Homo Religiosus in a Globalized World. Why Religious Individuals are Actors of Global Law

Religious institutions are players of transnational dynamics and influence the transformations of law, at a global level. Moreover, some worldwide religions gave rise to legal systems (Canon Law, Jewish Law, Islamic Law, Hindu Law, etc.) that interacted (and continue to interact) with the secular law of the states. Taking into account the legal nature of the religious order, this paper focuses more on ‘individual religiosity’ rather than on ‘institutional religions’ as factors of Global Law. In order to do so, it outlines a conventional definition of Global law, then analyzes the meaning of the term ‘religion’ in legal language, and, lastly, shapes the type of legal relevance that ‘religiosity’ may have in the global order. Conclusions compare the regulatory power of transnational constitutionalism to religious laws and try to argue how religious individuals can be actors of Global Law.