| {{legend|#1600FF|Christianity (unspecified doctrines)}}{{legend|#04E3F1|Roman Catholicism}}{{legend|#0774F1|Eastern Orthodoxy}}{{legend|#062A87|Protestantism}} | {{legend|#158706|Islam (unspecified doctrines)}}{{legend|#0F5D05|Sunni Islam}}{{legend|#2FEB16|Shi'a Islam}}{{legend|#EBCF16|BuddhismBuddhismA state religion (also called official religion) is a religion or creed officially endorsed by a sovereign state. A state with an official religion (also known as confessional state), while not a secular state, is not necessarily a theocracy. State religions are official or government-sanctioned establishments of a religion, but the state does not need to be under the control of the clergy (as in a theocracy), nor is the state-sanctioned religion necessarily under the control of the state.Official religions have been known throughout human history in almost all types of cultures, reaching into the Ancient Near East and prehistory. The relation of religious cult and the state was discussed by the ancient Latin scholar Marcus Terentius Varro, under the term of theologia civilis ({{Literal translation|civic theology}}). The first state-sponsored Christian church was the Armenian Apostolic Church, established in 301 CE.The Journal of Ecclesiastical History. p. 268 by Cambridge University Press, Gale Group, C.W. Dugmore In Christianity, as the term church is typically applied to a place of worship for Christians or organizations incorporating such ones, the term state church is associated with Christianity as sanctioned by the government, historically the state church of the Roman Empire in the last centuries of the Empire's existence, and is sometimes used to denote a specific modern national branch of Christianity. Closely related to state churches are ecclesiae, which are similar but carry a more minor connotation.In the Middle East, the majority of states with a predominantly Muslim population have Islam as their official religion, though the degree of religious restrictions on citizens' everyday lives varies by country. Rulers of Saudi Arabia use religious power, while Iran's secular presidents are supposed to follow the decisions of religious authorities since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Turkey, which also has Muslim-majority population, became a secular country after Atatürk's Reforms, although unlike the Russian Revolution of the same time period, it did not result in the adoption of state atheism.The degree to which an official national religion is imposed upon citizens by the state in contemporary society varies considerably; from high as in Saudi Arabia and Iran, to none at all as in Greenland, Denmark, England, Iceland, and Greece (in Europe, the state religion might be called in English, the established church.)TypesThe degree and nature of state backing for denomination or creed designated as a state religion can vary. It can range from mere endorsement (with or without financial support) with freedom for other faiths to practice, to prohibiting any competing religious body from operating and to persecuting the followers of other sects.BOOK, Shiffrin, Steven H., The Religious Left and Church-State Relations, 26 August 2012, Princeton University Press, 978-1-4008-3383-2, en, 160–161, In Europe, competition between Catholic and Protestant denominations for state sponsorship in the 16th century evolved the principle Cuius regio, eius religio (states follow the religion of the ruler) embodied in the text of the treaty that marked the Peace of Augsburg in 1555. In England, Henry VIII broke with Rome in 1534, being declared the Supreme Head of the Church of England,{{efn|The headship was administrative and jurisdictional but did not include the potestas ordinis (the right to preach, ordain, administer the sacraments and rites of the Church which were reserved to the clergy).Bray, Gerald. Documents of the English Reformation James Clarke & Cº (1994), p. 114}} the official religion of England continued to be "Catholicism without the Pope" until after his death in 1547.Neill, Stephen. Anglicanism Penguin (1960), p. 61In some cases, an administrative region may sponsor and fund a set of religious denominations; such is the case in Alsace-Moselle in France under its local law, following the pre-1905 French concordatory legal system and patterns in Germany.The concerned religious communities are the dioceses of Metz and of Strasbourg, the Lutheran EPCAAL and the Reformed EPRAL and the three Israelite consistories in Colmar, Metz and Strasbourg.State churchesFile:Elizabeth II national mourning period - 04.jpg|thumb|upright|Westminster Abbey is responsible directly to the British monarch. The Church of EnglandChurch of EnglandA state church (or "established church") is a state religion established by a state for use exclusively by that state. In the case of a state church, the state has absolute control over the church, but in the case of a state religion, the church is ruled by an exterior body; for example, in the case of Catholicism, the Vatican has control over the church. As of 2024, there are only five state churches left.WEB, ((The Editors of the Encyclopedia Britannica )), Established church,weblink Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 January 2024, en, Disestablishment{{Further|Secular state}}Disestablishment is the process of repealing a church's status as an organ of the state. In a state where an established church is in place, opposition to such a move may be described as antidisestablishmentarianism. This word is, however, most usually associated with the debate on the position of the Anglican churches in the British Isles: the Church of Ireland (disestablished in 1871), the Church in Wales (disestablished in 1920), and the Church of England itself (which remains established in England).{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}Current states with a state religionBuddhismGovernments where Buddhism, either a specific form of it, or Buddhism as a whole, has been established as an official religion:
- {{flagicon|Bhutan}} Bhutan: The Constitution defines Buddhism as the "spiritual heritage of Bhutan". The Constitution of Bhutan is based on Buddhist philosophy.WEB, The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Background,weblink 2021-01-28,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100715193437weblink">weblink 15 July 2010, It also mandates that the Druk Gyalpo (King) should appoint the Je Khenpo and Dratshang Lhentshog (The Commission for Monastic Affairs).WEB,weblink Draft of Tsa Thrim Chhenmo, 1 August 2007, constitution.bt, 2007-10-18, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20071127125443weblink">weblink 27 November 2007,
Article 3, Spiritual Heritage
#Buddhism is the spiritual heritage of Bhutan, which promotes the principles and values of peace, non-violence, compassion and tolerance.
#The Druk Gyalpo is the protector of all religions in Bhutan.
#It shall be the responsibility of religious institutions and personalities to promote the spiritual heritage of the country while also ensuring that religion remains separate from politics in Bhutan. Religious institutions and personalities shall remain above politics.
#The Druk Gyalpo shall, on the recommendation of the Five Lopons, appoint a learned and respected monk ordained in accordance with the Druk-lu, blessed with the nine qualities of a spiritual master and accomplished in ked-dzog, as the Je Khenpo.
#His Holiness the Je Khenpo shall, on the recommendation of the Dratshang Lhentshog, appoint monks blessed with the nine qualities of a spiritual master and accomplished in ked-dzog as the Five Lopons.
#The members of the Dratshang Lhentshog shall comprise:{{pad|2em}}(a) The Je Khenpo as Chairman;{{pad|2em}}(b) The Five Lopons of the Zhung Dratshang; and{{pad|2em}}(c) The Secretary of the Dratshang Lhentshog who is a civil servant.
