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State religion


 
 


A state religion (also called an official religion, established church or state church) is a religiousReligion

Religion is a system of social coherence based on a common group of beliefs or attitudes concerning an object, person, unsee...
 body or creedCreed

A creed is a statement or confession of belief usually religious belief or faith....
 officially endorsed by the stateState

A state is a set of institutions that possess the authority to make the rules that govern the people in one or more societie...
. Practically, a state without a state religion is called a secular stateSecular state

A secular state is a state or country that officially is neutral in matters of religion, neither supporting nor opposing any...
. The term state church is associated with ChristianityChristianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on Jesus of Nazareth, and on his life and teachings as presented in the New...
, and is sometimes used to denote a specific national branch of Christianity. Closely related to state churches are what sociologistsSociology

Sociology is the study of society and human social action....
 call ecclesiaeEcclesia (sociology of religion)

An ecclesia is one of the four members of the most common sociological typology of religious groups -- the other three are t...
, though the two are slightly different. State religions are examples of the official or government-sanctioned establishment of religionEstablishment of religion

An establishment of religion is the phrase used by the framers of the U.S....
, as distinct from theocracyTheocracy

Theocracy is a form of government in which the divine power governs an earthly human state, either in person or, more ofte...
. It is also possible for a national churchNational church

The term national church is usually a reference to a church organization in Christianity that claims pastoral jurisdiction o...
 to become established without being under state control.
Types of state churchesThe degree and nature of state backing for denomination or creed designated as a state religion can vary.






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Timeline

391   All non-Christian temples in the Empire are closed, as Theodosius establishes Christianity as the official state religion.






Encyclopedia




A state religion (also called an official religion, established church or state church) is a religiousReligion

Religion is a system of social coherence based on a common group of beliefs or attitudes concerning an object, person, unsee...
 body or creedCreed

A creed is a statement or confession of belief usually religious belief or faith....
 officially endorsed by the stateState

A state is a set of institutions that possess the authority to make the rules that govern the people in one or more societie...
. Practically, a state without a state religion is called a secular stateSecular state

A secular state is a state or country that officially is neutral in matters of religion, neither supporting nor opposing any...
. The term state church is associated with ChristianityChristianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on Jesus of Nazareth, and on his life and teachings as presented in the New...
, and is sometimes used to denote a specific national branch of Christianity. Closely related to state churches are what sociologistsSociology

Sociology is the study of society and human social action....
 call ecclesiaeEcclesia (sociology of religion)

An ecclesia is one of the four members of the most common sociological typology of religious groups -- the other three are t...
, though the two are slightly different. State religions are examples of the official or government-sanctioned establishment of religionEstablishment of religion

An establishment of religion is the phrase used by the framers of the U.S....
, as distinct from theocracyTheocracy

Theocracy is a form of government in which the divine power governs an earthly human state, either in person or, more ofte...
. It is also possible for a national churchNational church

The term national church is usually a reference to a church organization in Christianity that claims pastoral jurisdiction o...
 to become established without being under state control.

Types of state churches

The degree and nature of state backing for denomination or creed designated as a state religion can vary. It can range from mere endorsement and 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. 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 treatyTreaty

A treaty is a binding agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law, namely states and inter...
 that marked the Peace of AugsburgPeace of Augsburg

The Peace of Augsburg was a treaty signed between Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and the forces of the Schmalkaldic League o...
, 1555. In EnglandEngland

England is the largest and most populous constituent country of the United Kingdom....
 the monarch imposed Protestantism in 1533, with himself taking the place of the Pope, while in ScotlandScotland Overview

Scotland is a nation in northwest Europe and one of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom....
 the Church of ScotlandChurch of Scotland

The Church of Scotland is the national church of Scotland....
 became the established Kirk in opposition to the religion of the ruler.

In some cases, a state may have a set of state-sponsored religious denominations that it funds; such is the case in Alsace-MoselleAlsace-Moselle

The Alsace-Moselle is the current legal name of the Alsace-Lorraine territory, the part of France that was part of Germany f...
 in FranceFrance

France, officially the French Republic, is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe and whi...
, following the pattern in GermanyGermany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in central Europe....
.

In some communist stateCommunist state

A Communist state is a state which declares its allegiance to the principles of Marxism-Leninism....
s, notably the People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of China

The People's Republic of China , is a country in East Asia....
, the state sponsors religious organizations, and activities outside those state-sponsored religious organizations are met with various degrees of official disapproval. In these cases, state religions are widely seen as efforts by the state to prevent alternate sources of authority.

