Laizismus und Religionsfreiheit im offentlichen Raum

In: Der Staat: Zeitschrift für Staatslehre und Verfassungsgeschichte, deutsches und europäisches öffentliches Recht, Band 44, Heft 3, S. 343-365

Abstract

In June 2004, at least three decisions of British, European, & American high courts dealt with the relationship of religion, state, & society, in particular the question of state tolerance or state neutrality with respect to religion. This article focuses on the question of laissez-ism & positive & negative religious freedom in public realms, focusing on the conflict between Christianity & Islam in the German state model of cooperation between church & state & the French & American model of separation of church & state. The English state religion model is not considered. It is only in a partnership-like cooperation between church, religious communities, & state that a transparent discourse over values can occur. Separation of church & state results in a loss of necessary cohesiveness & association to a value measured foundation & thereby avoids problems rather than solves them. L. Reed