#The Zhung Dratshang and Rabdeys shall continue to receive adequate funds and other facilities from the State.WEB, Bhutan's Constitution of 2008, weblink constituteproject.org/, 29 October 2017,
- {{flagicon|Cambodia}} Cambodia: The Constitution declared Buddhism as the official religion of the country.WEB,weblink Constitution of Cambodia, cambodia.org, 2011-04-13, (Article 43). About 98% of Cambodia's population is Buddhist.WEB,weblink East Asia/Southeast Asia :: Cambodia – The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency, cia.gov, 24 November 2021,
- {{flagicon|Myanmar}} Myanmar: Section 361 of the Constitution states that "The Union recognizes special position of Buddhism as the faith professed by the great majority of the citizens of the Union."WEB, Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (2008),weblink Constitutional Tribunal of the Union, 3 February 2023,weblink dead, The 1961 State Religion Promotion and Support Act requires : to teach Buddhist lessons in schools, to give priority to Buddhist monasteries in founding of primary schools, to make Uposatha days holidays during Vassa months, to broadcast Buddhist sermons by State media on Uposatha days, and other promotion and supports for Buddhism as State Religion.WEB, áá‰á†á á€á€¯á€”ှစ်አနá€á€¯á€„်ငံá€á€±á€¬á€ºá€˜á€¬á€žá€¬á€žá€¬á€žá€”ာá€á€»á€®á€¸á€™á€¼á€¾á€±á€¬á€€á€ºá€‘ောက်ပံ့ရေးအက်ဥပဒေ, 1961 year, State Religion Promotion and Support Act,weblink Constitutional Tribunal of the Union, Law Library, 25 October 2022, 25 October 2022,weblink dead,
- {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} Sri Lanka: The constitution of Sri Lanka states under Chapter II, Article 9, "The Republic of Sri Lanka declares Buddhism as the state religion and accordingly it shall be the duty of the Head of State and Head of Government to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana".WEB,weblink Sri Lanka,
In some countries, Buddhism is not recognized as a state religion, but holds special status:
- {{flagicon|Thailand}} Thailand: Article 67 of the Thai constitution: "The State should support and protect Buddhism". In supporting and protecting Buddhism, the State should promote and support education and dissemination of dharmic principles of Theravada Buddhism, and shall have measures and mechanisms to prevent Buddhism from being undermined in any form. The State should also encourage Buddhists to participate in implementing such measures or mechanisms.WEB, Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand,weblink ConstitutionNet, 29 October 2017, Section 67. The State should support and protect Buddhism [...] In supporting and protecting Buddhism, [...] the State should promote and support education and dissemination of dharmic principles of Theravada Buddhism [...], and shall have measures and mechanisms to prevent Buddhism from being undermined in any form. The State should also encourage Buddhists to participate in implementing such measures or mechanisms.,
- {{flagicon|Laos}} Laos: According to the Lao Constitution, Buddhism is given special privilege in the country. The state respects and protects all the lawful activities of Buddhism.WEB, Lao People's Democratic Republic's Constitution of 1991 with Amendments through 2003,weblink constituteproject.org, 29 October 2017, Article 9: The State respects and protects all lawful activities of Buddhists and of followers of other religions, [and] mobilises and encourages Buddhist monks and novices as well as the priests of other religions to participate in activities that are beneficial to the country and people.,
- {{flagicon|Kalmykia}} Kalmykia (Russia): The local Government supports Buddhism and also encourages Buddhist teachings and traditions. It also builds various Buddhist temples and sites. Various efforts are taken by the Government for the revival of Buddhism in the republic.JOURNAL, Sinclair, Tara, 2008, Tibetan Reform and the Kalmyk Revival of Buddhism,weblink Inner Asia, 10, 2, 241–259, 10.1163/000000008793066713, 23615096, 1464-8172, WEB, Buddhism in Russia: challenges and choices in the post-Soviet period,weblink 2021-02-03, ResearchGate, en, WEB, Kalmykia: few complaints over Kalmykia's state support for Buddhism,weblink 2021-02-03, english.religion.info,
ChristianityThe following states recognize some form of Christianity as their state or official religion or recognize a special status for it (by denomination):Non-denominational Christianity
- {{flag|Samoa}}: In June 2017, Parliament voted to amend the wording of Article{{nbsp}}1 of the constitution, thereby making Christianity the state religion. Part 1, Section (1)(3) reads "Samoa is a Christian nation founded on God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." The status of the religion had previously only been mentioned in the preamble, which Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi considered legally inadequate.NEWS, Wyeth, Grant, Samoa Officially Becomes a Christian State,weblink The Diplomat, 16 June 2017, NEWS, Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu, Joyetter, Constitutional Amendment Passes; Samoa Officially Becomes 'Christian State',weblink Pacific Islands Report, 8 June 2017, 16 June 2017, 11 November 2020,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20201111223748weblink">weblink dead,
- {{flag|Zambia}}: The preamble to the Zambian Constitution of 1991 declares Zambia to be "a Christian nation", while also guaranteeing freedom of religion.Constitution of Zambia. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
CatholicismJurisdictions where Catholicism has been established as a state or official religion:
- {{Flag|Costa Rica}}: Article 75 of the Constitution of Costa Rica confirms that "The Catholic and Apostolic Religion is the religion of the State, which contributes to its maintenance, without preventing the free exercise in the Republic of other forms of worship that are not opposed to universal morality or good customs."WEB,weblink Costa Rica Constitution in English – Constitutional Law – Costa Rica Legal Topics, costaricalaw.com, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150906224713weblink">weblink 6 September 2015,
- {{Flag|Holy See}}: It is an elective, theocratic (or sacerdotal), absolute monarchy ruled by the Pope, who is also the Vicar of Christ.WEB,weblink Vatican City, Catholic-Pages.com, 12 August 2013, The highest state functionaries are all Catholic clergy of various national origins. It is the sovereign territory of the Holy See () and the location of the Pope's official residence, referred to as the Apostolic Palace.
- {{Flag|Liechtenstein}}: The Constitution of Liechtenstein describes the Catholic Church as the state religion and enjoying "the full protection of the State". The constitution does however ensure that people of other faiths "shall be entitled to practice their creeds and to hold religious services to the extent consistent with morality and public order".{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326162534weblink |date=26 March 2009 |title=Constitution Religion }} (archived from the original on 2009-03-26).
- {{Flag|Malta}}: Article 2 of the Constitution of Malta declares that "the religion of Malta is the Catholic and Apostolic Religion".WEB,weblink Constitution of Malta (Article 2), mjha.gov.mt, {{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- {{Flag|Monaco}}: Article 9 of the Constitution of Monaco describes the "Catholic, and apostolic religion" as the religion of the state.{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927091747weblink$/036c62fe5f92f2efc1256f5b0054fa42gb?OpenDocument&3Gb |date=27 September 2011 |title=Constitution de la Principaute}} (French): Art. 9., Principaute De Monaco: Ministère d'Etat (archived from the original on 2011-09-27).
Jurisdictions that give various degrees of recognition in their constitutions to Roman Catholicism without establishing it as the State religion:
- {{flag|Andorra}}BOOK, Jeroen, Temperman, State–Religion Relationships and Human Rights Law: Towards a Right to Religiously Neutral Governance, Brill, 2010, 978-9004181496, ... guarantees the Roman Catholic Church free and public exercise of its activities and the preservation of the relations of special co-operation with the state in accordance with the Andorran tradition. The Constitution recognizes the full legal capacity of the bodies of the Roman Catholic Church which have legal status in accordance with their own rules.,
- {{flag|Argentina}}: Article 2 of the Constitution of Argentina explicitly states that the government supports the Roman Catholic Apostolic Faith, but the constitution does not establish a state religion.
- WEB,weblink Argentina's Constitution of 1853, Reinstated in 1983, with Amendments through 1994, constituteproject.org,
- WEB,weblink Argentina – Religión, argentina.gob.ar, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20141008102111weblink">weblink 8 October 2014, Before its 1994 amendment, the Constitution stated that the President of the Republic must be a Roman Catholic.
