Oppression and dictatorship were rife in this traditional Roman Catholic Portuguese state. The Portuguese Empire collapsed and the period immediately after the 1974 Revolution was marked by Communist influence. However, democracy rose with the 1976 Constitution and its subsequent Revisions addressing various aspects of freedom but neglected to address religious freedom. Specific legislation pertaining to freedom of religion was only adopted more than three decades later in 2001. Consequently, the study intended to reveal the status of religious freedom in Portugal as a result of the 1974 Revolution. The hypothesis of this study is that there was resistance to the implementation of religious freedom in Portuguese legislation and society which continued until 2009, the point at which this study ends. Relevant legislation regarding religious freedom was the adoption of the 2001 Religious Freedom Act followed by the signing of the 2004 Concordat. Thus, this important question is relevant, was religious freedom respected in Portugal in 2009? Subsequently, this study tested and proved the hypothesis that religious freedom was not fully applied in Portuguese legislation and society up to the period under study. The adoption of the 2004 Concordat proved that there was still confusion regarding the legal status of religious freedom in the country. The methodology used to collect the data for this study included numerous articles, letters, national and international legislation, anecdotal evidence as well as literature and in-depth interviews to collect oral historical information. This study is located in the theoretical framework of the transformative theory of religious freedom. The thesis revealed that even if the 1974 Revolution brought in freedom of religion the concept still lacks full implementation according to Articles 18, 19, and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Church History)

This thesis aims to answer, if and what, limitations Jews experience in a secular state such as Sweden. To answer this question this paper was made through a qualitative method and through the theory about “the other” by Kevin Kumashiro. By applying article eighteen from the universal declaration on Human Rights and the theory of “the other” on actual experiences and limitations this thesis will critically unfold any discriminations and inequality. Main material has been the eight different interviews conducted in autumn of 2022. The following study therefore aim to contribute to increased research on Sweden's commitments and compliance with international conventions and agreements, knowledge, and tools for further work against hate crimes, increased discrimination and xenophobia in Sweden. The study highlights that the basic security affects the propensity for how free one feels to be open about one's identity which results in direct and indirect limitations upon Jewish identity and Jewish life in Sweden. / Denna studie syftar till att besvara, om och vilka, begränsningar judar upplever i en sekulär stat som Sverige. För att svara på denna fråga gjordes denna studie genom en kvalitativ metod och genom teorin om "den andre" av Kevin Kumashiro. Genom att tillämpa artikel arton från den allmänna förklaringen om de mänskliga rättigheterna och teorin om "den andra" på faktiska erfarenheter och begränsningar kommer denna studie att kritiskt synliggöra för diskriminering och ojämlikhet. Huvudmaterialet har varit de åtta intervjuer som genomfördes under hösten 2022. Följande studie syftar därför till att bidra till ökad forskning om Sveriges åtaganden och efterlevnad av internationella konventioner och överenskommelser, kunskap och verktyg för det fortsatta arbetet mot hatbrott, ökad diskriminering och främlingsfientlighet i Sverige. Studien belyser att grundtryggheten påverkar benägenheten för hur fri en känner sig att vara öppen med sin identitet vilket resulterar i direkta och indirekta begränsningar av judisk identitet och judiskt liv i Sverige.

The three branches of government rely on public engagement for the prosperity of the nation. Moreover, informed public opinion is a fundamental tenant of democracy. With that in mind, this paper aims to explore the relationship between the Judicial Branch and the public. Specifically, this paper examines and questions the Supreme Court’s efficacy communicating with the public. American constituents are inundated on a daily basis by the clamor of D.C. politics. The twenty four hour news cycle has given way to politicized headlines and exaggerated pundit commentary on contentious national issues. In a technological age where information is instant and the public has become accustomed to soundbites for education, the Supreme Court is left out of place. Both the Executive Branch and Legislative Branch converse directly with the public when necessary. Politicians frequently address their constituents or discuss complicated issues with voters first hand. However, the Supreme Court has rejected this strategy and instead relies almost exclusively on the press to relay their decisions. The judicial branch is the only third of our government without constant communication to the American people. As a result, the judiciary is relatively ignored by its citizens. By discussing a number of landmark cases since the turn of the century, this paper aims to analyze how those decisions were both announced to the public by the media and how the public received them. The Court has certainly adopted the press as an agent of communication. But is the media truly the proper outlet for the Court’s rulings?

