Religion and the Law

Martin Luther King said: "The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state". What happens when religious conscience and the law collide? In a socially diverse Britain, how should we understand peoples faith and religiosity in public life – as exceptionalism, privilege or as a human right?

This discussion includes faith based case law; the purpose of the Lords Spiritual; the assisted dying debate; plans to reform marriage law; and examples of religious dress in legal settings.

The panel is:
Professor Satvinder Juss, a turbaned Sikh barrister.
Professor Russell Sandberg, from Cardiff University's Centre for Law and Religion.
The Right Reverend Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, who is one of the Lords Spiritual.

Beyond Belief is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4.

Presenter: Mona Siddiqui
Producer: Katy Booth
Assistant Producer: Liberty Phelan
Editor: Tim Pemberton