State church vs state religion

There is also a difference between a "state church" and "state religion". A "state church" is created by a monarch, as in the cases of the Anglican Church, created by Henry VIII or the Church of SwedenChurch of Sweden

The Church of Sweden, is the largest church in Sweden....
, created by Gustav Vasa. An example of "state religion" is Argentina's acceptance of Catholicism as its religion. In the case of the former, the state has absolute control over the church, but in the case of the latter, in this example, the VaticanHoly See

The Holy See is the episcopal see of Rome....
 has control over the church.

Sociology of state churches

Sociologists refer to mainstream non-state religions as denominationsReligious denomination

A religious denomination, is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity....
. State religions tend to admit a larger variety of opinion within them than denominations. Denominations encountering major differences of opinion within themselves are likely to split; this option is not open for most state churches, so they tend to try to integrate differing opinions within themselves.

However, state churches have divided, with the dissidents losing the advantages of state support. The Church of ScotlandChurch of Scotland

The Church of Scotland is the national church of Scotland....
 has split several times in the past for doctrinal reasons, including the meaning and acceptability of state support. Attempts by the monarch to impose bishopBishop

A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority....
s on the Kirk led to the splitting off of the non-established Scottish Episcopal ChurchScottish Episcopal Church

The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian denomination in Scotland and a member of the Anglican Communion....
. Its largest offshoots from a later disruptionDisruption of 1843

The Disruption of 1843 was a schism within the established Church of Scotland, in which 450 ministers of the Church broke aw...
 were the Free Church of ScotlandFacts About Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900)

The Free Church of Scotland was a Scottish denomination formed by the withdrawal of a large section of the established Churc...
 and later the United Free Church of ScotlandUnited Free Church of Scotland

The United Free Church of Scotland is a Scottish Presbyterian denomination formed in 1900 by the union of the United Presbyt...
. These offshoots lost the established status of their parent, but since 1929 the (partially) reunited Church of Scotland has considered itself to be a "national churchFacts About National church

The term national church is usually a reference to a church organization in Christianity that claims pastoral jurisdiction o...
" rather than an established church, as it is entirely independent of state control in matters spiritual. Legally, it remains established.

Many sociologists now consider the effect of a state church as analogous to a chartered monopolyMonopoly

In economics, a monopoly is defined as a persistent market situation where there is only one provider of a product or servi...
 in religion.

Where state religions exist, it is usually true the majority of residents are officially considered adherents; however, much of this support is little more than nominal; many members of the church rarely attend it. But the population's allegiance towards the state religion is often strong enough to prevent them from joining competing religious groups.

A denomination's status as official religion does not always imply that the jurisdiction prohibits the existence or operation of other sects or religious bodies. It all depends upon the government and the level of tolerance the citizens of that country have for each other. Some countries with official religions have laws that guarantee the freedom of worship, full liberty of conscience, and places of worship for all citizens; and implement those laws than other countries that do not have an official or established state religion.

Disestablishment

Disestablishment is the process of divesting a church of its status as an organ of the state. In England there was a campaign by Liberals, dissenterDissenter

The term dissenter, labels one who dissents or disagrees in matters of opinion, belief, etc....
s and nonconformists to disestablish the Church of EnglandChurch of England

The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, and acts as the 'mother' and senior branch ...
 in the late 19th century; it failed in EnglandEngland

England is the largest and most populous constituent country of the United Kingdom....
, but demands for the measure persist to this day. The Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland Summary

The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion, operating seamlessly across the border between t...
 was disestablished in 1869 (effective 1871) and the Church of England was disestablished in Wales in 1920, the Church in WalesChurch in Wales Overview

The Church in Wales is a member Church of the Anglican Communion, consisting of six dioceses in Wales. ...
 becoming separated from the Church of England in the process - it had formerly effectively been the Church of England and Wales. Those who wish to continue with an established church take a position of antidisestablishmentarianismAntidisestablishmentarianism

Antidisestablishmentarianism listen originated in the context of the nineteenth century Church of England, where "antidisest...
.

