Official State Religions

Conflict between religious and political spheres of society occurs in countries throughout the world. Such conflict is especially evident where the state recognizes one religion as official.

Official religions are granted financial subsidies by the government. In some countries, the clergy are paid by the state and public funds are used to construct churches or other religious structures. Some monarchies require the king or queen to belong to the state church, and the monarch is regarded as the titular leader of the church.

In the past, many states maintained policies of overt or implicit discrimination against those who did not accept the official state religion. Today, most economically developed countries guarantee freedom of religious expression and belief. Nevertheless, official religions still exert considerable influence on public policy and law. The Koran, or holy scripture of Islam, is recognized as the basis of civil law throughout much of the Arab world. Similarly, the Roman Catholic Church figures prominently in Italian civil law. Until recently, divorce was forbidden in Italy on the grounds that it is not allowed by the Church.

In Israel, long-standing controversy concerns attempts by groups of Orthodox Jewish rabbis to require nationwide adherence to standards of conduct on the Sabbath. Some Orthodox Jews have advocated strict limitations on shopping, sporting activities, and other worldly pursuits during the Sabbath. The sale of alcoholic beverages is forbidden in several Muslim-dominated Middle Eastern countries because the Koran forbids Muslims from alcohol consumption.

Many American communities have debated standards of conduct on Sundays. In some areas, "blue laws'" prohibit or restrict the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, attendance at gambling and sporting events, and the opening of retail outlets. Blue laws also extend to the organization of space in the vicinity of churches and other places of worship. Some communities enforce laws prohibiting the operation of taverns, gambling establishments, or "adult" bookstores within a specified distance of a church or synagogue.

Religion, Language, and Literacy. Religious belief and practice is often closely related tolanguage and literacy. Holy writings are central toChristianity. Judaism, and Islam. For many centuries.Judaism has emphasized education, in part so that eachmember of the Jewish community would be able to readand interpret the holy writings of the faith. At varioustimes. Christians and Muslims have also emphasizededucation.

Language was an important aspect of the schism between Catholics and Protestants during the Reformation. Early Protestants opposed the Catholic practice of using Latin in religious services. Prior to the Reformation. Roman Catholic services were conducted in Latin, despite the fact that only priests and other educated people could speak that language.

Because Protestant theology emphasizes the role of faith in salvation, it has generally encouraged each person to read the Bible independently so as to strengthen his or her faith. As European civilization diffused around the world. Protestant missionaries worked to translate the Bible into non-European languages, and this effort continues today.

Liberation Theology. In countries where religion is subsidized by the state, religious leaders may exert considerable influence on government policy. In other places, religious leaders havebeen instrumental in efforts to oppose state policies. InLatin America, opposition to repressive government policy has been developed into a theological system calledliberation theology. Liberation theology is the belief that conditions of widespread social and economic injustice call for one's commitment to the political liberation of the oppressed.

The vast majority of Latin America's population is Roman Catholic, and Catholicism is the official state religion of many Latin American countries. In general, Latin Americans have regarded both the state and the Church as institutions intent on preserving the status quo and upholding vast disparities in wealth and social status. Some Church leaders and theologians have adopted liberation theology as a means to promote what they believe to be divine justice.

Leaders of the liberation theology movement have been active in promoting land reform and the redistribution of wealth in Latin America. Many are at the forefront of opposition to military regimes and other repressive governments in their countries. Thus, liberation theology has given religious content to popular dissatisfaction with repressive governments and their policies.