Abstract

COERTZEN, Pieter. Constitution, Charter and religions in South Africa. Afr. hum. rights law j. [online]. 2014, vol.14, n.1, pp.126-141. ISSN 1996-2096.

This article discusses the status of religious rights and freedoms under the South African Constitution and the South African Charter of Religious Rights and Freedoms. Following a discussion of the demographics of religious and ethnic pluralism in South Africa, the article discusses the relevant provisions of the Constitution and the Charter and historical antecedents in common law and Roman-Dutch law and the historical and contemporary influence of African traditional religion and customary law that have shaped the current relationship of the Christian church to the South African state. The article concludes with an argument for the recognition of a plurality of religions and religious legal systems in Africa.

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