Beyond Religious Freedom: The New Global Politics of Religion

Beyond Religious Freedom examines how international political actors and governments approach religion through policy, law, and discourse. The book analyzes the consequences of dividing religious practices into "good" and "bad" categories, and how this shapes global governance. Hurd investigates three distinct manifestations of religion in contemporary politics: expert religion, governed religion, and lived religion. Through case studies spanning multiple continents, she demonstrates how these categories interact and influence religious and political landscapes. The text draws on extensive field research and policy analysis to examine specific instances of religious governance, from the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act to European religious outreach programs. The research spans multiple contexts including the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. The book challenges conventional frameworks for understanding religion in international relations and raises questions about the unintended effects of religious freedom advocacy. Through its analysis, it reveals tensions between official religious policy and everyday religious practice in modern societies.

Readers describe this as a critical analysis of how Western governments and organizations approach religious freedom policies. Academic reviewers note its effectiveness in questioning assumptions about religious categorization and state intervention. Liked: - Clear breakdown of how "religious freedom" programs can reinforce inequalities - Strong examples from Turkey, Egypt, and India - Thorough research and documentation - Fresh perspective on international religious policy Disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Some readers found the theoretical framework repetitive - Limited practical solutions offered - Focus primarily on critique rather than alternatives Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (21 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 ratings) One academic reviewer on Goodreads noted: "Important contribution to religious studies, though accessibility could be improved." Several Amazon reviewers mentioned the book works better for scholars than general readers interested in religious freedom issues.

The Politics of Secularism in International Relations by Elizabeth Shakman Hurd Examines how secular assumptions shape international relations and global politics through case studies across Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.

God's Century: Resurgent Religion and Global Politics by Monica Duffy Toft, Daniel Philpott, and Timothy Samuel Shah Analyzes religion's growing influence on global politics and how religious movements shape democracy, conflict, and peace-building.

The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs by Madeleine Albright Investigates the intersection of religion and foreign policy through diplomatic experiences and international case studies.

Religious Freedom in an Egalitarian Age by Nelson Tebbe Explores the tensions between religious freedom and equality law through constitutional theory and contemporary legal battles.

The Politics of Religious Freedom by Winnifred Fallers Sullivan, Elizabeth Shakman Hurd, Saba Mahmood, and Peter G. Danchin Deconstructs the concept of religious freedom through historical analysis and its deployment in international politics and law.

🔍 Elizabeth Shakman Hurd explores how the modern emphasis on promoting "good religion" while fighting "bad religion" has become a powerful tool in international politics and foreign policy 📚 The book challenges the common three-part classification of religion as "expert religion" (defined by scholars), "lived religion" (practiced by communities), and "governed religion" (managed by states) 🌍 The author examines case studies from multiple continents, including the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, Orthodox Christians in Turkey, and various religious communities in post-Soviet Central Asia ⚖️ The concept of religious freedom, as promoted by Western governments, can sometimes inadvertently heighten tensions between religious groups by officially categorizing and recognizing certain beliefs while marginalizing others 🏛️ Published by Princeton University Press in 2015, this work has influenced discussions about secularism, religious freedom, and international relations in major policy circles and academic institutions