Freedom From Religion: Multiculturalism and the Rights of Women and Children

Cohen-Almagor, Raphael

Abstract

This chapter examines the limits of state interference in proscribing cultural norms by considering the right of people to leave their community free of penalties and practices that deny education to vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. The discussion opens by providing some basic underpinning premises. It proceeds by reflecting on the discriminatory practices of the Pueblo tribes against people who wish to leave the tribe due to apostasy. The question is whether people who wish to abandon or renounce their religion are entitled to any property rights. Subsequently, the discussion turns to the issue of securing adequate education for all, arguing that the liberal state has a role to play in protecting the basic rights of vulnerable populations.

Citation

Cohen-Almagor, R. (2024). Freedom From Religion: Multiculturalism and the Rights of Women and Children. In M. J. H. Bhuiyan, & A. Black (Eds.), Religious Freedom and Accommodating Religious Diversity: Challenges and Responses (20-39). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003458128

• Online Publication Date: Aug 23, 2024
• Publication Date: Aug 23, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jul 24, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 24, 2026
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 20-39
• Series Title: ICLARS Series on Law and Religion
• Book Title: Religious Freedom and Accommodating Religious Diversity: Challenges and Responses
• Chapter Number: 2
• ISBN: 9781032592855
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003458128
• Keywords: culture, justice, multiculturalism, neutrality, perfectionism, reasonableness, religion, tolerance
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4743426
• Publisher URL: https://www.routledge.com/Freedom-of-Religion-and-Religious-Diversity-State-Accommodation-of-Religious-Minorities/Bhuiyan-Black/p/book/9781032592855
• Contract Date: Jul 24, 2022