RD280: Religion and the Secular State: Justly Governing Religious Diversity - 2024 Term 4
Almost every week, newspapers report a new controversy about religion. Are Gloriavale church members employees? Should the Seal of Confession prevent Catholic priests from reporting crimes? Is religious freedom a fair defense against hate speech? What gives, animal rights or halal slaughter? Should public schools still have bible classes? Is Christopher Luxon’s Christianity really off-limits? This course critically examines the history, politics and controversies of secularism. It asks how and why liberal democracies legislate religion differently. It analyses the sticky problems of ‘neutrality’ and ‘fairness’ that all jurisdictions face when governing religious diversity. And lastly, it considers what potential policy improvements there might be to secular liberal democracy’s ‘separation’ model. • Please choose one of the payment options below. • Unwaged includes students, seniors retirees and unemployed. • All prices are in New Zealand dollars and GST inclusive.