
Secularism and Freedom of Religion in Italy
Religious Symbols in the Public Space
Maria Cristina Ivaldi(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 11. February 2025
Book
Hardback
164 pages
978-0-367-19737-7 (ISBN)
Description
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 laicita/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.
The situation is analysed from the perspective of the principles of laicita/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.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
440 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-367-19737-7 (9780367197377)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Maria Cristina Ivaldi
Secularism and Freedom of Religion in Italy
Religious Symbols in the Public Space
E-Book
02/2025
1st Edition
Routledge
€60.49
Available for download

Maria Cristina Ivaldi
Secularism and Freedom of Religion in Italy
Religious Symbols in the Public Space
E-Book
02/2025
1st Edition
Routledge
€60.49
Available for download
Person
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.
Content
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