The First AmendmentFirst Amendment to the United States Constitution

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is a part of the United States Bill of Rights....
 to the US Constitution explicitly forbids the U.S. federalFederal government of the United States

The government of the United States of America, established by the U.S....
 governmentGovernment

A government is a body that has the authority to make and the power to enforce laws within a civil, corporate, religious, a...
 from enacting any law respecting a religious establishment, and thus forbids either designating an official church for the United States, or interfering with State and local official churches — which were common when the First Amendment was enacted. It did not prevent state governmentState government

A state government is the government of a subnational entity in States with federal forms of government, which shares politi...
s from establishing official churches. ConnecticutConnecticut

Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the United States, located in the northeastern part of the country....
 continued to do so until it replaced its colonial CharterFundamental Orders of Connecticut

The Fundamental Orders were adopted by the Connecticut council on January 14, 1639....
 with the Connecticut Constitution of 1818History of Connecticut

The History of Connecticut begins as a number of unrelated colonial villages....
; Massachusetts did not disestablish its official church until 1833, more than forty years after the ratification of the First Amendment; and local official establishments of religion persisted even later.

The Fourteenth AmendmentFourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is one of the post-Civil War amendments and it includes the Due P...
 to the US Constitution, ratified in 1868, makes no mention of religious establishment, but forbids the states to "abridge the privileges or immunities" of U.S. citizens, or to "deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law". In the 1947 case of Everson v. Board of EducationEverson v. Board of Education

Everson v. Board of Education, 330 U.S....
, the United States Supreme Court held that this later provision incorporatesIncorporation (Bill of Rights)

Incorporation of the Bill of Rights is the legal doctrine by which portions of the U.S....
 the First Amendment's Establishment Clause as applying to the States, and thereby prohibits state and local religious establishments. The exact boundaries of this prohibition are still disputed, and are a frequent source of cases before the US Supreme CourtFacts About Supreme Court of the United States

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the judicial branch of th...
 — especially as the Court must now balance, on a state (equivalent to province) level, the First Amendment prohibitions on government establishment of official religions with the First Amendment prohibitions on government interference with the free exercise of religion. See school prayerSchool prayer

School prayer in its most common usage, refers to state-sanctioned and/or mandatory prayer of students in schools....
 for such a controversy in contemporary US politics.

All current U.S. state constitutions include guarantees of religious liberty parallel to the First Amendment, but eight also contain clauses that prohibit atheists from holding public office.
However, these clauses have been held by the United States Supreme Court to be unenforceable in the 1961 case of Torcaso v. WatkinsTorcaso v. Watkins

Torcaso v. Watkins, 367 U.S. 488 was a United States Supreme Court case in which the court reaffirmed that the US Consti...
, where the court ruled unanimously that such clauses constituted a religious test incompatible with First and Fourteenth Amendment protections.

Present state religions

Currently, the following religions are recognized as state religions in some countries: some form of ChristianityChristianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on Jesus of Nazareth, and on his life and teachings as presented in the New...
, IslamIslam

Islam is a monotheistic religion based upon the Qur'an, which adherents believe was sent by God through Muhammad....
 and BuddhismBuddhism

Buddhism is a dharmic, non-theistic religion, a way of life, a practical philosophy, and arguably a form of psychology....
.

Christian countries

The following states recognize some form of ChristianityChristianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on Jesus of Nazareth, and on his life and teachings as presented in the New...
 as their state or official religion (by denomination):
Roman Catholic
Jurisdictions which recognize Roman CatholicismRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
 as their state or official religion:
  • ArgentinaArgentina

    Argentina is a country in southern South America....
  • BoliviaBolivia

    Bolivia, officially the Republic of Bolivia , named after Simon Bolivar, is a landlocked country in central South Amer...
  • Costa RicaFacts About Costa Rica

    Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica , is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the nort...
  • El SalvadorEl Salvador

    El Salvador is a country in Central America with a population of approximately 6.9 million people....
  • LiechtensteinLiechtenstein

    The Principality of Liechtenstein is a small, doubly landlocked country in Western Europe, bordered by Switzerland to its w...
  • MaltaMalta

    Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a small and densely populated island nation consisting of an archipelago o...
  • MonacoMonaco

    The Principality of Monaco , more commonly known as Monaco, is a constitutional monarchy and city-state in Western Eur...
  • SlovakiaSlovakia

    Slovakia is a landlocked republic in Central Europe with population of more than five million....
  • Some cantons of SwitzerlandCantons of Switzerland

    The twenty-six cantons of Switzerland are the states of the federal state of Switzerland....
     (state religion):
    • Appenzell InnerrhodenAppenzell Innerrhoden

      Appenzell Innerrhoden is the smallest canton of Switzerland by population and the second smallest by area, Basel-City having...
       (declared "religion of the people of Appenzell Innerrhoden")
    • NidwaldenNidwalden

