The Spiritual Roots of Restorative Justice / Edition 1

by Michael L. Hadley

Overview

This interdisciplinary study explores what major spiritual traditions say in text, tradition, and current practice about criminal justice in general and Restorative Justice in particular. It reflects the close collaboration of scholars and professionals engaged in multifaith reflection on the theory and practice of criminal law. A variety of traditions are explored: Aboriginal spirituality, Buddhism, Chinese religions, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. Drawing on a wide range of literature and experience in the field of Restorative Justice and recognizing the ongoing interdisciplinary research into the complex relationships between religion and violence, the contributors clarify how faith-based principles of reconciliation, restoration, and healing might be implemented in pluralistic multicultural societies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780791448526
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	02/08/2001
Series:	SUNY series in Religious Studies
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	274
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Michael L. Hadley is a Professor of Germanic Studies and a Fellow at the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria, Canada. He has published several books, including God's Little Ships: A History of the Columbia Coast Mission.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Multifaith Reflection on Criminal Justice
Michael L. Hadley

1. Restorative Justice and the Philosophical Theories of Criminal Punishment
Conrad G. Brunk

2. The Case for Aboriginal Justice and Healing: The Self Perceived through a Broken Mirror
Arthur W. Blue and Meredith A Rogers Blue

3. Healing Justice: A Buddhist Perspective
David R. Loy

4. The Spirit and Practice of Restorative Justice in Chinese Culture
Edwin C. Hui and Kaijun Geng

5. Christianity: the Rediscovery of Restorative Justice
Pierre Allard and Wayne Northey

6. Justice in Hinduism
Ron Neufeldt

7, Restorative Justice in Islam: Theory and Practice
Nawal H. Ammar

8. Jewish Perspectives on Restorative Justice
Eliezer Segal

9. Sikhism and Restorative Justice: Theory and Practice
Pashaura Singh

Epilogue: Justice as Hope
Bria Huculak

Select Bibliography

Contributors

Index

Editorial Reviews

"This book asks a very important question: What do the world's spiritual traditions have to teach us about crime and punishment? And the answers it offers are tough minded and original. This is a serious reflection on a subject that deserves serious attention. Moreover, this is a wonderful example of true religious pluralism. It does not indulge in facile syncretism, but judiciously attempts to discern the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to Restorative Justice with detachment and objectivity." — Robert Inchausti, author of Thomas Merton's American Prophecy

"The main problem, as I see it, is that few societies seem to draw on the Restorative Justice in their religious traditions. This is yet another poignant example of the tragic distance between ideals espoused and actual practices. But drawing attention to the near-universality of the theme and possibility of Restorative Justice could play a role in expanding awareness of it. I see this as a movement whose time may be coming, even if the time is not quite yet now." — Gordon Fellman, author of Rambo and the Dalai Lama: The Compulsion to Win and Its Threat to Human Survival

From the Publisher

The Supreme Court of Canada in 1999 recognized restorative justice principles and community-based sanctions in amendments to the Criminal Code. In ten multidisciplinary, primarily North American contributors explore essays what major spiritual traditions say in their texts, tradition, current practices, and criminal justice reform experience about restorative justice<--> encompassing principles of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Hadley (Germanic studies, U. of Victoria, BC) introduces thinking about the role of religion in criminal law in a pluralistic, secular society. Perspectives include Aborigine (Canadian First Nations), Buddhist, Chinese culture, Christian, Hindu, Islam, Jewish, and Sikh. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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