State Religion IGCSE Global Perspectives

A state religion (also called an official religion, established church or state church) is a religious body or creed officially endorsed by the state. Practically, a state without a state religion is called a secular state.

Difference between a "state church" and "state religion". A "state church" is created by the state, as in the cases of the Anglican Church, created by Henry VIII or the Church of Sweden, created by Gustav Vasa. An example of "state religion" is Argentina's acceptance of Roman Catholicism as its religion.

The following states recognize some form of Christianity as their official religion Jurisdictions which recognize Roman Catholicism as their state or official religion: Costa Rica, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Some cantons of Switzerland, Vatican City (Holy See). Jurisdictions which recognize one of the Eastern Orthodox Churches as their official religion: Cyprus, Finland (along with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland), Greece. Jurisdictions which recognize one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches as their official religion: Armenia. Jurisdictions which recognize a Lutheran church as their official religion: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Germany. Jurisdictions which recognize an Anglican church as their state religion: England (as part of the greater United Kingdom) - Church of England. Jurisdictions which recognize a Reformed church as their official religion: Scotland (as part of the greater United Kingdom) - Church of Scotland, Some cantons of Switzerland, Netherlands.

Countries which recognize Islam as their official religion: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen etc. Governments which recognize Buddhism, either a specific form of, or the whole, as their official religion: Bhutan, Cambodia, Kalmykia, a republic within the Russian Federation (Tibetan Buddhism - sole Buddhist entity in Europe), Thailand, Tibet Government in Exile. Israel is defined in several of its laws as a "Jewish and democratic state". However, the term "Jewish" is a polyseme that can relate equally to the Jewish people or religion.