      Nidwalden is a canton of Switzerland....
    • SchwyzCanton of Schwyz

      Schwyz is a canton in central Switzerland between Lake Lucerne in the south and Lake Zurich in the north, centered around an...
    • UriCanton of Uri

      Uri is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland....
  • Vatican CityVatican City

    Vatican City formally State of the Vatican City, or Vatican City State is a sovereign city-state whose terri...
     (official religion)

Eastern Orthodox
Jurisdictions which recognize one of the Eastern Orthodox ChurchEastern Orthodox Church

The Eastern Orthodox Church is a Christian body that encompasses national jurisdictions such as the Greek Orthodox, Russian ...
es as their state religion:
  • GreeceGreece

    GreeceGreece lies at the juncture of Europe, Asia, and Africa....
  • CyprusCyprus

    [[Akrotiri and Dhekelia|Base Areas]...
  • Republic of Moldova


  • FinlandFinland

    The Republic of Finland , is one of the Nordic countries....
    : Finnish Orthodox ChurchFinnish Orthodox Church

    The Finnish Orthodox Church is the national jurisdiction of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Finland....
     has a special relationship with the Finnish state. The internal structure of the church is described in the Orthodox Church Act. The church has a power to tax its members and corporations, the majority of which is owned by them. The church does not consider itself a state church, as the state does not have the authority to affect its internal workings or theology.

Lutheran
Jurisdictions which recognize a LutheranLutheranism

Lutheranism is a movement within Christianity that began with the theological insights of Martin Luther in the 16th century,...
 church as their state religion:
  • DenmarkDenmark

    The Kingdom of Denmark is the smallest and southernmost of the Nordic countries....
  • IcelandIceland

    Iceland, officially the Republic of Iceland is a volcanic island nation in the northern Atlantic Ocean between Greenl...
  • NorwayNorway

    Insert non-formatted text hereNorway is a Nordic country on the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, bordering S...
  • FinlandFinland

    The Republic of Finland , is one of the Nordic countries....
    : Evangelical Lutheran Church of FinlandEvangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

    The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is the Lutheran national church of Finland....
     has a special relationship with the Finnish state, its internal structure being described in a special law, 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. The church has a power to tax its members and all corporations, except those the majority of which is owned by members of the Finnish Orthodox ChurchFinnish Orthodox Church

    The Finnish Orthodox Church is the national jurisdiction of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Finland....
    . 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 Finnish president also decides the themes for the 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.

Anglican
Jurisdictions that recognise an Anglican church as their state religion:
  • EnglandEngland Summary

    England is the largest and most populous constituent country of the United Kingdom....


Reformed
Jurisdictions which recognize a ReformedReformed churches

The Reformed churches are a group of Christian Protestant denominations historically related by a similar Calvinist system o...
 church as their state religion:
  • Some cantons of SwitzerlandCantons of Switzerland

    The twenty-six cantons of Switzerland are the states of the federal state of Switzerland....
    :
    • AargauAargau

      Aargau is one of the more northerly cantons of Switzerland....
    • Basel-CountryBasel-Country

      Basel-Country is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland....
    • BerneBerne Summary

      The city of Berne , is the "Bundesstadt" of Switzerland and the fourth most populous Swiss city ....
    • GlarusGlarus

      Glarus is the capital of the Canton of Glarus, Switzerland. ...
    • GraubündenGraubünden

      Graubnden or Grisons is the largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland. ...
    • SchwyzSchwyz

      The town of Schwyz is the capital of the Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland....
    • ThurgauThurgau Overview

      Thurgau is a canton of Switzerland....
    • UriCanton of Uri Overview

      Uri is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland....
    • ZurichFacts About Canton of Zürich

      The Canton of Zrich has a population of about 1.2 million....
  • ScotlandScotland

    Scotland is a nation in northwest Europe and one of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom....
     – the Church of ScotlandChurch of Scotland

    The Church of Scotland is the national church of Scotland....
     is the national churchNational church

    The term national church is usually a reference to a church organization in Christianity that claims pastoral jurisdiction o...
    , but is not a "state church" and has complete independence from the state in spiritual matters, thus being both established and free.p.161 The Monarch of the United Kingdom is an ex officio member.

