Encyclopedia of Law and Religion

Get access Subject: Law

Edited by: Gerhard Robbers and W. Cole Durham

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In recent years, issues of freedom of religion or belief and state-religion relations have become increasingly important worldwide. The Encyclopedia of Law and Religion, unique in its breadth and global coverage, provides an important foundational resource for study of these issues. The encyclopedia covers the relation between law and religion in its various aspects, including those related to the role of religion in society, the relations between religion and state institutions, freedom of religion, legal aspects of religious traditions, the interaction between law and religion, and other issues at the junction of law, religion, and state.

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Thailand

(6,865 words)

Author(s): Eva Marie Brady
I. Social Facts Thailand has a population of approximately 67.5 million people. According to a 2010 estimate, the population is 93.6% Buddhist, 4.9% Muslim, 1.2% Christian, 0.2% other religions, such as Confucian, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, and Taoist, and only 0.1% who claim not to have a religion. Most of the Buddhist population are followers of the Theravada school of Buddhism, which was the first form of Buddhism to be introduced in Thailand. There are also some followers of the Mahayana school, and many Buddhists in Thailand incorporate Brahm…
Source: Encyclopedia of Law and Religion

Timor-Leste (East Timor)

(2,883 words)

Author(s): Jodie O'Leary | Lucy Hopkinson
I. Social Facts The population of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste totals approximately 1.07 million. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, comprising almost 97% of the population. Just over 2% of the population is Protestant, including the Assemblies of God, Seventh-day Adventist, Pentecostal, and Jehovah’s Witness denominations. Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus are also represented. In addition to their formal affiliations, many Timorese citizens retain animist beliefs. II. Historical Background Catholic missionaries arrived in Timor-Leste in the earl…
Source: Encyclopedia of Law and Religion