Communal Religious Rights or Majoritarian Oppression: Conversion and Proselytism Laws in Malaysia and India

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Evans, Carolyn
Baker, Timnah Rachel
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)

Bhuta, Nehal

Date
2019
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

This chapter examines the ways in which the tensions around proselytization and conversion highlight some of the conceptual difficulties of liberal theory formulations of religious freedom and the way in which different cultures and religious groups are reinterpreting the traditional conception of religious freedom to better fit their own cultural context. Using case-studies from India and Malaysia, the chapter demonstrates the way in which the indeterminate and open-ended language of international conventions on religious freedom can be both a strength (allowing for areas of cultural difference in a flexible way) and a weakness (with no strong determinate boundaries around acceptable behaviour). The language of ‘public order’ in particular, generally included in both international law and in domestic constitutions as a legitimate limitation to religious freedom, is often invoked to legitimize a religious/ethnic majoritarian agenda.

Journal Title
Conference Title
Book Title

Freedom of Religion, Secularism, and Human Rights

Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

International and comparative law

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Evans, C; Baker, TR, Communal Religious Rights or Majoritarian Oppression: Conversion and Proselytism Laws in Malaysia and India, Freedom of Religion, Secularism, and Human Rights, 2019, pp. 69-94

Collections