Old Catholic
Jurisdictions which recognize an Old CatholicOld Catholic Church

The Old Catholic Church is a community of Christian churches....
 church as their state religion:
  • Some cantons of SwitzerlandCantons of Switzerland

    The twenty-six cantons of Switzerland are the states of the federal state of Switzerland....
    :
    • AargauAargau

      Aargau is one of the more northerly cantons of Switzerland....
    • Basel-CountryBasel-Country

      Basel-Country is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland....
    • BerneBerne

      The city of Berne , is the "Bundesstadt" of Switzerland and the fourth most populous Swiss city ....


Islamic countries

Countries which recognize IslamIslam

Islam is a monotheistic religion based upon the Qur'an, which adherents believe was sent by God through Muhammad....
 as their official religion. Although the separation of church and stateSeparation of church and state

The separation of church and state is a political doctrine which states that the institutions of the state or national gover...
 is a concept that originated in a western context, there is the notion of tolerationReligious toleration

Religious toleration is the condition of accepting or permitting others' religious beliefs and practices which disagree with...
 for people of the bookPeople of the Book

The term "People of the Book" is used in Judaism where it refers specifically to the Jewish people and the Torah....
 in Islam.

  • AfghanistanAfghanistan

    Afghanistan ; Persian : ?????? ?????? ?????????, Pashto: ? ????????? ?????? ???????) is a landlocked country at ...
     (Islamic state)
  • AlgeriaAlgeria

    Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria is a country in north Africa, and the second largest ...
  • BahrainBahrain

    Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a borderless island nation in the Persian Gulf ....
  • BangladeshBangladesh

    Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia....
  • BruneiBrunei

    Brunei, officially the Sultanate of Brunei , is a country located on the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia....
  • ComorosFacts About Comoros

    The Comoros , officially the Union of the Comoros , is a country in the Indian Ocean, situated at the northern end of ...
  • EgyptEgypt

    Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a Middle Eastern country in North Africa....
  • IranIran

    'Throughout history, Iran has been of great geostrategic importance because of its central location in Eurasia....
     (Islamic state)
  • IraqIraq

    The Republic of Iraq, is a Middle Eastern country in southwestern Asia encompassing most of Mesopotamia as well as the north...
  • JordanJordan

    Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , is an Arab country in the Middle East....
  • KuwaitKuwait

    The State of Kuwait is a small constitutional monarchy on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed by Saudi Arabia in the so...
  • LibyaLibya

    Libya , officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya , is a country in North Africa....
  • MalaysiaMalaysia

    Malaysia is a federation of 13 states in Southeast Asia, formed in 1963....
  • MaldivesMaldives

    Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an island nation consisting of a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean...
  • MauritaniaMauritania

    Mauritania , officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a country in northwest Africa....
  • MoroccoMorocco

    The Kingdom of Morocco is a country in North Africa....
  • OmanOman

    The Sultanate of Oman is a country in Southwest Asia, on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula....
  • PakistanPakistan

    Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan , is a country located in South Asia that overlaps with the Gre...
     (Islamic state)
  • QatarFacts About Qatar

    Qatar , officially the State of Qatar , is an emirate in the Middle East or Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Pe...
  • Sahrawi Arab Democratic RepublicSahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

    The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a largely unrecognised state that does not currently control the majority of its c...
  • Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula....
     (Islamic kingdom)
  • SomaliaSomalia

    Somalia , formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is a coastal nation at the Horn of Africa in East Africa....
  • SomalilandSomaliland

    Somaliland is an unrecognized de facto sovereign state state located in northwest Somalia in the Horn of Africa....
  • TunisiaTunisia

    Tunisia , officially the Tunisian Republic , is a country situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa....
  • United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates

    The United Arab Emirates is a Middle Eastern country situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia on...
  • YemenYemen

    Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a Middle Eastern country located on the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asi...
     (Islamic state)

Sunni Islam
  • AlgeriaAlgeria

    Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria is a country in north Africa, and the second largest ...
  • ComorosComoros

    The Comoros , officially the Union of the Comoros , is a country in the Indian Ocean, situated at the northern end of ...
  • MalaysiaMalaysia

    Malaysia is a federation of 13 states in Southeast Asia, formed in 1963....
  • MaldivesMaldives

    Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an island nation consisting of a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean...
  • MauritaniaMauritania

    Mauritania , officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a country in northwest Africa....
  • PakistanPakistan

    Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan , is a country located in South Asia that overlaps with the Gre...
     (as national-sanctioned religion)
  • Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia Summary

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula....
     (as state-sanctioned religion)
  • SomaliaSomalia

    Somalia , formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is a coastal nation at the Horn of Africa in East Africa....
  • JordanFacts About Jordan

    Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , is an Arab country in the Middle East....


