View source for Secular state

{{short description|State or country without a state religion}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
[[File:Map of secular states.svg|thumb|{{legend|#0093AF|States with state secularism}}{{legend|#EB151C|States with [[state religion]]}}{{legend|#dedede|Ambiguous states or no data}}]]
{{Status of religious freedom|expanded=concept}}

{{nowrap|A '''secular state'''}} is an idea pertaining to [[secularity]], whereby a [[State (polity)|state]] is or purports to be officially [[Separation of church and state|neutral in matters of religion]], supporting neither religion nor [[irreligion]].<ref name="MadeleyEnyedi2003">{{cite book|author-first1=John T. S.|author-last1=Madeley|author-first2=Zsolt|author-last2=Enyedi|title=Church and State in Contemporary Europe: The Chimera of Neutrality|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n5Brda6FmswC|year=2003|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-7146-5394-5|page=14}}</ref> A secular state claims to [[Social equality|treat all its citizens equally regardless of religion]], and claims to avoid [[Religious discrimination|preferential treatment for a citizen based on their religious beliefs, affiliation or lack of either over those with other profiles]].<ref>{{cite web |title=What is Secularism? |url=https://www.secularism.org.uk/what-is-secularism.html |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=www.secularism.org.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Although secular states have no [[state religion]], the absence of an established state religion does not mean that a state is completely secular or [[Egalitarianism|egalitarian]]. For example, some states that describe themselves as secular have [[Religion in national symbols|religious references in their national anthems and flags]], [[Equality before the law|laws that benefit one religion or another]], or are [[Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]] and of the [[International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance]].

==Origin and practice==
Secularity can be established at a state's creation (e.g., the [[Soviet Union]], the [[United States]]) or by it later [[Secularization|secularizing]] (e.g., [[France]] or [[Nepal]]). Movements for [[Secularism in France|''laïcité'' in France]] and [[Freedom of religion in the United States|separation of church and state in the United States]] have defined modern concepts of secularism, the United States of America being the first explicitly secular government in history. Historically, the process of secularisation typically involves granting [[religious freedom]], disestablishing state religions, stopping public funds being used for religion, freeing the legal system from religious control, [[Secular education|freeing up the education system]], tolerating citizens [[Apostasy|who change religion]] or [[Irreligion|abstain from religion]], and allowing political leaders to come to power regardless of their religious beliefs.<ref>Jean Baubérot [http://www.ambafrance-us.org/atoz/secular.asp The secular principle] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222013645/http://www.ambafrance-us.org/atoz/secular.asp |date=22 February 2008 }}</ref>

In [[France]], [[Italy]], and [[Spain]], for example, [[Public holiday|official holidays]] for the [[public administration]] tend to be [[Calendar of saints|Christian feast days]]. Any private school in France that contracts with [[Ministry of National Education (France)|''Éducation nationale'']] means its [[teacher]]s are salaried by the state—most of the [[Catholic school]]s are in this situation and, because of history, they are the majority; however, any other religious or non-religious schools also contract this way.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Teese |first1=Richard |title=Private Schools in France: Evolution of a System |journal=Comparative Education Review |date=1986 |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=247–259 |doi=10.1086/446591 |jstor=1188531 |s2cid=144698211 }}</ref> In some [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Europe|European states]] where secularism confronts [[Monoculturalism|monoculturalist]] [[philanthropy]], some of the main [[Christian denomination]]s and [[List of religions and spiritual traditions|sects of other religions]] depend on the state for some of the financial resources for their religious [[Charitable organization|charities]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Twinch|first=Emily|title=Religious charities: Faith, funding and the state|url=http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/Article/914534/religious-charities-faith-funding-state/|work=Article dated 22 June 2009|publisher=Third Sector – a UK Charity Periodical|access-date=3 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510221443/http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/Article/914534/religious-charities-faith-funding-state/|archive-date=10 May 2013}}</ref> It is common in [[corporate law]] and [[charity law]] to prohibit [[organized religion]] from using those funds to organize religious worship in a separate [[place of worship]] or for [[Religious conversion|conversion]]; the religious body itself must provide the religious content, educated [[clergy]] and [[Lay preacher|laypersons]] to exercise its own functions and may choose to devote part of their time to the separate charities. To that effect, some of those charities establish secular organizations that manage part of or all of the donations from the main religious bodies.

