View source for State religion

{{Short description|Religion or creed endorsed by the state}}{{Use British English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

[[File:Map of State Religions.svg|thumb|{{center|Confessional states}}
{{legend|#EBCF16|[[Buddhism]]}}
{{legend|#1600FF|[[Christianity]] (unspecified)}}
{{legend|#062A87|[[Protestantism]]}}
{{legend|#04E3F1|[[Catholic Church]]}}
{{legend|#0774F1|[[Eastern Orthodox Church]]}}
{{legend|#158706|[[Islam]] (unspecified)}}
{{legend|#0F5D05|[[Sunni Islam]]}}
{{legend|#2FEB16|[[twelver|Shia (Twelver)]] [[Islam#Shia|Islam]]}}
{{legend|#DEDEDE|[[Secular state|No state religion]]}}
{{legend|#E6E6E6|Ambiguous states or no data}}
|300x300px]]

{{Religious freedom}}

A '''state religion''' (also called '''official religion''') is a [[religion]] or [[creed]] officially endorsed by a [[sovereign state]]. A state with an official religion (also known as a [[confessional state]]), while not a [[secular state]], is not necessarily a [[theocracy]]. State religions are subject to advantageous treatment by official or government-sanctioned establishments of them, ranging from incentivising citizens to recognise and practice them through government endorsement to having [[public spending]] on the maintenance of religious property and clergy be unrestricted, but the state does not need to be under the legislative control of the [[clergy]] as it would be in a theocracy. Generally, these religions have more rights and fewer restrictions in the country than other religions in a country.

Official religions have been known throughout [[human history]] in almost all types of cultures, reaching into the [[Ancient Near East]] and [[prehistory]]. The relation of [[Cult|religious cult]] and the state was discussed by the [[Ancient Rome|ancient Latin]] scholar [[Marcus Terentius Varro]], under the term of ''[[theologia civilis]]'' ({{Literal translation|civic theology}}). The first state-sponsored [[Christian denomination]] was the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], established in 301 CE.<ref>''The Journal of Ecclesiastical History''. p. 268 by Cambridge University Press, Gale Group, C.W. Dugmore</ref> In [[Christianity]], as the term ''church'' is typically applied to a place of worship for [[Christians]] or organizations incorporating such ones, the term ''state church'' is associated with Christianity as sanctioned by the government, historically the [[state church of the Roman Empire]] in the last centuries of the Empire's existence, and is sometimes used to denote a specific modern national branch of Christianity. Closely related to state churches are [[ecclesia (sociology of religion)|ecclesiae]], which are similar but carry a more minor connotation.

In the [[Middle East]], the majority of states with a predominantly [[Muslims|Muslim]] population have [[Islam]] as their official religion, though the degree of religious restrictions on citizens' everyday lives varies by country. Rulers of [[Saudi Arabia]] use religious power, while [[Iran]]'s secular presidents are supposed to follow the decisions of religious authorities since the [[Iranian Revolution|1979 Islamic Revolution]]. [[Turkey]], which also has Muslim-majority population, became a secular country after [[Atatürk's reforms|Atatürk's Reforms]], although unlike the [[Russian Revolution]] of the same time period, it did not result in the adoption of [[state atheism]].

The degree to which an official national religion is imposed upon citizens by the state in contemporary society varies considerably; from high as in [[Religion in Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia]] and [[Religion in Iran|Iran]], to none at all as in [[Religion in Greenland|Greenland]], [[Religion in Denmark|Denmark]], [[Religion in England|England]], [[Religion in Iceland|Iceland]], and [[Religion in Greece|Greece]] (in Europe, the state religion might be called in English, the '''established church''').

==Types==
The degree and nature of state backing for denomination or creed designated as a state religion can vary. It can range from mere endorsement (with or without financial support) with [[freedom of religion|freedom for other faiths to practice]], to prohibiting any competing religious body from operating and to persecuting the followers of other sects.<ref>{{cite book |last=Shiffrin |first=Steven H. |title=The Religious Left and Church-State Relations |date=26 August 2012 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-1-4008-3383-2 |pages=160–161}}</ref> In Europe, competition between [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] and [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denominations for state sponsorship in the 16th century evolved the principle ''[[Cuius regio, eius religio]]'' (states follow the religion of the ruler) embodied in the text of the treaty that marked the [[Peace of Augsburg]] in 1555. In [[England]], [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]] broke with Rome in 1534, being declared the [[Supreme Head of the Church of England]].{{efn|The headship was administrative and jurisdictional but did not include the ''potestas ordinis'' (the right to preach, ordain, administer the sacraments and rites of the Church which were reserved to the clergy).<ref>Bray, Gerald. ''Documents of the English Reformation'' James Clarke & Cº (1994), p. 114</ref>}} The official religion of England continued to be "Catholicism without the Pope" until after his death in 1547.<ref>Neill, Stephen. ''Anglicanism'' Penguin (1960), p. 61</ref>

In some cases, an administrative region may sponsor and fund a set of religious denominations; such is the case in [[Alsace-Moselle]] in [[France]] under its [[Local law in Alsace-Moselle|local law]], following the pre-1905 French concordatory legal system and patterns in [[Germany]].<ref>The concerned religious communities are the [[Diocese of Metz|dioceses of Metz]] and [[Archdiocese of Strasbourg|of Strasbourg]], the Lutheran [[EPCAAL]] and the Reformed [[EPRAL]] and the three [[Consistory (Judaism)|Israelite consistories]] in Colmar, Metz and Strasbourg.</ref>

===State churches===
[[File:Elizabeth II national mourning period - 04.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Westminster Abbey]] is [[Royal peculiar|responsible directly to the British monarch]]. The [[Church of England]] is the established church in England.]]
A state church (or "established church") is a state religion established by a state for use exclusively by that state. In the case of a ''state church'', the state has absolute control over the church, but in the case of a ''state religion'', the church is ruled by an exterior body; for example, in the case of Catholicism, the [[Holy See|Vatican]] has control over the church.

===Disestablishment===
<!--This section is linked from [[Liberal Party (UK)]]-->
{{Further|Secular state}}
Disestablishment is the process of repealing a church's status as an organ of the state. In a state where an established church is in place, opposition to such a move may be described as [[antidisestablishmentarianism]].

==Current states with a state religion==

===Buddhism===
Governments where [[Buddhism]], either a specific form of it, or Buddhism as a whole, has been established as an official religion:
* {{flagicon|Bhutan}} [[Buddhism in Bhutan|Bhutan]]: The [[Constitution of Bhutan]] defines [[Tibetan Buddhism]] as the "spiritual heritage of Bhutan". The Constitution is based on [[Buddhist philosophy]].<ref>{{Cite web|website=The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan |title=Background|url=http://www.constitution.bt/html/sources/background.htm|access-date=2021-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715193437/http://www.constitution.bt/html/sources/background.htm|archive-date=15 July 2010}}</ref> It also mandates that the [[Druk Gyalpo]] (King) should appoint the [[Je Khenpo]] and [[Dratshang Lhentshog]] (The Commission for Monastic Affairs).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.constitution.bt/draft_constitution_3rd_en.pdf |title=Draft of Tsa Thrim Chhenmo |date=1 August 2007 |publisher=constitution.bt |access-date=2007-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127125443/http://www.constitution.bt/draft_constitution_3rd_en.pdf |archive-date=27 November 2007}}

:Article 3, Spiritual Heritage
:#Buddhism is the spiritual heritage of Bhutan, which promotes the principles and values of peace, non-violence, compassion and tolerance.
:#The ''[[Druk Gyalpo]]'' is the protector of all religions in Bhutan.
:#It shall be the responsibility of religious institutions and personalities to promote the spiritual heritage of the country while also ensuring that religion remains separate from politics in Bhutan. Religious institutions and personalities shall remain above politics.
:#The ''Druk Gyalpo'' shall, on the recommendation of the Five ''Lopon''s, appoint a learned and respected monk ordained in accordance with the ''Druk-lu'', blessed with the nine qualities of a spiritual master and accomplished in ''ked-dzog'', as the ''[[Je Khenpo]]''.
:#His Holiness the ''Je Khenpo'' shall, on the recommendation of the ''[[Dratshang Lhentshog]]'', appoint monks blessed with the nine qualities of a spiritual master and accomplished in ''ked-dzog'' as the Five ''Lopon''s.
:#The members of the ''Dratshang Lhentshog'' shall comprise:<br />{{pad|2em}}(a) The ''Je Khenpo'' as Chairman;<br />{{pad|2em}}(b) The Five ''Lopon''s of the ''Zhung Dratshang''; and<br />{{pad|2em}}(c) The Secretary of the ''Dratshang Lhentshog'' who is a civil servant.
:#The ''Zhung Dratshang'' and ''Rabdeys'' shall continue to receive adequate funds and other facilities from the State.{{cite web|title=Bhutan's Constitution of 2008|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008.pdf?lang=en|website=constituteproject.org/|access-date=29 October 2017}}
</ref>
* {{flagicon|Cambodia}} [[Buddhism in Cambodia|Cambodia]]: The [[Constitution of Cambodia|Constitution]] declared [[Theravada Buddhism]] as the official religion of the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cambodia.org/facts/?government=The+Constitution+of+Cambodia |title=Constitution of Cambodia |publisher=cambodia.org |access-date=2011-04-13 }} (Article 43).</ref> About 98% of Cambodia's population is Buddhist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cambodia/|title=Cambodia |work=The World Factbook |publisher= Central Intelligence Agency|date=24 November 2021}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Myanmar}} [[Buddhism in Myanmar|Myanmar]]: Section 361 of the [[Constitution of Myanmar|Constitution]] states that "The Union recognizes the special position of [[Theravada Buddhism]] as the faith professed by the great majority of the citizens of the Union."<ref>{{cite web |title=Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (2008) |url=https://www.constitutionaltribunal.gov.mm/lawdatabase/my/download/file/fid/137 |website=Constitutional Tribunal of the Union |access-date= |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203163744/https://www.constitutionaltribunal.gov.mm/lawdatabase/my/download/file/fid/137 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 1961 State Religion Promotion and Support Act requires the government to teach Buddhist lessons in schools, to give priority to Buddhist [[kyaung|monasteries]] in founding of primary schools, to make [[Uposatha]] days holidays during [[Vassa]] months, to broadcast Buddhist sermons by State media on Uposatha days, and otherwise promote and support  Buddhism as State Religion.<ref>{{cite web|title=၁၉၆၁ ခုနှစ်၊ နိုင်ငံတော်ဘာသာသာသနာချီးမြှောက်ထောက်ပံ့ရေးအက်ဥပဒေ|trans-title=1961 year, State Religion Promotion and Support Act|url=https://www.constitutionaltribunal.gov.mm/lawdatabase/my/law/764|website=Constitutional Tribunal of the Union, Law Library|quote=|access-date=25 October 2022|archive-date=25 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025023633/https://www.constitutionaltribunal.gov.mm/lawdatabase/my/law/764|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} [[Buddhism in Sri Lanka|Sri Lanka]]: The constitution of Sri Lanka states under Chapter II, Article 9, "The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the [[Śāsana|Buddha Sasana]], while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e)".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-report-on-international-religious-freedom/sri-lanka/|title=Sri Lanka}}</ref>

In some countries, Buddhism is not recognized as a state religion, but holds special status:
* {{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Buddhism in Thailand|Thailand]]: Article 67 of the [[Constitution of Thailand]] states: The State should support and protect Buddhism [...] In supporting and protecting Buddhism, [...] the State should promote and support education and dissemination of dharmic principles of Theravada Buddhism [...], and shall have measures and mechanisms to prevent Buddhism from being undermined in any form. The State should also encourage Buddhists to participate in implementing such measures or mechanisms.<ref>{{cite web|title=Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand|url=http://www.constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/2017-05/CONSTITUTION%2BOF%2BTHE%2BKINGDOM%2BOF%2BTHAILAND%2B%28B.E.%2B2560%2B%282017%29%29.pdf|website=ConstitutionNet|access-date=29 October 2017 }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Laos}} [[Buddhism in Laos|Laos]]: According to the [[Constitution of Laos]], Buddhism is given special privilege in the country. The state respects and protects all the lawful activities of Buddhism.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lao People's Democratic Republic's Constitution of 1991 with Amendments through 2003|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Laos_2003.pdf?lang=en|website=constituteproject.org|access-date=29 October 2017|quote=Article 9: The State respects and protects all lawful activities of Buddhists and of followers of other religions, [and] mobilises and encourages Buddhist monks and novices as well as the priests of other religions to participate in activities that are beneficial to the country and people.}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Mongolia}} [[Buddhism in Mongolia|Mongolia]]: The [[Emblem of Mongolia]] has multiple Tibetan Buddhist symbols, including a [[dharmachakra|Wheel of Dharma]], a lotus, and the [[refuge in Buddhism|Three Jewels]]. The [[Buddha's Birthday]] is also a [[public holidays in Mongolia|public holiday in Mongolia]]. Moreover, the [[Mongolian tögrög|100 tögrög coin]] depicts Janraisig Temple, a [[Tibetan Buddhist]] monastery, on its obverse. 
* {{flagicon|Kalmykia}} [[Kalmykia]] ([[Russia]]): The Kalmyk local government supports [[Tibetan Buddhism]] and also encourages Buddhist teachings and traditions. It also builds various Buddhist temples and sites. Various efforts are taken by the Government for the revival of Tibetan Buddhism in the republic.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Sinclair|first=Tara|date=2008|title=Tibetan Reform and the Kalmyk Revival of Buddhism|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23615096|journal=Inner Asia|volume=10|issue=2|pages=241–259|doi=10.1163/000000008793066713|jstor=23615096|issn=1464-8172|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Buddhism in Russia: challenges and choices in the post-Soviet period|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273961382|access-date=2021-02-03|website=ResearchGate}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kalmykia: Few complaints over Kalmykia's state support for Buddhism|url=https://english.religion.info/2003/04/15/kalmykia-few-complaints-over-kalmykias-state-support-for-buddhism/|access-date=2021-02-03|website=english.religion.info}}</ref>

===Christianity===
{{Main|Christian state|Christian republic|Christianity and politics|Christian democracy|Christian nationalism|Christendom}}
The following states recognize some form of [[Christianity]] as their state or official religion or recognize a special status for it (by denomination):

