Religion and the Greek constitution: a challenge for liberal democracy

Abstract

Although Greece is commonly considered as a Western democracy, ethnic and religious considerations. seem to affect the concept of citizenship diffused in Greek society. The constant reference of the church throughout Greek history and the exploitation of religion operated by the state have preserved a communitarian vision of belonging and exclusion. Several waves of nationalist propaganda have eventually reinforced a religious vision of citizenship and introduced an ethnic connotation. This orientation is supported by the constitution, where religion represents a source of exclusion. Among the factors that contributed to distancing the Greek Constitution from its liberal models, the Ottoman organization in millet, the integration of the Philhellenes' vision in the policy of the church, and the incorporation of the latter in state administration during the Bavarian Monarchy appear as relevant. In this study a socio legal analysis of relevant constitutional articles is proposed in the light of historical considerations.