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Call for Papers Theme: Law and Religious Pluralism in Contemporary Asia Type: International Workshop Institution: Asia Research Institute and Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore Location: Singapore Date: 17.–18.11.2011 Deadline: 1.4.2011 __________________________________________________ The debate about law and religion is often casted in modern Western terms: a separation of Church and State and a neutrality of the State are presumed, and religion is relegated to the private sphere where law (at least state law) should play no role (though of course sometimes this model is not followed in some parts of the West). Freedom of religion in the West is often defined as freedom from State intervention in religion – “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” says the First Amendment of the US Constitution. This has never been the case in many jurisdictions in Asia – religions and religious laws often count on the support and the regulations or at the very least the recognition of the State. Law and religion are often linked in Asia which makes Asia very different from the Western model. Yet Asian jurisdictions most often also have to deal with religious pluralism and claims of neutrality and secularity of the State and freedom of religion. How Asian jurisdictions reconcile these concepts may prove useful in our world today where States everywhere are challenged by religious pluralism. This workshop looks at how the law deals with religious pluralism in Asia. Is there a place for legal pluralism in the law – i.e. does the state apply different laws to different people depending on their religious affiliation (as is the case in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia etc.) and how does this relate to the nature of the state (secular or not). What are the justifications for legal pluralism in state law and in religious law? Furthermore, how does state law deal with religious group – does it treat all religions equally, does it forbid some religions, does it facilitate/regulate/control religious activities? Are there spheres of religious law beyond the reach of the state – for example ecclesiastical courts of the Churches which exist without support or recognition by the state, or other informal religious laws that is widely followed without being sanctioned by the state or even against the state’s prohibition of such practices (unregistered Muslim marriages in Indonesia). Potential subthemes: - State management of religious pluralism - Legal activism by religious groups - The balancing of religious values vs social policies - Democracy and religious majoritarianism We invite those interested in participating in the workshop to submit original paper proposals which should include a title, an abstract of 250 words, a short biography of 100-150 words, and should be submitted along with the attached form and sent to Jonathan Lee at <[email protected]> by 1 April 2011. Successful applicants will be notified by mid May 2011 and will be required to send in a completed paper by 15 September 2011. Participants are encouraged to seek funding for travel from their home institutions, however, a limited number of travel grants may be available for the participants. Convenors: Prof. Gary F. Bell Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore Prof. Tan Sor Hoon Asia Research Institute & Department of Philosophy, National University of Singapore Contact: Mr Ming Yao Lee Asia Research Institute National University of Singapore #10-01 Tower Block 69A Bukit Timah Road Singapore 259770 Tel: +65 6516 4224 Fax: +65 6779 1428 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.ari.nus.edu.sg/events_categorydetails.asp?categoryid=6&eventid=1145 __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
