Print
Email
Share
Religion and the Open Society Symposium: Session Two: Religion-State Relations (Audio)
Listen to experts discuss the role of religion with regard to the state.
Speakers: Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law, Emory University Law School
Noah Feldman, Professor of Law, Harvard Law School; Adjunct Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
Philip Hamburger, Maurice and Hilda Friedman Professor of Law, Columbia University Law School
Presider: Walter Russell Mead, Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy, Council on Foreign Relations
March 25, 2008
Three experts discuss the interaction between religion and state around the world. Columbia University’s Philip Hamburger points out one can hardly discuss a society without getting into its religion. Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na’im, professor of law at Emory University Law School, says a secular state is a prerequisite for him to be able to practice his religion of choice. But CFR’s Noah Feldman says the idea of a secular state is not a universal value. He says if a state chooses to have an official state religion, provided it grants every individual the basic human right to religious liberty, “I think that’s just fine.”
This event is part of the Religion and Foreign Policy Symposia Series, which is made possible by the generous support of the Henry Luce Foundation.
Terms of Use: I understand that I may access this audio and/or video file solely for my personal use. Any other use of the file and its content, including display, distribution, reproduction, or alteration in any form for any purpose, whether commercial, noncommercial, educational, or promotional, is expressly prohibited without the written permission of the copyright owner, the Council on Foreign Relations. For more information, write outreach@cfr.org.
Countering Criminal Violence in Central America
The author assesses the causes and consequences of the violence faced by several Central American countries and examines the national, regional, and international efforts intended to curb its worst effects.
No One's World
A renowned scholar maps out the twenty-first-century world, providing a detailed strategy for reconciling the West with the "rise of the rest." More
The US-South Korea Alliance
A new volume explores the possibilities for enhanced U.S.-South Korea cooperation in both traditional and nontraditional spheres. More
U.S.-Turkey Relations
This Independent Task Force asserts that Turkey is an increasingly influential regional and economic power and calls for the United States and Turkey to forge a new partnership.
U.S. Education Reform and National Security
This Independent Task Force report asserts that fixing the nation's underperforming K-12 public schools is critical for strengthening the country's security and increasing its economic competitiveness.
To request permission to reprint or reuse CFR material, please fill out this permissions request form (PDF), referring to the instructions on page 1.
Listen to experts discuss the role of religion with regard to the state.
Experts discuss trends in religion and foreign policy.
Some degree of anti-immigrant sentiment can usually be found all over the world; but in Western Europe this sentiment is turning into...
Listen to Noah Feldman, adjunct senior fellow at CFR and professor of law at Harvard Law School, discuss his new book, The Fall and Rise of...