====Non-denominational Christianity====
* {{flag|Papua New Guinea}}: On 12 March 2025, Parliament voted to amend the [[Constitution of Papua New Guinea]] to include in its [[preamble]] the words "[We] acknowledge and declare God, the Father; Jesus Christ, the Son; and Holy Spirit, as our Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe and the source of our powers and authorities, delegated to the people and all persons within the geographical jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-11 |title=PARLIAMENT PASSES AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION TO DECLARE PNG'S CHRISTIAN IDENTITY; SECTION 45 PROTECTING FREEDOM TO PRACTISE OTHER FAITHS REMAINS INTACT |url=https://pmnec.gov.pg/parliament-passes-amendment-to-the-constitution-to-declare-pngs-christian-identity-section-45-protecting-freedom-to-practise-other-faiths-remains-intact/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-13 |title=PNG parliament passes bill declaring god as 'creator and sustainer of the entire universe' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/png-puka-temu/105050958 |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=ABC Pacific |language=en-AU}}</ref>
* {{flag|Samoa}}: In June 2017, Parliament voted to amend the wording of Article{{nbsp}}1 of the constitution, thereby making Christianity the state religion. Part 1, Section (1)(3) reads "Samoa is a Christian nation founded on God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." The status of the religion had previously only been mentioned in the preamble, which Prime Minister [[Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi]] considered legally inadequate.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wyeth|first1=Grant|title=Samoa Officially Becomes a Christian State|url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/06/samoa-officially-becomes-a-christian-state/|work=The Diplomat|date=16 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Feagaimaali{{okina}}i-Luamanu|first1=Joyetter|title=Constitutional Amendment Passes; Samoa Officially Becomes 'Christian State'|url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2017/06/08/constitutional-amendment-passes-samoa-officially-becomes-christian-state|publisher=Pacific Islands Report|date=8 June 2017|access-date=16 June 2017|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111223748/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2017/06/08/constitutional-amendment-passes-samoa-officially-becomes-christian-state|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Zambia}}: The preamble to the [[Constitution of Zambia|Zambian Constitution of 1991]] declares Zambia to be "a Christian nation", while also guaranteeing freedom of religion.<ref>[https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/26620/90492/F735047973/ZMB26620.pdf Constitution of Zambia]. Retrieved 19 October 2016.</ref>

====Catholicism====
Jurisdictions where [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]] has been established as a state or official religion:
* {{Flag|Costa Rica}}: [[Article 75 of the Constitution of Costa Rica]] confirms that "The Catholic and Apostolic Religion is the religion of the State, which contributes to its maintenance, without preventing the free exercise in the Republic of other forms of worship that are not opposed to universal morality or good customs."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.costaricalaw.com/Constitutional-Law/costa-rica-constitution-in-english.html|title=Costa Rica Constitution in English – Constitutional Law – Costa Rica Legal Topics|work=costaricalaw.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906224713/http://costaricalaw.com/Constitutional-Law/costa-rica-constitution-in-english.html|archive-date=6 September 2015}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Vatican City State}}: It is an [[Elective monarchy|elective]], [[Theocracy|theocratic]] (or [[Bishop (Catholic Church)|episcopal]]), [[absolute monarchy]] ruled by the [[Pope]], who is also the [[Vicar of Christ]].<ref name="pages">{{cite web|url=http://www.catholic-pages.com/vatican/vatican_city.asp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722093342/http://www.catholic-pages.com/vatican/vatican_city.asp |url-status=usurped |archive-date=22 July 2012 |title=Vatican City |publisher=Catholic-Pages.com |access-date=12 August 2013}}</ref> The highest state functionaries are all [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] clergy of various national origins. It is the sovereign territory of the [[Holy See]] ({{langx|la|Sancta Sedes}}) and the location of the Pope's official residence, referred to as the [[Apostolic Palace]].
* {{Flag|Liechtenstein}}: The [[Constitution of Liechtenstein]] describes the Catholic Church as the state religion and enjoying "the full protection of the State". The constitution does however ensure that people of other faiths "shall be entitled to practice their creeds and to hold religious services to the extent consistent with morality and public order".<ref name="LiechtensteinConstitution">{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326162534/http://www.liechtenstein.li/en/pdf-fl-staat-verfassung-sept2003.pdf |date=26 March 2009 |title=Constitution Religion }} (archived from [http://www.liechtenstein.li/en/pdf-fl-staat-verfassung-sept2003.pdf the original] on 2009-03-26).</ref>
* {{Flag|Malta}}: Article 2 of the [[Constitution of Malta]] declares that "the religion of Malta is the Catholic and Apostolic Religion".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mjha.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lom&itemid=8566|title=Constitution of Malta (Article 2)|publisher=mjha.gov.mt}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* {{Flag|Monaco}}: Article 9 of the [[Constitution of Monaco]] describes the "Catholic, and [[apostolic succession|apostolic]] religion" as the religion of the state.<ref name="MonacoReligion">{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927091747/http://www.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/036c62fe5f92f2efc1256f5b0054fa42gb?OpenDocument&3Gb |date=27 September 2011 |title=Constitution de la Principaute}} (French): Art. 9., Principaute De Monaco: Ministère d'Etat (archived from [http://www.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/036c62fe5f92f2efc1256f5b0054fa42gb?OpenDocument&3Gb the original] on 2011-09-27).</ref>

Jurisdictions that give various degrees of recognition in their constitutions to Roman Catholicism without establishing it as the State religion:
* {{flag|Andorra}}: The [[Constitution of Andorra]] allows the Roman Catholic Church to practice freely and openly, and keeps a special relationship between the Church and the government, based on tradition. It also recognizes the Church’s organizations as legal entities, according to their own rules.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Jeroen|last1= Temperman|title=State–Religion Relationships and Human Rights Law: Towards a Right to Religiously Neutral Governance|publisher=Brill|year=2010|isbn=978-9004181496|quote=... guarantees the Roman Catholic Church free and public exercise of its activities and the preservation of the relations of special co-operation with the state in accordance with the Andorran tradition. The Constitution recognizes the full legal capacity of the bodies of the Roman Catholic Church which have legal status in accordance with their own rules.}}</ref>The government appoints the Roman Catholic Bishop of Urgell, based in Catalonia, Spain, as one of two heads of state, alongside the President of France. Following the revised Education Law of April 2022, the Constitution bans the use of conspicuous religious symbols in public schools and is an attempt to secularize public education.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Andorra |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/andorra/ |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{flag|Argentina}}: Article 2 of the [[Constitution of Argentina]] explicitly states that the government supports the Roman Catholic Apostolic Faith, but the constitution does not establish a state religion.<ref>
* {{cite web|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Argentina_1994.pdf?lang=en|title=Argentina's Constitution of 1853, Reinstated in 1983, with Amendments through 1994|work=constituteproject.org}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.argentina.gob.ar/pais/56-religion.php|title=Argentina – Religión|work=argentina.gob.ar|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008102111/http://www.argentina.gob.ar/pais/56-religion.php|archive-date=8 October 2014}}</ref> Before its 1994 amendment, the Constitution stated that the President of the Republic must be a Roman Catholic.
* {{flag|El Salvador}}: Although Article 3 of the [[Constitution of El Salvador]] states that "no restrictions shall be established that are based on differences of nationality, race, sex or religion", Article 26 states that the state recognizes the [[Catholic Church]] and gives it legal preference.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=es&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.constitution.org%2Fcons%2Felsalvad.htm&edit-text=&act=url|title=Google Translate|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Constitution of the Republic of El Salvador (as Amended to 2003) |url=http://confinder.richmond.edu/admin/docs/ElSalvador1983English.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103200933/http://confinder.richmond.edu/admin/docs/ElSalvador1983English.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2015|date=3 January 2015}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Guatemala}}: The [[Constitution of Guatemala]] recognises the juridical personality of the [[Catholic Church]]. Other churches, cults, entities, and associations of religious character will obtain the recognition of their juridical personality in accordance with the rules of their institution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Guatemala_1993.pdf|quote=The juridical personality of the Catholic Church is recognized. The other churches, cults, entities, and associations of religious character will obtain the recognition of their juridical personality in accordance with the rules of their institution[,] and the Government may not deny it[,] aside from reasons of public order. The State will extend to the Catholic Church, without any cost, [the] titles of ownership of the real assets which it holds peacefully for its own purposes, as long as they have formed part of the patrimony of the Catholic Church in the past. The property assigned to third parties or those|title=Guatemala's Constitution of 1985 with Amendments through 1993|publisher=[[Constitution Project]]}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Italy}}: The [[Constitution of Italy]] does not establish a state religion, but recognizes the state and the Catholic Church as "independent and sovereign, each within its own sphere".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senato.it/documenti/repository/istituzione/costituzione_inglese.pdf|quote=The State and the Catholic Church are independent and sovereign, each within its own sphere. Their relations are regulated by the Lateran pacts. Amendments to such Pacts which are accepted by both parties shall not require the procedure of constitutional amendments.|title=Constitution of the Italian Republic |publisher=Senato.it|access-date=6 June 2021}}</ref> The Constitution additionally reserves to the Catholic faith singular position in regard to the organization of worship, as opposed to all other confessions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senato.it/documenti/repository/istituzione/costituzione_inglese.pdf|quote=All religious denominations are equally free before the law. Denominations other than Catholicism have the right to self-organisation according to their own statutes, provided these do not conflict with Italian law. Their relations with the State are regulated by law, based on agreements with their respective representatives.|title=Constitution of the Italian Republic |publisher=Senato.it|access-date=6 June 2021}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Panama}}: The [[Constitution of Panama]] recognizes Catholicism as "the religion of the majority" of citizens but does not designate it as the official state religion.<ref>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/222609.pdf Executive Summary – Panama], 2013 [[Report on International Religious Freedom]], United States Department of State.</ref>
* {{Flag|Paraguay}}: The [[Constitution of Paraguay]] recognizes the Catholic Church's role in the nation's [[History of Paraguay|historical]] and [[Culture of Paraguay|cultural]] formation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Constitution of the Republic of Paraguay|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/pa00000_.html|quote=The role played by the Catholic Church in the historical and cultural formation of the Republic is hereby recognized.}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Peru}}: The [[Constitution of Peru]] recognizes the Catholic Church as an important element in the [[History of Peru|historical]], [[Culture of Peru|cultural]], and moral formation of Peru and lends it its cooperation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Constitution of the Republic of Peru|url=http://www.congreso.gob.pe/_ingles/CONSTITUTION_29_08_08.pdf|quote=Within an independent and autonomous system, the State recognizes the Catholic Church as an important element in the historical, cultural, and moral formation of Peru and lends it its cooperation. The State respects other denominations and may establish forms of collaboration with them.|access-date=28 October 2009|archive-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724084722/http://www4.congreso.gob.pe/_ingles/CONSTITUTION_29_08_08.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Poland}}: The [[Constitution of Poland]] states that "The relations between the Republic of Poland and the Roman Catholic Church shall be determined by international treaty concluded with the Holy See, and by statute."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Constitution of the Republic of Poland|date=1997-04-02|url=http://sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm|quote=The relations between the Republic of Poland and the Roman Catholic Church shall be determined by international treaty concluded with the Holy See, and by statute. The relations between the Republic of Poland and other churches and religious organizations shall be determined by statutes adopted pursuant to agreements concluded between their appropriate representatives and the Council of Ministers.}}</ref>
* {{flag|Spain}}: The [[Constitution of Spain]] of 1978 abolished [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]] as the official state religion, while recognizing the role it plays in Spanish society.<ref name=es_CONSTITUTION>{{cite act |italics=y<!--smallcaps--> |title=Constitución española <!-- |trans-title=[[Constitution of Spain]] --> |date=29 December 1978 |pinpoint=art, 14, 16 & 27.3 |reporter=BOE |volume=311 |id=[https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-1978-31229 BOE-A-1978-31229] |url=https://www.boe.es/legislacion/documentos/ConstitucionINGLES.pdf |access-date=2024-04-26 |quote=No religion shall have a state character. The public authorities shall take into account the religious beliefs of Spanish society and shall consequently maintain appropriate cooperation relations with the Catholic Church and other confessions. <!-- |access-date=5 March 2018 |archive-date=15 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515160644/http://www.congreso.es/portal/page/portal/Congreso/Congreso/Hist_Normas/Norm/const_espa_texto_ingles_0.pdf -->}}</ref> The State allocates the 0.7% of the personal income tax corresponding to taxpayers who express their will to support the Catholic Church.<ref>{{cite web|title=Renta 2023: ¿En qué consiste la casilla de la iglesia y la de fines sociales?|url=https://www.bankinter.com/blog/finanzas-personales/renta-casillas-iglesia-fines-sociales}}</ref>
* {{flag|Timor-Leste}}: While the [[Constitution of Timor-Leste]] enshrines the principles of [[freedom of religion]] and [[separation of church and state]] in Section 45 Comma 1, it also acknowledges "the participation of the Catholic Church in the process of national liberation" in its preamble (although this has no legal value).<ref name="constitution">{{cite web|title=Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste|url=http://timor-leste.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Constitution_RDTL_ENG.pdf|publisher=Governo de Timor-Leste}}</ref>

