Canopy Forum produces expert analysis to the broader community of digital consumers: citizens, scholars, lawyers, clergy, journalists, policy makers, and more. By providing accurate information, expert analysis, and contextualized explanation of issues impacting America and the world, Canopy Forum essays address the growing concern for an understanding of law and religion, bringing these issues to the forefront of American public discourse in an informed, nuanced, and productive way. Read some of our latest articles on the intersection of law and religion below, or browse our content by topic. Browse our full collection of essays here.
Latest Articles
- “An Illustrative Approach to Religious Freedom Violations in Nigeria” by Dennis P. Petri
Lagos, Nigeria by Nupo Deyon Daniel on Unsplash. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse federation of 36 autonomous states … Read more - “How German Muslims and Christians Criticize Capitalism” by Christian Sperneac-Wolfer
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany. Throughout its history, capitalism has been met with harsh religious resistance and objections. Today, both … Read more - “Under the Protection of God: Does the Preamble of the Brazilian Constitution of 1988 Allow Freedom of Expression solely for Christians?” by Damião Benilson Gomes de Melo, Rafaela Albuquerque Fires & J. Ernesto Pimentel Filho
Picture of the Supremo Tribunal Federal in Brazil by Dennis W. Asfour (CC BY-SA 4.0). In Brazil, the constitutional preamble … Read more - “Watering the Seeds of Consciousness through Sound : Logos, Shabd, and the Implications for Natural Law” by Sunil Rao
Heraclitus, ‘the weeping philosopher’, by Johannes Moreelse (PD-US). The human inclination to search for timeless and transcendent truths, and transform … Read more - “Faith in Interpretation” by Aaron J. Walayat
Abraham and the Angels by Andries Snellinck (PD-US). What is the relationship between faith and constitutional interpretation? Superficially understood, this … Read more - “‘Luminous and Obscure’: Into the Depths of Constitutional Meaning” by Perry Dane
James West investigating the Constitution. From NASA (PD-US). Let’s explore an out of the ordinary way of thinking about the … Read more - “The Right to Conscientious Objection Under Martial Law in Ukraine” by Illia Roskoshnyi
From the President of Ukraine (PD-US). The right to conscientious objection to military service as a fundamental human right is … Read more - “Iran’s Political Agenda: Women’s Bodies at the Intersection of Religion and Law” by Faegheh Shirazi
A sign with “Woman, Life, Freedom” (Jin, Jiyan Azadi) in Central and Northern Kurdish by Pirehelokan (CC BY-SA 4.0). As … Read more - “Chinese Persecution of the Uyghur: A Case of Genocide” by Ali Çaksu
Demonstration for Uyghur rights in Berlin by Leonhard Lenz (CC0 1.0). Uyghurs are a Muslim Turkic people who have been … Read more - “Religion, Law, and Governance in Premodern Hindu Political Theory” by John Nemec
Prambanan Temple Complex in Yogyakarta Indonesia. Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas. (CC BY-SA 3.0). Political theory in premodern South Asia … Read more - “‘A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast’*: Early Modern Christian German-speakers, and the Rights of Other Creatures” by Anthony Roeber
*(Proverbs: 12:10); “The Good Shepherd, St. Botolph without Aldersgate” by Andrewrabbott (CC BY-SA 4.0). The present essay explores why the … Read more - “Freedom of Thought and Conscience and the Challenges of AI” by Andrea Pin
Artificial General Intelligence Illustration by David S. Soriano (CC BY-SA 4.0). The capacity to spread misinformation, manipulate people, and persuade … Read more - Law, African Religion, and Environmentalism by Ikechukwu Anthony Kanu
Mazah Hills, Jos, Nigeria. Photo by Victor Salami Oyale (CC BY-SA 4.0). In 2022, I was invited by Harvard Divinity School at … Read more - “Religious Regulation and Discrimination in Venezuela” by Dennis Petri
Religion in Isla Margarita, Valle del Espíritu Santo by Wilfredor (CC0 1.0). This essay seeks to illustrate the state of … Read more - “The Trial of Saint Francis of Assisi” by Ricardo Evandro Santos Martins
St Francis of Assisi by Philip Fruytiers. From the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp. (PD-US). It is possible to … Read more - “Law and Religion in an Age of Rapid Secularization” by Frank Lechner
Trinity Church on Broadway and Wall Street, New York City. Photo by TLM1995 (CC BY-SA 4.0). In the relationship between … Read more - “The Black Police Officer in the US: An Analysis of Tyre Nichols’ Death” by George Walters-Sleyon
“Tyre Nichols protest from January 29, 2023 at the Ohio State House in Columbus” by Becker1999 (CC BY 2.0). This … Read more - “Control over Bodies: Transformation of a Religious Tradition into Law” by Zahra Abedinezhad