Many states that are nowadays secular in practice may have legal vestiges of an earlier [[State religion|established religion]]. Secularism also has various guises that may coincide with some degree of official [[religiosity]]. In the [[United Kingdom]], the [[head of state]] is still required to take the [[Coronation Oath Act 1688|Coronation Oath enacted in 1688]], swearing to maintain the [[Reformed Christianity|Protestant Reformed religion]] and to preserve the established [[Church of England]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/royaleventsandceremonies/coronation/coronation.aspx|title=Coronation Oath|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref> The UK also maintains seats in the [[House of Lords]] for 26 senior clergymen of the Church of England, known as the [[Lords Spiritual]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/whos-in-the-house-of-lords/members-and-their-roles/how-members-are-appointed/#jump-link-3|title=How members are appointed|work=UK Parliament|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref> In [[Canada]] the ''[[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]'' affords secular freedoms of conscience and religion, thought, belief, opinion and expression, including communication, assembly and association yet the [[Preamble to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|Charter's preamble]] maintains the concept of "the supremacy of God" which would appear to disadvantage those who hold [[Nontheism|nontheistic]] or [[Polytheism|polytheistic]] beliefs, including [[Atheism]] and [[Buddhism]].<ref name="Hogg, Peter W. 1982">Hogg, Peter W.  ''Canada Act 1982 Annotated''.  Toronto, Canada:  The Carswell Company Limited, 1982.</ref><ref name="Paul Russell">[http://www.academia.edu/16378297/_The_supremacy_of_God_does_not_belong_in_the_Constitution_ ''Paul Russell''], "The supremacy of God" does not belong in the Constitution": The Globe & Mail, June 11, 1999</ref> Italy has been a secular state since the enactment of the [[Constitution of Italy|Constitution]] in 1948 (stressed by a [[Constitutional Court of Italy|Constitutional court]]'s decision in 1989),<ref>Articles 3, 7, 8, 19, 20 of the Constitution of Italy; Constitutional Court's Decision n. 203/1989</ref> but still recognizes a special status for the [[Catholic Church]]. The reverse progression can also occur, however; a state can go from being secular to being a [[State religion|religious state]], as in the case of [[Iran]] where the secularized [[Pahlavi dynasty|Imperial State of Iran]] was replaced by an [[Islamic Republic]]. Nonetheless, the last 250 years has seen a trend towards secularism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=1131 |title=Harris Interactive: Resource Not Found |access-date=18 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723125147/http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=1131 |archive-date=23 July 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=300|title=A Portrait of "Generation Next"|date=9 January 2007|work=Pew Research Center for the People and the Press|access-date=18 March 2015|archive-date=24 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524055917/http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=300|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==List of secular states by continent==
{{See also|Constitutional references to God}}
This is the list of countries that are explicitly described as secular in their [[constitution]]s or other official state documents.

===Africa===
{{colbegin|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flag|Angola|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ao00000_.html#A008_|title=ICL - Angola Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015}}, Article 8: "The Republic of Angola shall be a secular State..."</ref>
* {{flag|Benin|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trazibule.fr/anglais/BENIN.txt|title=Article 2 of Constitution}}: "The Republic of Benin shall be one - indivisible, secular, and democratic."</ref>
* {{flag|Botswana|size=23px}}<ref>[http://www.mmegi.bw/2004/July/Tuesday13/404641223950.html Leaders say Botswana is a secular state] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210190537/http://www.mmegi.bw/2004/July/Tuesday13/404641223950.html |date=10 February 2005 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Burkina Faso|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chr.up.ac.za/hr_docs/constitutions/docs/Burkina%20FasoC%20(englishsummary)(rev).doc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009112408/http://www.chr.up.ac.za/hr_docs/constitutions/docs/Burkina%20FasoC%20(englishsummary)(rev).doc|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 October 2006|title=Article 31 of Constitution}}: "Burkina Faso is a democratic, unitary and secular state."</ref>
* {{flag|Burundi|size=23px}}<ref>[http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/CAFRAD/UNPAN004624.pdf Article 4 of Constitution] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007195330/http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/CAFRAD/UNPAN004624.pdf |date=7 October 2006 }}: "Le Burundi est une République unitaire, indépendante et souveraine, laïque et démocratique."</ref>
* {{flag|Cameroon|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://confinder.richmond.edu/admin/docs/Cameroon.pdf|title=Preamble of Constitution|access-date=1 March 2007|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215062653/http://confinder.richmond.edu/admin/docs/Cameroon.pdf|url-status=dead}}: "... the State shall be secular."</ref>
* {{flag|Central African Republic|size=23px}}<ref>Article 24 of the [https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Central_African_Republic_2016.pdf?lang=en Central African Republic's Constitution of 2016], constituteproject.org: "The Central African Republic is a State of law, unitary, sovereign, indivisible, secular and democratic."</ref>
* {{flag|Chad|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chr.up.ac.za/hr_docs/constitutions/docs/ChadC%20(english%20summary)(rev).doc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009114533/http://www.chr.up.ac.za/hr_docs/constitutions/docs/ChadC%20(english%20summary)(rev).doc|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 October 2006|title=Article 1 of Constitution}}: "Chad is a sovereign, independent, secular, social, and indivisible ..."</ref>
*{{flag|Comoros|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Comoros_2018 | title=Comoros 2018 Constitution - Constitute }}</ref>
* {{flag|Côte d'Ivoire|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cote_DIvoire_2000.pdf?lang=en|title=Côte d'Ivoire's Constitution of 2000}}, Article 30: "The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire is one and indivisible, secular, democratic and social."</ref>
* {{flag|Congo DR|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Constitution_de_la_R%C3%A9publique_d%C3%A9mocratique_du_Congo#Article_1er|title=Constitution de la République démocratique du Congo|access-date=18 March 2015}}, article 1er: "République Démocratique du Congo est, dans ses frontières du 30 juin 1960, un État de droit, indépendant, souverain, uni et indivisible, social, démocratique et laïc."</ref>
* {{flag|Congo|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/cf00000_.html#A001_|title=ICL - Congo-Brazzaville - Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015}}, Article 1: "The Republic of the Congo is a sovereign and independent State, decentralized, indivisible, secular, democratic, and social."</ref>
* {{flag|Equatorial Guinea|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/equatorial-guinea/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Equatorial Guinea|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Eritrea|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/eritre/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Eritrea|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Eswatini|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/eswatini/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Eswatini|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ethiopia|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/ethiopia/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Ethiopia|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Gabon|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/gabon/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Gabon|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Gambia|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/gambia/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Gambia|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ghana|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/ghana/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Ghana|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Guinea|size=23px}}<ref>[http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/cafrad/unpan002994.pdf Article 1 of Constitution] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040913180737/http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/cafrad/unpan002994.pdf |date=13 September 2004 }}: "La Guinée est une République unitaire, indivisible, laïque, démocratique et sociale."</ref>