====Eastern Orthodoxy====
The jurisdictions below give various degrees of recognition in their constitutions to [[Eastern Orthodoxy]], but without establishing it as the state religion:
* {{flag|Greece}}: The [[Church of Greece]] is recognized by the Greek Constitution as the prevailing religion in Greece.<ref name="GreeceConstitution">{{cite web|title=Constitution of Greece|url=http://www.hri.org/docs/syntagma/artcl25.html#A3|access-date=2023-01-02|website=www.hri.org|at=Section II Relations of Church and State: Article 3}}</ref> However, this provision does not give exclusivity of worship to the Church of Greece, while all other religions are recognized as equal and may be practiced freely.<ref name="GreeceConstitution2">{{cite web|title=Constitution of Greece|url=http://www.hri.org/docs/syntagma/artcl25.html#A13|access-date=2023-01-02|website=www.hri.org|at=Part Two Individual and Social Rights: Article 13}}</ref>
* {{flag|Bulgaria}}: In the Bulgarian Constitution, Eastern Orthodoxy is recognized as "the traditional religion" of the Bulgarian people, but the state itself remains secular.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.bg/en/const|title=The Bulgarian Constitution|publisher=Parliament of Bulgaria |access-date=20 December 2011}}</ref>
* {{flag|Cyprus}}: The [[Constitution of Cyprus]] states: "The Autocephalous [[Greek Orthodoxy|Greek-Orthodox]] [[Church of Cyprus]] shall continue to have the exclusive right of regulating and administering its own internal affairs and property in accordance with the Holy Canons and its Charter in force for the time being and the Greek Communal Chamber shall not act inconsistently with such right."<ref name="CyprusConstitution">{{cite web|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cyprus_2013.pdf?lang=en|title=Cyprus's Constitution of 1960 with Amendments through 2013|publisher=[[Constitution Project]]}}</ref>{{efn|The Constitution also states that "Any matter relating to divorce, judicial separation or restitution of conjugal rights or to family relations of the members of the Greek-Orthodox Church, shall be cognizable by family courts each of which is composed: For a divorce trial, of three judges, one of which is a lawyer ecclesiastical officer appointed by the Greek Orthodox Church and presides over the Court and the other two of high professional and moral standard belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church are appointed by the Supreme Court among lawyers. If no ecclesiastical officer is appointed as above, the Supreme Court appoints the President of the Court as well."<ref name="CyprusConstitution"/>}}
* {{flag|Finland}}: Both the [[Finnish Orthodox Church]] and the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland]] have judicial ties to the state.<ref name="Finland Constitution"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://finland.fi/Public/default.aspx?contentid=160099&nodeid=41800&culture=en-US |title=The Church in Finland today |author=Salla Korpela |date=May 2005|publisher=Finland Promotion Board; Produced by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Department for Communications and Culture}}</ref>
* {{flag|Georgia}}: The [[Georgian Orthodox Church]] has a constitutional agreement with the state, the constitution recognizing "the special role of the Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia in the history of Georgia and its independence from the state".<ref>[http://www.parliament.ge/en/kanonmdebloba/constitution-of-georgia-68 Constitution of Georgia] Article 9 (1&2) and 73 (1a{{sup|1}})</ref> (See also [[Concordat of 2002]])

====Protestantism====
The following states recognize some form of [[Protestantism]] as their state or official religion:

====[[Commonwealth of Nations|The Commonwealth]]====
=====[[Anglicanism]]=====
The Anglican [[Church of England]] is the established church in England as well as all three of the [[Crown Dependencies]]:
* {{flag|England}}: The [[Church of England]] is the established church in England, but not in the [[United Kingdom]] as a whole.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/history/ |title=The History of the Church of England |publisher=The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England |access-date=2006-05-24 |archive-date=21 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221212004/http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/history |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is the only established Anglican church worldwide. The Anglican [[Church in Wales]], the [[Scottish Episcopal Church]] and the [[Church of Ireland]] are not established churches and they are independent of the Church of England. The [[British monarchy|British monarch]] is the titular [[Supreme Governor of the Church of England]]. The 26 most senior bishops in the Church of England are [[Lords Spiritual]] and have seats in the [[House of Lords]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]].
* {{flag|Bailiwick of Guernsey|name=Guernsey}}: The [[Church of England]] is the established church in the [[Bailiwick of Guernsey]], and the leader of the Church of England in the territory is the [[Dean of Guernsey]].<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://www.churchofengland.org.gg/about|website=Guernsey Deanery|publisher=Church of England}}</ref>
* {{flag|Isle of Man}}: The [[Church of England]] is the established church on the Isle of Man. The [[Bishop of Sodor and Man]] is an ''ex officio'' member of the [[Legislative Council of the Isle of Man|Legislative Council]] (the upper house of [[Tynwald]]).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gell|first1=Sir James|title=Gell on Manx Church|url=http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/manxsoc/msvol31/gell.htm|website=Isle of Man Online|publisher=IOM Online|access-date=7 February 2017}}</ref>
* {{flag|Jersey}}: The [[Church of England]] is the established church in [[Bailiwick of Jersey|Jersey]], and the leader of the church on the island is the [[Dean of Jersey]], a non-voting member of the [[States of Jersey]].

=====Calvinism=====
* {{flag|Scotland}}: The [[Church of Scotland]] is the [[national church]], but not of the United Kingdom as a whole.<ref name="Scotland">{{cite web|date=2010-02-22|title=Our structure|url=https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/our-structure|access-date=2021-04-07|website=The Church of Scotland}}</ref> While it is the national church, it 'is not State controlled' and the monarch is not the 'supreme governor' as in the Church of England.<ref name="Scotland"/>
* {{flag|Tuvalu}}: The [[Church of Tuvalu]] is the state religion, although in practice this merely entitles it to "the privilege of performing special services on major national events".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/4cf2d05cc.html|title=Refworld – 2010 Report on International Religious Freedom – Tuvalu|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|last=Refugees|access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref> The [[Constitution of Tuvalu]] guarantees freedom of religion, including the freedom to practice, the freedom to change religion, the right not to receive religious instruction at school or to attend religious ceremonies at school, and the right not to "take an oath or make an affirmation that is contrary to his religion or belief".<ref>Constitution of Tuvalu, article 23.</ref>

====[[Nordic countries]]====

=====Lutheranism=====
Jurisdictions where a [[Lutheran]] church has been fully or partially established as a state recognized religion include the [[Nordic States]].
* {{flag|Denmark}}: Section 4 of the [[Constitution of Denmark]] confirms the [[Church of Denmark]] as the established church.<ref name="DenmarkConstitution">{{cite web|title=Denmark Constitution|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html|access-date=2023-01-02|website=www.servat.unibe.ch |at=Section 4, State Church}}</ref>
** {{flag|Faroe Islands}}: The [[Church of the Faroe Islands]] is the state church of the [[Faroe Islands]], an [[autonomous administrative division]] within the [[The unity of the Realm|Danish Realm]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Juergensmeyer|first1=Mark|last2=Roof|first2=Wade Clark|title=Encyclopedia of Global Religion|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WwJzAwAAQBAJ&q=faroe%2520islands%2520state%2520church&pg=PA390|date=2011|publisher=Sage Publications|isbn=978-1-4522-6656-5 |page=390}}</ref>
** {{flag|Greenland}}: The Church of Denmark is the state church of [[Greenland]], an autonomous administrative division within the Danish Realm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.am/library/sahmanadrutyunner/dania.pdf|title=Constitution of Denmark – Section IV|quote=The Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the Established Church of Denmark, and, as such, it shall be supported by the State.|access-date=22 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301205429/http://www.parliament.am/library/sahmanadrutyunner/dania.pdf|archive-date=1 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Iceland}}: The [[Constitution of Iceland]] confirms the [[Church of Iceland]] as the state church of Iceland.<ref name="IcelandConstitution">{{cite web|title=Constitution of the Republic of Iceland|url=https://www.government.is/publications/legislation/lex/?newsid=89fc6038-fd28-11e7-9423-005056bc4d74|access-date=2023-01-02|website=www.government.is|language=en-US|at=Article 62}}</ref>

Jurisdictions that give various degrees of recognition in their constitutions to Lutheranism without establishing it as the state religion:
* {{flag|Finland}}: The [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland]] has a special relationship with the Finnish state, its internal structure being described in a special law, the Church Act.<ref name="Finland Constitution">{{cite web|last=Tschentscher|first=Axel Tschentscher|title=Finland Constitution|url=https://servat.unibe.ch/icl/fi00000_.html#S076_|access-date=2024-04-02|website=International Constitutional Law (ICL) |at=Section 76, The Church Act}}</ref> The Church Act can be amended only by a decision of the synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and subsequent ratification by the Parliament of Finland. The Church Act is protected by the Constitution of Finland and the state cannot change the Church Act without changing the constitution. The church has the power to tax its members. The state collects these taxes for the church, for a fee. On the other hand, the church is required to give a burial place for everyone in its graveyards.<ref name="Finland Constitution"/> The President of Finland also decides the themes for intercession days. The church does not consider itself a state church, as the Finnish state does not have the power to influence its internal workings or its theology, although it has a veto in those changes of the internal structure which require changing the Church Act. Neither does the Finnish state accord any precedence to Lutherans or the Lutheran faith in its own acts.
* {{flag|Norway|size=23px}}: Until 2012, the [[Church of Norway]] was not a separate legal entity from the government. It was disestablished and became a [[national church]], a legally distinct entity from the state with special constitutional status. The King of Norway is required by the Constitution to be a member of the Church of Norway, and the church is regulated by special canon law, unlike other religions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iheu.org/state-and-church-move-towards-greater-separation-norway|title=International Humanist and Ethical Union – State and Church move towards greater separation in Norway|access-date=18 March 2015|date=26 June 2012}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sweden}}: The [[Church of Sweden]] was the state church of Sweden between 1527 (when King Gustav Vasa broke all ties with Rome) and 2000 when the state officially became secular. The Church does have a special relation to the Swedish state unlike any other religious organizations. For example, there is a special law that regulates certain aspects of the church<ref>{{cite web|last=Riksdagsförvaltningen|title=Lag (1998:1591) om Svenska kyrkan Svensk författningssamling 1998:1998:1591 t.o.m. SFS 2009:1234 – Riksdagen|url=https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/lag-19981591-om-svenska-kyrkan_sfs-1998-1591|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.riksdagen.se|language=sv}}</ref> and the members of the royal family are required to belong to it in order to have a claim to the line of succession. A majority of the population still belongs to the Church of Sweden.<ref>{{cite web|last=Riksdagsförvaltningen|title=Successionsordning (1810:0926); Svensk författningssamling 1810:1810:0926 – Riksdagen|url=https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/successionsordning-18100926_sfs-1810-0926|access-date=2021-06-23|website=www.riksdagen.se|language=sv}}</ref>

====Other/mixed====
* {{flag|Armenia}}: The [[Armenian Orthodox Church]] has a constitutional agreement with the [[Armenia|State]]: "The Republic of Armenia shall recognise the exclusive mission of the Armenian Orthodox Holy Church, as a national church, in the spiritual life of the Armenian people, in the development of their national culture and preservation of their national identity."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.am/parliament.php?id=constitution&lang=eng|title=National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia|website=parliament.am}}</ref>
* {{flag|Dominican Republic}}: The constitution of the Dominican Republic specifies that there is no state church and provides for freedom of religion and belief. A [[concordat]] with the [[Holy See]] designates Catholicism as the official religion and extends special privileges to the Catholic Church not granted to other religious groups. These include the legal recognition of church law, use of public funds to underwrite some church expenses, and complete exoneration from customs duties.<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 Report on International Religious Freedom – Dominican Republic|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/502105c67d.html|access-date=2023-01-02|website=Refworld}}</ref>
* {{flag|Haiti}}: While Catholicism has not been the state religion since 1987, a 19th-century [[concordat]] with the [[Holy See]] continues to confer preferential treatment to the [[Catholic Church]], in the form of stipends for clergy and financial support to churches and religious schools. The Catholic Church also retains the right to appoint certain amounts of clergy in Haiti without the government's consent.<ref name="Haiti">{{cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90257.htm |title=Haiti |publisher=State.gov |date=2007-09-14 |access-date=2014-01-04}}</ref><ref name=":usirf17">{{cite web|title=International Religious Freedom Report for 2015|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm?year=2017&dlid=281080|access-date=2023-01-02|publisher=US State Department, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor}}</ref>
* {{flag|Hungary}}: The preamble to the [[Constitution of Hungary|Hungarian Constitution of 2011]] describes Hungary as "part of Christian Europe" and acknowledges "the role of Christianity in preserving nationhood", while Article VII provides that "the State shall cooperate with the Churches for community goals." However, the constitution also guarantees freedom of religion and separation of church and state.<ref>[https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Hungary_2011.pdf Hungary's Constitution of 2011]. Retrieved 9 February 2016.</ref>
* {{flag|Nicaragua}}: The [[Constitution of Nicaragua|Nicaraguan Constitution of 1987]] states that the country has no official religion, but defines "Christian values" as one of the "principles of the Nicaraguan nation".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Nicaragua_2014.pdf?lang=en|title=Nicaragua's Constitution of 1987 with Amendments through 2014|publisher=Constitute Project|accessdate=21 July 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Portugal}}: Although Church and State are formally separate, the [[Catholic Church in Portugal]] still receives certain privileges.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.concordatwatch.eu/showtopic.php?org_id=1361&kb_header_id=4131|title=Concordat Watch – Portugal {{pipe}} Concordat (2004) : text|website=concordatwatch.eu}}</ref>