Shi'a Islam
  • IranIran

    'Throughout history, Iran has been of great geostrategic importance because of its central location in Eurasia....
     (as state-sanctioned religion)

Buddhism as state religion

Governments which recognize BuddhismBuddhism

Buddhism is a dharmic, non-theistic religion, a way of life, a practical philosophy, and arguably a form of psychology....
, either a specific form of, or the whole, as their official religion:

  • BhutanFacts About Bhutan

    The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked South Asian nation situated between India and Tibet, People's Republic of China....


1. Buddhism is the spiritual heritage of Bhutan, which promotes the principles and values of peace, non-violence, compassion and tolerance.

2. The Druk Gyalpo is the protector of all religions in Bhutan.

3. 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.

4. 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.
5. 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.

6. The members of the Dratshang Lhentshog shall comprise:

 (a) The Je Khenpo as Chairman;

 (b) The Five Lopons of the Zhung Dratshang; and

 (c) The Secretary of the Dratshang Lhentshog who is a civil servant.

7. The Zhung Dratshang and Rabdeys shall continue to receive adequate funds and other facilities from the State.
  • CambodiaCambodia

    The Kingdom of Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia with a population of more than 13 million....
  • KalmykiaKalmykia

    The Republic of Kalmykia is a federal subject of the Russian Federation....
    , a republic within the Russian Federation
  • Sri LankaSri Lanka

    Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka , is a tropical island nation off the southeast c...
    . The Edict of Milan was written in such a way as to implore the blessings of the deity.


Constantine called up the First Council of NicaeaFirst Council of Nicaea

The First Council of Nicaea, convoked by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in 325, was the first ecumenical conference of bish...
 in 325, although he was not a baptised 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 ArmeniaArmenia Overview

Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia, is a landlocked mountainous country in the Southern Caucasus , bordered ...
 and AksumKingdom of Aksum

The Kingdom of Aksum, was an important trading nation in northeastern Africa, growing from the proto-Aksumite period ca....
.

Roman ReligionRoman religion

The term Roman religion may refer to:...
 was restored for a time by Julian the ApostateJulian the Apostate

Flavius Claudius Iulianus , was a Roman Emperor of the Constantinian dynasty....
 from 361 to 363. Julian does not appear to have reinstated the persecutions of the earlier Roman emperors.

CatholicCatholic

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective , meaning "general", "universal" - when used as a specifical...
 Christianity, as opposed to Arianism and other heretical and schismatic groups, was declared to be the state religion of the Roman EmpireRoman Empire

The Roman Empire was a phase of the ancient Roman civilization characterized by an autocratic form of government....
 on February 27 380380

For the aircraft, see Airbus A380. ...
 by the decree De Fide Catolica of Emperor Theodosius ITheodosius I

Flavius Theodosius , also called Theodosius I and Theodosius the Great, was Roman Emperor from 379 until his dea...
.

Han Dynasty Confucianism and Sui Dynasty Buddhism

In China, the Han DynastyHan Dynasty

The Han Dynasty followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China....
 (206 BC – 220 AD) advocated ConfucianismConfucianism

Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system originally developed from the teachings of the early Chinese sag...
 as the de facto state religion, establishing tests based on Confucian texts as an entrance requirement into government service. The Han emperors appreciated the societal order which is a central concept of Confucianism. Confucianism would continue on as the state religion until the Sui DynastySui Dynasty

The Sui Dynasty followed the Southern and Northern Dynasties and preceded the Tang Dynasty in China....
 (581-618), when it was replaced by BuddhismBuddhism

Buddhism is a dharmic, non-theistic religion, a way of life, a practical philosophy, and arguably a form of psychology....
. Neo-confucianismNeo-Confucianism

Neo-Confucianism is a form of Confucianism that was primarily developed during the Song Dynasty, but which can be traced bac...
 returned as the de facto state religion sometime in the 10th century. Note however, there is a debate over whether Confucianism (including Neo-confucianism) is a religion or purely a philosophical system.

