Religious Institutions in the Mediterranean: A Comparative Perspective

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the history of relations between the two shores of the Mediterranean has been enriched by the study of a series of phenomena that have made comparison a tool for investigating the forms in which the conflicts and convergences between the political, social, and cultural systems that developed in the countries bordering the Mare Nostrum and, following the Spanish imperial system, in the countries of the New World, manifested themselves. This Special Issue is part of this line of research, which focuses on the events, dynamics, and forms of religious expression in the contemporary period, allowing us to identify the changes that have taken place both at the cultural level and at the level of the institutions responsible for managing interreligious relations. Through comparative analysis, the relevant literature is as follows: E. G. López, M. Ciravegna, P. Valenti, G, Maestri, R. Villares, J. Casanova, J.-Martínez Torrón, F. J. Figueroa, R, Grosfoguel, M. J. Ruiz-Rico, A. Ruiz Miguel, M. Cuenva Cabeza, A. González García, J. M. Castillo, E. Infante, S. Muñoz Macho, A. García Yuste, J. L. Rodíiguez-Jiménez, D. Milani, A. Negri, R. Benato, A. Bozzetti, M. P. Marín, E. Loncón, F. J. Huenchumil, M. E. Valenzuela, O. de la Fuente, R. Lira, A. M. Stuven, and F. Pairican. Comparative studies of religious institutions in the area of interest are important for several reasons, ranging from strengthening our cultural and political understanding to formulating more inclusive social policies and legal systems. Analyzing similarities and differences can provide important insights for resolving conflicts, fostering social cohesion, activating best practices, as well as developing models for managing religious plurality more effectively.

This Special Issue aims to analyze the religious phenomenon in law through the models of comparison and relationship between religions, culture, and legal systems in the Euro-Mediterranean area and, following the Spanish imperial system, in the countries of the New World, with particular reference to specific problem areas concerning the following: conscientious objection in health and sports, systems of government in the management of multi-religious societies, the teaching of religion in public schools, the fight against fundamentalism, and the role of law and ethics in the indigenous worldview. In this regard, the focus of this Special Issue will be on the public space of comparison between Italian, Spanish, and Chilean cultures, delving into analogies and antinomies concerning the religious institutions examined and casting a glance at the meaning of the law of religions, the main sources of religious rights, and the relative methodologies of study.

The objectives of this Special Issue are as follows: (1) the study of the religious phenomenon both in its inter-ornamental dimension and in its dimension at the institutional level in order to deepen the theme of the sacralization of politics and the nationalization of religion in secular legal systems from a comparative perspective; and (2) the critical in-depth study of the relationship between religions, culture, and law in the Mediterranean area and in the New World, with particular reference to specific common institutions in order to identify, through a comparative analysis on a historical–legal basis, the analogies, differences, problematic aspects, and methods of development.

The impact of this Special Issue in interdisciplinary scientific terms will be that of the understanding, development, and strengthening of research strands inherent to the dynamics between the religious factor and political communities and the manifestation of the religious phenomenon in law through the models of comparison and relations between religions, cultures, and legal systems in the geographical area of interest.

This Special Issue fits fully into the journal's thematic areas, and will effectively complement the existing literature.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

• Understanding religious and cultural plurality.
• Study of the relationship between the state legal system and religious factors.
• Managing religious plurality and civil rights.
• Ethical and social perspectives on religious institutions.
• Reflections on possible policies and strategies for inclusion and integration.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–250 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor, Dr. Daniela Tarantino (Daniela.Tarantino@unige.it) and CC the Special Issue Editor, Ms. Joyce Xi (joyce.xi@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editor for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the special issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Daniela Tarantino
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• religious institutions
• law
• society
• Mediterranean
• New World