===Islam===
Many [[Islam by country|Muslim-majority countries]] have constitutionally established Islam, or a specific form of it, as a state religion. [[Proselytism]] (converting people away from Islam) is often illegal in such states.<ref name="dpn">{{cite web|title=Saudi Arabia imposes death sentence for Bible smuggling|url=http://deathpenaltynews.blogspot.com/2014/11/saudi-arabia-imposes-death-sentence-for.html|website=deathpenaltynews|date=30 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/saudi-arabias-new-law-imposes-death-sentence-for-bible-smugglers-131352/#!|title=Saudi Arabia's New Law Imposes Death Sentence for Bible Smugglers?|work=The Christian Post|date=18 December 2014 |access-date=5 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.handsoffcain.info/news/index.php?iddocumento=18309927|title=Saidi Arabia Imposes Death Sentence for Bible Smuggling |access-date=5 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408000107/http://www.handsoffcain.info/news/index.php?iddocumento=18309927|archive-date=8 April 2016}}</ref><ref>Sheen J. ''Freedom of Religion and Belief: A World Report.'' (Routledge, 1997) p. 452.</ref>
* {{flagicon|Afghanistan}} [[Islam in Afghanistan|Afghanistan]]: Officially, Afghanistan has continuously been an Islamic state under various constitutions since at least 1987.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aisa.org.af/laws/I.1%20Constitutions,Constituent%20%20docs/1357-%201380%20Republics/660%20E%201987%20Constitution%20(Najibullah).pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703074851/http://www.aisa.org.af/laws/I.1%20Constitutions,Constituent%20%20docs/1357-%201380%20Republics/660%20E%201987%20Constitution%20(Najibullah).pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-07-03|year=1987|title=The Constitution of Afghanistan|access-date=30 July 2009|location=Afghanistan}}</ref> Since 2021, the [[Taliban]] has made [[Sunni Islam]] according to the [[Hanafi school]] official, and has discriminated systematically against the [[Shia Islam in Afghanistan|Shia minority]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Afghanistan Country focus |url=https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2022_01_EASO_COI_Report_Afghanistan_Country_focus.pdf |publisher=[[European Union Agency for Asylum]] |access-date=22 February 2025 |date=January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kawa |first1=Amin |title=Taliban's Opposition to Islamic Sects; Nadeem: "All Afghans Are Followers of the Hanafi Denomination" |url=https://8am.media/eng/talibans-opposition-to-islamic-sects-nadeem-all-afghans-are-followers-of-the-hanafi-denomination/ |access-date=22 February 2025 |work=Hasht e Subh Daily |date=18 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Siddique |first1=Abubakar |last2=Khosrow |first2=Mansour |title=Afghanistan's Shi'ite Minority Suffers 'Systematic Discrimination' Under Taliban Rule |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban-shiite-persecution-discrimination/32507042.html |access-date=22 February 2025 |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |date=17 July 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Algeria}} [[Islam in Algeria|Algeria]]: "Islam shall be the religion of the State."<ref>Article 2 of the [[Algerian Constitution of 2016]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Avant Projet de Revision de la Constitution |url=http://www.constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/algeria_french.pdf|website=ConstitutionNet|language=fr|date=28 December 2015}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Bangladesh}} [[Islam in Bangladesh|Bangladesh]]: Article (2A) of the [[Constitution of Bangladesh]] declares: "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 name="bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd">{{Cite web|url=http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-367/section-24549.html|title=The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh {{pipe}} 2A. The state religion|website=bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd|access-date=17 April 2025}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Bahrain}} [[Islam in Bahrain|Bahrain]]: "The religion of the State is Islam."<ref>Article 2 of the [[Constitution of Bahrain]]:</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bahrain's Constitution of 2002 with Amendments through 2012|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Bahrain_2012.pdf?lang=en|website=constituteproject.org|access-date=29 October 2017}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Brunei}} [[Islam in Brunei|Brunei]]: Article 3 of the [[Constitution of Brunei]]: "The official religion of Brunei Darussalam shall be the Islamic Religion{{nbsp}}..."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Brunei_2006.pdf?lang=en|title=Brunei Darussalam's Constitution of 1959 with Amendments through 2006|date=6 June 2017|website=constituteproject.org}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Djibouti}} [[Islam in Djibouti|Djibouti]]: Article 1 of the [[Constitution of Djibouti]]: "Islam is the Religion of the State."<ref>{{cite web|title=Djibouti's Constitution of 1992 with Amendments through 2010|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Djibouti_2010.pdf?lang=en|website=constituteproject.org|date=6 June 2017}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Egypt}} [[Islam in Egypt|Egypt]]: Article 2 of the [[Egyptian Constitution of 2014]]: "Islam is the religion of the State".<ref>[http://www.sis.gov.eg/Newvr/Dustor-en001.pdf Unofficial translation of the 2014 constitution]</ref>
* {{flagicon|Iran}} [[Islam in Iran|Iran]]: Article 12 of the [[Constitution of Iran]]: "The official religion of Iran is Islam and the [[Twelver Shi'ism|Twelver]] [[Ja'fari school]] [in usul al-Dîn and fiqh], and this principle will remain eternally immutable."<ref>{{cite web|title=Iran (Islamic Republic of)'s Constitution of 1979 with Amendments through 1989|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Iran_1989.pdf?lang=en|website=constituteproject.org|access-date=29 October 2017}}</ref> Islam has been Iran's state religion [[Safavid conversion of Iran to Shia Islam|since 1501]] dating back to the [[Safavid dynasty]] and has continued ever since, excluding the period of breaks in the [[Pahlavi dynasty]].
* {{flagicon|Iraq}} [[Islam in Iraq|Iraq]]: Since 1993, Islam has been Iraq's state religion after [[Saddam Hussein]]'s [[Ba'athist Iraq|ruling]] [[Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Iraq Region|Ba'ath Party]] instituted the [[Faith Campaign]] emphasizing [[Islamism]] all across the spectrum of Iraqi public life. After the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|overthrow]] of the Ba'ath regime in 2003, Article 2 of the 2005 [[Constitution of Iraq]] reaffirms its status: "Islam is the official religion of the State and is a foundation source of legislation{{nbsp}}..."<ref>{{cite web|title=Iraqi Constitution |url=http://www.iraqinationality.gov.iq/attach/iraqi_constitution.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128152712/http://www.iraqinationality.gov.iq/attach/iraqi_constitution.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-11-28 }}</ref> 
* {{flagicon|Jordan}} [[Islam in Jordan|Jordan]]: Article 2 of the [[Constitution of Jordan]]: "Islam is the religion of the State and Arabic is its official language."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Constitution of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan|url=http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/constitution_jo.html|access-date=29 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426230052/http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/constitution_jo.html|archive-date=26 April 2013|date=1 January 1952}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Kuwait}} [[Islam in Kuwait|Kuwait]]: Article 2 of the [[Constitution of Kuwait]]: "The religion of the State is Islam and Islamic Law shall be a main source of legislation."<ref>{{cite web|title=Kuwait's Constitution of 1962, Reinstated in 1992|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Kuwait_1992.pdf?lang=en|website=constituteproject.org|access-date=29 October 2017}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Libya}} [[Islam in Libya|Libya]]: Article 1 of the [[Libyan interim Constitutional Declaration]]: "Islam is the Religion of the State and the principal source of legislation is Islamic Jurisprudence (Shari'a)."<ref>{{cite web|title=Draft Constitutional Charter For the Transitional Stage|url=http://portal.clinecenter.illinois.edu/REPOSITORYCACHE/114/w1R3bTIKElG95H3MH5nvrSxchm9QLb8T6EK87RZQ9pfnC4py47DaBn9jLA742IFN3d70VnOYueW7t67gWXEs3XiVJJxM8n18U9Wi8vAoO7_24166.pdf|access-date=29 October 2017|archive-date=25 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425112207/http://portal.clinecenter.illinois.edu/REPOSITORYCACHE/114/w1R3bTIKElG95H3MH5nvrSxchm9QLb8T6EK87RZQ9pfnC4py47DaBn9jLA742IFN3d70VnOYueW7t67gWXEs3XiVJJxM8n18U9Wi8vAoO7_24166.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Islam in Malaysia|Malaysia]]: Article 3 of the [[Constitution of Malaysia|Federal Constitution of Malaysia]]: "Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation."<ref>{{cite web|title=Federal Constitution Incorporating all amendments up to P.U.(A) 164/2009|url=http://www.jac.gov.my/images/stories/akta/federalconstitution.pdf|publisher=Laws of Malaysia|access-date=29 October 2017|archive-date=14 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614105535/http://www.jac.gov.my/images/stories/akta/federalconstitution.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Maldives}} [[Islam in the Maldives|Maldives]]: Article 10 of the [[Constitution of the Maldives|Maldives's Constitution of 2008]]: "The religion of the State of the Maldives is Islam. Islam shall be the[sic] one of the bases of all the laws of the Maldives."<ref>{{cite web|title=Maldives's Constitution of 2008|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Maldives_2008.pdf?lang=en|website=constituteproject.org|access-date=29 October 2017}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Mauritania}} [[Islam in Mauritania|Mauritania]]: Article 5 of the [[Constitution of Mauritania]]: "Islam is the religion of the people and of the State."<ref>{{cite web|title=Mauritania's Constitution of 1991 with Amendments through 2012|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Mauritania_2012.pdf|website=constituteproject.org|access-date=29 October 2017}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Morocco}} [[Islam in Morocco|Morocco]]: Article 3 of the [[Constitution of Morocco]]: "Islam is the religion of the State, which guarantees to all the free exercise of beliefs [cultes]."<ref>{{cite web|title=Morocco Draft Text of the Constitution Adopted at the Referendum of 1 July 2011|url=http://www.constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/morocco_eng.pdf|website=ConstitutionNet|publisher=William S. Hein & Co., Inc.|location=Buffalo, New York|year=2011}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Oman}} [[Islam in Oman|Oman]]: Article 2 of the [[Constitution of Oman]]: "The religion of the State is Islam and Islamic Sharia is the basis for legislation."<ref>{{cite web|title=Oman's Constitution of 1996 with Amendments through 2011|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Oman_2011.pdf?lang=en|website=constituteproject.org|access-date=29 October 2017}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Islam in Pakistan|Pakistan]]: Article 2 of the [[Constitution of Pakistan]]: "Islam shall be the State religion of Pakistan."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part1.html |title=Part I: "Introductory" |publisher=Pakistani.org |access-date=4 June 2013}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Palestine}} [[Islam in Palestine|Palestine]]: Article 4 of the [[Palestine Basic Law|Basic Law of the State of Palestine]]: "Islam is the official religion in Palestine. Respect and sanctity of all other heavenly religions shall be maintained."<ref name="mideast">{{Cite web|title=Palestine Basic Law|url=http://www.mideastweb.org/basiclaw.htm|access-date=2023-01-02|website=www.mideastweb.org}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Qatar}} [[Islam in Qatar|Qatar]]: Article 1 of the [[Constitution of Qatar]]: "Qatar is an independent sovereign Arab State. Its religion is Islam and Shari'a law shall be a main source of its legislations."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Constitution|url=http://english.mofa.gov.qa/details.cfm?id=80|access-date=29 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041024231923/http://english.mofa.gov.qa/details.cfm?id=80|archive-date=24 October 2004}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} [[Islam in Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia]]: Article 1 of the [[Basic Law of Saudi Arabia]]: "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a sovereign Arab Islamic State. Its religion is Islam."<ref>{{cite web|title=Basic Law of Governance|url=https://www.saudiembassy.net/basic-law-governance|website=The Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia|access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic}}: Article 2 of the [[Constitution of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic]] declares that Islam is the state religion and law origin.<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book|last=Shelley|first=Toby|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tXFo3b-07NgC|title=Endgame in the Western Sahara: What Future for Africa's Last Colony|date= 2004|publisher=Zed Books|isbn=978-1-84277-341-3|page=174}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Somalia}} [[Islam in Somalia|Somalia]]: Article 2 of the [[Constitution of Somalia|Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia]]: "Islam is the religion of the State."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Federal Republic of Somalia Provisional Constitution|url=http://www.somaliweyn.com/pages/news/Aug_12/Somalia_Constitution_English_FOR_WEB.pdf|access-date=29 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124010543/http://www.somaliweyn.com/pages/news/Aug_12/Somalia_Constitution_English_FOR_WEB.pdf|archive-date=24 January 2013}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} [[Islam in the United Arab Emirates|United Arab Emirates]]: Article 7 of the [[Constitution of the United Arab Emirates]]: "Islam shall be the official religion of the Union."<ref>{{cite web|title=United Arab Emirates's Constitution of 1971 with Amendments through 2004|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2004.pdf|website=constituteproject.org|access-date=29 October 2017}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Yemen}} [[Islam in Yemen|Yemen]]: Article 2 of the [[Constitution of Yemen]]: "Islam is the religion of the state, and Arabic is its official language."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Constitution of the Republic of Yemen As amended on 20 February 2001|url=http://www.constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/2001_constitution_of_the_republic_of_yemen.pdf|website=ConstitutionNet|access-date=29 October 2017}}</ref>

====Other/mixed====

In some countries, Islam is not recognized as a state religion, but holds special status:

* {{flagicon|Syria}} [[Islam in Syria|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>
* {{flagicon|Tajikistan}} [[Islam in Tajikistan|Tajikistan]]: Although there is a separation of religion from politics, certain aspects of law also privilege Islam. One such law declares "Islam to be a traditional religion of Tajikistan, with more rights and privileges given to Islamic organizations than to religious groups of non-Muslim origin".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2009-04-03/tajikistan-new-law-on-religious-organizations/|title=Tajikistan: New Law on Religious Organizations|website=Library of Congress}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Tunisia}} [[Islam in Tunisia|Tunisia]]: Article 5 of the Constitution declares that "Tunisia is part of the [[Muslim world]], and the state alone must work to achieve the goals of pure Islam in preserving honourable life of religious freedom". Islam has been given special privileges by the Constitution, though it is no longer the state religion.<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 |date=24 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="reuters.com">{{cite web |title=Factbox: What's in Tunisia's new constitution? |publisher=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/whats-tunisias-new-constitution-2022-07-25/|access-date=9 December 2022}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Turkmenistan}} [[Islam in Turkmenistan|Turkmenistan]]: The Constitution claims to uphold a secular system in which religious and state institutions are separate. However, in Turkmenistan, the state actively privileges a form of traditional Islam. The culture, including Islam, is a key facet, contributes to the Turkmen national identity. The state encourages the conceptualization of "Turkmen Islam".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://isdp.eu/publication/religion-and-the-secular-state-in-turkmenistan/|title=Religion and the Secular State in Turkmenistan - Silk Road Paper|website=Institute for Security and Development Policy}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Islam in Uzbekistan|Uzbekistan]]: Since independence, Islam has taken on an altogether new role in the nation-building process in Uzbekistan. The government affords Islam in special status and declared it as a national heritage and a moral guideline.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://journals.openedition.org/asiecentrale/1527|title=Islam and Secular State in Uzbekistan: State Control of Religion and its Implications for the Understanding of Secularity|first=Henrik|last=Ohlsson|date=12 December 2011|journal=Cahiers d'Asie centrale|issue=19–20|pages=485–493|via=journals.openedition.org}}</ref>

