The Review of Faith & International Affairs, 8 (2):2-14 (June 2010)
ICLRS Director W. Cole Durham, Jr., has published the article "Legal Status of Religious Organizations: A Comparative Overview" in The Review of Faith & International Affairs, 8(2): 3-14. The article is available for free download at the site InformaWorld.
Abstract: States have developed a range of ways of interacting with the organizational structures of religions. US and European laws are used primarily to facilitate rather than to control religious activity. This is not to say that the legal systems in question do not control problematic behavior. It simply means that other tools in the state's legal arsenal such as criminal laws and administrative sanctions are used to address problems. Modern societies are experiencing increased pluralism, and the need to respond in fair ways to different religious communities has created the need for neutral structures that are easily adaptable.