State Responses to Minority Religions

The response of states to demands for free exercise of religion or belief varies greatly across the world. In some places religions come as close as imaginable to autonomous existences with little interference from government. In other cases religion finds itself grinding out a meagre living if at all under the jealously watchful eye of the state. This book provides a legal and normative overview of the variety of responses to minority religions available to states. Exploring case studies ranging from Islamic regions such as Indonesia Pakistan and the wider Middle East to Western Europe Eastern Europe China Russia Canada and the Baltics contributors include international scholars and experts in law sociology religious studies and political science. This book offers invaluable perspectives on how minority religions are currently being received reviewed challenged or ignored in different parts of the world.