Rights were once thought to derive from the God-given nature of man. But today human rights and religion are sometimes in conflict. The universal claims made for rights can put them at odds with the revealed truths from which religions derive their authority. Many people's sense of human worth and dignity nevertheless depends on recognising the divine in each of us. Where rights and revelation diverge, how can the differences be negotiated? How should we measure individual claims to freedom against the demands of religious traditions?In this volume, eminent theologians and anthropologists set out the terms of religion's holds on its own truths, while historians, philosophers, and activists set out their vision for a society in which the competing truths must be accommodated not peacefully but without violence. Their respondents join the debate with fierce conviction, indicating their doubts and concerns in relation to the often compatible but sometimes competing claims of religion and rights.

Introduction. Rights and religion: spaces for argument and agreement: Wendy James1. Race, faith and freedom in American and British history: Simon SchamaResponse to Simon Schama: Matthew Spooner2. Pentecost: Learning the language of peace: Stanley HauerwasResponse to Stanley Hauerwas: Pamela Sue Anderson3. Human rights and the Roman Catholic tradition: Charles CurranResponse to Charles Curran: Nicholas Bamforth4. Worldviews and universalisms: The doctrine of 'religion' in Islam and the idea of 'rights' in the West: Hisham HellyerResponse to Hisham Hellyer: Chris Miller5. Terror and religion: Ronald DworkinResponse to Ronald Dworkin: John Tasioulas6. Can human rights accommodate pluralism?: Chantal MouffeResponse to Chantal Mouffe: Stuart White7. Symposium: Freedom of belief, freedom from belief7.1. Asma Jahangir7.2. Anthony C. Grayling7.3. John Pritchard7.4. Andrew Brown7.5. Emma CohenIndexPreface and acknowledgements