Abstract of the lecture given by Prof. Brian Lepard
at the 10th European Baha'i Conference on law
Every day millions of human beings are deprived of the right to practice their religion freely; indeed, many are tortured or killed in an effort to extinguish their religious freedoms. It seems that around the world intolerance of religious freedom is relentlessly growing, despite the adoption of many laws, both national and international, purporting to safeguard this essential liberty.
The presentation examined the role of law in protecting religious freedom. It first examined the various historical and contemporary perspectives on the nature of religious freedom and on the kind of legal safeguards appropriated to ensure it. Then it outlined the Baha'i approach to this problem based on principles manifest in the Baha'i writings, an approach that can help to integrate these competing perspectives, but also transcends them. Finally, the paper suggested implications of a Baha'i point of view for the reform of domestic and international legal standards and procedures intended to uphold freedom of religion.
The presentation examined the role of law in protecting religious freedom. It first examined the various historical and contemporary perspectives on the nature of religious freedom and on the kind of legal safeguards appropriated to ensure it. Then it outlined the Baha'i approach to this problem based on principles manifest in the Baha'i writings, an approach that can help to integrate these competing perspectives, but also transcends them. Finally, the paper suggested implications of a Baha'i point of view for the reform of domestic and international legal standards and procedures intended to uphold freedom of religion.
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