The Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia is dedicated to studying the religious dimensions of law, the legal dimensions of religion, and the interaction of legal and religious ideas and institutions, norms and practices. This study is predicated on the assumptions that religion gives law its spirit and inspires its adherence to ritual and justice. Law gives religion its structure and encourages its devotion to order and organization.
The CSLR is focused on researching and teaching the fundamentals of faith, freedom, and the family. Started in 1982, the Center began as an innovative academic program focused on producing scholarly interdisciplinary work on the interplay of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.[1]. It was founded by Frank S. Alexander and John Witte, Jr., who remains director of the Center.
It was the first of its kind among American law schools and recently had many prominent visitors come to Atlanta and give presentations as part of its Silver Anniversary celebration.[2].
Contents |
The Center provides many opportunities for study and scholarship, including 3 joint-degree programs (JD/MDiv, JD/MTS, JD/PhD), 14 cross-listed courses, 8 major research projects; dozens of individual and side research projects, 6-9 annual public forums, 2 book series, 300 plus published volumes, Visiting scholars and fellows program, 80 Emory senior fellows and associated faculty from twenty fields of study, 1600 corresponding members.[3]