This study deals with Francisco G. Penzotti, a Bible colporteur and church planter, opening in 1888 in Peru a branch of the American Bible Society. But the Peruvian con-stitution prohibited any public, non-Catholic religious activities. The country's situation for decades had been confrontation between clerical conserva-tism and progressive liberal forces, thus dividing Peruvian society. Penzotti became a catalyst in this confrontation at a time of critical importance, thus revealing the frailty of the Roman Catholicism as an integrating force in this society. He becomes a "human interface" in the struggle for tolerance and freedom of worship, involving the participa-tion of important sectors of Peruvian society. This paper describes the historical background and Protestant activities prior to Pen-zotti, then his work and person. A missiological summary interprets Penzottis success, acting as a human link between two distinct eras and clearing the way for a future of tolerance and religious freedom in Peru. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

Les normes juridiques étatiques cohabitent avec les normes juridiques religieuses. En résulte parfois un décalage pour les croyants. En ce qui concerne le divorce notamment, la conciliation entre ces deux ordres normatifs pose de nombreux problèmes. Ainsi, pour les femmes désirant dissoudre leur mariage, la reconnaissance des normes religieuses par le droit aura une incidence directe sur la réalisation de leurs droits fondamentaux. Cette étude s’attarde à la façon dont cohabitent ces ordres normatifs en droit et à l’impact de leur considération en ce qui a trait au divorce. Elle propose, plus spécifiquement, une analyse de ces questions centrée sur le droit canadien et le droit américain. / State legal norms coexist with religious legal norms. For some believers this can cause a real gap between the prescriptions of state law and religious law. Regarding divorce, conciliation between these two normative orders poses many problems. Thus, for women wishing to dissolve their marriage, the recognition of religious norms by the state will have a direct impact on the achievement of their human rights. This study focuses on how these normative orders coexist and analysises the impact of their consideration in regard to divorce in Canadian law and in American law.

本論文係從多元文化主義之觀點來探討國民教育階段中的宗教自由。我國憲法第159條規定：「國民受教育之機會一律平等」。然而學生在教育過程中實質的平等受教育機會卻與其文化認同有密切的關係。如果學生的獨特文化認同不能在主流教育體制中受到尊重與接納，連帶的也會影響其學習上的成功機會。而透過對於法律「兼顧容納宗教自由」之案例的反省與分析，本論文引出了「宗教也是一深刻文化認同」之看法。筆者根據此一看法來重新思索宗教與國民教育之關係，並認為在憲法基本權利的層次，為了兼顧容納信徒基於宗教認同所產生之需求，我們必須承認「宗教學生平等受教育的權利」與「父母宗教教育之自由」。然而國家在國民教育階段中兼顧容納宗教自由，除了不應違背「政教分離」原則之外，也應以「民主教育」作為兼顧容納之重要界限。以上述想法為基礎，本論文也於最後具體探討我國的教育規範與教育實踐應如何作出調整，以建構一個兼顧信仰與學習的教育環境。 / This dissertation discussed religious freedom in mandated education context from a multiculturalism perspective. Article 159 of ROC Constitution provides, “The educational opportunities of citizens are equal.” Understood in a subjective sense, equal educational opportunities of students have much to do with their cultural identities. If a student’s unique cultural identity cannot be respected and accommodated in mainstream education system, his or her opportunities to success in the education process will be limited seriously. Through the discussion of cases of “accommodation of religious freedom”, this dissertation tried to propose the view that religion is also a profound cultural identity. Accordingly, the author indicated that in order to accommodate believers religious identity, “the equal educational rights of religious students” and “the freedom of religious education of parents” should be recognized in mandated education context. However, the efforts to accommodate religious freedom should also be balanced by the principles of democratic education, in addition to the requirements of secularism in public schools. Based on the ideas mentioned above, this dissertation reviewed educational regulations and practices in Taiwan in the final section, and proposed the ways to construct a education environment in which both the believers’ needs to learn and to develop religious identity can be respected and attended properly.

教廷與中華民國之外交關係 （一九四二年至二○一二年）: 歷史、挑戰與前景 / Diplomatic relations between the Republic of China (ROC) and the Holy See were established in 1942. However, after a devastating civil war, the Chinese Communists gained control of Mainland China in 1949 and established the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Beijing. As a consequence, the Nationalist government of the ROC was forced to move from Nanking to Taipei, Taiwan. The Papal representative continued to remain at his post but the Communist government expelled him in 1951. In the following year, the Holy See decided to relocate its Apostolic Nunciature to Taipei and maintain its ties with the ROC. The tensions in the Strait between the two Chinese governments have put the Sino-Vatican relations to several tests. Indeed, the Vatican desires to normalize its relations with the PRC but is also confronted with two major issues imposed by Beijing which requests the direction of the Catholic Church in China and the end of the Holy See’s recognition of Taipei. It would strike a serious blow to Taipei if the Supreme government of the Catholic Church decides to break off diplomatic relations. It will also create a fragile position for Taiwan on the international diplomatic stage since the Holy See, at present, is the only European ally to officially recognize the ROC government. The relations of the Holy See with Taiwan are characterized by a mutually productive and cooperative partnership, especially in the promotion of human rights, culture, world peace and advocacy of religious freedom and alleviation of global poverty. This thesis aims to clarify the triangular situation between the Vatican, the ROC and the PRC and to show the challenges as well as the dilemmas the Holy See is confronted with in order to normalize its relations with China. First, this study explains the international status of the Holy See and its specific mission. Then, through a diachronic analysis, this thesis traces the evolution of Sino-Vatican relations to later on identify the difficulties the Holy See has to face across the Taiwan Strait. Then, it will analyze the efforts of Pope Benedict XVI to initiate a rapprochement with China and all the issues that have to be solved before negotiating any diplomatic ties. Based on this analysis, this thesis will show that the PRC and the Holy See are still at a stalemate and that the Vatican won’t move its Nunciature from Taipei in the foreseeable future.

