Religion, Culture, and the State : Reflections on the Bouchard-Taylor Report

AND THE STATE ## Reflections on the Bouchard-Taylor Report The principle of reasonable accommodation requires that the cultural majority make certain concessions to the needs of minority groups if these concessions will not cause 'undue hardship.' This principle has caused much debate in Québec, particularly over issues of language, Muslim head coverings, and religious symbols such as the kirpan (traditional Sikh dagger). In 2007, Québec Premier Jean Charest commissioned historian and sociologist Gérard Bouchard and philosopher and political scientist Charles Taylor to co-chair a commission that would investigate the limits of reasonable accommodation in that province. Religion, Culture, and the State addresses reasonable accommodation from legal, political, and anthropological perspectives. Using the 2008 Bouchard-Taylor Report as their point of departure, the contributors to this volume examine the English and French Canadian experiences of multiculturalism and diversity through socio-historical assessment and comparative analysis focusing on France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Timely and engaging, Religion, Culture, and the State is a valuable addition to the literature on religious pluralism in Canadian society. The Canadian Principle Of Reasonable Accommodation Demands That The Cultural Majority Make Certain Concessions To The Needs Of Minority Groups If These Concessions Will Not Cause 'undue Hardship.' This Principle Has Caused Much Debate In Quebec, Particularly Over Issues Of Language, Muslim Head Coverings, And Religious Symbols Such As The Kirpan (traditional Sikh Dagger). In 2007, Quebec Premier Jean Charest Commissioned Historian And Sociologist Gérard Bouchard And Philosopher And Political Scientist Charles Taylor To Co-chair A Commission That Would Investigate The Limits Of Reasonable Accommodation In That Province. Religion, Culture, And The State Addresses Reasonable Accommodation From Legal, Political, And Anthropological Perspectives. Using The 2008 Bouchard-taylor Report As Their Point Of Departure, The Contributors Contextualize The English And French Canadian Experiences Of Multiculturalism And Diversity Through Socio-historical Analysis, Political Philosophy, And Practical Comparisons To Other Jurisdictions. Timely And Engaging, Religion, Culture, And The State Is A Valuable Resource In The Discussion Of Religious Pluralism In Canadian Society.--pub. Desc. Reasonable Accommodation In The Canadian Legal Context : A Mechanism For Handling Diversity Or A Source Of Tension? / Pierre Anctil -- Monoculturalism Versus Interculturalism In A Multicultural World / Howard Adelman -- The Bouchard-taylor Commission And The Jewish Community Of Québec In Historical Perspective / Ira Robinson -- Qui Est Nous? : Some Answers From The Bouchard-taylor Commision's Archive / Bina Toledo Freiwald -- The B-t Report Open Secularism Model And The Supreme Court Of Canada Decisions On Freedom Of Religion And Religious Accommodation / José Woehrling -- Conclusion : Religion, Culture, And The State / Howard Adelman. Edited By Howard Adelman And Pierre Anctil. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [141]-151). In English; Includes Some Text In The French.

The Canadian principle of reasonable accommodation demands that the cultural majority make certain concessions to the needs of minority groups if these concessions will not cause 'undue hardship.' This principle has caused much debate in Quebec, particularly over issues of language, Muslim head coverings, and religious symbols such as the kirpan (traditional Sikh dagger). In 2007, Quebec Premier Jean Charest commissioned historian and sociologist Gérard Bouchard and philosopher and political scientist Charles Taylor to co-chair a commission that would investigate the limits of reasonable accommodation in that province.

Religion, Culture, and the State addresses reasonable accommodation from legal, political, and anthropological perspectives. Using the 2008 Bouchard-Taylor Report as their point of departure, the contributors contextualize the English and French Canadian experiences of multiculturalism and diversity through socio-historical analysis, political philosophy, and practical comparisons to other jurisdictions. Timely and engaging, Religion, Culture, and the State is a valuable resource in the discussion of religious pluralism in Canadian society.

Religion, Culture, and the State addresses reasonable accommodation from legal, political, and anthropological perspectives, with the contributors using the 2008 Bouchard-Taylor Report as their point of departure to contextualize the English and French Canadian experiences of multiculturalism and diversity.