Religious leaders to discuss tough legal, moral, ethical issues
The Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta, and the Right Reverend V. Gene Robinson, Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire, are among those headlining a new lecture series hosted by the Center for the Study of Law and Religion (CSLR) at Emory University. The lecture series, “When Law and Religion Meet,” provides a forum for religious leaders to discuss difficult legal, moral, and ethical issues facing their religious communities. Gregory speaks October 7 at 7:30 p.m.; Robinson lectures March 30 at 7:30 p.m. Read more.

Witte to lecture on 'Faith in Law' at Reformation Day Celebration
John Witte, Jr., Jonas Robitscher Professor of Law and CSLR director, has been selected to speak at Emory University's 21st annual Reformation Day Celebration. He will deliver a lecture titled “Faith in Law: The Enduring Legal Lessons of the Lutheran Reformation” on Tuesday, October 21 at 3:30 p.m. in Cannon Chapel. This year’s Reformation Day theme is “America’s German Heritage.”  The event includes a rich array of lectures and music. Read more.

Western perceptions of religion and church-state relations must be put aside before productive conversations about law, religion, and human rights can take place in sub-Saharan Africa, according to religious liberty scholars and activists who took part in a recent CSLR conference in Durban, South Africa. Sponsored by the Henry Luce Foundation, Inc., the event was part of the CSLR's research project, "Law, Religion, and Human Rights in International Perspective," co-directed by CSLR Senior Fellow Johan D. van der Vyver, I.T. Cohen Professor of International Law and Human Rights. Read more.

Alexander advises Congress on neighborhood aid bill
Emory Law Professor and CSLR Founding Director Frank S. Alexander testified before Congress last spring on how federal funds could be targeted to neighborhoods most affected by rising rates of vacant and abandoned properties. The bill won passage in late July as part of a landmark $300 billion housing bill. His testimony, before a joint hearing of the House Domestic Policy Subcommittee of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee, focused on which data best enable the federal government to target new funds to the neighborhoods most in need. Read more.

Witte op-ed confronts cost of illegitimacy
An op ed by John Witte, Jr. in the August 10 issue of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution calls for government to hold parents accountable for their illegitimate children. Witte wrote the piece in response to data just released from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Institute for American Values showing that illegitimacy costs American taxpayers $112 billion a year. Read more.

Broyde-Lipstadt op-ed spurs legislation on 'libel tourism'
A New York Times opinion piece written by Emory University Professors Michael J. Broyde and Deborah Lipstadt prompted Congress to draft a bill last summer to end "libel tourism," a phenomenon whereby plaintiffs seek judgments from foreign courts against American authors and publishers for making allegedly defamatory statements. Broyde, a CSLR senior fellow and an expert in comparative and Jewish law, helped draft the federal bill. He and Lipstadt, a CSLR associated faculty member, are drafting a follow-up opinion piece designed to support the bill's passage. Read more.

Q & A with Broyde about bioethics
CSLR Senior Fellow Michael J. Broyde discusses chimerism, reproductive technology, stem cell research, and other issues at the intersection of biotechnology and ethics. The interview was conducted in conjunction with his recent presentation at Israel's "Facing Tomorrow" conference. Read more.

Berman honored in Emory Law Journal
The work of the late Harold J. Berman (1918-2007), Emory University's first Robert W. Woodruff Professor, is honored in the current issue of Emory Law Journal and in a display of his writings and personal collectables in the CSLR library. Often described as "the founding father of the modern study of law and religion" who inspired the creation of the CSLR, Berman produced scholarship that altered Western perception of Russian legal studies and greatly influenced thinking about the role religion has played in shaping the Western legal system. Read more.

New book introduces interplay of Christianity and law
A new collection of essays edited by Emory Law Professors and CSLR Directors John Witte, Jr. and Frank S. Alexander sets the intellectual stage for an open-ended drama between law and Christianity that has already spanned two millennia and shows no signs of winding down. Read more.


New CSLR brochure, flier available
The CSLR has released a new brochure highlighting research projects, work and biographies of individual senior fellows, and recently published volumes. A new At-a-Glance flier focusing on CSLR joint-degree programs in law and religion also is available. To request printed copies, call 404-712-8710 or email cslr@law.emory.edu. To download PDF copies, click here.



Jordan moves to Harvard to be first Niebuhr Professor of Divinity
Harvard Divinity has appointed CSLR Senior Fellow Mark D. Jordan the first Richard Rienhold Niebuhr Professor of Divinity. He assumes the post in January. Jordan has been Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Religion at Emory since 1999. Read more.

Worthington named director of Emory's Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic
CSLR Senior Fellow Karen L. Worthington has been named director of Emory Law's Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic, effective in August. She had been serving as co-director for the past two years. Read more. 


Moore appointed Dean of Boston University School of Theology
CSLR Senior Fellow Mary Elizabeth Moore, professor of religion and theology, and director of the Women in Theology and Ministry program at Candler School of Theology, has been named dean of the Boston University School of Theology. She assumes her duties January 1. Read more.