* {{flag|Guinea-Bissau|size=23px}}<ref>[http://www.cicr.org/ihl-nat.nsf/162d151af444ded44125673e00508141/8ff8cad34667b579c1257083002a6fa8/$FILE/Constitution%20Guinea%20Bissau.doc Article 1 of Constitution] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105121916/http://www.cicr.org/ihl-nat.nsf/162d151af444ded44125673e00508141/8ff8cad34667b579c1257083002a6fa8/$FILE/Constitution%20Guinea%20Bissau.doc |date=5 November 2013 }}: "Guinea-Bissau is a sovereign, democratic, secular and unitary republic."</ref>
* {{flag|Kenya}}<ref name="constKenya">{{cite web | url=http://www.kenyalaw.org:8181/exist/rest//db/kenyalex/Kenya/The%20Constitution%20of%20Kenya/docs/ConstitutionofKenya%202010.pdf | title=The Constitution of Kenya | access-date=14 March 2022 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221100933/http://www.kenyalaw.org:8181/exist/rest//db/kenyalex/Kenya/The%20Constitution%20of%20Kenya/docs/ConstitutionofKenya%202010.pdf | archivedate=21 December 2013 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Lesotho|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/lesotho/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Lesotho|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Liberia|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/liberia/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Liberia|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Madagascar|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Madagascar_2010.pdf?lang=en|title=Madagascar's Constitution of 2010}}, Article 1: "The Malagasy People constitute a nation organized as a sovereign, unitary, republican and secular State."</ref>
* {{flag|Malawi|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/malawi/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Malawi|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Mali|size=23px}}<ref>[http://confinder.richmond.edu/admin/docs/Mali.pdf Constitution] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912141413/http://confinder.richmond.edu/admin/docs/Mali.pdf |date=12 September 2012 }}, Article 25: "Mali is an independent, sovereign, indivisible, democratic, secular, social Republic."</ref>
* {{flag|Mozambique|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/mozambique/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Mozambique|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Namibia|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/wa00000_.html|title=ICL - Namibia - Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015}}, Article 1: "The Republic of Namibia is hereby established as a sovereign, secular, democratic and unitary State ..."</ref>
* {{flag|Niger|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/niger/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Niger|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Nigeria|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/nigeria/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Nigeria|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Rwanda|size=23px}}<ref>Article 4 of the [https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Rwanda_2015.pdf?lang=en Rwanda's Constitution of 2003 with Amendments through 2015], constituteproject.org, Article 4: "The Rwandan State is an independent, sovereign, democratic, social and secular Republic."</ref>
* {{flag|Sao Tome and Principe|size=23px}}<ref>Article 154 of the [https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Sao_Tome_and_Principe_2003.pdf?lang=en Sao Tome and Principe's Constitution of 1975 with Amendments through 2003], constituteproject.org, "The following may not be the subject of a revision to the Constitution: [...] b. The secular status of the State;"</ref>
* {{flag|Senegal|size=23px}}<ref>Article 1 of the [https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Senegal_2016.pdf?lang=en Senegal's Constitution of 2001 with Amendments through 2016], constituteproject.org, "The Republic of Senegal is secular, democratic, and social."</ref>
* {{flag|Sierra Leone|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/sierra-leone/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Sierra Leone|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|South Africa|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/south-africa/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: South Africa|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|South Sudan|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/south-sudan/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: South Sudan|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sudan|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/sudan/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Sudan|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Tanzania|size=23px}}<ref>Article 3 of the [https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Tanzania_2005.pdf?lang=en Tanzania (United Republic of)'s Constitution of 1977 with Amendments through 2005], constituteproject.org, "The United Republic is a democratic, secular and socialist state which adheres to multi-party democracy"</ref>
* {{flag|Togo|size=23px}}<ref>Article 1 of the [https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Togo_2007.pdf?lang=en Togo's Constitution of 1992 with Amendments through 2007], constituteproject.org, "The Togolese Republic is a State of law, secular, democratic and social."</ref>
* {{flag|Tunisia|size=23px}}<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://groundreport.in/why-tunisia-abandoning-islam-as-a-state-religion/|title=Why Tunisia abandoning Islam as a state religion?|website=GR}}</ref>
* {{flag|Uganda|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/uganda/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Uganda|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Zimbabwe|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/zimbabwe/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Zimbabwe|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
{{colend}}

===Americas===
{{colbegin|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|Antigua and Barbuda}} [[Antigua and Barbuda]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/antigua-and-barbuda/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Antigua and Barbuda|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Argentina]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/argentina/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Argentina|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Bahamas}} [[Bahamas]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/bahamas/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Bahamas|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Barbados}} [[Barbados]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/barbados/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Barbados|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Belize}} [[Belize]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/belize/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Belize|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Bolivia}} [[Bolivia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/bolivia/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Bolivia|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Brazil]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/brazil/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Brazil|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Canada]]<ref>{{multiref2
| {{cite book |first1=Paul |last1=Bramadat |first2=David |last2=Seljak |title=Religion and Ethnicity in Canada |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VymssyK1Hs0C&pg=PA3 |year=2009 |publisher=University of Toronto Press |isbn=978-1-4426-1018-7 |page=3 |ref=none}}
| {{cite book |first=Kurt |last=Bowen |title=Christians in a Secular World: The Canadian Experience |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=__38sGZLrvYC&pg=PA174 |year=2004 |publisher=McGill-Queen's Press |isbn=978-0-7735-7194-5 |page=174 |ref=none}}
