr.
Reviews

"This splendid volume is a treasure house of insight and up-to-date information on religion and human rights. The accessibility of the essays, the eminence of the diverse authors, and the vision of the editors will make this an indispensable handbook for every scholar, advocate, and policy-maker in the field."
-- Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law, Harvard University
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"An important contribution to the study of twenty-first century challenges in the field...an excellent handbook and comprehensive survey of the subject."
-- Catholic Library World