ICLRS Director Brett G. Scharffs and Associate Director Elizabeth A. Clark discuss the concept behind and mission of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies. They share personal memories of the Center’s beginnings; recount the work of its founding director, W. Cole Durham, Jr.; and explain the Center’s activities, the sensitivities of cross-cultural dialogue, the value of patience, and the best compliment ever paid to the Center. The interview is in honor of and dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the ICLRS, which was founded 1 January 2000.

Timeline:

0:00 – On the beginnings of the Center

4:14 – On the uniqueness of the Center

7:43 – On interacting with different legal systems and political cultures

09:59 – On the politicization of law and religion

15:23 – The best ever compliment

16:48 – On Latter-day Saints’ identity and religious freedom

19:28 – On the importance of bringing together different religious freedom stakeholders in one room

22:45 – On the difficulties and sensitivities of global engagement

26:57 – On the value of patience and lessons from failures

28:31 – On the evolution of the Center under Cole Durham’s and Brett Scharffs’s leadership

32:38 – On the future of the field of law and religion