Religion, Law and Society

Description

Issues concerning religion in the public sphere are rarely far from the headlines. As a result, scholars have paid increasing attention to religion. These scholars, however, have generally stayed within the confines of their own respective disciplines. To date there has been little contact between lawyers and sociologists. Religion, Law and Society explores whether, how and why law and religion should interact with the sociology of religion. It examines sociological and legal materials concerning religion in order to find out what lawyers and sociologists can learn from each other. A groundbreaking, provocative and thought-provoking book, it is essential reading for lawyers, sociologists and all who are interested in the relationship between religion, law and society in the twenty-first century.

Russell Sandberg is a senior lecturer in law at the Centre for Law and Religion, Cardiff University.

'A work of refreshing clarity and vision ... Avowedly academic, it will be challenging to those new to the topics under construction, but will more than reward the reader who embraces the journey on which Sandberg seeks to take them.' Stephen Farrell, Search: A Church of Ireland Journal '... Dr Russell Sandberg's new book is both unique in its subject matter and outstanding in its delivery.' Mark Hill, Church Times 'In laying out the history of the debate over the secularization thesis, Sandberg makes a strong case for why sociologists studying religion should pay close attention to law.' Joseph P. Laycock, Journal of Church and State 'Sandberg's own arguments are clearly presented and, equally importantly, he provides the reader with a rich vein of material that they can draw on in pursuing the issues that he raises. The book is to be commended for both these things, and it will be required reading for anyone interested in the relationship between religion and law in contemporary Britain.' Anthony Bradney, Journal of Law and Society 'The book extends Sandberg's previous scholarship on law and religion, which examines the way law and religion have developed as a subdiscipline in England and Wales. Against a backdrop of religious resurgence and legal change to the status of religion, Sandberg powerfully demonstrates how both legal and sociological approaches are needed to unlock a fuller understanding of religion in society.' Charlotte Baines, Sociology of Religion