Providing both a comprehensive legal overview and practical advice, this is an essential reference work for every pastor, church administrator, and parish council member. The US is the most litigious country in the world. The sex abuse scandal has virtually bankrupted the American Roman Catholic Church. The breakup of the American Episcopal Church threatens innumerable lawsuits over ownership of church property. Every religious community in the US has reason to be concerned about its legal liability. Wrongful dismissal, potential liability for the actions of employees or volunteers, a parishioner slipping on icy church steps... these are just some of the other legal issues that should be of concern to every Christian church and parish community in America. Recognizing that most people working in the church need guidance when confronting church-related legal issues, lawyers (and long-term church members) David Blaikie and Diana Ginn have adapted their popular Legal Guide for Canadian Churches for the American religious community. This handy reference book takes readers, step by step, through all the legal implications of the daily operation of a church and parish community. Blaikie and Ginn explain different areas of the law, including administrative law, property law, employment law, and civil liability. This book provides a legal context for understanding and responding to relevant legal issues, while at the same time providing answers and directions on specific legal questions. The Legal Guide for Religious Institutions provides a comprehensive legal overview, coupled with practical advice, that will be required reading for every American pastor, church administrator, and parish council member.

The first resource of its kind, International Religious Freedom Advocacy equips activists and policymakers with an intimate knowledge of the governmental institutions, NGOs, and laws that work to safeguard religious liberties across the world. Beginning with an overview of the international legal protections, these advocacy veterans explain the intricacies of and resources available within the United Nations, European Union, Council of Europe, Organization of American States, African Union, and more. They conclude with in-depth case studies of Turkmenistan and Vietnam and a host of additional helpful information.

This fourth revised edition is the leading Canadian legal text on the law relating to religious institutions. Designed for use by both lawyers and church administrators, this synthesis of legal and religious concerns makes this text an essential resource for all professionals working in the area.

This practical guide summarizes the principles of working with dying patients and their families as influenced by the commoner world religions and secular philosophies. It also outlines the main legal requirements to be followed by those who care for the dying following the death of the patient. The first part of the book provides a reflective introduction to the general influences of world religions on matters to do with dying, death and grief. It considers the sometimes conflicting relationships between ethics, religion, culture and personal philosophies and how these differences impact on individual cases of dying, death and loss. The second part describes the general customs and beliefs of the major religions that are encountered in hospitals, hospices, care homes and home care settings. It also includes discussion of non-religious spirituality, humanism, agnosticism and atheism. The final part outlines key socio-legal aspects of death across the UK. Death, Religion and Law provides key knowledge, discussion and reflection for dealing with the diversity of the everyday care of dying and death in different religious, secular and cultural contexts. It is an important reference for practitioners working with dying patients, their families and the bereaved.

Designed for those who are not lawyers, accountants, or quasi-legal specialists, this book outlines the elements of risk management for congregations and church professionals. Divided into three parts, the guide provides an overview and history of the American legal system, details various areas of the law, and focuses on ways religious organizations can minimize their exposure to legal difficulties.

Churches are supposed to be a safe haven, but many deal with the tragic reality of child sexual abuse. This guide, supported by a multidisciplinary team of child abuse experts, helps churches and faith communities formulate policies and procedures to protect children and address possible abuse in their ministries.