- {{flag|East Timor}}: While the Constitution of East Timor enshrines the principles of freedom of religion and separation of church and state in Section 45 Comma 1, it also acknowledges "the participation of the Catholic Church in the process of national liberation" in its preamble (although this has no legal value).WEB, Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste,weblink Governo de Timor-Leste,
- {{flag|El Salvador}}: Although Article 3 of the Constitution of El Salvador states that "no restrictions shall be established that are based on differences of nationality, race, sex or religion", Article 26 states that the state recognizes the Catholic Church and gives it legal preference.WEB,weblink Google Translate, 18 March 2015, WEB, Constitution of the Republic of El Salvador (as Amended to 2003),weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150103200933weblink">weblink dead, 3 January 2015, 3 January 2015,
- {{Flag|Guatemala}}: The Constitution of Guatemala recognises the juridical personality of the Catholic Church. Other churches, cults, entities, and associations of religious character will obtain the recognition of their juridical personality in accordance with the rules of their institution.WEB,weblink The juridical personality of the Catholic Church is recognized. The other churches, cults, entities, and associations of religious character will obtain the recognition of their juridical personality in accordance with the rules of their institution[,] and the Government may not deny it[,] aside from reasons of public order. The State will extend to the Catholic Church, without any cost, [the] titles of ownership of the real assets which it holds peacefully for its own purposes, as long as they have formed part of the patrimony of the Catholic Church in the past. The property assigned to third parties or those, Guatemala's Constitution of 1985 with Amendments through 1993, Constitution Project,
- {{Flag|Italy}}: The Constitution of Italy does not establish a state religion, but recognizes the state and the Catholic Church as "independent and sovereign, each within its own sphere".WEB,weblink The State and the Catholic Church are independent and sovereign, each within its own sphere. Their relations are regulated by the Lateran pacts. Amendments to such Pacts which are accepted by both parties shall not require the procedure of constitutional amendments., Constitution of the Italian Republic, Senato.it, 6 June 2021, The Constitution additionally reserves to the Catholic faith singular position in regard to the organization of worship, as opposed to all other confessions.WEB,weblink All religious denominations are equally free before the law. Denominations other than Catholicism have the right to self-organisation according to their own statutes, provided these do not conflict with Italian law. Their relations with the State are regulated by law, based on agreements with their respective representatives., Constitution of the Italian Republic, Senato.it, 6 June 2021,
- {{Flag|Panama}}: The Constitution of Panama recognizes Catholicism as "the religion of the majority" of citizens but does not designate it as the official state religion.Executive Summary – Panama, 2013 Report on International Religious Freedom, United States Department of State.
- {{Flag|Paraguay}}: The Constitution of Paraguay recognizes the Catholic Church's role in the nation's historical and cultural formation.WEB, Constitution of the Republic of Paraguay,weblink The role played by the Catholic Church in the historical and cultural formation of the Republic is hereby recognized.,
- {{Flag|Peru}}: The Constitution of Peru recognizes the Catholic Church as an important element in the historical, cultural, and moral formation of Peru and lends it its cooperation.WEB, Constitution of the Republic of Peru,weblink Within an independent and autonomous system, the State recognizes the Catholic Church as an important element in the historical, cultural, and moral formation of Peru and lends it its cooperation. The State respects other denominations and may establish forms of collaboration with them., 28 October 2009, 24 July 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150724084722weblink">weblink dead,
- {{flag|Poland}}: The Constitution of Poland states that "The relations between the Republic of Poland and the Roman Catholic Church shall be determined by international treaty concluded with the Holy See, and by statute."WEB, The Constitution of the Republic of Poland, 1997-04-02,weblink The relations between the Republic of Poland and the Roman Catholic Church shall be determined by international treaty concluded with the Holy See, and by statute. The relations between the Republic of Poland and other churches and religious organizations shall be determined by statutes adopted pursuant to agreements concluded between their appropriate representatives and the Council of Ministers.,
- {{flag|Spain}}: The Constitution of Spain of 1978 abolished Catholicism as the official state religion, while recognizing the role it plays in Spanish society.ACT, y, Constitución española, 29 December 1978, art, 14, 16 & 27.3, BOE, 311, BOE-A-1978-31229, English,weblink 2024-04-26, No religion shall have a state character. The public authorities shall take into account the religious beliefs of Spanish society and shall consequently maintain appropriate cooperation relations with the Catholic Church and other confessions.,
Eastern Orthodoxy
- {{flag|Greece}}: The Church of Greece is recognized by the Greek Constitution as the prevailing religion in GreeceWEB, Constitution of Greece,weblink 2023-01-02, www.hri.org, Section II Relations of Church and State: Article 3, and is the only country in the world where Eastern Orthodoxy is clearly recognized as a state religion.BOOK, Enyedi, Zsolt, Madeley, John T.S., Church and State in Contemporary Europe, 2004, Routledge, 978-1135761417, 228, Both as a state church and as a national church, the Orthodox Church of Greece has a lot in common with Protestant state churches, and even with Catholicism in some countries., BOOK, Meyendorff, John, The Orthodox Church: Its Past and Its Role in the World Today, 1981, St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 978-0913836811, 155, Greece therefore is today the only country where the Orthodox Church remains a state church and plays a dominant role in the life of the country., However, this provision does not give exclusivity of worship to the Church of Greece, while all other religions are recognized as equal and may be practiced freely.WEB, Constitution of Greece,weblink 2023-01-02, www.hri.org, Part Two Individual and Social Rights: Article 13,
The jurisdictions below give various degrees of recognition in their constitutions to Eastern Orthodoxy, but without establishing it as the state religion:
- {{flag|Bulgaria}}: In the Bulgarian Constitution, Eastern Orthodoxy is recognized as "the traditional religion" of the Bulgarian people, but the state itself remains secular.WEB,weblink The Bulgarian Constitution, Parliament of Bulgaria, 20 December 2011,
- {{flag|Cyprus}}: The Constitution of Cyprus states: "The Autocephalous Greek-Orthodox Church of Cyprus shall continue to have the exclusive right of regulating and administering its own internal affairs and property in accordance with the Holy Canons and its Charter in force for the time being and the Greek Communal Chamber shall not act inconsistently with such right."WEB,weblink Cyprus's Constitution of 1960 with Amendments through 2013, Constitution Project, {{efn|The Constitution also states that "Any matter relating to divorce, judicial separation or restitution of conjugal rights or to family relations of the members of the Greek-Orthodox Church, shall be cognizable by family courts each of which is composed: For a divorce trial, of three judges, one of which is a lawyer ecclesiastical officer appointed by the Greek Orthodox Church and presides over the Court and the other two of high professional and moral standard belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church are appointed by the Supreme Court among lawyers. If no ecclesiastical officer is appointed as above, the Supreme Court appoints the President of the Court as well."}}
- {{flag|Finland}}: Both the Finnish Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland are "national churches".WEB,weblink The Church in Finland today, Salla Korpela, May 2005, Finland Promotion Board; Produced by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Department for Communications and Culture,
- {{flag|Georgia}}: The Georgian Orthodox Church has a constitutional agreement with the state, the constitution recognizing "the special role of the Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia in the history of Georgia and its independence from the state".Constitution of Georgia Article 9 (1&2) and 73 (1a{{sup|1}}) (See also Concordat of 2002)
ProtestantismThe following states recognize some form of Protestantism as their state or official religion:AnglicanismThe Anglican Church of England is the established church in England as well as all three of the Crown Dependencies:
- {{flag|England}}: The Church of England is the established church in England, but not in the United Kingdom as a whole.WEB,weblink The History of the Church of England, The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2006-05-24, 21 February 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100221212004weblink">weblink dead, It is the only established Anglican church worldwide. The Anglican Church in Wales, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Church of Ireland are not established churches and they are independent of the Church of England. The British monarch is the titular Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The 26 most senior bishops in the Church of England are Lords Spiritual and have seats in the House of Lords of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
- {{flag|Bailiwick of Guernsey|name=Guernsey}}: The Church of England is the established church in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, and the leader of the Church of England in the territory is the Dean of Guernsey.WEB, About,weblink Guernsey Deanery, Church of England,
- {{flag|Isle of Man}}: The Church of England is the established church on the Isle of Man. The Bishop of Sodor and Man is an ex officio member of the Legislative Council (the upper house of Tynwald).WEB, Gell, Sir James, Gell on Manx Church,weblink Isle of Man Online, IOM Online, 7 February 2017,
- {{flag|Jersey}}: The Church of England is the established church in Jersey, and the leader of the church on the island is the Dean of Jersey, a non-voting member of the States of Jersey.