Gli sviluppi tecnologici vissuti nell'ultimo quarto di secolo hanno determinato forti mutamenti non solo nella materialità dell'esistere, ma anche nella dimensione spirituale della persona. L'avvento della cittadinanza digitale ha obbligato ad un ripensamento del catalogo dei diritti e delle forme di esercizio degli stessi. La libertà religiosa, tanto nella sua dimensione individuale quanto in quella associata non solo ha subito l'influenza di tali cambiamenti, ma si è dimostrata in molti casi settore privilegiato per verificare la validità delle nuove forme di governo derivanti dallo sviluppo sempre più massiccio delle tecnologie informatiche. A partire, dunque, da un ripensamento dei rapporti tra diritto e religione sono stati individuati alcuni settori specifici di analisi al cui interno saggiare le nuove forme di governo elettronico, per comprendere le nuove declinazioni del diritto di libertà religiosa nella società digitale. Tali settori sono: la presenza delle confessioni nel sistema della stampa nazionale; il nuovo mondo di Internet e le problematiche connesse alla tutela dei marchi e del sentimento religioso; la presenza delle confessioni religiose nel sistema radio televisivo; la tutela dei dati sensibili religiosi nel nuovo Codice sulla privacy. / Last 25 years, technological developments have determined very important changes both on the material side and on the spiritual one of the people. The introduction of digital citizenship has obliged to rethink the bunch of rights and the way to apply them. The religious freedom, both individually and in association, has suffered the effects of these changes, but moreover has been a preferred sector where testing new governance rules needed to manage the innovations due to constantly increasing presence of information technologies in day by day life. Therefore, starting from a deep rethinking of the relationships between law and religion, some sectors of analysis, where testing new electronic governance rules, has been identified, in order to understand new evolutions of religious freedom rights in the digital society. These sectors are: presence of religious denominations in the national press; Internet world and issues related both to the trademark management and to religious sentiments; presence of religious denominations in radio-TV system; protection of religious sensitive personal data in agreement with the new privacy Code.

Il lavoro di ricerca analizza in tutti i suoi aspetti la disciplina relativa alla rilevanza delle festività religiose nell'ordinamento italiano. Il primo capitolo è dedicato all'individuazione del valore che la festività assume nei diversi ordinamenti religiosi e in particolare nel diritto canonico, ebraico, islamico ed avventista. Il secondo capitolo analizza l'evoluzione della normativa unilaterale dello Stato italiano in materia di giorni festivi. Tra i vari problemi che interessano i rapporti tra confessioni religiose e Stato, quelli che più hanno dato luogo a dissensi, e che sono oggetto di trattazione nel terzo capitolo, riguardano essenzialmente la libertà di osservare il riposo festivo e di adempiere i doveri religiosi ad esso connessi, nonché l'obbligo dei datori di lavoro di rendere effettiva tale libertà organizzando l'attività lavorativa in modo che essa non ostacoli l'osservanza del riposo festivo. Nel quarto capitolo viene analizzata la disciplina pattizia, e in particolare le modalità di tutela del diritto alla festività e al riposo per i fedeli di confessioni che hanno stipulato un'Intesa con lo Stato italiano. Infine nell’ultima parte viene esaminata la normativa sulle celebrazioni pubbliche in occasione delle festività religiose in ambito statale, regionale e comunale. / This research analyses in all its aspects the importance of religious festivity in Italian law. The first chapter is dedicated to the individuation of the festivity value in religious rules, in particular in canon, islamic, jewish and adventist law. The second chapter analyses the evolution of unilateral italian rules of week days and holidays. One of the most important problem in the relationship between State and religious confessions regards the freedom of observe the weekly day off and connected religious duties. Employers must guarantee religious freedom, organizing working activity without preventing the observance of festive rest. In the fourth chapter has been analysed the pactional discipline, and in particular the way of protecting the right to observe holidays and rests for people who belong to a religious confession that stipulated an agreement with Italian State. In the last part of the thesis have been examined the norms about public celebrations on the occasion of religious festivity in statal, regional and communal laws.

Nella tesi si approfondisce in cosa consistano effettivamente le pratiche e le esigenze funebri dei musulmani, valutando in che misura esse siano compatibili con la legislazione statale dei Paesi occidentali (esaminando in particolare i casi di Italia, Francia e Svizzera). Nell'affrontare il tema si è adottata una prospettiva di tipo interdisciplinare, considerando la questione delle sepolture islamiche sia dal punto di vista del diritto musulmano (per definire in che misura e secondo quali modalità possano essere effettuati gli adattamenti richiesti dalla presenza di comunità musulmane in contesti non islamici), sia dal punto di vista del diritto statale laico, nel più ampio quadro dei rapporti tra Stato e religioni attualmente vigenti nei Paesi considerati.