Collected Religious Liberty Lectures 2012-2025, Sydney School of Law edited by A.Keith Thompson

Collected Religious Liberty Lectures 2012-2025, Sydney School of Law edited by A.Keith Thompson

Shepherd Street Press

Paperback, 254 pages, $39.95 

ISBN 9781923568716

May 2026 release

A powerful collection spanning more than a decade of thought, debate, and scholarship, Collected Religious Liberty Lectures (2012–2025) brings together leading voices at the intersection of law, faith, and public life. Drawn from the Sydney School of Law’s annual lecture series, this volume explores one of the most urgent and contested questions of our time: what does it mean to protect religious freedom in a rapidly changing world?

From historical foundations to contemporary legal battles, these essays examine the evolving meaning of liberty in societies increasingly shaped by secularism, pluralism, and competing rights claims. Distinguished contributors including jurists, academics, religious leaders, and policymakers offer diverse perspectives on issues such as freedom of conscience, the role of religion in democratic life, and the tension between inclusion and belief.

The lectures do not shy away from controversy. They grapple with questions of discrimination law, free speech, institutional autonomy, and the limits of state power. They also situate modern debates within a deeper historical and philosophical tradition, tracing the development of religious liberty from ancient empires to international human rights frameworks.

Rich in insight and grounded in real world challenges, this collection invites readers to consider whether religious freedom is a foundational right or an increasingly fragile one. It is essential reading for students, scholars, policymakers, and anyone concerned with the future of human rights in Australia and beyond.

Thought provoking and timely, this volume captures a conversation that is far from over and one that matters more than ever.

Contributors include:
Jim Wallace
George Pell
George H. Brandis
Quentin L. Cook
Iain T. Benson
Rex Ahdar
Daniel C. Peterson
Monica Doumit
Mark Hill
Paul M. Taylor
A. Keith Thompson