===Judaism===
{{See also|Jewish state}}
* {{flag|Israel}}: Since the [[Israeli Declaration of Independence|Proclamation of Israeli independence in 1948]], Israel is defined in several of its laws as a "[[Jewish and democratic state]]" (''medina yehudit ve-demokratit''). However, the term "[[Jew]]ish" is a [[Polysemy|polyseme]] that can describe the Jewish people [[Who is a Jew?|as either an ethnic or a religious group]]. The debate about the meaning of the term "Jewish" and its legal and social applications is one of the most profound issues with which Israeli society deals. The problem of the status of religion in Israel, even though it is relevant to all religions, usually refers to the status of [[Judaism]] in Israeli society. Thus, even though from a constitutional point of view Judaism is not the state religion in Israel, its status nevertheless determines relations between religion and state and the extent to which religion influences the political center.<ref>''Trouble in Utopia: The Overburdened Polity of Israel'', by Dan Horowitz and Moshe Lissak, pp. 51–52</ref> The [[Law of Return]], passed on 5 July 1950, gives the global [[Jewish diaspora]] the right to relocate to Israel and acquire [[Israeli citizenship]]. Section - (1) of that law declares that "Every Jew has the right to come to this country as an ''Oleh'' ['immigrant']." In the Law of Return, the State of Israel gave effect to the [[Zionism|Zionist movement]]'s "credo" which called for the establishment of Israel as a [[Sovereign]] [[Jewish state]] with [[Democracy|Democratic]] setups, ideals and values.<ref>International Commission of Jurists
https://www.icj.org › 2013/06PDF
The Law of Return, 5710-1950 1. Right of "aliya" Every Jew has the ...</ref> The State of Israel supports religious institutions, particularly [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox Jewish]] ones, and recognizes the "religious communities" as carried over from those recognized under the British Mandate—in turn derived from the pre-1917 Ottoman system of ''[[Millet (Ottoman Empire)|millets]]''. These are Jewish and Christian ([[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]], [[Latin Catholic]], [[Gregorian-Armenian]], [[Armenian Catholic Church|Armenian-Catholic]], [[Syriac Catholic Church|Syriac Catholic]], [[Chaldean Catholic Church|Chaldean]], [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church|Melkite Catholic]], [[Maronites|Maronite Catholic]], and [[Syriac Orthodox Church|Syriac Orthodox]]). The fact that the Muslim population was not defined as a religious community does not affect the rights of the Muslim community to practice their faith. At the end of the period covered by the 2009 U.S. International Religious Freedom Report, several of these denominations were pending official government recognition; however, the Government has allowed adherents of not officially recognized groups the freedom to practice. In 1961, legislation gave Muslim Shari'a courts exclusive jurisdiction in matters of personal status. Three additional religious communities have subsequently been recognized by Israeli law: the [[Druze]] (prior under Islamic jurisdiction), the Evangelical Episcopal Church, and followers of the [[Baháʼí Faith]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-10-29|title=Israel and the occupied territories|url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127349.htm|access-date=2023-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029164133/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127349.htm |archive-date=29 October 2009|publisher=U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor }}</ref>

===Political religions===
In some countries, there is a [[List of political ideologies|political ideology]] sponsored by the government that may be called [[political religion]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Gentile |first=Emilio |year=2006 |orig-year=2001 |title=Le religioni della politica. Fra democrazie e totalitarismi |trans-title=Politics as Religion |publisher=Princeton University Press }}</ref>

===Multiple religion recognition===
* {{flag|China}}: The government of China officially espouses [[state atheism]],<ref name="Dillon2001">{{cite book |last=Dillon |first=Michael |title=Religious Minorities and China |date=2001 |publisher=Minority Rights Group International}}</ref> and officially recognizes only five religions: [[Chinese Buddhism|Buddhism]], [[Taoism in China|Taoism]], [[Islam in China|Islam]], [[Christianity in China|Christianity]] ([[Catholic Church in China|Catholicism]] and [[Protestantism in China|Protestantism]]).<ref>Rowan Callick. ''Party Time: Who Runs China and How''. Black Inc, 2013. p. 112</ref> Despite limitations on certain forms of religious expression and assembly, religion is not banned, and religious freedom is nominally protected under the Chinese constitution. Among the general Chinese population there is a wide variety of religious practices.<ref name="French">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/world/asia/04iht-web0304.china.4786768.html |title=Religious surge in once-atheist China surprises leaders |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=2007-03-03 |access-date=2013-11-25 |first=Howard |last=French}}</ref> The Chinese government's attitude to religion is one of skepticism and non-promotion.<ref name="French"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ |title= A surprising map of where the world's atheists live |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=2013-11-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Party's-secret-directives-on-how-to-eradicate-religion-and-ensure-the-victory-of-atheism-2029.html |title=Party's secret directives on how to eradicate religion and ensure the victory of atheism |publisher=Asian News |access-date=2013-11-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/monitoring/253345.stm |title=China announces "civilizing" atheism drive in Tibet |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=1999-01-12 |access-date=2013-11-25}}</ref> 
* {{flag|France}}: The [[local law in Alsace-Moselle]] accords official status to four religions in this specific region of France: [[Judaism]], [[Roman Catholicism]], [[Lutheranism]] and [[Calvinism]]. The law is a remnant of the Napoleonic [[Concordat of 1801]], which was abrogated in the rest of France by the [[1905 French law on the separation of Church and State|law of 1905]] on the [[separation of church and state]]. However, at the time, Alsace-Moselle had been [[Alsace-Lorraine|annexed by Germany]]. The Concordat, therefore, remained in force in these areas, and it was not abrogated when France regained control of the region in 1918. Therefore, the separation of church and state, part of the French concept of [[Laïcité]], does not apply in this region.<ref>{{cite news|title= Church-state tie opens door for mosque
|work=The New York Times
|date=2008-10-07
|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/world/europe/07iht-alsace.1.16744303.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
|access-date=2013-11-02}}</ref>
* {{flag|Indonesia}} is officially a [[presidential republic]] and a [[unitary state]] that does not declare or designate a state religion. Officially, [[Government of Indonesia|the government]] recognizes six religions: [[Islam in Indonesia|Islam]], [[Protestantism in Indonesia|Protestantism]], [[Catholic Church in Indonesia|Catholicism]], [[Buddhism in Indonesia|Buddhism]], [[Hinduism in Indonesia|Hinduism]], and [[Confucianism in Indonesia|Confucianism]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Religion in Indonesia {{!}} Indonesia Investments |url=https://www.indonesia-investments.com/culture/religion/item69 |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=www.indonesia-investments.com}}</ref> as well as traditional and indigenous beliefs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kemendikbud serahkan KTP Penghayat Kepercayaan di Festival Budaya Solo |url=https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3640041/kemendikbud-serahkan-ktp-penghayat-kepercayaan-di-festival-budaya-solo |language=Indonesian |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=www.antaranews.com |date=18 July 2023}}</ref> [[Pancasila (politics)|Pancasila]] comes from the [[Jakarta Charter]] whose first article was changed from "Divinity, with the obligation to carry out Islamic law for its adherents" to "the One Divinity", to respect other religions. The [[Constitution of Indonesia]] guarantees freedom of religion and the practice of other religions and beliefs, including traditional animistic beliefs. [[Atheism in Indonesia|Atheism]], although not prosecuted, is discouraged by the state ideology of ''[[Pancasila (politics)|Pancasila]]''. In addition, the province of [[Aceh]] receives a special status and a higher degree of autonomy, in which it may enact laws (''[[Qanun (law)|qanuns]]'') based on the [[Sharia]] and enforce it to its Muslim residents.
* {{flag|Lebanon}}: There are 18 officially recognized religious groups in Lebanon, each with its own family law legislation and set of religious courts.<ref>"Women in Personal Status Laws". Retrieved 26 March 2013.</ref> Under the terms of an agreement known as the [[National Pact]] between the various political and religious leaders of Lebanon, the [[List of Presidents of Lebanon|president of the country]] must be a [[Maronite Christianity in Lebanon|Maronite]], the [[Prime Minister of Lebanon|Prime Minister]] must be a [[Lebanese Sunni Muslims|Sunni]], the [[List of Speakers of the Parliament of Lebanon|Speaker of Parliament]] must be a [[Lebanese Shia Muslims|Shia]], and the [[Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon|Deputy Prime Minister]] must be [[Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch|Greek Orthodox]].<ref>{{cite book|author=R. Rabil|title=Religion, National Identity, and Confessional Politics in Lebanon: The Challenge of Islamism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3fHMCwAAQBAJ|year=2011|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US|isbn=978-0-230-33925-5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lebanon: New Mikati Government Faces Challenges |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11778/2 |website=Congressional Research Service}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Joseph Aoun: Lebanon's fifth army general-turned-president |url=https://en.majalla.com/node/323847/profiles/joseph-aoun-lebanons-fifth-army-general-turned-president |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=en.majalla.com |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Luxembourg}} is a secular state, but the Grand Duchy recognizes and supports several denominations, including the [[Catholic Church in Luxembourg|Catholic Church]], [[Greek Orthodox]], [[Russian Orthodox]], [[Romanian Orthodox]], [[Serbian Orthodox]], [[Anglican]] and some [[Protestantism in Luxembourg|Protestantism]] denominations as well as to [[Judaism|Jewish]] congregations.<ref>{{cite book|title=State-Religion Relationships and Human Rights Law: Towards a Right to Religiously Neutral Governance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Khag6tbsIn4C&pg=PA226 |author=Jeroen Temperman|publisher=Brill|isbn= 978-9004181489|year = 2010}}</ref>
*{{flag|Nepal}} is a secular nation, and secularism in Nepal under the interim constitution (Part 1, Article 4) is defined as "religious and cultural freedom, along with the protection of religion and culture handed down from time immemorial". That is, "the state government is bound for protecting and fostering Hindu religion" while maintaining "religious" and "cultural" freedom throughout the nation as fundamental rights.
* {{flag|Russia}}: Though a [[secular state]] under the constitution, Russia is often said to have [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian Orthodoxy]] as the ''[[de facto]]'' national religion, despite other minorities: "The Russian Orthodox Church is de facto privileged religion of the state, claiming the right to decide which other religions or denominations are to be granted the right of registration".<ref>{{cite book|last=Bourdeaux|first=Michael|chapter=Trends in Religious Policy|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EPP3ti4hysUC&pg=PA46|title=Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia|publisher=Taylor and Francis|year=2003|isbn=978-1857431377|pages=46–52}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/russia-s-de-facto-state-religion.html|title=Russia's De-Facto State Religion|date=24 April 2008|work=[[The Christian Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://jewishjournal.com/uncategorized/18128/|title=Russian Orthodoxy now de facto state religion|publisher=[[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles]]|date=24 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/russian-orthodox-church-from-farce-to-tragedy/|title=The Russian Orthodox Church: from farce to tragedy?|publisher=[[openDemocracy]]|date=3 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gHmsAgAAQBAJ&q=russian+orthodox+church+de+facto+state+religion&pg=PA24|quote=the Russian Orthodox Church has become ''de facto'' state Church|title=Religion and Language in Post-Soviet Russia|first=Brian P.|last=Bennett|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=978-1136736131|year=2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/jan/07/russia.ameliagentleman |first1=Amelia |last1=Gentleman |title=Backlash of faith shakes atheists|quote='It is only natural there has been a surge in interest in religion over the past decade, given the repression that went before,' Levinson said. 'But we are particularly concerned about the growing influence of the Russian Orthodox Church – which has become the de facto state religion – to the exclusion of all other convictions.'|work=[[The Guardian]] |date=7 January 2001 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608183532/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/jan/07/russia.ameliagentleman |archive-date=8 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/world/europe/24church.html |url-access=subscription |title=At Expense of All Others, Putin Picks a Church|quote=Just as the government has tightened control over political life, so, too, has it intruded in matters of faith. The Kremlin's surrogates in many areas have turned the Russian Orthodox Church into a de facto official religion|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=24 April 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608131607/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/world/europe/24church.html |archive-date= Jun 8, 2023 }}</ref> [[Islam in Russia]] is recognized under the law and by Russian political leaders as one of Russia's traditional religions, Islam is a part of [[History of Russia|Russian historical heritage]], and is [[Subsidy|subsidized]] by the Russian government.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Bell, I|title=Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EPP3ti4hysUC&pg=PA47|access-date=2007-12-27|isbn=978-1-85743-137-7|year=2002|publisher=Taylor & Francis }}</ref> The position of Islam as a major Russian religion, alongside [[Russian Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christianity]], dates from the time of [[Catherine the Great]], who sponsored [[Ulama|Islamic clerics]] and scholarship through the [[Orenburg Assembly]].<ref>Azamatov, Danil D. (1998), "The Muftis of the Orenburg Spiritual Assembly in the 18th and 19th Centuries: The Struggle for Power in Russia's Muslim Institution", in Anke von Kugelgen; Michael Kemper; Allen J. Frank, Muslim culture in Russia and Central Asia from the 18th to the early 20th centuries, vol. 2: Inter-Regional and Inter-Ethnic Relations, Berlin: Klaus Schwarz Verlag, pp. 355–384,</ref>

* {{flag|Singapore}} is officially a secular country and does not have a state religion, and has been named in one study as the "most religiously diverse nation in the world", with no religious group forming a majority.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2014/4/15/5617068/a-surprising-map-of-the-worlds-most-and-least-religiously-diverse |website=Vox |first1=Max |last1=Fisher |title=This map of the world's most religiously diverse countries may surprise you|date=15 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231104042500/https://www.vox.com/2014/4/15/5617068/a-surprising-map-of-the-worlds-most-and-least-religiously-diverse |archive-date= Nov 4, 2023 }}</ref> However, the government gives official recognition to twelve different religions, namely [[Buddhism in Singapore|Buddhism]], [[Confucianism]], [[Christianity in Singapore|Christianity]], [[Islam in Singapore|Islam]], [[Hinduism in Singapore|Hinduism]], [[Taoism in Singapore|Taoism]], [[Sikhism in Singapore|Sikhism]], [[Shinto|Shintoism]], [[History of the Jews in Singapore|Judaism]], [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Jainism in Singapore|Jainism]], and the [[Baháʼí Faith]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iro.sg/|title=Inter-Religious Organisation, Singapore |website=iro.sg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626023943/https://iro.sg/ |archive-date= Jun 26, 2023 }}</ref> and Singapore's penal code explicitly prohibits "wounding religious feelings". The [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] and [[Unification Church]] are also banned in Singapore, as the government deems them to be a threat to national security.
* {{flag|Switzerland}} is officially secular at the federal level but 24 of the 26 cantons support both the [[Swiss Reformed Church]] and the [[Roman Catholic Church]] in various ways.
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Islam in Turkey|Turkey]]: The Republic of Türkiye is officially a [[Secularism in Turkey|secular country]]. None of the past and the latest [[Constitution of Turkey|constitutions]] recognizes an [[official religion]] nor promotes any.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anayasa.gov.tr/en/legislation/turkish-constiution/|title=Turkish Constitution {{pipe}} Anayasa Mahkemesi|website=www.anayasa.gov.tr}}</ref> But; the [[Directorate of Religious Affairs]], an official state institution established by [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]] in 1924,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.diyanet.gov.tr/tr-TR/Kurumsal/Detay/1#|title=Kurumsal}}</ref> expresses opinions only on religious matters regarding [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] institutions.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-07-30|title=Turkey may have reclaimed the leadership of Sunni Islam from Saudi Arabia|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200730-turkey-may-have-reclaimed-the-leadership-of-sunni-islam-from-saudi-arabia/|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Middle East Monitor|language=en-GB}}</ref> The directorate regulates the operation of the country's hundreds of thousands of registered mosques and employs local and provincial imams (who are civil servants) who are appointed and paid by the state,<ref name="US2008">{{cite web |title=2008 Report on International Religious Freedom – Afghanistan |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/48d5cbf4c.html |publisher=United States Department of State |date=19 September 2008 |access-date=2 July 2009}}</ref> whilst other sects of Islam with a sizeable minority such as [[Alevism]] are not being regulated nor being funded by the directorate.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/808395 |title=Alevis and the JDP: from cautious or neutral relations to open conflict |first=Ayşegül |last=Akdemir |journal=Eurasian Journal of Anthropology |issn=2166-7411 |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=63–77 |publisher=Istanbul University |date=31 December 2014 |access-date=29 August 2024}}</ref> In addition, the [[Treaty of Lausanne]] explicitly guarantees the security and protection of both [[Christianity in Turkey|Greek and Armenian Orthodox Christian minorities]] and the [[History of the Jews in Turkey|Turkish-Jews]]. Their religious institutions are recognized officially by the state.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://law.yale.edu/sites/default/files/area/center/schell/patriacharte.pdf |title=Turkey's Compliance with Its Obligations to the Ecumenical Patriachate and Orthodox Christian Minority |first1=Maria |last1=Burnett |first2=Maria |last2=Pulzetti |first3=Sean |last3=Young |publisher=Yale Law School |date=11 December 2004 |access-date=29 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://rm.coe.int/native/09000016804e1f8e |title=THE SITUATION OF REGIONAL OR MINORITY LANGUAGES IN EUROPE |author=Committee of Ministers |publisher=Council of Europe |date=10 August 1994 |access-date=29 August 2024}}</ref>