“Amir Kabir University Uprising September 2022” by Darafsh. (CC BY-SA 4.0). How much can a religious-political system control its citizens? … Read more - “California Dreamin’ on Caste” by Prakash Shah
Meeting between Indian Prime Minister Modi and Vice President Harris, from Office of the Vice President of the United States … Read more - “Climates of Anti-Blackness: Religion, Race and Environmental Politics in Bolivia” by Mareike Winchell
The sunset in Santa Ana de Chiquitos, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, by Osireg. (CC BY-SA 2.0). It was sweltering — nearly … Read more - “Lobbyists United in Corporate America” by Matteo Corsalini
“No Lobbyists Beyond This Point” sign at the Maryland State House by Daniel Huizinga. (CC BY 2.0). In the history … Read more - “Chaplains: Indispensable Members of the Military” by Charles J. Russo & John C. Mosbey
“First Female Muslim Chaplain, 2021” by Airman 1st Class Jackson Manske (CC0). Senator John Boozman (R-AR) and Senator Raphael Warnock … Read more - “Nicaragua and the Catholic Church” by Michael Hendricks
“Posesión de Daniel Ortega como presidente de Nicaragua” by Cancillería del Ecuador, 2012. (CC BY-SA 2.0). In recent years, Nicaraguan … Read more - “Politics and Religion in Cuba and Nicaragua” by Dennis P. Petri
“Cristo Church, Havana, Cuba” by Roberts & Co., Havana (CC0). The Regulation of Religion in Communist Cuba Religious groups have … Read more - “Religion in State Education Policy” by Bryan Kelley
“In God We Trust” Plaque by USCapitol (CC0). Every year, state legislatures throughout the country introduce legislation that in some … Read more - “The Intersection Between Religion and Inclusive K-12 Athletic Participation” by Suzanne Eckes
Image by Wutthichai Charoenburi (CC BY 2.0). Religious rights and civil rights sometimes collide in public schools. In earlier cases, … Read more - “Politics vs. Religion?: The Case of Nicaragua” by Teresa Flores
Managua Nicaragua Centroamérica by Hillsong7 (CC BY-SA 4.0). During crises or social conflicts in Nicaragua, the Catholic Church has served … Read more - “The Politics of Prayer in Prison” by Andrew Skotnicki
I read a newspaper column many years ago by Garry Wills. He was writing about a priest and three peace … Read more - “Ten Years of Pope Francis and the Transatlantic Catholic Gap” by Massimo Faggioli
The tenth anniversary of a papal election is an important milestone. This is especially so in the case of Pope … Read more - “Internet Ethics, American Law, and Jewish Law: A Comparative Overview” by Dr. Gertrude N. Levine & Samuel J. Levine
The Internet, devised for the purpose of interconnecting diverse computer networks of research and educational communities, has become a global communication … Read more - “The Effects of Proscription on the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt” by Ioana Emy Matesan
Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash. Introduction From its establishment in 1928 until the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011, the … Read more - “Perilous Times Ahead for Religious Freedom on Public College and University Campuses?” by Charles J. RussoAfter its recent attempts to challenge conscience exemptions for medical professionals whose faiths prevent them from participating in procedures such … Read more
- “The Banality of Anti-Judaism” by Matthew Cavedon
European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg with Flags by Cédric Puisney (CC BY 2.0). Last year, Dr. Mia Brett … Read more - “Extremism, Dissent, or ‘Just a Job’? The Lethal Concoction of India’s Anti-Terror Laws and Media Policy in the Kashmir Valley” by Annapurna Menon
Kashmir Valley in India by Kriti Kuhoo (CC BY-SA 4.0). A prominent Kashmiri journalist, Fahad Shah has completed one year … Read more - “When a Constitutional Democracy Meets Islam: The Italian Case” by Francesco Alicino
“Italian Parliament Building” by Marco Verch (CC BY 2.0). In a constitutional democracy, the right to freedom of religion implies … Read more - “The Conscience Rights of Health Care Professionals Under the Affordable Health Care Act and its Regulations: An Emerging Controversy” by Charles J. Russo
One of the more contentious issues surrounding medical care concerns the conscience rights of health care professionals such as doctors, … Read more - “Irreconcilable differences: Law, Religion, and Taiwan’s relationship with China” by André Laliberté
Taipei Sunrise by Chensiyuan (CC BY-SA 4.0). Historically, laws regarding religion in China and Taiwan differ considerably, and these differences … Read more - “Faculty Unions in Catholic Educational Institutions: A Disconnect between Church Teachings and Practice” by Charles J. Russo