Calvinism
- {{flag|Scotland}}: The Church of Scotland is the national church, but not the United Kingdom as a whole.WEB, 2010-02-22, Our structure,weblink 2021-04-07, The Church of Scotland, en, Whilst it is the national church, it 'is not State controlled' and the monarch is not the 'supreme governor' as in the Church of England.
- {{flag|Tuvalu}}: The Church of Tuvalu is the state religion, although in practice this merely entitles it to "the privilege of performing special services on major national events".WEB,weblink Refworld – 2010 Report on International Religious Freedom – Tuvalu, United Nations High Commissioner for, Refugees, 23 February 2017, The Constitution of Tuvalu guarantees freedom of religion, including the freedom to practice, the freedom to change religion, the right not to receive religious instruction at school or to attend religious ceremonies at school, and the right not to "take an oath or make an affirmation that is contrary to his religion or belief".Constitution of Tuvalu, article 23.
Nordic CountriesLutheranismJurisdictions where a Lutheran church has been fully or partially established as a state recognized religion include the Nordic States.
- {{flag|Denmark}}: Section 4 of the Constitution of Denmark confirms the Church of Denmark as the established church.WEB, Denmark Constitution,weblink 2023-01-02, www.servat.unibe.ch, en, Section 4, State Church,
- {{flag|Faroe Islands}}: The Church of the Faroe Islands is the state church of the Faroe Islands, an autonomous administrative division within the Danish Realm.BOOK, Juergensmeyer, Mark,weblink Encyclopedia of Global Religion, Roof, Wade Clark, 2011, Sage Publications, 978-1-4522-6656-5, en, 390,
- {{flag|Greenland}}: The Church of Denmark is the state church of Greenland, an autonomous administrative division within the Danish Realm.WEB,weblink Constitution of Denmark – Section IV, The Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the Established Church of Denmark, and, as such, it shall be supported by the State., 22 September 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160301205429weblink">weblink 1 March 2016, live,
- {{flag|Iceland}}: The Constitution of Iceland confirms the Church of Iceland as the state church of Iceland.WEB, Constitution of the Republic of Iceland,weblink 2023-01-02, www.government.is, en-US, Article 62,
- {{flag|Norway|size=23px}}: Until 2012, the Church of Norway was not a separate legal entity from the government. It was disestablished and became a national church, a legally distinct entity from the state with special constitutional status. The King of Norway is required by the Constitution to be a member of the Church of Norway, and the church is regulated by special canon law, unlike other religions.WEB,weblink International Humanist and Ethical Union – State and Church move towards greater separation in Norway, 18 March 2015, 26 June 2012,
Jurisdictions that give various degrees of recognition in their constitutions to Lutheranism without establishing it as the state religion:
- {{flag|Finland}}: The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland has a special relationship with the Finnish state, its internal structure being described in a special law, the Church Act.WEB, LL.M., Prof. Dr. Axel Tschentscher, Finland Constitution,weblink 2024-04-02, International Constitutional Law (ICL), en, Section 76, The Church Act, The Church Act can be amended only by a decision of the synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and subsequent ratification by the Parliament of Finland. The Church Act is protected by the Constitution of Finland and the state cannot change the Church Act without changing the constitution. The church has the power to tax its members. The state collects these taxes for the church, for a fee. On the other hand, the church is required to give a burial place for everyone in its graveyards. The President of Finland also decides the themes for intercession days. The church does not consider itself a state church, as the Finnish state does not have the power to influence its internal workings or its theology, although it has a veto in those changes of the internal structure which require changing the Church Act. Neither does the Finnish state accord any precedence to Lutherans or the Lutheran faith in its own acts.
- {{flag|Sweden}}: The Church of Sweden was the state church of Sweden between 1527 when King Gustav Vasa broke all ties with Rome and 2000 when the state officially became secular. Much like in Finland, it does have a special relation to the Swedish state unlike any other religious organizations. For example, there is a special law that regulates certain aspects of the churchWEB, Riksdagsförvaltningen, Lag (1998:1591) om Svenska kyrkan Svensk författningssamling 1998:1998:1591 t.o.m. SFS 2009:1234 – Riksdagen,weblink 2021-06-23, www.riksdagen.se, sv, and the members of the royal family are required to belong to it in order to have a claim to the line of succession. A majority of the population still belongs to the Church of Sweden.WEB, Riksdagsförvaltningen, Successionsordning (1810:0926); Svensk författningssamling 1810:1810:0926 – Riksdagen,weblink 2021-06-23, www.riksdagen.se, sv,
Other/mixed
- {{flag|Armenia}}: The Armenian Apostolic Church has a constitutional agreement with the State: "The Republic of Armenia shall recognise the exclusive mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, as a national church, in the spiritual life of the Armenian people, in the development of their national culture and preservation of their national identity."WEB,weblink National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, parliament.am,
- {{flag|Dominican Republic}}: The constitution of the Dominican Republic specifies that there is no state church and provides for freedom of religion and belief. A concordat with the Holy See designates Catholicism as the official religion and extends special privileges to the Catholic Church not granted to other religious groups. These include the legal recognition of church law, use of public funds to underwrite some church expenses, and complete exoneration from customs duties.WEB, 2011 Report on International Religious Freedom – Dominican Republic,weblink 2023-01-02, Refworld, en,
- {{flag|Haiti}}: While Catholicism has not been the state religion since 1987, a 19th-century concordat with the Holy See continues to confer preferential treatment to the Catholic Church, in the form of stipends for clergy and financial support to churches and religious schools. The Catholic Church also retains the right to appoint certain amounts of clergy in Haiti without the government's consent.WEB,weblink Haiti, State.gov, 2007-09-14, 2014-01-04, WEB, International Religious Freedom Report for 2015,weblink 2023-01-02, US State Department, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor,
- {{flag|Hungary}}: The preamble to the Hungarian Constitution of 2011 describes Hungary as "part of Christian Europe" and acknowledges "the role of Christianity in preserving nationhood", while Article VII provides that "the State shall cooperate with the Churches for community goals." However, the constitution also guarantees freedom of religion and separation of church and state.Hungary's Constitution of 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- {{flag|Nicaragua}}: The Nicaraguan Constitution of 1987 states that the country has no official religion, but defines "Christian values" as one of the "principles of the Nicaraguan nation".NEWS,weblink Nicaragua's Constitution of 1987 with Amendments through 2014, Constitute Project, 21 July 2022,
- {{flag|Portugal}}: Although Church and State are formally separate, the Catholic Church in Portugal still receives certain privileges.WEB,weblink Concordat Watch – Portugal &124; Concordat (2004) : text, concordatwatch.eu,
IslamMany Muslim-majority countries have constitutionally established Islam, or a specific form of it, as a state religion. Proselytism (converting people away from Islam) is often illegal in such states.WEB, Saudi Arabia imposes death sentence for Bible smuggling,weblink deathpenaltynews, 30 November 2014, WEB,weblink Saudi Arabia's New Law Imposes Death Sentence for Bible Smugglers?, The Christian Post, 18 December 2014, 5 March 2015, WEB,weblink Saidi Arabia Imposes Death Sentence for Bible Smuggling, 5 March 2015, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160408000107weblink">weblink 8 April 2016, Sheen J. Freedom of Religion and Belief: A World Report. (Routledge, 1997) p. 452.