Modern era

Empire of Japan

From the Meiji era to the first part of the Showa era, Koshitsu ShintoState Shinto

has been called the state religion of the Empire of Japan....
was established in Japan as the national religion. According to this, the emperor of JapanEmperor of Japan

According to the Japanese Constitution, the Emperor is a symbol of the Japanese nation and the unity of its people....
 was an arahitogamiFacts About Arahitogami

Arahitogami is a Japanese word, meaning a god who is a human being....
, an incarnate divinity and the offspring of goddess AmaterasuAmaterasu

Amaterasu, Amaterasu-o-mi-kami or Ohiru-menomuchi-no-kami is in Japanese mythology, a sun goddess, and perhaps...
. As the emperor was, according to the constitution, "head of the empire" and "supreme commander of the Army and the Navy", every Japanese citizen had to obey his will and show absolute loyalty.

States without any state religion

These states do not profess any state religion, and are generally secularSecularism

Secularity is the state of being free from religious or spiritual qualities....
 or laistLaïcité

In French, some other Romance Languages, and Turkish, lacit, Turkish: laiklik or laisizm, Italian: '...
. Countries which officially decline to establish any religion include:

  • AustraliaAustralia

    Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland o...
  • AzerbaijanAzerbaijan

    Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan , is a country in the South Caucasus....
  • CanadaFacts About Canada

    Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area, occupying most of northern North America....
  • ChileChile

    Chile, officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long coastal strip between the And...
  • CubaCuba Summary

    Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, consists of the island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and adjacent small islands....
  • People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of China

    The People's Republic of China , is a country in East Asia....
  • FranceFrance

    France, officially the French Republic, is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe and whi...
  • IndiaIndia

    India , officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia....
  • IndonesiaIndonesia

    Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a nation of islands consisting of 18,110 islands in the South Eas...
  • IrelandRepublic of Ireland

    The Republic of Ireland is the official description of the sovereign state which covers approximately five-sixths the islan...
  • IsraelIsrael

    Israel , officially the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia on the southeastern edge of the Mediterranean Se...
     (which considers itself a "democratic Jewish state", although "Jewish" might be construed to refer to the people rather than the religion)
  • JamaicaJamaica

    Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, 240 kilometres in length and as much as 85 kilometres in width situat...
  • JapanJapan

    is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of China, Korea, and Russia, stretching from...
     (Shinto until end of WWII)
  • KosovoKosovo

    Kosovo is a province in southern Serbia which has been under United Nations administration since 1999....
  • LebanonLebanon

    Lebanon, officially the Lebanese democratic Republic , is a small, largely mountainous country in the Middle East, loc...
     (although president must always remain a Maronite Catholic, and prime minister a Sunni Muslim)
  • MexicoMexico

    The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country located in North America, bordered at the north by t...
  • MontenegroMontenegro

    The Republic of Montenegro is a country located in southeastern Europe....
  • NepalNepal

    Nepal, officially Kingdom of Nepal, is a landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia, bordered by the People's Republic...
     (declared a secular state on May 18, 2006, by the newly resumed House of Representatives)
  • New ZealandNew Zealand

    New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean consisting of two large islands and many much smaller islands, m...
  • NigeriaNigeria Summary

    Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa and the most populous country on the ...
  • North KoreaNorth Korea

    North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is an East Asian country occupying the northern hal...
  • RomaniaRomania

    Romania: is a country in Southeastern Europe....
  • RussiaRussia

    Russia , also the Russian Federation , is a country that stretches over a vast expanse of Eurasia....
  • SingaporeSingapore

    Singapore, formally the Republic of Singapore , is an island city-state and the smallest country in Southeast Asia....
  • South AfricaSouth Africa

    The Republic of South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of the African continent....
  • South KoreaSouth Korea

    South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is an East Asian state on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula....
  • SpainSpain Summary

    Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain , is a European parliamentary monarchy....
  • TurkeyTurkey

    Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in Sou...
  • United StatesUnited States

    The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is...
  • VenezuelaVenezuela

    Venezuela is a country on the northern tropical Caribbean coast of South America....
  • VietnamVietnam

    Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a country in Southeast Asia....


Established churches and former state churches

Country Church Denomination Disestablished
AlbaniaAlbania

The Republic of Albania is a Balkan country in Southeastern Europe....
 
none since independence n/a n/a
AndorraAndorra

The Principality of Andorra is a small, landlocked principality in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mou...
 
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
 
CatholicCatholic

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective , meaning "general", "universal" - when used as a specifical...
 
?
AnhaltAnhalt

Anhalt is a historical region of Germany, which is now included in the state of Saxony-Anhalt....
 
Evangelical Church of Anhalt  Lutheran  1918
ArmeniaArmenia

Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia, is a landlocked mountainous country in the Southern Caucasus , bordered ...
 
