Patterns of Religion State Relations

Abstract

This chapter examines the relationship between religion and state across the world's legal systems and its implications for human rights implementation. It first considers two continua with which the nature of religion-state relations in a particular society may be assessed: the religious freedom continuum (the extent to which state action or inaction results in interference with religious belief and conduct) and the identification continuum (the extent to which governmental institutions are identified with—or separated from—religious institutions and beliefs). It then discusses the various structural types of religion-state systems and their features and presents a few representative examples: theocratic states, endorsed religions, preferred sets of religions, cooperationist regimes, accommodationist regimes, separation, laïcité, secular control regimes, and abolitionist states. It also describes attitudinal types of religion-state systems.