We end the 2010-2011 academic year at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion with a renewed confidence that the kind of international, interreligious, and interdisciplinary work we do is needed now more than ever. As revolution continues to sweep the Arab and Muslim worlds, as Europeans and Americans continue to struggle over the place of religious values, symbols, and tribunals in democratic life, as China slowly but surely opens its windows to human rights and democratic values, peoples of the world need to understand the contentious issues surrounding law and religion.

To date, our Center scholars have lectured in some 70 nations, where they share important messages about religion, human rights, and democracy as well marriage, family, and children. This issue of our newsletter highlights this work, particularly the courageous efforts of our colleague, Professor Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na`im, whose messages for a more pacific and inclusive version of Islam are resonating with reformers in Africa and the Middle East.

We also end the school year with great cause for celebration. First, two distinguished colleagues -- sociology of religion professor Steven M. Tipton and American church history professor E. Brooks Holifield -- have received prestigious honors. Tipton has been awarded a Guggenheim fellowship and two other grants for his work on the complexities and challenges facing American baby boomers at retirement. Holifield has been named to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for his more than 40 years of remarkable scholarship on patterns of change in American church history.

Second, world renowned Harvard law professor Mary Ann Glendon, former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, has agreed to deliver the Harold J. Berman Lecture for us in September, one of several lectures in our public lecture series, "When Law and Religion Meet."

Third, and most fondly, two outstanding students in our Law and Religion Center's history, Silas W. Allard and T. Brian Green, each are graduating with a Doctorate of Law and a Master of Theological Studies, amply decorated with awards for their exemplary work at Emory. 

We wish you a summer filled with respite and rejoicing.  And we hope you will call on either of us if you have criticisms of and suggestions for the improvement of our work.