This chapter analyzes the interplay between religious rules and State law
from the angle of legal pluralism, discussing how State recognition of religious
rules can affect the degree of legal diversity that is available to citizens. This issue
is approached through an examination of religious law, that is rules that are considered
to be different from secular rules, particularly in those legal traditions that have
been more strongly infl uenced by the Christian religion. As the latter rules are frequently
identifi ed with State law, religious laws are regarded as a challenge to the
State monopoly of law. First, the chapter defi nes what is meant by religious rules;
second, it examines the tensions between religious and secular rules; and fi nally
discusses the different strategies and tools implemented and used by States to govern
these tensions.