- {{flagicon|Afghanistan}} Afghanistan: Officially, Afghanistan has continuously been an Islamic state under various constitutions since at least 1987.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090703074851weblink">weblink dead, 2009-07-03, 1987, The Constitution of Afghanistan, 30 July 2009, Afghanistan,
- {{flagicon|Algeria}} Algeria: "Islam shall be the religion of the State."Article 2 of the Algerian Constitution of 2016WEB, Avant Projet de Revision de la Constitution,weblink ConstitutionNet, fr, 28 December 2015,
- {{flag|Bangladesh}}: Article (2A) of the Constitution of Bangladesh declares: "Islam is the state religion of the republic".WEB,weblink The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh &124; 2A. The state religion, bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd,
- {{flagicon|Bahrain}} Bahrain: "The religion of the State is Islam."Article 2 of the Constitution of Bahrain:WEB, Bahrain's Constitution of 2002 with Amendments through 2012,weblink constituteproject.org, 29 October 2017,
- {{flagicon|Brunei}} Brunei: Article 3 of the Constitution of Brunei: "The official religion of Brunei Darussalam shall be the Islamic Religion{{nbsp}}..."WEB,weblink Brunei Darussalam's Constitution of 1959 with Amendments through 2006, 6 June 2017, constituteproject.org,
- {{flagicon|Djibouti}} Djibouti: Article 1 of the Constitution of Djibouti: "Islam is the Religion of the State."WEB, Djibouti's Constitution of 1992 with Amendments through 2010,weblink constituteproject.org, 6 June 2017,
- {{flagicon|Egypt}} Egypt: Article 2 of the Egyptian Constitution of 2014: "Islam is the religion of the State".Unofficial translation of the 2014 constitution
- {{flagicon|Iran}} Iran: Article 12 of the Constitution of Iran: "The official religion of Iran is Islam and the Twelver Ja'farî school [in usul al-Dîn and fiqh], and this principle will remain eternally immutable."WEB, Iran (Islamic Republic of)'s Constitution of 1979 with Amendments through 1989,weblink constituteproject.org, 29 October 2017, Islam has been Iran's state religion since 1501 dating back to the Safavid dynasty and has continued ever since, excluding the period of breaks in the Pahlavi dynasty.
- {{flagicon|Iraq}} Iraq: Article 2 of the Constitution of Iraq: "Islam is the official religion of the State and is a foundation source of legislation{{nbsp}}..."WEB, Iraqi Constitution,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20161128152712weblink">weblink dead, 2016-11-28,
- {{flagicon|Jordan}} Jordan: Article 2 of the Constitution of Jordan: "Islam is the religion of the State and Arabic is its official language."WEB, The Constitution of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,weblink 29 October 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130426230052weblink">weblink 26 April 2013, 1 January 1952,
- {{flagicon|Kuwait}} Kuwait: Article 2 of the Constitution of Kuwait: "The religion of the State is Islam and Islamic Law shall be a main source of legislation."WEB, Kuwait's Constitution of 1962, Reinstated in 1992,weblink constituteproject.org, 29 October 2017,
- {{flagicon|Libya}} Libya: Article 1 of the Libyan interim Constitutional Declaration: "Islam is the Religion of the State and the principal source of legislation is Islamic Jurisprudence (Shari'a)."WEB, Draft Constitutional Charter For the Transitional Stage,weblink 29 October 2017, 25 April 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120425112207weblink">weblink dead,
- {{flagicon|Malaysia}} Malaysia: Article 3 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia: "Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation."WEB, Federal Constitution Incorporating all amendments up to P.U.(A) 164/2009,weblink Laws of Malaysia, 29 October 2017, 14 June 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170614105535weblink">weblink dead,
- {{flagicon|Maldives}} Maldives: Article 10 of the Maldives's Constitution of 2008: "The religion of the State of the Maldives is Islam. Islam shall be the one of the bases of all the laws of the Maldives."WEB, Maldives's Constitution of 2008,weblink constituteproject.org, 29 October 2017,
- {{flagicon|Mauritania}} Mauritania: Article 5 of the Constitution of Mauritania: "Islam is the religion of the people and of the State."WEB, Mauritania's Constitution of 1991 with Amendments through 2012,weblink constituteproject.org, 29 October 2017,
- {{flagicon|Morocco}} Morocco: Article 3 of the Constitution of Morocco: "Islam is the religion of the State, which guarantees to all the free exercise of beliefs [cultes]."WEB, Morocco Draft Text of the Constitution Adopted at the Referendum of 1 July 2011,weblink ConstitutionNet, William S. Hein & Co., Inc., Buffalo, New York, 2011,
- {{flagicon|Oman}} Oman: Article 2 of the Constitution of Oman: "The religion of the State is Islam and Islamic Sharia is the basis for legislation."WEB, Oman's Constitution of 1996 with Amendments through 2011,weblink constituteproject.org, 29 October 2017,
- {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Pakistan: Article 2 of the Constitution of Pakistan: "Islam shall be the State religion of Pakistan."WEB,weblink Part I: "Introductory", Pakistani.org, 4 June 2013,
- {{flagicon|Palestine}} Palestine: Article 4 of the Basic Law of the State of Palestine: "Islam is the official religion in Palestine. Respect and sanctity of all other heavenly religions shall be maintained."WEB, Palestine Basic Law,weblink 2023-01-02, www.mideastweb.org,
- {{flagicon|Qatar}} Qatar: Article 1 of the Constitution of Qatar: "Qatar is an independent sovereign Arab State. Its religion is Islam and Shari'a law shall be a main source of its legislations."WEB, The Constitution,weblink 29 October 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20041024231923weblink">weblink 24 October 2004,
- {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} Saudi Arabia: Article 1 of the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia: "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a sovereign Arab Islamic State. Its religion is Islam."WEB, Basic Law of Governance,weblink The Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2 April 2024,
- {{flag|Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic}}: Article 2 of the Constitution of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic declares that Islam is the state religion and law origin.