| {{cite book |first1=Derek |last1=Gregory |first2=Ron |last2=Johnston |first3=Geraldine |last3=Pratt |first4=Michael |last4=Watts |first5=Sarah |last5=Whatmore |title=The Dictionary of Human Geography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5liCbG4J9LYC&pg=PT672 |year=2009 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-4443-1056-6 |page=672 |ref=none}}
|{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/canada/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Canada|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023 |ref=none}}
}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Chile}} [[Chile]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/chile/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Chile|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Colombia}} [[Colombia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/colombia/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Colombia|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Cuba}} [[Cuba]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/cuba/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Cuba|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Dominica}} [[Dominica]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/dominica/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Dominica|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Dominican Republic}} [[Dominican Republic]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/dominican-republic/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Dominican Republic|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Ecuador}} [[Ecuador]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/ecuador/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Ecuador|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|El Salvador}} [[El Salvador]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/el-salvador/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: El Salvador|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Grenada}} [[Grenada]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/grenada/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Grenada|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Guatemala}} [[Guatemala]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/guatemala/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Guatemala|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Guyana}} [[Guyana]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/guyana/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Guyana|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Haiti}} [[Haiti]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/haiti/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Haiti|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Honduras}} [[Honduras]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/honduras/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Honduras|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Jamaica|size=23px}} [[Jamaica]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/jamaica/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Jamaica|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Mexico]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/mexico/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Mexico|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Nicaragua}} [[Nicaragua]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/nicaragua/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Nicaragua|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Paraguay}} [[Paraguay]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/paraguay/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Paraguay|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Panama}} [[Panama]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/panama/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Panama|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Peru}} [[Peru]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/peru/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Peru|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Saint Kitts and Nevis}} [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/saint-kitts-and-nevis/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saint Kitts and Nevis|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Saint Lucia}} [[Saint Lucia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/saint-lucia/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saint Lucia|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}} [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Suriname}} [[Suriname]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/suriname/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Suriname|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} [[Trinidad and Tobago]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/trinidad-and-tobago/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Trinidad and Tobago|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|United States}} [[United States]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/religion_and_the_constitution|title=Religion and the US Constitution: The First Amendment|publisher=[[Cornell Law School]]|access-date=9 May 2022}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Uruguay}} [[Uruguay]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/uruguay/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Uruguay|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Venezuela}} [[Venezuela]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/venezuela/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Venezuela|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
{{colend}}

===Asia===
{{colbegin|colwidth=18em}}
* {{Flag|China|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/china/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: China|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=24 October 2023}}</ref>
* {{Flag|India|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/amend/amend42.htm|title=The Constitution (Amendment)|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328040620/http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/amend/amend42.htm|archive-date=28 March 2015}}, "We, The People of India having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic and to secure to all its..."</ref>
*{{flag|Indonesia|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/indonesia/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Indonesia|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=1 September 2023}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Japan|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/japan/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Japan|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Kyrgyzstan|size=23px}}<ref>[http://www.coe.int/T/E/Legal_Affairs/Legal_co-operation/Foreigners_and_citizens/Nationality/Documents/National_legislation/Kyrgyzstan%20Constitution%20of%20the%20Kyrghyz%20Republic.asp Article 1 of Constitution] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204064819/http://www.coe.int/T/E/Legal_Affairs/Legal_co-operation/Foreigners_and_citizens/Nationality/Documents/National_legislation/Kyrgyzstan%20Constitution%20of%20the%20Kyrghyz%20Republic.asp |date=4 February 2007 }}, Article 1: "The Kyrghyz Republic (Kyrghyzstan) shall be a sovereign unitary democratic republic created on the basis of a legal secular state."</ref>
* {{Flag|Laos|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/laos/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Laos|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Lebanon|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/lebanon/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Lebanon|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=2 June 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Mongolia|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/mongolia/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Mongolia|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Nepal|size=23px}}<ref>{{harvnb|Dodd|2003|p=571|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=wImNYmmgcA0C&pg=PT571 The rough guide to Nepal]}}: "After 2005, the Marxist-Leninist government of reunified Nepal declared the state atheist while theoretically allowing people the right to practice their religion under the constitution."</ref>
* {{Flag|North Korea|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/democraticpeople'srepublicofkorea/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: North Korea|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=24 October 2023}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Philippines|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/|title=Article II Section 6 of the Constitution of the Philippines|access-date=12 March 2021|archive-date=5 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105085906/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/|url-status=dead}},  "The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable."</ref>
