December
An-Na'im's new book calls for moving beyond minority politics
As the Muslim population of the United States grows, debates over how Muslims should engage the civil and political life of the U.S. are increasingly common. Too often, however, this conversation focuses on a narrow concept of shari`a that is perceived to be incompatible with, or a threat to, the U.S. constitutional system, or it focuses on assimilation of Muslims to an ¿American¿ way of life. By juxtaposing ¿Americanness¿ and Islam, these conversations assume that American Muslims cannot be faithful to both their religion and their citizenship.
October
New wisdom from the father of law and religion
The father of the field of law and religion, Harold Berman wrote 25 books, hundreds of articles, and one forgotten unpublished manuscript. Upon his death in 2007 at the age of 88, Berman's literary executor, colleague and former student John Witte, Jr. CSLR Director, discovered a long-lost draft of a book resting at the bottom of a metal filing cabinet. That book, which Berman had spoken with Witte about in 1982, contained the germs of Berman's scholarship and ideas which have shaped a generation of legal and religious minds.
September
CSLR's next generation of academic leadership takes the helm
New leadership is energizing the Center. Silas Allard (JD/MTS `11) joins CSLR as Harold J. Berman Senior Fellow in Law and Religion in addition to his role as associate director. Silas also serves as managing editor of the Journal of Law and Religion, working with five co-editors to build a keystone, peer-review international publication.
M. Christian Green remembers her mentor Jean Bethke Elshtain
The first adjective that I ever heard to describe Jean Bethke Elshtain was 'robust.' When I finally met her at an academic conference, before becoming her student, I encountered a scholar whose keen intellect and crisp analysis were set off by brilliant copper-gold hair and a shiny peacock-teal jacket. We discussed a recent news weekly's analysis of then-Libyan president Muammar Gadaffi's mental state.
Michael Welker on the power of law and religion in pluralistic societies
Michael Welker, Senior Professor for Systematic Theology at the University of Heidelberg, and the Spring 2013 Alonzo L. McDonald Senior Fellow in Law and Religion, recently shared his thinking on the powers of law and religion as ¿justice- and truth-seeking communities¿ shaping moral education in pluralistic societies.
Two Sisters of Mercy Nuns inspire CSLR Students to work for structural change
'We do things peacefully and respectfully but we never take no for an answer,' said Sister Pat Murphy during a conversation with a group of law and theology students hosted by Emory's Center for the Study of Law and Religion on September 9 (link to video here). With over four decades of advocacy for immigrant communities in the Chicago area, Sisters Pat Murphy and JoAnn Persch are committed to working on behalf of their most vulnerable brothers and sisters
August
Perry's book connects international human rights with U.S. Constitutional rights
In today's highly divided political climate conversations concerning capital punishment, same-sex marriage, and abortion often result in heated debates. Does the U.S. Constitution guarantee gay and lesbian couples the right to marry? Should a fetus be granted the same rights as an adult woman? Is capital punishment 'cruel and unusual' in every circumstance?
Journal of Law and Religion moves to CSLR
The Journal of Law and Religion, long the flagship publication in the field, will move to the Center for the Study of Law and Religion (CSLR) at Emory University School of Law in August 2013.
CSLR looks to the future with Allard as associate director
Silas W. Allard joins the Center for the Study of Law and Religion (CSLR) as Associate Director and Harold J. Berman Senior Fellow in Law and Religion as CSLR seeks to broaden its global reach by engaging religious traditions such as Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Taoism, and Indigenous Religions, while continuing to pursue groundbreaking scholarship around the Abrahamic religions.
June
Roeber finds "Hopes for Better Spouses" in historical religious texts
With the U.S. Supreme Court expected to release its decision on two monumental same-sex marriage cases in the next few weeks, the implications of the Court¿s decision for American Christianity is at the fore of many conversations. Diverging understandings of the purpose of marriage threaten to divide Christians across the globe as groups from both sides look to scripture and tradition to buttress their claims.
May
Luke Timothy Johnson wins Emory Williams Teaching Award
Dr. Luke Timothy Johnson, CSLR Senior Fellow and Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, was awarded the Emory Williams Teaching Award.
CSLR graduates four law and religion students
Congratulations to this year¿s Law and Religion graduates. During May 13 commencement ceremonies, Jennifer Heald Kidwell received the Doctor of Law and Master of Divinity Degree, Mark Goldfeder received the Doctor of Juridical Science Degree, and Shlomo Pill received the Master of Laws in Law and Religion degree.
April
Welker lecture unleashes the power of mercy in Biblical law
World renowned theologian Michael Welker deciphered the meaning of the 'mercy code' in the Hebrew Bible and outlined how human beings, regardless of culture or religion, can appreciate its 'enormous normative shaping power' in the quest for justice and human rights.
March
Alexander says housing is a precondition for human flourishing
One of the most important lessons learned from the Great Recession is that housing is an investment in individuals, relationships, and families, not just a financial investment, says Emory Law Professor Frank S. Alexander.
Broyde named one of America's top 50 rabbis
Michael J. Broyde, a professor of law at Emory University and a senior fellow of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion (CSLR), has been named one of America's top 50 rabbis by Newsweek magazine. Broyde ranked 37th on the list, which was released today.
Faculty announce new books, lectures, honors
This spring, CSLR faculty report a number of major national and international lectures, newly published and forthcoming books, and high academic honors, including the election of Senior Fellow Jean Porter (Notre Dame) to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
2013 JD/MDiv graduate Jen Kidwell aspires to work for structural change
Congratulations to Jennifer Heald Kidwell, who graduates May 13 with a Doctor of Law/Master of Divinity joint degree. Pursuing ordination in the United Methodist Church, Kidwell was drawn to a dual degree as a way to connect her passion for ministry with her desire to work for structural change.
February
Perry reiterates that same-sex marriage is a human right
CSLR Senior Fellow Michael J. Perry recently spoke on one of the nation's most contentious issues -- same-sex marriage as a human right -- at King College in Bristol, Tenn, where he was a featured speaker of the Buechner Institute Lecture Series.
January
Berman papers on love featured in law library exhibit
The love and work of Harold J. Berman is the focus of a new exhibit at the Hugh F. MacMillan Law Library at Emory University School of Law.
Religion and Human Rights named 'Choice' outstanding academic book for 2012
Religion and Human Rights: An Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2012) by CSLR Director John Witte, Jr. and Senior Fellow M. Christian Green has been named an Outstanding Academic Book of 2012 by Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries. Choice is the premier source for reviews of academic books, electronic media, and Internet resources of interest to those in higher education.