- {{flagicon|Somalia}} Somalia: Article 2 of the Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia: "Islam is the religion of the State."WEB, The Federal Republic of Somalia Provisional Constitution,weblink 29 October 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130124010543weblink">weblink 24 January 2013,
- {{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} United Arab Emirates: Article 7 of the Constitution of the United Arab Emirates: "Islam shall be the official religion of the Union."WEB, United Arab Emirates's Constitution of 1971 with Amendments through 2004,weblink constituteproject.org, 29 October 2017,
- {{flagicon|Yemen}} Yemen: Article 2 of the Constitution of Yemen: "Islam is the religion of the state, and Arabic is its official language."WEB, The Constitution of the Republic of Yemen As amended on 20 February 2001,weblink ConstitutionNet, 29 October 2017,
In some countries, Islam is not recognized as a state religion, but holds special status:
- {{flagicon|Tajikistan}} Tajikistan: Although there is a separation of religion from politics, certain aspects of law also privilege Islam. One such law declares "Islam to be a traditional religion of Tajikistan, with more rights and privileges given to Islamic organizations than to religious groups of non-Muslim origin".WEB,weblink Tajikistan: New Law on Religious Organizations, Library of Congress,
- {{flagicon|Tunisia}} Tunisia: Article 5 of the Constitution declares that "Tunisia is part of the Muslim world, and the state alone must work to achieve the goals of pure Islam in preserving honourable life of religious freedom". Although, Islam has been given special privileges by the Constitution, though it is no longer the state religion.WEB,weblink Why Tunisia abandoning Islam as a state religion?, GR, 24 June 2022, WEB, Factbox: What's in Tunisia's new constitution?, Reuters,weblink 9 December 2022,
- {{flagicon|Turkmenistan}} Turkmenistan: The Constitution claims to uphold a secular system in which religious and state institutions are separate. However, in Turkmenistan, the state actively privileges a form of traditional Islam. The culture, including Islam, is a key facet, contributes to the Turkmen national identity. The state encourages the conceptualization of "Turkmen Islam".WEB,weblink Religion and the Secular State in Turkmenistan - Silk Road Paper, Institute for Security and Development Policy,
- {{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} Uzbekistan: Since independence, Islam has taken on an altogether new role in the nation-building process in Uzbekistan. The government affords Islam in special status and declared it as a national heritage and a moral guideline.JOURNAL,weblink Islam and Secular State in Uzbekistan: State Control of Religion and its Implications for the Understanding of Secularity, Henrik, Ohlsson, 12 December 2011, Cahiers d'Asie centrale, 19–20, 485–493, journals.openedition.org,
Judaism{{See also|Jewish state}}
- {{flag|Israel}} is defined in several of its laws as a "Jewish and democratic state" (medina yehudit ve-demokratit). However, the term "Jewish" is a polyseme that can describe the Jewish people as either an ethnic or a religious group. The debate about the meaning of the term "Jewish" and its legal and social applications is one of the most profound issues with which Israeli society deals. The problem of the status of religion in Israel, even though it is relevant to all religions, usually refers to the status of Judaism in Israeli society. Thus, even though from a constitutional point of view Judaism is not the state religion in Israel, its status nevertheless determines relations between religion and state and the extent to which religion influences the political center.Trouble in Utopia: The Overburdened Polity of Israel, by Dan Horowitz and Moshe Lissak, pp. 51–52 The Law of Return, passed on 5 July 1950, gives the global Jewish diaspora the right to relocate to Israel and acquire Israeli citizenship. Section - (1) of that law declares that "Every Jew has the right to come to this country as an Oleh"('immigrant'). In the Law of Return, the State of Israel gave effect to the Zionist movement's "credo" which called for the establishment of Israel as a Sovereign Jewish state with Democratic setups, ideals and values.International Commission of Jurists
weblink › 2013/06PDFThe Law of Return, 5710-1950 1. Right of "aliya" Every Jew has the ...The State of Israel supports religious institutions, particularly Orthodox Jewish ones, and recognizes the "religious communities" as carried over from those recognized under the British Mandate—in turn derived from the pre-1917 Ottoman system of millets. These are Jewish and Christian (Eastern Orthodox, Latin Catholic, Gregorian-Armenian, Armenian-Catholic, Syriac Catholic, Chaldean, Melkite Catholic, Maronite Catholic, and Syriac Orthodox). The fact that the Muslim population was not defined as a religious community does not affect the rights of the Muslim community to practice their faith. At the end of the period covered by the 2009 U.S. International Religious Freedom Report, several of these denominations were pending official government recognition; however, the Government has allowed adherents of not officially recognized groups the freedom to practice. In 1961, legislation gave Muslim Shari'a courts exclusive jurisdiction in matters of personal status. Three additional religious communities have subsequently been recognized by Israeli law: the Druze (prior under Islamic jurisdiction), the Evangelical Episcopal Church, and followers of the Baháʼà Faith.WEB, 2009-10-29, Israel and the occupied territories,weblink 2023-01-02,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20091029164133weblink">weblink 29 October 2009, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Political religionsIn some countries, there is a political ideology sponsored by the government that may be called political religion.BOOK, Gentile, Emilio, 2006, 2001, Le religioni della politica. Fra democrazie e totalitarismi, Politics as Religion, Princeton University Press, Multiple religion recognition
- {{Flag|China}}: The government of China officially espouses state atheism,BOOK, Dillon, Michael, Religious Minorities and China, 2001, Minority Rights Group International, en, and officially recognizes only five religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism).Rowan Callick. Party Time: Who Runs China and How. Black Inc, 2013. p. 112 Despite limitations on certain forms of religious expression and assembly, religion is not banned, and religious freedom is nominally protected under the Chinese constitution. Among the general Chinese population, there are a wide variety of religious practices.NEWS,weblink Religious surge in once-atheist China surprises leaders, The New York Times, 2007-03-03, 2013-11-25, Howard, French, The Chinese government's attitude to religion is one of skepticism and non-promotion.NEWS,weblink A surprising map of where the world's atheists live, The Washington Post, 2013-11-25, WEB,weblink's-secret-directives-on-how-to-eradicate-religion-and-ensure-the-victory-of-atheism-2029.html
| publisher= Asian News
| | PUBLISHER= BBC | ACCESS-DATE=2013-11-25,
- {{flag|France}}: The local law in Alsace-Moselle accords official status to four religions in this specific region of France: Judaism, Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism and Calvinism. The law is a remnant of the Napoleonic Concordat of 1801, which was abrogated in the rest of France by the law of 1905 on the separation of church and state. However, at the time, Alsace-Moselle had been annexed by Germany. The Concordat, therefore, remained in force in these areas, and it was not abrogated when France regained control of the region in 1918. Therefore, the separation of church and state, part of the French concept of Laïcité, does not apply in this region.NEWS, Church-state tie opens door for mosque, The New York Times, 2008-10-07,weblink 2013-11-02,
- {{flag|Indonesia}} is officially a presidential republic and a unitary state that does not declare or designate a state religion. Officially, the government recognizes six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism,WEB, Religion in Indonesia {{!, Indonesia Investments |url=https://www.indonesia-investments.com/culture/religion/item69 |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=www.indonesia-investments.com}} as well as traditional and indigenous believes.WEB, Kemendikbud serahkan KTP Penghayat Kepercayaan di Festival Budaya Solo,weblink Indonesian, 2024-03-23, www.antaranews.com, 18 July 2023, Pancasila comes from the Jakarta Charter whose first article was changed from "Divinity, with the obligation to carry out Islamic law for its adherents" to "the One Divinity", to respect other religions. The Constitution of Indonesia guarantees freedom of religion and the practice of other religions and beliefs, including traditional animistic beliefs. Indonesians who are practicing other unrecognized religions such as Sikhs and Jains are often counted as "Hindu" while Indonesians practicing Orthodoxy are often counted as "Christian" for governmental purposes.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} Atheism, although not prosecuted, is discouraged by the state ideology of Pancasila. In addition, the province of Aceh receives a special status and a higher degree of autonomy, in which it may enact laws (qanuns) based on the Sharia and enforce it, especially to its Muslim residents.