* {{Flag|Singapore|size=23px}}<ref>See [[Declaration of Religious Harmony]], which explicitly states the secular nature of society</ref>
* {{Flag|Republic of Korea|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/south-korea/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: South Korea|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Taiwan|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/taiwan/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Taiwan|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>{{efn|name=fn1|State with limited recognition.<ref name="autogenerated2011">{{Citation |title=Introduction: Secular State and Pious Muslims |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/9781137010643.0003 |work=Secular State and Religious Society |year=2011 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |doi=10.1057/9781137010643.0003 |doi-broken-date=1 July 2025 |isbn=9781137010643 |access-date=2022-04-11|url-access=subscription }}</ref>}}
* {{Flag|Tajikistan|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Tajikistan_2003.pdf?lang=en|title=Tajikistan's Constitution of 1994 with Amendments through 2003}}, Article 1: "The Republic of Tajikistan is a sovereign, democratic, law-governed, secular, and unitary State."</ref>
* {{Flag|Timor-Leste|size=23px}}<ref>[https://constituteproject.org/constitution/East_Timor_2002.pdf?lang=en Preamble to the Constitution], "The elaboration and adoption of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of East Timor is the culmination of the secular resistance of the Timorese People ..."</ref>
* {{Flag|Thailand|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/thailand/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Thailand|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Turkmenistan|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uta.edu/cpsees/TURKCON.htm|title=Constitution of Turkmenistan|access-date=18 March 2015|archive-date=14 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414030847/http://www.uta.edu/cpsees/TURKCON.htm|url-status=dead}}, Article 1: "Turkmenistan is a democratic secular state ..."</ref>
* {{flag|Uzbekistan|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/uzbekistan/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Uzbekistan|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Vietnam|size=23px}}<ref>{{harvnb|Dodd|2003|p=571|loc=[https://books.google.com/books?id=wImNYmmgcA0C&pg=PT571 The rough guide to Vietnam]}}: "After 1975, the Marxist-Leninist government of reunified Vietnam declared the state atheist while theoretically allowing people the right to practice their religion under the constitution."</ref>
{{colend}}

===Europe===
{{colbegin|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flag|Albania}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/al00000_.html#A007_|title=ICL - Albania - Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref>
* {{flag|Andorra}}<ref>{{cite web | title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom:Andorra| website=United States Department of State | date=12 May 2021 | url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/andorra/ | access-date=29 December 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Austria}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/au00000_.html|title=ICL - Austria Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref>
* {{flag|Belarus}}<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ia5AAQAAQBAJ|title=Yearbook of Muslims in Europe|first1=Jørgen|last1=Nielsen|first2=Samim|last2=Akgönül|first3=Ahmet|last3=Alibašić|first4=Egdunas|last4=Racius|date=19 September 2013|publisher=BRILL|via=Google Books|isbn=9789004255869}}</ref>
* {{flag|Belgium}}<ref>In Belgium, Article 20 of the Constitution provides: No one can be obliged to contribute in any way whatsoever to the acts and ceremonies of religion, nor to observe the days of rest. {{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/be00000_.html|title=ICL - Belgium - Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref>
* {{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}<ref name="USDS B&H 2021">{{cite web | title=United States Department of State | website=United States Department of State | date=12 May 2021 | url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/bosnia-and-herzegovina/ | access-date=10 Feb 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Bulgaria}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.bg/?page=const&lng=en|title=National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria - Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015|archive-date=10 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110001510/http://www.parliament.bg/?page=const&lng=en|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Croatia}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usud.hr/sites/default/files/dokumenti/The_consolidated_text_of_the_Constitution_of_the_Republic_of_Croatia_as_of_15_January_2014.pdf|title=The consolidated text of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia as of 15 January 2014|access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* {{flag|Czechia}}<ref>[http://angl.concourt.cz/angl_verze/rights.php Article 2 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Basic Freedoms] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430034320/http://angl.concourt.cz/angl_verze/rights.php |date=30 April 2008 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Estonia}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/en00000_.html#A040_|title=ICL - Estonia - Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref>
* {{flag|Finland}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/finland/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Finland|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|France}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/fr00000_.html#A002_|title=ICL - France Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Germany}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/germany/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Germany|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Greece}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/greece/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Greece|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Hungary}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/hungary/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Hungary|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ireland}}<ref>[[Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Fifth Amendment of the Constitution Act, 1972]].</ref>
* {{flag|Italy}}<ref>Articles 3, 7, 8, 19, 20 of Constitution; Constitutional Court's Decision n. 203/1989</ref>
* {{flag|Kosovo}}<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R1vU9p9ftlsC&q=kosovo+constitution+article+7&pg=PA235|title=Legislating for Equality: A Multinational Collection of Non-Discrimination Norms. Volume I: Europe|first1=Talia|last1=Naamat|first2=Dina|last2=Porat|first3=Nina|last3=Osin|date=19 July 2012|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers|via=Google Books|isbn=978-9004226128}}</ref>{{efn|name=fn1}}
* {{flag|Latvia}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/lg00000_.html#A099_|title=ICL - Latvia - Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Lithuania}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/lithuania/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Lithuania|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Luxembourg}}
* {{Flag|Moldova}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/moldova/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Moldova|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Kingdom of the Netherlands|name=Netherlands|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/netherlands/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Netherlands|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Norway}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/norway/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Norway|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Poland}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/poland/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Poland|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Portugal}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dre.pt/part-i|title=Constitution|work=Diário da República Eletrónico |access-date=30 November 2020}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Romania}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/romania/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Romania|work=United States Department of State |publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Serbia}}<ref>[http://www.srbija.gov.rs/cinjenice_o_srbiji/ustav_odredbe.php?id=217 Article 11 of the Constitution] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616134133/http://www.srbija.gov.rs/cinjenice_o_srbiji/ustav_odredbe.php?id=217 |date=16 June 2013 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Slovakia}}<ref name="concourt1">{{cite web|url=http://www.concourt.sk/en/A_ustava/ustava_a.pdf|title=Article 1 of Constitution}}</ref>
