Human Rights and Religions - by Peter G Kirchschlaeger (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Offering a critical, comprehensive, and holistic discussion of the validity of human rights inside and outside of religious communities, this book explores the relationship between religious communities, abstract "religion", and human rights from an ethical perspective. The work also provides a rounded discussion on human rights-obligations and-responsibilities of religions communities and worldview-based communities as well as of non-state actors. Prompting religions and worldview-based communities to redefine their relationship to the liberal state, this book allows for ethical conclusions to be drawn about other non-state actors, their relationship to human rights, and their means to peacefully coexistence in secular society. The book is therefore an attractive read for scholars interested in the social and religion dimensions of Human Rights and Religions.

From the Back Cover

Offering a critical, comprehensive, and holistic discussion of the validity of human rights inside and outside of religious communities, this book explores the relationship between religious communities, abstract "religion", and human rights from an ethical perspective. The work also provides a rounded discussion on human rights-obligations and-responsibilities of religious and worldview-based communities as well as of non-state actors in general.

Peter G. Kirchschlaeger is Full Professor of Theological Ethics and Director of the Institute of Social Ethics ISE at the University of Lucerne (Switzerland) as well as Visiting Professor at the Chair for Neuronal Learning and Intelligent Systems at ETH Zurich and at the ETH AI Center (Switzerland), Visiting Fellow at the Global Ethic Institute at the University of Tuebingen (Germany), and Research Fellow at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein (South Africa). Prior, he was Visiting Fellow at Yale University (USA).

"With the increased attention being given to the human rights roles and responsibilities of religion and belief communities, actors, and representatives or leaders, it is high time for a deeper consideration of this relationship. This highly welcome study by Peter G. Kirchschlaeger offers precisely such a study. This allows not only for a sober analysis of where this relationship currently stands, but also where it can be headed, and how it can be optimized for greater realization of human rights through the approach of adaptation."

- Professor Dr. Nazila Ghanea, Professor in International Human Rights Law, University of Oxford, UK; UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief

"Peter G Kirchschlaeger comes to grips with the essential dilemma of Human Rights and Religions. Spiritual and ethical principles help to explain the basic foundations of universal human rights. Yet the practice of religions can undermine equality and human dignity. Harmonizing rights and fundamental obligations is the challenge the author tackles brilliantly."

- The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG, Past Justice of the High Court of Australia

About the Author

Peter G. Kirchschlaeger is Full Professor of Theological Ethics and Director of the Institute of Social Ethics ISE at the University of Lucerne (Switzerland) as well as Visiting Professor at the Chair for Neuronal Learning and Intelligent Systems at ETH Zurich and at the ETH AI Center (Switzerland). He is Visiting Fellow at the Global Ethic Institute at the University of Tuebingen (Germany) and Research Fellow at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein (South Africa). Prior, he was Visiting Fellow at Yale University (USA).