Defining harm

Defining harm

By Lori G. Beaman

Book Description

In a world where religious freedom often collides with societal fears and institutional authority, how do we determine when faith-based choices cross the line into "harm"? Lori G. Beaman tackles this complex question through a compelling examination of religious liberty in contemporary society.

At the heart of this exploration lies the case of Bethany Hughes, a Jehovah's Witness who faced legal intervention when she sought to refuse medical treatment based on her deeply held religious convictions. This pivotal case becomes a lens through which Beaman reveals how religious citizens navigate the intersection of faith, law, medicine, and social governance.

Drawing from diverse fields including risk society theory, governance studies, and feminist legal scholarship, Beaman illuminates the tensions that arise when individual religious conviction meets collective concerns about safety and social order. The book examines how fear of religious "extremism" and the "other" shapes the ways institutions respond to faith-based decisions.

Rather than offering simple answers, this work invites readers to consider the broader implications of religious freedom debates. It demonstrates how these discussions extend far beyond individual beliefs to influence the very fabric of citizenship in diverse societies. For those seeking to understand the delicate balance between personal spiritual autonomy and communal responsibility, this book provides essential insights into one of our era's most pressing social questions.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~5 hours)

📄 Length: 185 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore Cases
  • ✓ Overcome limiting fears
  • ✓ Explore Jehovah's Witnesses
  • ✓ Explore Religious minorities
  • ✓ Explore Blood
  • ✓ Explore Legal status, laws
  • ✓ Explore Freedom of religion
  • ✓ Explore Religious aspects

Topics Covered

Cases Fear Jehovah's Witnesses Religious minorities Blood Legal status, laws Freedom of religion Religious aspects Minorities, canada Religion Religious Psychology Religious aspects of Fear Psychology, Religious Religion and law Transfusion Risk management

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