* {{flag|Slovenia}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.us-rs.si/en/about-the-court/legal-basis/constitution/|title=Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015|archive-date=21 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221092416/http://www.us-rs.si/en/about-the-court/legal-basis/constitution/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Spain}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congreso.es/portal/page/portal/Congreso/Congreso/Hist_Normas/Norm/const_espa_texto_ingles_0.pdf|title=Article 16 of Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sweden}}<ref>The Swedish head of state must according to the [[Swedish Act of Succession]] adhere to the [[Augsburg Confession]]</ref>
* {{Flag|Switzerland}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/switzerland/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Switzerland|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ukraine}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Ukraine_2016.pdf?lang=en|title=Constitution|publisher=constituteproject.org|access-date=4 October 2020}}, article 35: "The Church and religious organisations in Ukraine are separated from the State, and
the school - from the Church."</ref>
{{colend}}

===Oceania===
{{colbegin|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flag|Australia|size=23px}}<ref name="f234">{{cite web | last=Barker | first=Renae | title=Is Australia a secular country? It depends what you mean | website=The Conversation | date=October 9, 2024 | url=https://theconversation.com/is-australia-a-secular-country-it-depends-what-you-mean-38222 | access-date=November 3, 2024}}</ref>{{efn|Section 116 of the [[Constitution of Australia]] provides, "the Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/as00000_.html#S116_|title=ICL - Australia Constitution|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref> However, the states retain the power to pass religiously discriminatory laws.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/FedLRev/1998/6.pdf|journal=Federal Law Review|last=Puls|first=Joshua|year=1998|title=The Wall of Separation: Section 116, the First Amendment and Constitutional Religious Guarantees|page=160}}</ref>}}
* {{flag|Fiji|size=23px}}<ref>Article 4 of the [[2013 Constitution of Fiji]] explicitly provides that Fiji is a secular state. It guarantees religious liberty, while stating, "religious belief is personal", and, "[[Separation of church and state|religion and the State are separate]]." [http://www.fiji.gov.fj/getattachment/8e981ca2-1757-4e27-88e0-f87e3b3b844e/Click-here-to-download-the-Fiji-Constitution.aspx Constitution of the Republic of Fiji] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206063023/http://www.fiji.gov.fj/getattachment/8e981ca2-1757-4e27-88e0-f87e3b3b844e/Click-here-to-download-the-Fiji-Constitution.aspx |date=6 February 2016 }}, 2013</ref>
* {{Flag|Kiribati|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/kiribati/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Kiribati|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Marshall Islands|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/marshall-islands/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Marshall Islands|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Micronesia|size=23px}}<ref>Section 2 of Article IV of the [[2002 Micronesian constitutional referendum|Micronesian constitution]] provides, "no law may be passed respecting an establishment of religion or impairing the free exercise of religion, except that assistance may be provided to parochial schools for non-religious purposes." {{cite web|url=http://www.fsmlaw.org/fsm/constitution/constitution.htm|title=Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Nauru|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/nauru/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Nauru|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|New Zealand|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/new-zealand/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: New Zealand|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Palau|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/palau/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Palau|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Papua New Guinea|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/papua-new-guinea/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Papua New Guinea|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Solomon Islands|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/solomon-islands/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Solomon Islands|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Vanuatu|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/vanuatu/|title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Vanuatu|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref>
{{colend}}

===Transcontinental countries===
{{colbegin|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flag|Armenia}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/armenia/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Armenia|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Azerbaijan}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/azerbaijan/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Azerbaijan|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Cyprus}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/cyprus/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Cyprus|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Georgia}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/georgia/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Georgia|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Kazakhstan}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/kazakhstan/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Kazakhstan|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/kazakhstan/|title=2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Kazakhstan|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=18 September 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Northern Cyprus}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ombudsman.gov.ct.tr/Portals/20/Constitution%20of%20TRNC.pdf|title=Northern Cyprus Constitution|access-date=29 January 2022}}</ref>{{efn|name=fn1}}
* {{flag|Russia}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/russia/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Russia|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Turkey|size=23px}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/turkey/|title=2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Turkey|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref>{{efn|"[[Secularism in Turkey]]" is disputed by scholars.<ref>Orhan, Özgüç. "[https://archive.org/download/the-paradox-of-turkish-secularism/The_Paradox_of_Turkish_Secularism.pdf The Paradox of Turkish Secularism]." Turkish Journal of Politics 4.1 (2013)</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10767-011-9114-z | doi=10.1007/s10767-011-9114-z | title=Everybody Wants Secularism—But Which One? Contesting Definitions of Secularism in Contemporary Turkey | date=2012 | last1=Topal | first1=Semiha | journal=International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society | volume=25 | issue=1–3 | pages=1–14 | url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>Davison, Andrew. "[https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/4/article/43708/summary Turkey, a "secular" state?: The challenge of description]." The South Atlantic Quarterly 102.2 (2003): 333-350.</ref><ref>Kaymakcan, Recep, and İbrahim Aşlamaci. "[https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-33998-1_9 Understanding of Turkish secularism in terms of freedom of religion: Example of compulsory religious education in schools]." Human Rights and the Separation of State and Religion: International Case Studies. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023. 179-198.
