Religion Law UK

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WWW.RELIGIONLAW.CO.UK
(UPDATED 11th August 2008)

This web site has been designed to provide practical information and relevant web links on the subject of Religion and the Law today. It deals primarily with the legal position in England and Wales though information is provided on the legal position in many other countries and internationally.

Nietzsche famously said "God is Dead" which may have been true in the mid 19th Century but in the early 21st Century God is certainly back with a vengeance. Religious identity and the rights of religious minorities within a Secular culture are becoming increasingly important political and legal issues in many Western countries and internationally. Within the European Union Religious Discrimination in Employment has been banned and in Britain Incitement to Religious Hatred has been made a criminal offence but only after lengthy debate and extreme controversy. There is similar legislation in Australia which has led to controversial cases.

The Web site has been prepared by Barrister Neil Addison . I am a practising lawyer and I regularly appear in both civil and criminal courts; in addition I am a legal author and have recently published a Text Book Religious Discrimination and Hatred Law dealing with all the subjects covered in this web site. I created the Web site because I am aware that there are strong views both for and against the law becoming involved in this area. Some religious groups consider that legislation is necessary and indeed overdue whilst critics stress the danger of creating a climate in which honest debate of religious differences becomes impossible and free speech is smothered under a warm blanket of well meaning but ill thought out prohibitions. The purpose of this web site is not to push either view but to provide hard information on what the law actually is. The site will be updated regularly as new cases, legislation or reports appear.

Because of the subject matter of this site I accept that visitors will want to know my own religious beliefs. I am a Church going Roman Catholic with a strong belief in free speech. I hope that answers any legitimate personal questions visitors may have.

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Disclaimer

Please note that the information in this web site is provided as a free service, in good faith and to the best of my knowledge and belief. Accessing this site does not create any form of legal or professional relationship and I do not accept any liability or responsibility for any action taken on the basis of the information provided.