Armenian Apostolic ChurchArmenian Apostolic Church

The Armenian Apostolic Church, sometimes called the Armenian Orthodox Church or the Gregorian Church, is the wor...
 
Oriental Orthodox  1921
AustriaAustria

Austria is a landlocked country in central Europe....
 
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
 
CatholicCatholic

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective , meaning "general", "universal" - when used as a specifical...
 
1918
Baden  Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
 and the Evangelical Church of Baden 
CatholicCatholic

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective , meaning "general", "universal" - when used as a specifical...
 and Lutheran 
1918
BavariaBavaria Summary

The Free State of Bavaria  , with an area of 70,553 km and 12.4 million inhabitants, forms the southernmost state...
 
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
 
CatholicCatholic

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective , meaning "general", "universal" - when used as a specifical...
 
1918
BrazilBrazil

Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest and most populous country in South America, and ...
 
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
 
CatholicCatholic

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective , meaning "general", "universal" - when used as a specifical...
 
1890
Brunswick-LüneburgBrunswick-Lüneburg

Brunswick-Lneburg was a historical state within the Holy Roman Empire....
 
Evangelical Lutheran State Church of Brunswick  Lutheran  1918
BulgariaBulgaria

Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a country in Southeastern Europe....
 
Bulgarian Orthodox ChurchBulgarian Orthodox Church

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Church with some 6.5 million members in the Republic of B...
 
Eastern Orthodox  1946
ChileChile

Chile, officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long coastal strip between the And...
 
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
 
CatholicCatholic

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective , meaning "general", "universal" - when used as a specifical...
 
1925
CubaCuba

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, consists of the island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and adjacent small islands....
 
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
 
CatholicCatholic

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective , meaning "general", "universal" - when used as a specifical...
 
1902
CyprusCyprus

[[Akrotiri and Dhekelia|Base Areas]...
 
Cypriot Orthodox ChurchCypriot Orthodox Church Overview

The ancient Church of Cyprus is one of the fourteen or fifteen independent Eastern Orthodox churches, which are in communion...
 
Eastern Orthodox  1977
CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia was a country in Central Europe that existed from 1918 until early 1993 ....
 
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
 
CatholicCatholic

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective , meaning "general", "universal" - when used as a specifical...
 
1920
DenmarkDenmark

The Kingdom of Denmark is the smallest and southernmost of the Nordic countries....
 
Church of DenmarkChurch of Denmark

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark is a state church and is the largest Christian church in Denmark....
 
Lutheran  no
EnglandEngland

England is the largest and most populous constituent country of the United Kingdom....
 
Church of EnglandChurch of England Summary

The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, and acts as the 'mother' and senior branch ...
 
Anglican  no
EstoniaEstonia

Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia , is a country in Northern Europe....
 
Church of Estonia  Eastern Orthodox  1940
FinlandFinland Overview

The Republic of Finland , is one of the Nordic countries....
 
Evangelical Lutheran Church of FinlandEvangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is the Lutheran national church of Finland....
 
Lutheran  1870/1919
FranceFrance

France, officially the French Republic, is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe and whi...
 
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
 
CatholicCatholic

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective , meaning "general", "universal" - when used as a specifical...
 
1905
GeorgiaGeorgia (country)

Georgia , known officially from 1990 to 1995 as the Republic of Georgia, is a country in Eurasia to the east of the Bl...
 
Georgian Orthodox Church  Eastern Orthodox  1921
GreeceGreece

GreeceGreece lies at the juncture of Europe, Asia, and Africa....
 
Greek Orthodox ChurchChurch of Greece Summary

The Church of Greece is one of the fourteen autocephalous Eastern Orthodox churches which make up the Eastern Orthodox Commu...
 
Eastern Orthodox  no
GuatemalaGuatemala

Guatemala, officially the Republic of Guatemala , is a country in Central America, in the south part of North America,...
 
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
 
CatholicCatholic

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective , meaning "general", "universal" - when used as a specifical...
 
1871
HaitiHaiti

Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti, occupies one third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, and also includes ...
 
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Ro...
 
CatholicCatholic

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective , meaning "general", "universal" - when used as a specifical...
 
1987
HesseHesse

Hesse is one of Germany's sixteen federal states ....
 
Evangelical Church of Hesse and NassauEvangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau

Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassauis a protestant, liberal church in the German state of Hesse....
 
Lutheran  1918
HungaryHungary

Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by Austria, Slovaki...
 
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

The Roman Cath