Approaching Vatican City, Rome by Fenous (CC BY-SA 4.0). Speaking in the Vatican to a gathering of the Italian General … Read more - “Plessy, Prince, and Me: Law, Religion, and the Quest for Racial Justice” by M. Christian Green
Photo by Matthew Bedford on Unsplash. 1896. The year seemed to flash in glaring red lights from the text of … Read more - “How Is Eastern Christianity Affecting Pope Francis’s Priorities?” by Matthew Cavedon
Cloisters of Norwich Cathedral by Arjen Bax (CC BY-SA 2.0). Introduction: Easter with the Easterns? The Christmas season hadn’t even … Read more - Does Religion Speak War; Why Use It As A Means? By Rackel Jackson Agara
Aso Rock in Abujo, Nigeria by Mike Fisher (CC BY-SA 2.0). “War is the greatest plague that afflicts humanity, it … Read more - “Sovereigns, Exceptions, and ‘Shadow Dockets’: Law, Religion, and States of Emergency” by M. Christian Green
“Sovereign is he who decides on the exception.”Carl Schmitt, Political Theology (1921) “By nonetheless granting relief, the Court goes astray. … Read more - “Religious Freedom and the Burqa Ban in Italy” by Rebeca Vázquez Gómez
This article is part of our “Clothed in Religion: Law and Religious Attire/Garb” series.If you’d like to check out other … Read more - “Identifying Religious Modes of Discourse in Healthcare Policy Debates” by Ira Bedzow
Religious discourse in multicultural environments has enormous potential to enrich our larger society, especially in matters related to healthcare. It … Read more - “Bring Back Meatless Fridays” by Matthew P. Cavedon
Meatless Fridays were once one of the most visible markers of Catholic identity. For most of the American faithful, they … Read more - “The Southern Baptist Convention Cases and the Limited Option for Holding Religious Institutions Accountable for Clergy Sex Abuse” by Carolyn M. Warner
In May of 2022, the news broke that the US Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) had released an independent report investigating … Read more - “Protecting Students From Religious Coercion After Kennedy v. Bremerton” by Gabriela Hybel and Alex Bodaken
This article is part of our “Kennedy, Carson, and Dobbs: Law and Religion in Pressing Supreme Court Cases” series.If you’d … Read more - “Has Religion Been Fueling the Politics of Conflict in Ethiopia? A Cautionary Tale” by Jon Abbink
body of water under cloudy sky during sunset by Storiès on Unsplash. Conflict and Religion Is religion a conflict dimension … Read more - “Sketching the Legal Landscape of Religious Liberty in the States in 2022” by Jordan J. Ballor
silhouette of trees covered by fog by Paul Pastourmatzis on Unsplash. The United States Constitution, drafted in 1787, is a … Read more - “Dignity and Belonging in Family, Church, and State” by Rafael Domingo
This essay is adapted from Prof. Rafael Domingo’s address at the ICLARS (International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies) conference … Read more - “The Admissibility of Christian Pro-Life Politics” by Matthew P. Cavedon
Bible, Church, Wedding (Pixabay) In the course of calling out anti-Semitism in American law – a very valid concern – Dr. Mia Brett’s recent Canopy Forum article argues … Read more - “Regulating Religion in Taiwan: Historical Background, Changes, and Recent Controversies” by Rung-Guang Lin
Yonghe Baofu Temple in Taipei, Taiwan by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash. One of the most notable characteristics of Taiwan’s … Read more - “Can Faith-Based Schools Retain Their Traditional Religious Values in a Changing World?” by Charlie Russo and Keith Thompson
Picture by Mostafa Meraji (CC BY-SA 4.0) Contemporary efforts to regulate religious schools are unjust and bound to fail. Emerging legislation … Read more - “The Unmelting Lebanese National Pot” by Imad Salamey
Picture by Pawal Czerwinski on Unsplash. Post-colonial Middle Eastern states have failed to achieve national secularization and homogenisation. Nation-building has … Read more - “The Rise and Fall of Church-State Separation” by Damon Mayrl
Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. This article is part of our … Read more - “Remedies for Religious Persecution in China: An International Human Rights Perspective” by Michelle Coleman
Picture by Danny D. on Unsplash. The Chinese government is waging an assault on religion. Millions of Christians, Muslims, and … Read more - The Bible and the Constitution: Of Monkeys, Babies and Original Intent by Larry W. Caldwell
In 1925, on Day 7 of the infamous “Scopes Monkey Trial” (The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes), defense … Read more - “Why Are Jehovah’s Witnesses Persecuted?” by Mathew N. Schmalz
Picture by Jace Grandinetti on Unsplash. Since 2017, the Russian government has attempted to “liquidate” Jehovah’s Witnesses as a religious … Read more - “The Universal Application of Laws is Never Equal: Antisemitism in U.S. Law” by Mia Brett