* {{flag|Vietnam}} is officially [[State atheism|atheist]]<ref>{{citation|title=9. Marxist-Leninist 'Scientific Atheism' as the Science of Religion|date=1983-12-31|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/9783110838589.359|work=Marxist-Leninist 'Scientific Atheism' and the Study of Religion and Atheism in the USSR|pages=359–384|publisher=De Gruyter|doi=10.1515/9783110838589.359|isbn=978-3-11-083858-9|access-date=2021-01-29|url-access=subscription}}</ref> (although sometimes also referred as atheist-Buddhist),<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 July 2015|title=Buddhism in Vietnam: An Education in Enlightenment|url=https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2015/07/23/buddhism-in-vietnam-an-education-in-enlightenment/|access-date=|website=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Spiritual Guide: Religion in Vietnam |url=https://www.anywhere.com/vietnam/travel-guide/religion |website=www.anywhere.com |access-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204112805/https://www.anywhere.com/vietnam/travel-guide/religion |archive-date=4 February 2023 |date=2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> but recognizes only 38 religious organizations and one ''dharma'' practice.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vietnam|url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-report-on-international-religious-freedom/vietnam/|access-date=2021-01-27|website=United States Department of State|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Former state religions==
{{see also|Secular state}}

=== Roman religion and Christianity ===
{{main|Roman imperial cult|Christianity as the Roman state religion}}[[Catholic]] Christianity, as opposed to Arianism and other ideologies deemed [[heresy|heretical]], was declared to be the [[State church of the Roman Empire|state religion of the Roman Empire]] on 27 February 380<ref>{{cite web |title=The Theodosian Code |url=http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/latinlibrary/theod.html |work=The Latin Library at Ad Fontes Academy|publisher=Ad Fontes Academy |access-date=2006-11-23}}</ref> by the decree ''[[Edict of Thessalonica|De fide catolica]]'' of Emperor [[Theodosius I]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Theodosian Code XVI.i.2 |url=http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/theodcodeXVI.html |work=Medieval Sourcebook: Banning of Other Religions |first=Paul |last=Halsall |date=June 1997 |publisher=Fordham University |access-date=2006-11-23 |archive-date=27 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070227120555/http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/theodcodeXVI.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Han dynasty Confucianism ===
In China, the [[Han dynasty]] (206 BCE – 220 CE) advocated [[Confucianism]] as the ''de facto'' state religion, establishing tests based on Confucian texts as an entrance requirement into government service—although, in fact, the "Confucianism" advocated by the Han emperors may be more properly termed a sort of Confucian [[Legalism (Chinese philosophy)|Legalism]] or "State Confucianism". This sort of Confucianism continued to be regarded by the emperors, with a few notable exceptions, as a form of state religion from this time until the [[1911 Revolution|collapse]] of the [[Monarchy of China|Chinese monarchy]] in 1912. Note, however, there is a debate over whether Confucianism (including [[Neo-Confucianism]]) is a religion or purely a philosophical system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Fac/Adler/Reln471/Confucian%20religiosity%20bib.htm|title=Sources on Confucian religiosity}}</ref>

=== Yuan dynasty Buddhism ===
During the Mongol-led [[Yuan dynasty]] of China (1271–1368 CE), [[Tibetan Buddhism]] was established as the ''de facto'' state religion by the [[Kublai Khan]], the founder of the Yuan dynasty. The top-level department and government agency known as the [[Bureau of Buddhist and Tibetan Affairs]] (Xuanzheng Yuan) was set up in [[Khanbaliq]] (modern [[Beijing]]) to supervise [[Buddhist monk]]s throughout the empire. Since Kublai Khan only esteemed the [[Sakya (Tibetan Buddhist school)|Sakya]] sect of Tibetan Buddhism, other religions became less important. Before the end of the Yuan dynasty, 14 leaders of the Sakya sect had held the post of [[Imperial Preceptor]] (Dishi), thereby enjoying special power.<ref>''History of civilizations of Central Asia.: A.D. 750 to the end of the fifteenth century''. Part two: The achievements, p. 59</ref>

=== Golden Horde and Ilkhanate ===
The Mongol rulers [[Ghazan]] of Ilkhanate and [[Öz Beg Khan|Uzbeg]] of Golden Horde converted to [[Islam]] in 1295 CE because of the Muslim Mongol emir [[Nawrūz (Mongol emir)|Nawruz]] and in 1313 CE because of [[Sufi]] [[Bukhara]]n [[sayyid]] and [[sheikh]] [[Ibn Abdul Hamid]] respectively. Their official favoring of Islam as the state religion coincided with a marked attempt to bring the regime closer to the non-Mongol majority of the regions they ruled. In Ilkhanate, [[Christians|Christian]] and [[Jewish]] subjects lost their equal status with Muslims and again had to pay the poll tax; Buddhists had the starker choice of conversion or expulsion.<ref>''Medieval Persia 1040–1797'', [[David Morgan (historian)|David Morgan]] p. 72</ref>

=== Former state churches in British North America ===
{{Main|Separation of church and state in the United States#State churches in British North America prior to the Revolution}}

=== Other states ===
* The [[State of Deseret]] was an unrecognised provisional [[U.S. state|state]] of the United States, proposed in 1849, by [[Mormon]] settlers in [[Salt Lake City]]. The provisional state existed for slightly over two years, but attempts to gain recognition by the United States government floundered for various reasons. The [[Utah Territory]] which was then founded was under Mormon control, and repeated attempts to gain statehood met resistance, in part due to concerns that the principle of separation of church and state conflicted with the practice of members of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] placing their highest value on "following counsel" in virtually all matters relating to their church-centered lives. The state of [[Utah]] was eventually admitted to the union on 4{{nbsp}}January 1896, after the various issues had been resolved.<ref>[http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/statehood_and_the_progressive_era/struggleforstatehood.html Struggle For Statehood] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110224120/http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/statehood_and_the_progressive_era/struggleforstatehood.html|date=10 January 2019}} [[Edward Leo Lyman]], ''Utah History Encyclopedia''</ref>
* {{flag|Kingdom of Hawaii}}: From 1862 to 1893 the [[Church of Hawaii]], an Anglican body, was the official state and national church of the [[Kingdom of Hawaii]].
* {{flag|Japanese Empire|1870}}: see details in the [[State Shintō]] article.
* {{Flag|Netherlands}}: Article 133 of the 1814 [[Constitution of the Netherlands|Constitution]] stipulated the [[King of the Netherlands|Sovereign Prince]] should be a member of the [[Dutch Reformed Church|Reformed Church]]; this provision was dropped in the 1815 Constitution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denederlandsegrondwet.nl/9353000/1/j9vvihlf299q0sr/vi6ei64fdgg2|title=Artikel 133: Vorst belijdt de christelijke hervormde Godsdienst – Nederlandse grondwet|access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref> The 1815 Constitution also provided for a state salary and pension for the priesthood of established religions at the time (Protestantism, Catholicism and Judaism). This settlement, nicknamed ''de zilveren koorde'' (the silver cord), was abolished in 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denederlandsegrondwet.nl/9353000/1/j9vvihlf299q0sr/vi6jejckwezy|title=Artikel 194: Traktementen, pensioenen en andere inkomsten – Nederlandse grondwet|access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rug.nl/research/portal/files/14622151/Deontknopingvandezilverenkoorde21.pdf!null |title=Info |website=rug.nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0003640/1994-01-01|title=wetten.nl – Regeling – Wet beëindiging financiële verhouding tussen Staat en Kerk – BWBR0003640|access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref>
* {{flag|Nepal}} was the world's only [[Hindu]] state until 2015, when the new constitution declared it a [[secular state]]. [[Proselytizing]] remains illegal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/nepal-adopts-first-full-democratic-charter-today-1219574|title=Nepal Adopts New Constitution, Becomes a Secular State: 5 Facts|date=20 September 2015|publisher=[[NDTV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/np/np029en.pdf|title=The Constitution of Nepal|date=20 September 2015|website=wipo.int}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ottoman Empire}}: the [[Millet (Ottoman Empire)|Millet system]] ({{IPA|tr|millet|lang}}; {{langx|ota|ملت}}) was the independent [[court of law]] pertaining to "personal law" under which a [[confessional community]] (a group abiding by the laws of Muslim [[Sharia]], Christian [[Canon law]], or Jewish [[Halakha]]) was allowed to rule itself under its own laws.
* {{Flag|Spain}}: Spain was traditionally a Catholic confessional state with the exception of the [[First Spanish Republic|1st]] and [[Second Spanish Republic#1931 Constitution|2nd Republics]], and currently is a non-confessional state.
* {{flag|Sudan}} had [[Islam in Sudan|Islam]] as the official religion during the rule of [[Omar al-Bashir]] according to the [[Constitution of Sudan]] of 2005.<ref>[[Constitution of Sudan]], [https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Sudan_2005.pdf?lang=en Article 5, paragraph 1].</ref> It was declared a secular state in September 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/africa/sudan-ends-30-years-of-islamic-law-by-separating-religion-state-1.1599359147751|title=Sudan ends 30 years of Islamic law by separating religion, state|website=gulfnews.com|date=6 September 2020 }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Tunisia}} [[Islam in Tunisia|Tunisia]]: Article 5 of the Constitution declares that "Tunisia is part of the [[Muslim world]], and the state alone must work to achieve the goals of pure Islam in preserving honorable life of religious freedom". Although Islam has been given special privileges by the Constitution, it is no longer the state religion.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="reuters.com"/>
* {{flag|Tokugawa shogunate|Mon}} sanctioned [[Japanese Buddhism|Buddhism]] and [[Confucianism]] as the state religions.<ref>{{cite book |last=Yamagishi |first=Keiko |editor-last1=Ferrari |editor-first1=Silvio |editor-last2=Cristofori |editor-first2=Rinaldo |title=Law and Religion, An Overview |year=2016 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FzcrDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA458 |volume=1 |page=458 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-4094-3600-3 |access-date=16 March 2024 |quote=The Tokugawa Shogunate had sanctioned Buddhism as a state religion. |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531204856/https://books.google.com/books?id=FzcrDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA458 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Calabresi2021">{{cite book |last=Calabresi |first=Steven Gow |author-link=Steven Calabresi |title=The History and Growth of Judicial Review |year=2021 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gBYoEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA458 |volume=2 |page=116 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=9780190075750 |access-date=16 March 2024 |quote=Confucianism, with its emphasis on harmony, was the prevailing "state religion", although it coexisted with Shintoism, a religion that worshipped nature gods and that was personified by the emperor. |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531204855/https://books.google.com/books?id=gBYoEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA458 |url-status=live }}</ref> Buddhism became an arm of the shogunate, and temples were used for population registration. Distinctive schools of Japanese Buddhism such as [[Zen]], [[Pure Land Buddhism|Pure Land]], and [[Nichiren Buddhism|Nichiren]] structured Japanese religious life until the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tucci |first=Giuseppe |authorlink=Giuseppe Tucci |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Korea-and-Japan |title=Buddhism § Korea and Japan |website=britannica.com |publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]] |access-date=16 March 2024 |archive-date=13 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013194541/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism/Korea-and-Japan |url-status=live }}</ref> Confucian [[Zhu Xi]]'s teaching became a major intellectual force, and the [[Four Books]] became available to virtually every educated person.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tu |first=Weiming |authorlink=Tu Weiming |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Confucianism/The-Confucian-revival |title=Confucianism § The Confucian revival |website=britannica.com |publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]] |access-date=16 March 2024 }}</ref>

