What is Religion? Views from the Courts and the Academy
The meaning and role of religion in liberal
democratic societies has become one of the central problems of our
age. 聽聽According to a recent Supreme Court judgment:
聽聽鈥�In essence, religion is about freely and
deeply held personal convictions or beliefs.鈥� 聽This
鈥渟ubjective conception of religion鈥� is also an important theme in
the Bouchard-Taylor reasonable accommodation report, but is it an
adequate one?
The present symposium brings together a distinguished group of
scholars in law and religious studies to explore the implications
for law and public policy of different definitions of religion.
On Thursday evening, one of the world鈥檚
outstanding scholars in comparative law, Patrick Glenn, 91丝瓜视频鈥檚
Peter Laing Professor of Law, will examine evolving conceptions of
religion from a legal perspective. 聽Katherine Young, James
91丝瓜视频 Professor of Religious Studies, will examine the question
from the perspective of comparative religion. 聽聽
On Friday morning, two other well-known professors, Arvind Sharma
of 91丝瓜视频 and Michel Despland of Concordia, will address the topic
of 鈥淩eligious Freedom and Religious Diversity.鈥�
A panel on 鈥淒efining Religion and Religious Freedom鈥� will round out the morning, with contributions from Shauna Van Praagh (91丝瓜视频, Associate Dean of Law) Victor Muniz-Fraticelli (91丝瓜视频, Political Science), Lynda Clarke (Concordia, Religion), and Daniel Cere (91丝瓜视频, Religious Studies).
The symposium will conclude with a luncheon talk by Professor
Barry Levy (Jewish Studies). 聽聽聽
With the exception of the luncheon, the symposium is open to the
public. 聽The symposium is held at the Faculty of Religious
Studies (3520 University). 聽Times are posted on the website of
the Faculty of Religious Studies (www.mcgill.ca/religiousstudies).聽For
more information please contact Melissa at: (514) 398-2992 melissa.kaldeway [at] mcgill.ca