“Klan display their robes at the U.S. Capitol: 1925” by Washington Area Spark. Until the Civil Rights movement in the … Read more - “‘Drawn from out of the very bowels of heaven and earth’: Natural Law and Discursive Politics in Richard Hooker” by Luke Zerra
Statue of Richard Hooker on Exeter Cathedral Close (Rob Brewer) Richard Hooker (1554-1600) is credited — alongside Thomas Cranmer — … Read more - “State and Non-State Violations of Religious Freedom and Implications for National Unity in Nigeria” by Dodeye Uduak Williams
Picture by Faseeh Fawaz on Unsplash. Nigeria is home to about 250 ethnic groups and culturally diverse communities with different … Read more - “Social Media, Free Speech, and Religious Freedom in Australia” by Colette Langos and Paul Babie
Parliament House in Canberra, Australia by Thannicke (CC BY-SA 4.0) Social media forms part of the fabric of 21st century … Read more - “The Supreme Court Says Conscience is Everything. Or Nothing. It Depends.” by Len Niehoff
US Supreme Court by John L. Marino. This article is part of our “Kennedy, Carson, and Dobbs: Law and Religion … Read more - “The Post-Pandemic Western Populist Right: A Purported Clash Between the Public Good and Individual Rights” by Chiara Migliori
Vice President Mike Pence meets with Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini of Italy in the Roosevelt Room of the White … Read more - “Black Magic, Black Humor, Serious Hate: Ludic Chaos on the Alt-Right” By Marla Segol
Picture by Boris Stefanik on Unsplash. One sunny spring day in 2018, I walked into work to find a flier … Read more - “How Sex Discrimination Law Helps Us Resolve LGBTQ Religious Exemption Claims” by Kyle C. Velte
Picture by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash. This essay is based on the author’s 2021 Minnesota Law Review article “The Nineteenth … Read more - “A Theology of Human Rights in an Orthodox Perspective” by Paul Ladouceur
Orthodox Church in Moscow, Russia by Jacqueline Macou on Pixabay. Orthodox Christianity does not have a good reputation on human … Read more - “Hiding in Plain Sight: Christian Nationalism’s Threat to Faith Freedom for All” by Jennifer Hawks
The U.S. Constitution was enacted “in Order to form a more perfect Union,” and serves as the founding generation’s clarion … Read more - “Kavanaugh May Be Open to Restoring Strict Scrutiny Review in Free Exercise Cases” by Raphael A. Friedman
Chambers of the US Supreme Court by Carol M. Highsmith. On March 24, for the third time in two years, … Read more - “303 Creative v. Elenis: Masterpiece Cakeshop 2.0?” by Mark Satta
Picture by Boris Stromar on Pixabay. In fall 2017, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado. … Read more - “Restricting Public Worship During Covid: The Response of Courts Across the Globe” by Mark Movsesian
A revealing episode For two years, governmental restrictions on communal worship during the Covid crisis have been a central issue … Read more - “Religious Arguments and Political Goals Behind the Russian-Ukrainian War” by Dmytro Vovk
Image: “Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill on Unity Day 2016-11-04” by The Presidential of Russia Press and Information Office / … Read more - “The Future of Religious Arbitration in the U.S.” by Lee Ann BambachA virtual conference sponsored by Canopy Forum of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory (CSLR) featuring … Read more
- “The End of an Ideological Cycle?” by Cyril Hovorun
This article is part of our “Russia/Ukraine: Law and Religion Perspectives” series.If you’d like to check out other articles in … Read more - “Reflections on Abortion, President Biden, Catholic Politicians, and Church Teachings Redux: The Truth Will Set You Free” by Charles J. Russo
Picture by Anna Sulencka on Pixabay. On Monday, May 2, 2022, an unknown person or persons leaked Justice Alito’s draft … Read more - “The Dangerous 303 Creative Case” by Andrew Koppelman
Image: “Obergefell v. Hodges Decision Announced — June 26, 2015” by Matt Popovich. The conflict between gay rights and religious … Read more - “Apocalypse is Now!” by David Cook
Picture by Kim MacKinnon on Unsplash. Apocalypse: A Short History Apocalypse is, in a short definition, the history of the … Read more - “Jehovah’s Witnesses and Religious Persecution: Do Signed Declarations Help?” by George D. Chryssides
Picture by Narcis Ciocan on Pixabay. On December 17, 2021, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of International Religious Freedom … Read more - “Prayer is Everywhere” by Leslie Griffin
Prayer is everywhere. Everyone is disputing prayer, even though the First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an … Read more - “Constitutional Recognition of Religious Exemptions to Vaccination Requirements” by James G. Hodge
