Religious vs. Secular Normative "Worlds" in Family Disputes

This chapter focuses on the dilemma between personal autonomy, parental behavior and the role of religious communities, through the case-law analysis methodology. In particular, a case study involving religious separate communities, competing lifestyles and the best interests of the child, is examined. It is assumed that religions are ‘normative worlds’ of compelling normative meaning to their adherents and the doctrinal concepts of ‘religious diversity’ and ‘multivocality of religions’ are adopted in order to explore the plurality of religious standpoints and commitments towards human rights, even within a single tradition. It is then discussed to what extent the protection of freedom of religion or belief recognized within democratic and pluralistic legal systems shall be bound to cover the behavior of separate religious communities without infringing the rights of others and children’s rights.