- {{flag|Lebanon}}: There are 18 officially recognized religious groups in Lebanon, each with its own family law legislation and set of religious courts."Women in Personal Status Laws". Retrieved 26 March 2013. Under the terms of an agreement known as the National Pact between the various political and religious leaders of Lebanon, the president of the country must be a Maronite, the Prime Minister must be a Sunni, and the Speaker of Parliament must be a Shia.BOOK, R. Rabil, Religion, National Identity, and Confessional Politics in Lebanon: The Challenge of Islamism,weblink 2011, Palgrave Macmillan US, 978-0-230-33925-5,
- {{flag|Luxembourg}} is a secular state, but the Grand Duchy recognizes and supports several denominations, including the Catholic Church, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Romanian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, Anglican and some Protestantism denominations as well as to Jewish congregations.BOOK, State-Religion Relationships and Human Rights Law: Towards a Right to Religiously Neutral Governance,weblink Jeroen Temperman, Brill, 978-9004181489, 2010,
- {{flag|Nepal}} is a secular nation, and secularism in Nepal under the interim constitution (Part 1, Article 4) is defined as "religious and cultural freedom, along with the protection of religion and culture handed down from time immemorial." That is, "the state government is bound for protecting and fostering Hindu religion" while maintaining "religious" and "cultural" freedom throughout the nation as fundamental rights.
- {{flag|Russia}}: Though a secular state under the constitution, Russia is often said to have Russian Orthodoxy as the de facto national religion, despite other minorities: "The Russian Orthodox Church is de facto privileged religion of the state, claiming the right to decide which other religions or denominations are to be granted the right of registration".BOOK, Bourdeaux, Michael, Trends in Religious Policy,weblink Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Taylor and Francis, 2003, 978-1857431377, 46–52, WEB,weblink Russia's De-Facto State Religion, 24 April 2008, The Christian Post, WEB,weblink Russian Orthodoxy now de facto state religion, The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, 24 April 2008, WEB,weblink The Russian Orthodox Church: from farce to tragedy?, openDemocracy, 3 May 2012, BOOK,weblink the Russian Orthodox Church has become de facto state Church, Religion and Language in Post-Soviet Russia, Brian P., Bennett, Routledge, 978-1136736131, 2011, WEB,weblink Amelia, Gentleman, Backlash of faith shakes atheists, 'It is only natural there has been a surge in interest in religion over the past decade, given the repression that went before,' Levinson said. 'But we are particularly concerned about the growing influence of the Russian Orthodox Church - which has become the de facto state religion - to the exclusion of all other convictions.', The Guardian, 7 January 2001, live,weblink Jun 8, 2023, WEB,weblink subscription, At Expense of All Others, Putin Picks a Church, Just as the government has tightened control over political life, so, too, has it intruded in matters of faith. The Kremlin's surrogates in many areas have turned the Russian Orthodox Church into a de facto official religion, The New York Times, 24 April 2008, live,weblink Jun 8, 2023,
Islam in Russia is recognized under the law and by Russian political leaders as one of Russia's traditional religions, Islam is a part of Russian historical heritage, and is subsidized by the Russian government.BOOK, Bell, I, Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia,weblink 2007-12-27, 978-1-85743-137-7, 2002, Taylor & Francis, The position of Islam as a major Russian religion, alongside Orthodox Christianity, dates from the time of Catherine the Great, who sponsored Islamic clerics and scholarship through the Orenburg Assembly.Azamatov, Danil D. (1998), "The Muftis of the Orenburg Spiritual Assembly in the 18th and 19th Centuries: The Struggle for Power in Russia's Muslim Institution", in Anke von Kugelgen; Michael Kemper; Allen J. Frank, Muslim culture in Russia and Central Asia from the 18th to the early 20th centuries, vol. 2: Inter-Regional and Inter-Ethnic Relations, Berlin: Klaus Schwarz Verlag, pp. 355–384,
- {{flag|Singapore}} is officially a secular country and does not have a state religion, and has been named in one study as the "most religiously diverse nation in the world", with no religious group forming a majority.WEB,weblink Vox, Max, Fisher, This map of the world's most religiously diverse countries may surprise you, 15 April 2014, live,weblink Nov 4, 2023, However, the government gives official recognition to ten different religions, namely Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, and the Baháʼà Faith,WEB,weblink Inter-Religious Organisation, Singapore, iro.sg, live,weblink Jun 26, 2023, and Singapore's penal code explicitly prohibits "wounding religious feelings". The Jehovah's Witnesses and Unification Church are also banned in Singapore, as the government deems them to be a threat to national security.
- {{flag|Switzerland}} is officially secular at the federal level but 24 of the 26 cantons support both the Swiss Reformed Church and the Roman Catholic Church in various ways.
- {{flagicon|Turkey}} Turkey: The Republic of Turkey is officially a secular country. None of the past and the latest constitutions recognizes an official religion nor promotes any.WEB,weblink Turkish Constitution &124; Anayasa Mahkemesi, www.anayasa.gov.tr, But; the Directorate of Religious Affairs, an official state institution established by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1924,WEB,weblink Kurumsal, expresses opinions only on religious matters regarding Sunni institutions.WEB, 2020-07-30, Turkey may have reclaimed the leadership of Sunni Islam from Saudi Arabia,weblink 2021-06-02, Middle East Monitor, en-GB, The directorate regulates the operation of the country's hundreds of thousands of registered mosques and employs local and provincial imams (who are civil servants) who are appointed and paid by the state,WEB
, 2008 Report on International Religious Freedom – Afghanistan , United States Department of State , 19 September 2008 , weblink, 2 July 2009, whilst other sects of Islam with a sizeable minority such as Alevism are not being regulated nor being funded by the directorate weblink
- {{flag|Vietnam}} is officially atheist{{Citation|title=9. Marxist-Leninist 'Scientific Atheism' as the Science of Religion|date=1983-12-31|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/9783110838589.359|work=Marxist-Leninist 'Scientific Atheism' and the Study of Religion and Atheism in the USSR|pages=359–384|publisher=De Gruyter|doi=10.1515/9783110838589.359|isbn=978-3-11-083858-9|access-date=2021-01-29}} (although sometimes also referred as atheist-Buddhist),WEB, 23 July 2015, Buddhism in Vietnam: An Education in Enlightenment,weblink WEB, Spiritual Guide: Religion in Vietnam,weblink www.anywhere.com, 14 July 2023,weblink Feb 4, 2023, en, 2023, live, but recognizes only 38 religious organizations and one dharma practice.WEB, Vietnam,weblink 2021-01-27, United States Department of State, en-US,