</ref>}}
{{colend}}

==Formerly secular states==
* {{flag|Bangladesh|1972|size=23px}} (1972–1977)
** Bangladesh was founded as a secular state by [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] following the [[Bangladesh Liberation War|Liberation War]]. In 1977, secularism was removed from the constitution by a [[martial law]] directive during the [[Ziaur Rahman]] government. In 1988, the [[Parliament of Bangladesh]] declared [[Islam]] as the [[state religion]] during the presidency of [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad]]. In 2010, the [[Bangladesh Supreme Court]] ruled that the removal of secularism in 1977 was illegal because it was done by an unconstitutional martial law regime. The current [[Constitution of Bangladesh]] declares Islam as the state religion,<ref>[https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_Bangladesh/Part_1 Article 2A]:<br />The state religion of the Republic is Islam, but the State shall ensure equal status and equal right in the practice of the Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and other religions.</ref> but also accepts the secularism as one of the fundamental principles of state policy.<ref>[https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_Bangladesh/Part_2 Article 8]:<br />(1) The principles of nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism, together with the principles derived from those as set out in this Part, shall constitute the fundamental principles of state policy.<br />(2) The principles set out in this Part shall be fundamental to the governance of Bangladesh, shall be applied by the State in the making of laws, shall be a guide to the interpretation of the Constitution and of the other laws of Bangladesh, and shall form the basis of the work of the State and of its citizens, but shall not be judicially enforceable.</ref>
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Afghanistan (1980–1987).svg|size=23px}} [[Democratic Republic of Afghanistan]] (1978–1987)
** Afghanistan became a secular state following the [[Saur Revolution]]. However, [[Sunni Islam]] was briefly reinstated as the state religion under General Secretary [[Hafizullah Amin]] until his assassination in December 1979. President [[Mohammad Najibullah]] would reinstate [[Sunni Islam]] as the state religion in 1987.<ref name="Gurcan 2016 p. 76">{{cite book | last=Gurcan | first=M. | title=What Went Wrong in Afghanistan?: Understanding Counter-insurgency Efforts in Tribalized Rural and Muslim Environments | publisher=Helion Limited | series=Wolverhampton Military Studies | year=2016 | isbn=978-1-911096-84-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S2TyDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA76 | access-date=Sep 15, 2023 | page=76}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of the People's Republic of Kampuchea.svg|size=23px}} [[People's Republic of Kampuchea]] (1979–1993)
** Kampuchea was a secular state from 1979 until the restoration of its monarchy in 1993.
*{{flag|Djibouti}} (1977–2010)
** Djibouti became a secular state after gaining independence from [[France]] in 1977. [[Islam]] was installed as the state religion in 2010.
* {{Flagicon image|State flag of Iran 1964-1980.svg|size=23px}} [[Pahlavi Iran|Imperial State of Iran]] (1925–1979)
** Iran became a ''de facto'' secular state following the [[1921 Persian coup d'état]] with the establishment of the [[Pahlavi dynasty]] as the ruling house of the country in 1925, until the [[Iranian Revolution|Islamic Revolution]] in 1979.
* {{flag|Ba'athist Iraq|1963|size=23px|name=Iraq}} (1932–1993)
** Iraq became a secular state in 1932 after its independence. However, the [[Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Iraq Region|Ba'athist]] [[Ba'athist Iraq|Government]] led by [[Saddam Hussein]] launched the [[Faith Campaign]] in 1993 and placed significant emphasis on [[Islam in Iraq|Islam]] within all sectors of state and public life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=2889|title=Americanchronicle.com|access-date=23 February 2017|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141154/http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=2889|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Myanmar (1974-2010).svg|size=23px}} [[Myanmar]] (formerly Burma) (1885–1961; 1962–2008)
** Myanmar was a secular state during the [[British Burma|colonial period]] and [[Post-independence Burma (1948–1962)|post-independence]] period until 1961 and again under the [[Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma|socialist regime]], and the [[State Peace and Development Council|military regime]] until 2008.
