Secularism and Freedom of Religion in Italy

Religious Symbols in the Public Space
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-032-96854-4
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 178 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 262 g

Reihe: ICLARS Series on Law and Religion

The display of religious symbols in the public space has been the subject of much debate. This book provides an overview of the presence of religious symbols in Italian public institutions from a legal standpoint.

The situation is analysed from the perspective of the principles of laicità/secularism, as defined by the Constitutional Court, and freedom of religion. It is argued that while the display of religious symbols in public institutions has been widely investigated doctrinally, the wearing of religious symbols in Italy has generally been neglected. Key cases are examined in light of national jurisprudence as well as intervention by the European Court of Human Rights and relevant judgments from foreign courts regarding this issue. Finally, the work considers the presence of religious symbols that transcend national borders, as in the case of arts, sport and advertising. A comparison is made with the French system which takes a very different approach. The book outlines possible ways forward in light of the growing interculturality of European societies.

It will be a valuable resource for academics, researchers and policy-makers working in the areas of law and religion, and comparative law.

Zielgruppe

Postgraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Ivaldi, Maria Cristina

Fachgebiete

• Rechtswissenschaften Bürgerliches Recht
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religion & Politik, Religionsfreiheit
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Kultur Menschenrechte, Bürgerrechte
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Systeme Vergleichende Politikwissenschaft
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Religionssoziologie
• Rechtswissenschaften Öffentliches Recht Verwaltungsrecht Verwaltungspraxis Kommunal- und Regionalverwaltung
• Rechtswissenschaften Recht, Rechtswissenschaft Allgemein Rechtsvergleichung
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Vergleichende Religionswissenschaft
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Regierungspolitik Sozialpolitik
• Rechtswissenschaften Arbeitsrecht Antidiskriminierung (AGG), Gleichbehandlung
• Rechtswissenschaften Öffentliches Recht Staats- und Verfassungsrecht

Inhaltsverzeichnis

About the Author. Acknowledgements. List of abbreviations. Notes to the reader. Introduction. 1. Overview of law and religion in Italy 2. Religious symbols in public institutions. National and the European Court of Human Rights case law 3. Insights into the issue of religious symbols worn by believers 4. Additional recent cases concerning religious symbols and other “symbolic” issues in Italy. Conclusion. Bibliography. Index

Über Autor(innen)

Maria Cristina Ivaldi is a full professor of Law and Religion in the Department of Political Sciences at the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, where she teaches courses on Law and Religion in Multicultural Societies, Religious Cultural Heritage and Pilgrimage and Religious Tourism.