==Established churches and former state churches==
{{More citations needed|section|date=March 2023}}
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Country
! Church
! Denomination
! Disestablished
|-
| [[Duchy of Anhalt|Anhalt]] || [[Evangelical State Church of Anhalt]] || [[United and uniting churches|United Protestant]] || [[German Revolution of 1918-1919|1918]]
|-
| [[Armenia]] || [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] || [[Oriental Orthodox]] || 1921
|-
| [[Austria]] || rowspan="2"|[[Roman Catholic Church]] || rowspan="2"|[[Catholic]] || [[Federal Constitutional Law (Austrian act)|1918]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[Grand Duchy of Baden|Baden]] || rowspan="5"|1918
|-
| [[Evangelical Church of Baden|United Evangelical Protestant State Church of Baden]] || [[United and uniting churches|United Protestant]] 
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[Kingdom of Bavaria|Bavaria]] || [[Roman Catholic Church]] || [[Catholic]] 
|-
| [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria|Protestant State Church in the Kingdom of Bavaria right of the Rhine]] || [[Lutheran]] and [[Reformed churches|Reformed]] 
|-
| [[Evangelical Church of the Palatinate|United Protestant Evangelical Christian Church of the Palatinate]] || [[United and uniting churches|United Protestant]] 
|-
| [[Barbados]] || [[Church of England]] || [[Anglican]] || 1968
|-
| Bolivia || rowspan="2"|[[Roman Catholic Church]] || rowspan="2"|[[Catholic]] || [[Constitution of Bolivia|2009]]
|-
| Brazil{{efn|[http://www.v-brazil.com/government/laws/titleIII.html Brazilian Laws – the Federal Constitution – The Organization of State]. V-brazil.com. Retrieved 5 May 2012. Brazil had [[Roman Catholicism]] as the state religion from the country's [[Independence of Brazil|independence]] in 1822, until the fall of the [[Brazilian Empire]]. The [[República Velha|new Republican government]] passed in 1890, Decree 119-A {{cite web|title=Decreto 119-A|url=http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/decreto/1851-1899/d119-a.htm|quote=Prohibits federal and state authorities to intervene on religion, granting freedom of religion.}} (still in force), instituting the separation of church and state in Brazilian law. [[Positivist]] thinker {{ill|Demétrio Nunes Ribeiro|pt|Demétrio Nunes Ribeiro}} urged the new government to adopt this stance. The 1891 Constitution, the first under the Republican system of government, abolished privileges for any specific religion, reaffirming the separation. This has been the case as stated in Article XIX of the 1988 [[Constitution of Brazil]] currently in force. The Preamble, however, does refer to "God's protection" over the document's [[promulgation]], but this is not considered a legal endorsement of belief in any deity.}}|| [[History of the Constitution of Brazil#Old Republic|1890]]
|-
| [[Duchy of Brunswick|Brunswick]] || [[Protestant Lutheran State Church of Brunswick|Evangelical Lutheran State Church in Brunswick]] || [[Lutheran]] || [[German Revolution of 1918-1919|1918]]
|-
| Bulgaria || [[Bulgarian Orthodox Church]] || [[Eastern Orthodox]] || 1946
|-
| [[Central African Empire]] || rowspan="4"|[[Roman Catholic Church]] || rowspan="4"|[[Catholic]] || [[Operation Caban|1979]]
|-
| Chile ||  [[Chilean Constitution of 1925|1925]]
|-
| Colombia || 1936<ref>John Gunter, ''Inside Latin America'' (1941), p. 166</ref>
|-
| Cuba || 1902
|-
| Cyprus || [[Church of Cyprus]] || [[Eastern Orthodox]] || 1977{{efn|After the death of [[President of Cyprus|President]] and [[Ethnarch]] [[Makarios III]].}}
|-
| Czechoslovakia || [[Roman Catholic Church]] || [[Catholic]] || [[Czechoslovak Constitution of 1920|1920]]
|-
| Denmark || [[Church of Denmark]] || [[Lutheran]] || &mdash;
|-
| El Salvador || [[Roman Catholic Church]] || [[Catholic]] || [[Constitution of El Salvador|1983]]
|-
| England || [[Church of England]] || [[Anglican]] || &mdash;
|-
| [[Ethiopian Empire|Ethiopia]] || [[Ethiopian Orthodox Church]] || [[Oriental Orthodox]] || [[Ethiopian Revolution|1974]]
|-
| [[Faroe Islands]] || [[Church of the Faroe Islands]] || rowspan="2"|[[Lutheran]] || Elevated from a diocese of the [[Church of Denmark]] in 2007 (the two remain in close cooperation). 
|-
|rowspan="2"| Finland || [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland]] || 1867
|-
|[[Finnish Orthodox Church]] || [[Eastern Orthodox]] || 1917
|-
|rowspan="3"| France || [[Cult of Reason]] ||rowspan="2"| N/A || 1794 (established 1793)
|-
| [[Cult of the Supreme Being]] || 1794 (banned in 1802)
|-
|| [[Roman Catholic Church]]{{efn|In France, the [[Concordat of 1801]] made the Roman Catholic, [[Calvinist]], and [[Lutheran]] churches, along with [[Judaism]], into state-sponsored religions until the [[1905 French law on the Separation of the Churches and the State]].}}|| [[Catholic]] || [[1905 French law on the Separation of the Churches and the State|1905]]
|-
| [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] || [[Georgian Orthodox Church]] || rowspan="2"|[[Eastern Orthodox]] || 1921
|-
| Greece || [[Church of Greece]] || The Church is recognized by the [[Constitution of Greece|Greek Constitution]] as the "prevailing religion" in Greece.<ref name=GreeceConstitution/>
|-
| [[Greenland]] || [[Church of Denmark]] || [[Lutheran]] || Under discussion to be elevated from the [[Diocese of Greenland|Diocese of Greenland in the Church of Denmark]] to a state church for Greenland, similar to the [[Church of the Faroe Islands|Faroese Church]].
|-
| Guatemala || rowspan="2"|[[Roman Catholic Church]] || rowspan="2"|[[Catholic]] || 1871
|-
| Haiti || [[Constitution of Haiti|1987]]
|-
| [[Kingdom of Hawaii|Hawaii]] || [[Church of Hawaii]] || [[Anglican]] || [[Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom|1893]]
|-
| [[Grand Duchy of Hesse|Hesse]] || [[Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau|Evangelical Church in Hesse]] || [[United and uniting churches|United Protestant]] || [[German Revolution of 1918-1919|1918]]
|-
| [[Honduras]] || rowspan="2"|[[Roman Catholic Church]] || rowspan="2"|[[Catholic]] || [[Constitution of Honduras|1982]]
|-
| Hungary{{efn|In Hungary, the constitutional laws of 1848 declared five established churches of equal status: the [[Roman Catholic]], [[Calvinist]], [[Lutheran]], [[Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]] Church. In 1868, the law was ratified again after the ''[[Ausgleich]]'' and in 1895 [[Judaism]] was added as the sixth established faith. In 1948, every distinction between the different denominations was abolished.<ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220121400/http://www.legislationline.org/upload/legislations/cd/86/39b1e5cc4b9b9b6a97c2830f3608.htm |date=20 February 2008 |title=Constitution of the Republic of Hungary }} (archived from [http://www.legislationline.org/upload/legislations/cd/86/39b1e5cc4b9b9b6a97c2830f3608.htm the original] on 2008-02-20)</ref><ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523210720/http://www.magyarorszag.hu/english/keyevents/a_alpolg/a_allampolgarsagemberijogok/a_alapjog20050805/a_gondlelkiismjog20060627.html |date=23 May 2007 |title=The right of thought, the freedom of conscience and religion }} (archived from [http://www.magyarorszag.hu/english/keyevents/a_alpolg/a_allampolgarsagemberijogok/a_alapjog20050805/a_gondlelkiismjog20060627.html the original] on 2007-05-23)</ref>}}|| 1946
|-
| Iceland || [[National Church of Iceland|Lutheran Evangelical Church]] || [[Lutheran]] || &mdash;
|-
|rowspan| Ireland{{efn|In the [[Kingdom of Ireland]], the [[Church of Ireland]] was established [[Reformation in Ireland|in the Reformation]].<ref name="LivingstoneSparks2013">{{cite book|last1=Livingstone|first1=E.A.|last2=Sparks|first2=M. W. D.|last3=Peacocke|first3=R.W.|title=The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DZecAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA286|year=2013|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0199659623|page=286|chapter=Ireland}}</ref> The [[Act of Union 1800]] created the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]], with the [[United Church of England and Ireland]] established outside Scotland. The [[Irish Church Act 1869]] demerged and disestablished the Church of Ireland,<ref name="LivingstoneSparks2013" /> and the island was [[Partition of Ireland|partitioned in 1922]]. The Republic of Ireland's [[Constitution of Ireland|1937 constitution]] prohibits any established religion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/en/constitution/index.html#article44|title=Constitution of Ireland|work=[[Irish Statute Book]]|at=Article 44|access-date=3 December 2014}}</ref> Originally, it recognized the "special position" of the Roman Catholic Church "as the guardian of the Faith professed by [[Roman Catholicism in Ireland|the great majority of the citizens]]", and recognized "the [[Church of Ireland]], the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland]], the [[Methodist Church in Ireland]], the [[Religious Society of Friends]] in Ireland, as well as [[Jews in Ireland|Jewish Congregations]] and the other religious denominations existing in Ireland at the date of the coming into operation of this Constitution".<ref name="KeoghMcCarthy2007">{{cite book|last1=Keogh|first1=Dermot|last2=McCarthy|first2=Andrew|title=The Making of the Irish Constitution 1937: Bunreacht Na HÉireann|date=2007-01-01|publisher=Mercier Press|isbn=978-1856355612|page=172|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bCCQAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> These provisions were [[Fifth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|deleted in 1973]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1972/en/act/cam/0005/index.html|title=Fifth Amendment of the Constitution Act, 1972.|work=[[Irish Statute Book]]|access-date=3 December 2014}}</ref>}}|| [[Church of Ireland]] || [[Anglican]] || 1871
|-
| Italy || rowspan="2"|[[Roman Catholic Church]] || rowspan="2"|[[Catholic]] || [[Lateran Treaty#History|18 February 1984]] (effective per 25 April 1985)<ref>{{Cite book|author1=Andrea Mammone|author2=Giuseppe A. Veltri|title=Italy today: the sick man of Europe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7YWKJ00Dw7QC|year=2010|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0415561594|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=7YWKJ00Dw7QC&pg=PA168 168] (Note 1)}}</ref>
|-
| [[Liechtenstein]]<ref name=LiechtensteinConstitution />  || &mdash;
|-
| [[Principality of Lippe|Lippe]] || [[Church of Lippe]] || [[Reformed churches|Reformed]] || 1918
|-
| [[Lithuania]] || [[Roman Catholic Church]] || [[Catholic]] || 1940
|-
| [[Free City of Lübeck|Lübeck]] || [[North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church|Evangelical Lutheran Church in the State of Lübeck]] || [[Lutheran]] || 1918
|-
| [[Luxembourg]] || rowspan="2"|[[Roman Catholic Church]] || rowspan="2"|[[Catholic]] || Not an official state church.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/171706.pdf|title=Luxembourg}}</ref>
|-
| [[Malta]] ||  &mdash;
|-
| [[Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin|Mecklenburg-Schwerin]] || [[Evangelical Church of Mecklenburg|Evangelical Lutheran State Church of Mecklenburg-Schwerin]] || rowspan="2"|[[Lutheran]] || rowspan="2"|1918
|-
| [[Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz|Mecklenburg-Strelitz]] || [[Evangelical Church of Mecklenburg|Mecklenburg-Strelitz State Church]] 
|-
| [[Mexico]] || rowspan="2"|[[Roman Catholic Church]] || rowspan="2"|[[Catholic]] || [[Constitution of 1857|1857]] (reestablished from 1864 to 1867)
|-
| Monaco || &mdash;
|-
| Netherlands || [[Dutch Reformed Church]] || [[Reformed churches|Reformed]] || 1795
|-
| Nicaragua{{efn|Article 47 of the Political Constitution of 1893 provided that "no legislation may be passed establishing or protecting any religion or prohibiting its free exercise." While the Constitution was promulgated in 1893, Article 161 thereof provided that it would not take effect until July 11, 1894.}} || [[Roman Catholic Church]] || [[Catholic]] || 1893<ref>{{Cite web |title=Constitución Política de Nicaragua 1893 |url=https://www.enriquebolanos.org/articulo/constitucion_nicaragua_1893 |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.enriquebolanos.org}}</ref>
|-
| [[North Macedonia]] || [[Serbian Orthodox Church]]|| [[Eastern Orthodox]] || 1920
|-
| Norway || [[Church of Norway]] || rowspan="2"|[[Lutheran]] || 2012 (effective per 1 January 2017){{efn|Since 2012, the [[Constitution of Norway]] does not name Lutheranism as the state religion, and in 2017 the Church became an independent legal entity.<ref name="regjeringen.no">[https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/offisielt-fra-statsradet/id2501869/ Offisielt frå statsrådet 27. mai 2016] regjeringen.no «Sanksjon av Stortingets vedtak 18. mai 2016 til lov om endringer i kirkeloven (omdanning av Den norske kirke til eget rettssubjekt m.m.) Lovvedtak 56 (2015–2016) Lov nr. 17 Delt ikraftsetting av lov 27. mai 2016 om endringer i kirkeloven (omdanning av Den norske kirke til eget rettssubjekt m.m.). Loven trer i kraft fra 1. januar 2017 med unntak av romertall I § 3 nr. 8 første og fjerde ledd, § 3 nr. 10 annet punktum og § 5 femte ledd, som trer i kraft 1. juli 2016.»</ref><ref name="snl.no">{{cite web|url=http://snl.no/religion_i_Norge|title=religion i Norge|first1=Tarald|last1=Rasmussen|first2=Sindre|last2=Bangstad|first3=Knut A.|last3=Jacobsen|first4=Bente|last4=Groth|date=23 April 2018|via=Store norske leksikon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://kirken.no/nb-NO/om-kirken/aktuelt/2017---et-kirkehistorisk-merkear/|title=2017 – et kirkehistorisk merkeår|date=2017-12-30|website=Den norske kirke, Kirkerådet|access-date=2017-01-02}}</ref> However, Article 16 says "The [[Church of Norway]] [...] will remain the National Church of Norway and will as such be supported by the State."<ref name=":0">[https://lovdata.no/NLE/lov/1814-05-17/a16 The Constitution of Norway, Article 16] (English translation, published by the Norwegian Parliament)</ref> The separation was official on 1 January 2017.<ref name="regjeringen.no" /><ref name="stortinget.no">[https://stortinget.no/no/Saker-og-publikasjoner/Vedtak/Beslutninger/Lovvedtak/2015-2016/vedtak-201516-056/ Lovvedtak 56 (2015–2016) Vedtak til lov om endringer i kirkeloven (omdanning av Den norske kirke til eget rettssubjekt m.m.)] Stortinget.no</ref>}}
|-
| [[Grand Duchy of Oldenburg|Oldenburg]] || [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oldenburg|Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oldenburg]] || 1918
|-
| Panama || rowspan="6"|[[Roman Catholic Church]] || rowspan="6"|[[Catholic]] || 1904
|-
| [[Paraguay]] || 1992<ref>Under the 1967 Constitution, Roman Catholicism was the state religion as stated in Article 6: "The Roman Catholic Apostolic religion is the state religion, without prejudice to religious freedom, which is guaranteed in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. Official relations of the republic with the Holy See shall be governed by concordats or other bilateral agreements." The 1992 Constitution, which replaced the 1967 one, establishes Paraguay as a secular state, as mentioned in section (1) of Article 24: "Freedom of religion, worship, and ideology is recognized without any restrictions other than those established in this Constitution and the law. The State has no official religion."</ref>
|-
| Peru || [[Constitution of Peru|1993]]
|-
| Philippines{{efn|The Philippines was among several possessions [[Treaty of Paris (1898)|ceded]] by [[Spain]] to the [[United States]] in 1898; religious freedom was subsequently guaranteed in the archipelago by the American colonial government. This was codified in the [[Philippine Organic Act (1902)]], section 5: "...{{nbsp}}That no law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, and that the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed." A similarly-worded provision still exists in the [[1987 Constitution|present Constitution]], promulgated in 1987. While neither a state nor national church, the [[Catholic Church in the Philippines]] remains the predominant faith of the people, still wielding considerable political and cultural influence.}}|| [[Treaty of Paris (1898)|1898]]
|-
| Poland{{efn|Article 25 of [http://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/angielski/kon1.htm the constitution] states: "1. Churches and other religious organizations shall have equal rights. 2. Public authorities in the Republic of Poland shall be impartial in matters of personal conviction". Article 114 of the Polish [[March Constitution of Poland|March Constitution of 1921]] declared the Roman Catholic Church to hold "the principal position among religious denominations equal before the law" (in reference to the idea of ''[[primus inter pares|first among equals]]''). This was continuously enforced by Article 81 of the [[April Constitution of Poland|April Constitution of 1935]]. The [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-backed [[PKWN Manifesto]] of 1944 reapplied the March Constitution, which remained in force until it was replaced by the [[Small Constitution of 1947]].}}|| [[Small Constitution of 1947|1947]]
|-
| Portugal{{efn|Until the end of the [[Monarchy of Portugal|monarchy]] in 1910, Roman Catholicism was considered the state religion. From the 1940s until the promulgation of official secularism in the [[Portuguese Constitution of 1976]], it was a powerful institution under the ''[[Estado Novo (Portugal)|Estado Novo]]'' regime that had ended in the 1975 [[Carnation Revolution]].{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}}}|| [[5 October 1910 revolution|1910]] and [[Constitution of Portugal|1976]]
|-
| [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]]<br />(pre-1866 provinces) || [[Evangelical State Church of Prussia's older Provinces]] (nine ecclesiastical provinces) || [[United and uniting churches|United Protestant]] || rowspan="7"|1918
|-
| rowspan="2"|Prussia<br />([[Province of Hanover]]) || [[Evangelical Reformed Church - Synod of Reformed Churches in Bavaria and Northwestern Germany|Evangelical Reformed State Church of the Province of Hanover]] || [[Continental Reformed church|Reformed]] 
|-
| [[Evangelical Lutheran State Church of Hanover]] || [[Lutheran]] 
|-
| rowspan="3"|Prussia<br />([[Province of Hesse-Nassau]], partially)|| [[Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau|Evangelical State Church of Frankfurt upon Main]] || rowspan="3"| [[United and uniting churches|United Protestant]] 
|-
| [[Evangelical Church of Hesse-Kassel and Waldeck|Evangelical Church of Electoral Hesse]] 
|-
| [[Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau|Evangelical State Church in Nassau]] 
|-
| Prussia<br />([[Province of Schleswig-Holstein]]) || [[North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church|Evangelical Lutheran Church of Schleswig-Holstein]] || [[Lutheran]] 
|-
| Romania || [[Romanian Orthodox Church]] || rowspan="2"|[[Eastern Orthodox]] || [[Socialist Republic of Romania|1947]]
|-
| Russia || [[Russian Orthodox Church]] || [[February Revolution|1917]]
|-
| [[Kingdom of Saxony|Saxony]] || [[Evangelical Lutheran State Church of Saxony]] || rowspan="2"|[[Lutheran]] || rowspan="2"|1918
|-
| [[Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe|Schaumburg-Lippe]] || Evangelical Lutheran State Church of Schaumburg-Lippe 
|-
| Scotland{{#tag:ref|The modern Church of Scotland has always disclaimed recognition as an "established" church while remaining the national church. The Church of Scotland Act 1921 formally recognised the Kirk's independence from the state.}} || [[Church of Scotland]] || [[Presbyterian]] || "The Kirk" remains the national church, with state control disclaimed since 1638. Not an established faith per the [[Church of Scotland Act 1921]].
|-
| [[Serbia]] || [[Serbian Orthodox Church]] || [[Eastern Orthodox]] || 1920
|-
| [[Spain]] || [[Roman Catholic Church]] || [[Catholic]] || [[Spanish Constitution of 1978|1978]]
|-
| [[Sweden]] || [[Church of Sweden]] || rowspan="2"|[[Lutheran]] || 2000
|-
| [[Thuringia]] || [[Evangelical Church in Thuringia|Church bodies in principalities which merged in Thuringia in 1920]] || 1918
|-
| [[Tuvalu]] || [[Church of Tuvalu]] || [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]] || &mdash;
|-
| [[Uruguay]] || [[Roman Catholic Church]] || [[Catholic]] || [[Constitution of Uruguay of 1918|1918]] (effective since 1919)
|-
| United States{{efn|The [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] to the [[Constitution of the United States|U.S. Constitution]] explicitly forbids the [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]] from enacting any law respecting a religious establishment, and thus bans either designating an official church nationwide, or interfering with [[U.S. state|State]] and local official churches—which were common when the First Amendment was enacted. It did not prevent [[state government]]s from establishing official churches. [[Connecticut]] continued to do so until it replaced its colonial [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Charter]] with the [[History of Connecticut#The 1818 Constitution (1818–1890)|Connecticut Constitution of 1818]]; Massachusetts retained an establishment of religion in general until 1833.<ref>{{Cite book|author=James H. Hutson|title=Religion and the new republic: faith in the founding of America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YwW_g8qr68MC|year=2000|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0847694341|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=YwW_g8qr68MC&pg=PA22 22]}}</ref> Until its substitution by Article of Amendment XI in 1834, Article{{nbsp}}III of the Massachusetts constitution's bill of rights provided, "...{{nbsp}}the legislature shall, from time to time, authorize and require, the several towns, parishes, precincts, and other bodies politic, or religious societies, to make suitable provision, at their own expense, for the institution of the public worship of God, and for the support and maintenance of public Protestant teachers of piety, religion and morality, in all cases where such provision shall not be made voluntarily."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts|url=https://malegislature.gov/Laws/Constitution|access-date=2024-08-29|website=malegislature.gov}}</ref>

