Established religion
Also called: State religion, Official religion · Topic: Secularism: Western and Indian Models · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 8 "Secularism"
Meaning
An established religion is the official religion of a state. The state is not run by priests, but it gives one faith a special, formal place. It is also called a state religion or official religion. NCERT (Class 11, Secularism) says a truly secular state has no theocracy and no established religion. India has no official religion.
Example
In England, the Anglican Church has been the established church since the 16th century. Under Art. 2 of its 1973 Constitution, Pakistan makes Islam the state religion. (NCERT says "Sunni Islam", but the Constitution says Islam.) Under Art. 9 of its Constitution, Sri Lanka gives Buddhism the "foremost place".
Don't confuse with
- Theocracy: here priests rule the state directly, as in the medieval Papal States. With an established religion, ordinary political leaders govern, and one faith only gets official status.