Former state religions{{see also|Secular state}} Roman religion and Christianity In Rome, the office of Pontifex Maximus came to be reserved for the Emperor, who was occasionally declared a god posthumously, or sometimes during his reign. Failure to worship the Emperor as a god was at times punishable by death, as the Roman government sought to link emperor worship with loyalty to the Empire. Many Christians and Jews were subject to persecution, torture and death in the Roman Empire because it was against their beliefs to worship the Emperor.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}In 311, Emperor Galerius, on his deathbed, declared a religious indulgence to Christians throughout the Roman Empire, focusing on the ending of anti-Christian persecution. Constantine I and Licinius, the two Augusti, by the Edict of Milan of 313, enacted a law allowing religious freedom to everyone within the Roman Empire. Furthermore, the Edict of Milan cited that Christians may openly practice their religion unmolested and unrestricted, and provided that properties taken from Christians be returned to them unconditionally. Although the Edict of Milan allowed religious freedom throughout the Empire, it did not abolish nor disestablish the Roman state cult (Roman polytheistic paganism). The Edict of Milan was written in such a way as to implore the blessings of the deity.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}Constantine called up the First Council of Nicaea in 325, although he was not a baptized Christian until years later. Despite enjoying considerable popular support, Christianity was still not the official state religion in Rome, although it was in some neighboring states such as Armenia, Iberia, and Aksum.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}Roman religion (Neoplatonic Hellenism) was restored for a time by the Emperor Julian from 361 to 363. Julian does not appear to have reinstated the persecutions of the earlier Roman emperors.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}Catholic Christianity, as opposed to Arianism and other ideologies deemed heretical, was declared to be the state religion of the Roman Empire on 27 February 380WEB, The Theodosian Code,weblink The Latin Library at Ad Fontes Academy, Ad Fontes Academy, 2006-11-23, by the decree De fide catolica of Emperor Theodosius I.WEB, Theodosian Code XVI.i.2,weblink Medieval Sourcebook: Banning of Other Religions, Paul, Halsall, June 1997, Fordham University, 2006-11-23, 27 February 2007,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070227120555weblink">weblink dead, Han dynasty Confucianism In China, the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) advocated Confucianism as the de facto state religion, establishing tests based on Confucian texts as an entrance requirement into government service—although, in fact, the "Confucianism" advocated by the Han emperors may be more properly termed a sort of Confucian Legalism or "State Confucianism". This sort of Confucianism continued to be regarded by the emperors, with a few notable exceptions, as a form of state religion from this time until the collapse of the Chinese monarchy in 1912. Note, however, there is a debate over whether Confucianism (including Neo-Confucianism) is a religion or purely a philosophical system.WEB,weblink Sources on Confucian religiosity, Yuan dynasty Buddhism During the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty of China (1271–1368 CE), Tibetan Buddhism was established as the de facto state religion by the Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan dynasty. The top-level department and government agency known as the Bureau of Buddhist and Tibetan Affairs (Xuanzheng Yuan) was set up in Khanbaliq (modern Beijing) to supervise Buddhist monks throughout the empire. Since Kublai Khan only esteemed the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism, other religions became less important. Before the end of the Yuan dynasty, 14 leaders of the Sakya sect had held the post of Imperial Preceptor (Dishi), thereby enjoying special power.History of civilizations of Central Asia.: A.D. 750 to the end of the fifteenth century. Part two: The achievements, p. 59 Golden Horde and Ilkhanate The Mongol rulers Ghazan of Ilkhanate and Uzbeg of Golden Horde converted to Islam in 1295 CE because of the Muslim Mongol emir Nawruz and in 1313 CE because of Sufi Bukharan sayyid and sheikh Ibn Abdul Hamid respectively. Their official favoring of Islam as the state religion coincided with a marked attempt to bring the regime closer to the non-Mongol majority of the regions they ruled. In Ilkhanate, Christian and Jewish subjects lost their equal status with Muslims and again had to pay the poll tax; Buddhists had the starker choice of conversion or expulsion.Medieval Persia 1040–1797, David Morgan p. 72 Former state churches in British North America Other states
- The State of Deseret was an unrecognised provisional state of the United States, proposed in 1849, by Mormon settlers in Salt Lake City. The provisional state existed for slightly over two years, but attempts to gain recognition by the United States government floundered for various reasons. The Utah Territory which was then founded was under Mormon control, and repeated attempts to gain statehood met resistance, in part due to concerns that the principle of separation of church and state conflicted with the practice of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints placing their highest value on "following counsel" in virtually all matters relating to their church-centered lives. The state of Utah was eventually admitted to the union on 4{{nbsp}}January 1896, after the various issues had been resolved.Struggle For Statehood {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110224120weblink|date=10 January 2019}} Edward Leo Lyman, Utah History Encyclopedia
- {{flag|Kingdom of Hawaii}}: From 1862 to 1893 the Church of Hawaii, an Anglican body, was the official state and national church of the Kingdom of Hawaii.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}
- {{flag|Japanese Empire|1870}}: see details in the State ShintÅ article.
- {{Flag|Netherlands}}: Article 133 of the 1814 Constitution stipulated the Sovereign Prince should be a member of the Reformed Church; this provision was dropped in the 1815 Constitution.WEB,weblink Artikel 133: Vorst belijdt de christelijke hervormde Godsdienst – Nederlandse grondwet, 23 February 2017, The 1815 Constitution also provided for a state salary and pension for the priesthood of established religions at the time (Protestantism, Catholicism and Judaism). This settlement, nicknamed de zilveren koorde (the silver cord), was abolished in 1983.WEB,weblink Artikel 194: Traktementen, pensioenen en andere inkomsten – Nederlandse grondwet, 23 February 2017, WEB,weblink Info, rug.nl, WEB,weblink wetten.nl – Regeling – Wet beëindiging financiële verhouding tussen Staat en Kerk – BWBR0003640, 23 February 2017,
- {{flag|Nepal}} was the world's only Hindu state until 2015, when the new constitution declared it a secular state. Proselytizing remains illegal.NEWS,weblink Nepal Adopts New Constitution, Becomes a Secular State: 5 Facts, 20 September 2015, NDTV, WEB,weblink The Constitution of Nepal, 20 September 2015, wipo.int,
- {{flag|Ottoman Empire}}: the Millet system ({{IPA-tr|millet|lang}}; ) was the independent court of law pertaining to "personal law" under which a confessional community (a group abiding by the laws of Muslim Sharia, Christian Canon law, or Jewish Halakha) was allowed to rule itself under its own laws.
- {{Flag|Spain}}: Spain formerly was a Catholic confessional state under Francisco Franco, but currently is a non-confessional state.
- {{flag|Sudan}} had Islam as the official religion during the rule of Omar al-Bashir according to the Constitution of Sudan of 2005.Constitution of Sudan, Article 5, paragraph 1. It was declared a secular state in September 2020.WEB,weblink Sudan ends 30 years of Islamic law by separating religion, state, gulfnews.com, 6 September 2020,
- {{flag|Tokugawa shogunate|Mon}} sanctioned Buddhism and Confucianism as the state religions.BOOK, Yamagishi, Keiko, Ferrari, Silvio, Cristofori, Rinaldo, Law and Religion, An Overview, 2016,weblink 1, 458, Routledge, 978-1-4094-3600-3, 16 March 2024, The Tokugawa Shogunate had sanctioned Buddhism as a state religion., 31 May 2023,weblink live, BOOK, Calabresi, Steven Gow, Steven Calabresi, The History and Growth of Judicial Review, 2021,weblink 2, 116, Oxford University Press, 9780190075750, 16 March 2024, Confucianism, with its emphasis on harmony, was the prevailing "state religion", although it coexisted with Shintoism, a religion that worshipped nature gods and that was personified by the emperor., 31 May 2023,weblink live, Buddhism became an arm of the shogunate, and temples were used for population registration. Distinctive schools of Japanese Buddhism such as Zen, Pure Land, and Nichiren structured Japanese religious life until the 19th century.WEB, Tucci, Giuseppe, Giuseppe Tucci,weblink Buddhism § Korea and Japan, britannica.com, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 16 March 2024, 13 October 2022,weblink live, Confucian Zhu Xi's teaching became a major intellectual force, and the Four Books became available to virtually every educated person.WEB, Tu, Weiming, Tu Weiming,weblink Confucianism § The Confucian revival, britannica.com, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 16 March 2024,
Established churches and former state churches{{More citations needed|section|date=March 2023}}{| class="sortable wikitable" | |