The [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourteenth Amendment]] to the [[Constitution of the United States|U.S. 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 Education]], the [[Supreme Court of the United States]] held that this later provision [[Incorporation (Bill of Rights)|incorporates]] 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 raised to the Supreme Court — especially as the Court must now balance, on a state level, 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 prayer]] for such a controversy in contemporary American politics.

All current State constitutions do mention a Creator, but include guarantees of religious liberty parallel to the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]]. The constitutions of eight states ([[Arkansas]], [[Maryland]], [[Mississippi]], [[North Carolina]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[South Carolina]], [[Tennessee]], and [[Texas]]) also contain clauses that forbid atheists from holding public office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.godlessgeeks.com/LINKS/StateConstitutions.htm |title=State Constitutions that Discriminate Against Atheists |publisher=godlessgeeks.com |access-date=2007-04-27 |archive-date=17 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017080217/http://www.godlessgeeks.com/LINKS/StateConstitutions.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/texas.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970718183906/http://religioustolerance.org/texas.htm
|url-status=usurped
|archive-date=18 July 1997
|title=Religious laws and religious bigotry – Religious discrimination in U.S. state constitutions |publisher=religioustolerance.com |access-date=2007-04-27}}</ref> However, these clauses were held by the Supreme Court to be unenforceable in the 1961 case of ''[[Torcaso v. Watkins]]'', where the Court ruled unanimously that such clauses constituted a religious test incompatible with the religious test prohibition in [[no religious test clause|Article{{nbsp}}6 Section{{nbsp}}3]] of the Constitution.

The Anglican [[Church of Hawaii]] was the state church of the [[Kingdom of Hawaii]] from 1862 until the [[Monarchy of Hawaii|monarchy]] was [[Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom|overthrown]] in 1893, with the islands formally annexed by the United States in 1898.}}
 || none since 1776, which was made explicit in the [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]] in 1792 || N/A || N/A{{efn|Some state legislatures required all its citizens to be members of a church and some had official churches, such as [[Congregational church|Congregationalism]] in some [[New England]] states (e.g. [[Massachusetts]]). This eventually ended in 1833 when Massachusetts was the last state to disestablish its church. See [[Separation of church and state in the United States]].}}
|-
| Venezuela || [[Roman Catholic Church]] || [[Catholic]] || [[Constitution of Venezuela|1999]]
|-
| [[Waldeck (principality)|Waldeck]] || [[Evangelical Church of Hesse-Kassel and Waldeck|Evangelical State Church of Waldeck and Pyrmont]] || [[United and uniting churches|United Protestant]] || 1918
|-
| [[Wales]]{{efn|The [[Church in Wales]] was split from the [[Church of England]] in 1920 by [[Welsh Church Act 1914]], and at the same time becoming disestablished.}}|| [[Church of England]] || [[Anglican]] || 1920
|-
| [[Kingdom of Württemberg|Württemberg]] || [[Evangelical State Church in Württemberg]] || [[Lutheran]] || 1918
|}

==Former confessional states==
The list of former confessional states only includes states that abolished their state religion themselves, not states with a state religion that were conquered, fell apart or otherwise disappeared.

===Buddhism===
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Country
! Denomination
! Disestablished
|-
| [[Kingdom of Laos|Laos]]
| rowspan="2"|[[Theravada Buddhism]]
| 1975<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://media.bloomsburyprofessional.com/rep/files/laos-constitution-1947-1949-englishx.pdf|title=Laos Constitution 1947/1949|access-date=30 April 2022|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005011550/https://media.bloomsburyprofessional.com/rep/files/laos-constitution-1947-1949-englishx.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)|Thailand (Siam)]]
| [[Constitution of Thailand#1932 constitution|1932]]
|-
| [[Tokugawa Shogunate]]
| [[Buddhism in Japan|Japanese Buddhism]]
| 1868
|}

===Hinduism===
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Country
! Disestablished
|-
| [[Kingdom of Nepal|Nepal]]
| {{ubl|2008 (''de facto'')<ref name="Nepal Trouw">{{cite news |title=Nepal scheidt hindoe en staat |trans-title=Nepal separates Hindu and state |author=ANP |work=[[Trouw]] |date=15 September 2015 |access-date=24 March 2023 |url=https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/nepal-scheidt-hindoe-en-staat~b5a1e16f/ |language=nl}}</ref>|2015 (''de jure'')<ref name="Nepal Trouw"/>}}
|}

===Islam===
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Country
! Denomination
! Disestablished
|-
| [[Sudan]]
| rowspan="3"|[[Sunni Islam]]
| [[2019–2026 Sudanese transition to democracy#Religion/state separation and recognition of diversity (September 2020)|2020]]<ref name="Atit">{{Cite news |url=https://www.voaafrica.com/a/africa_south-sudan-focus_sudans-government-agrees-separate-religion-and-state/6195464.html |title=Sudan's Government Agrees to Separate Religion and State |author=Michael Atit |work=Voice of America |date=4 September 2020 |access-date=8 September 2020}}</ref>
|-
| [[Tunisia]]
| [[2022 Tunisian constitutional referendum|2022]]<ref name="auto"/>
|-
| [[Turkey]]
| [[Turkish Constitution of 1924#Amendments|1928]]{{efn|The [[Turkish Constitution of 1924]] was amended for the first time on 10 April 1928, including removing ''inter alia'' Article 2 and the provision of "Religion of the Turkish state is Islam".<ref>beykent.edu.tr, [http://kampus.beykent.edu.tr/Paylasim/Dosyalar/Anayasalar_129807210772392500.pdf TC Anayasaları, 1921, 1924, 1961 ve 1982 Anayasalarını karşılaştırılması] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224041757/http://kampus.beykent.edu.tr/Paylasim/Dosyalar/Anayasalar_129807210772392500.pdf |date=24 February 2020 }} {{in lang|tr}}</ref>}}
|}

===Shinto===
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Country
! Denomination
! Disestablished
|-
| [[Empire of Japan|Japan]]
| [[State Shinto]]
| [[Constitution of Japan|1947]] (''de facto'')<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=sjintô |encyclopedia=[[Encarta]] Encyclopedie [[Winkler Prins]] |date=2002 |publisher=Microsoft Corporation/Het Spectrum |language=nl}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Constitutional references to God]]
* [[Blasphemy law]]
* [[Ceremonial deism]]
* [[Church tax]]
* [[Civil religion]]
* [[Confessional state]]
* [[Divine rule]]
* [[Elite religion]]
* [[Institutional theory]]
* [[List of national legal systems]]
* [[Major religious groups]]
* [[Nonsectarian]]
* [[Phyletism]]
* [[Religious education]]
* [[Religious law]]
* [[Religious toleration]]
* [[Religious intolerance]]
* [[Supremacism#Religious|Religious supremacism]]
* [[Secular religion]]
* [[Secularism]]
* [[Secularity]]
* [[Secularization]]
* [[Separation of church and state]]
* [[Sociology of religion]]
* [[State atheism]]
* [[Status of religious freedom by country]]
* [[Secular state]]
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Rowlands, John Henry Lewis (1989). ''Church, State, and Society, 1827–1845: the Attitudes of John Keble, Richard Hurrell Froude, and John Henry Newman''. Worthing, Eng.: P. Smith [of] Churchman Publishing; Folkestone, Eng.: distr.{{nbsp}}... by Bailey Book Distribution. {{ISBN|1850931321}}

==External links==
* [https://english.caucasianjournal.org/2024/09/professor-andreas-takis-state-religion.html ''Professor Andreas TAKIS: "A State Religion Is Problematic for Both Church and State"''] — ''Caucasian Journal'', 09.09.2024.
* {{cite journal |last=McConnell |first=Michael W. |date=April 2003 |title=Establishment and Disestablishment at the Founding, Part I: Establishment of Religion |journal=William and Mary Law Review |volume=44 |issue=5 |page=2105 |url=https://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002019127&er=deny |access-date= |archive-date=4 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604032724/http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002019127&er=deny |url-status=dead }}
{{Religious persecution}}
{{Relpolnav}}{{Discrimination}}
{{Religion topics |state=expanded}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Religion and politics]]
[[Category:Separation of church and state]]
[[Category:Religious discrimination]]
[[Category:Religious nationalism]]
[[Category:Religious policy]]