* {{Flag|Samoa|size=23px}} (1962–2017)
** The Samoan legislative assembly approved a constitutional amendment in 2017 that instituted [[Christianity]] as the state religion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/06/samoa-officially-becomes-a-christian-state/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616153746/https://thediplomat.com/2017/06/samoa-officially-becomes-a-christian-state/|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2017|title=Samoa Officially Becomes a Christian State - The Diplomat|date=16 June 2017}}</ref>

==Ambiguous countries==
* {{flag|Bangladesh}}
** There is constitutional ambiguity whether Bangladesh is a secular country or an Islamic country. In 2010, the high court of Bangladesh reinstated secularism as a part of the Bangladesh constitution after terming the 1977 constitutional amendment done by then Bangladesh President [[Ziaur Rahman]] as illegal.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 July 2010 |title=Bangladesh's court restores 'secularism' in Constitution |url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/bangladeshs-court-restores-secularism-in-constitution_644258.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016024057/https://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/bangladeshs-court-restores-secularism-in-constitution_644258.html |archive-date=16 October 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023}}</ref> Political leaders and experts have expressed uncertainty if Bangladesh is a secular state or an Islamic state.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/bangladeshs-ambiguity-on-religion-has-been-expensive-for-the-country/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309064856/https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/bangladeshs-ambiguity-on-religion-has-been-expensive-for-the-country/|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 March 2023|title=Bangladesh's Ambiguity on Religion Has Been Expensive for the Country|date=7 October 2023|access-date=7 October 2023}}</ref> Bangladesh regime changes often advocate for different type of religious freedom as in secularism or pluarism.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/ali-riaz-on-recommendations-of-bangladeshs-constitutional-reform-commission/|title=Ali Riaz on Recommendations of Bangladesh's Constitutional Reform Commission|date=3 February 2025|access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>
* {{flag|Malaysia|size=23px}}
** In Article 3 of the [[Constitution of Malaysia]], [[Islam in Malaysia|Sunni Islam]] is stated as the official religion of the country: "Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practiced in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation." In 1956, the [[Alliance Party (Malaysia)|Alliance party]] submitted a memorandum to the [[Reid Commission]], which was responsible for drafting the Malayan constitution. The memorandum quoted: "The religion of Malaya shall be Islam. The observance of this principle shall not impose any disability on non-Muslim nationals professing and practicing their own religion and shall not imply that the state is not a <u>secular</u> state."<ref>Tan Sri Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UntPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YpADAAAAIBAJ&pg=5502,5419129&dq=shall-not-imply-that-the-state-is-not-a-secular-state&hl=en Our Constitution and Islamic Faith], p. 8, 25 August 1987, [[New Straits Times]]</ref> The full text of the Memorandum was inserted into paragraph 169 of the Commission Report.<ref>[http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/letters_others/islams_status_in_our_secular_charter.html Islam's status in our secular charter], Richard Y.W. Yeoh, Director, Institute of Research for Social Advancement, 20 July 2006, The Sun, Letters (Used by permission)</ref> This suggestion was later carried forward in the Federation of Malaya Constitutional Proposals 1957 ([[White Paper]]), specifically quoted in paragraph 57: "There has been included in the proposed Federal Constitution a declaration that Islam is the religion of the Federation. This will in no way affect the present position of the Federation as a <u>secular</u> State...."<ref>[http://www.cpps.org.my/upload/FedMalaya_Constitutional_Proposals_201957.pdf Federation of Malaya Constitutional Proposals Kuala Lumpur: Government Printer 1957–Articles 53-61] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204426/http://www.cpps.org.my/upload/FedMalaya_Constitutional_Proposals_201957.pdf |date=3 March 2016 }} (PDF document) hosted by Centre for Public Policy Studies Malaysia, retrieved 8 February 2013</ref> The [[Cobbold Commission]] also made another similar quote in 1962: "....we are agreed that Islam should be the national religion for the Federation. We are satisfied that the proposal in no way jeopardises freedom of religion in the Federation, which in effect would be <u>secular</u>."<ref>The birth of Malaysia: A reprint of the Report of the Commission of Enquiry, North Borneo and Sarawak, 1962 (Cobbold report) and the Report of the Inter-governmental Committee, (1962–I.G.C. report), p. 58</ref> In December 1987, the [[Lord President of the Supreme Court]], [[Salleh Abas]] described Malaysia as governed by "secular law" in a court ruling.<ref>Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad, [https://web.archive.org/web/20090318061141/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2009%2F3%2F17%2Ffocus%2F3487299&sec=focus Historical legal perspective], 17 March 2009, [[The Star (Malaysia)]]</ref>
* {{flag|Syria}}
**The [[2025 Interim Constitution of Syria]] carries much of the same context of religion as prior constitutions, albeit with a slight wording change regarding the influence of Islamic jurisprudence on legislation. The new constitution however does not explicitly designate a State Religion in the same way as various other Middle Eastern countries do. Article 3 states "The religion of the President of the Republic is Islam; [[Fiqh|Islamic jurisprudence]] is the principal source of legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sana.sy/?p=2198312|title=Constitutional Declaration of the Syrian Arab Republic|publisher=[[Syrian Arab News Agency]]|access-date=13 March 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Wiktionary|secular}}
{{col div|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Civil religion]]
* [[Freedom of religion]]
* [[Secular education]]
* [[Secularism]]
* [[Secularity]]
* [[Secular religion]]
* [[Separation of church and state]]
* [[State atheism]]
* [[State religion]]
* [[Theocracy]]
* [[Religious law]]
{{colend}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite book|last=Dodd|first=Jan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wImNYmmgcA0C|title=The rough guide to Vietnam|year=2003|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=9781405389730|edition=7th|location=London|oclc=762991000}}
* Temperman, Jeroen, ''State Religion Relationships and Human Rights Law: Towards a Right to Religiously Neutral Governance'', BRILL, 2010, {{ISBN|9004181482}}

{{portal bar|politics|religion}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Secular State}}
[[Category:Constitutional law]]
[[Category:Politics and secularism]]
[[Category:Religion and politics]]
[[Category:Religion and government]]
[[Category:Religious policy]]