Picture on Pixabay. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Supreme Court has demonstrated its willingness to intervene on critical questions … Read more - “SCOTUS Religion Cases: A New Online Database for Scholars of Law and Religion” by Justin Latterell and Rachel Kennedy
Picture of the US Supreme Court by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash. The newest edition of Religion and the American Constitutional … Read more - “A Native of Conklin, NY Discusses QAnon” by Sarah Louise MacMillen
Picture by Rosemary Ketchum on Pexels. The author wishes to thank Timothy Rush and George Lundskow for their helpful input … Read more - “Pope Francis, Just War Theory, the Ukraine, and Beyond: Can War Be Just?” by Charles Russo
Photo by Annett Klingner on Pixabay. This article is part of our “Russia/Ukraine: Law and Religion Perspectives” series. If you’d … Read more - “Religious Exemption Laws & the Conservative Legal Movement” by Elizabeth Reiner Platt
Photo by Victor Moussa on adobe.stock.com. The contemporary debate around the right to free exercise of religion — and its … Read more - “American Religious Support for COVID Protocols, and Public Values” by R. Drew Smith
Though the COVID health emergency within the U.S. seems to be lessening in intensity, the occurrence of 35,000 COVID hospitalizations … Read more - “Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s religious liberty opinions won’t bother most American Jews” by Michael Helfand
US Supreme Court Building by Mark Thomas on Pixabay. This article first appeared in the Forward, the nation’s leading Jewish … Read more - “The U.S. Role in Combating Global Islamophobia” by Engy Abdelkader
Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplash. Last December, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) … Read more - “The Russian Orthodox Church’s Empire of Media” by Jacob Lassin
Picture of a Russian Orthodox Church (CCO 1.0) This article is part of our “Russia/Ukraine: Law and Religion Perspectives” series. … Read more - “Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine” by Rafael Domingo
This article is part of our “Russia/Ukraine: Law and Religion Perspectives” series. If you’d like to check out other articles … Read more - “Desmond Tutu and the Intersections Between Law and Religion” by Toyin Falola
Ubuntu: I am because you are, because we are. But beyond that, I am because I belong, and I have … Read more - “Institutional Erasure: Legal Pluralism in Colonial Egypt” by Samy A. Ayoub
Legal pluralism, as practiced in Egypt in the 19th – 20th centuries, was made possible within institutional structures, procedural norms, … Read more - “Teaching The Virtues of Climate Responsibility” by Henry Kuo
Photo of a climate march in Montréal by Pascal Bernardon on Unsplash. The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) concluded … Read more - “Would You Change Your Religion For a Religious Exemption to the Covid-19 Vaccine?” by Dwight M. Kealy
Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash. Many evangelical Christians are turning to pastors, priests, and Title VII of the Civil … Read more - “The Holiday Blues in Prison” by Juan Carlos Riofrío
Photo by Emiliano Bar on Unsplash. Holidays are not the same for everyone, not even in prison. No matter what … Read more - “Why This Supreme Court Should Overrule Employment Division v. Smith” by Raphael A. Friedman
Photo of the Village Church of Lincolnshire by Andrew Seaman on Unsplash. For several decades, parties asserting religious liberty claims … Read more - “Christianity and the International Criminal Court” by Johan Van der Vyver
Photo of Lady Justice (Pixabay). In 2021, Johan D. van der Vyver, I.T. Cohen Professor of International Law and Human … Read more - “#Abortion: The Religious Right Meets TikTok” by Rachel Wagner
Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash. Given the centrality and heatedness of the abortion debate in the U.S. political sphere, … Read more - “Why the History of English Law Has Been Neglected” by Russell Sandberg
Photo of Elizabeth Tower in London by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash. Legal historians have regularly regretted what they perceive to be the side-lining … Read more - “The First Word: To Be Human is to be Free” by Desmond M. Tutu
Photo by kylefromthenorth on Unsplash. We at Canopy Forum join the world in lamenting the recent death and celebrating the remarkable life … Read more - “Why Secular Society Desperately Needs the Recognition of Religious Holidays” by Bruce Ledewitz
Image by Fabio Valeggia from Pixabay. It is the common and traditional view that disputes over the recognition of religious … Read more