Lessons 3 · 1 lessons · Z. Islomov, D. Rahimjonov, J. Najmiddinov, N. Ismatova. History of world religions, Grade 11, 1st edition. Yangiyul Poligraph Service, Tashkent, 2018
3
State and religion
Textbook: pp. 18–22
GoalDistinguish the main models of state–religion relations; describe the legal basis of the separation of religion from the state and of freedom of conscience in Uzbekistan.
New words
secular state · dunyoviy davlatfreedom of conscience · vijdon erkinligistate religion · davlat dinireligious organisation · diniy tashkilot
Explanation
State–religion relations have varied historically: in some periods religion dominated state life, in others religion was officially denied. Today specialists divide states, loosely, into several groups: states that give a religion the status of state religion (for example Qatar, Pakistan, Costa Rica), secular states that separate religion from the state (for example France under the 1905 law, the United States under the First Amendment of 1791), states that have a special agreement with a particular church, and states without an official religion. Such grouping is relative: one state can show features of several groups; for instance in the United Kingdom the Church of England is the established church, yet freedom of belief is guaranteed. Under the Constitution of Uzbekistan religious organisations are separated from the state and equal before the law; the state does not interfere in their internal activity, and religious organisations do not interfere in state affairs (except in cases provided by law). These matters are regulated in detail in the Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations”, adopted in a new edition in 2021, which sets out everyone’s right to hold or not hold a belief, the freedom to choose one’s religion, and the legal grounds for restrictions. The Committee on Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers coordinates the work of religious organisations.
Worked examples
In France the 1905 law established the separation of state and church; therefore it is cited as an example of the “laïcité” model of secularism.
In Qatar’s Constitution Islam is defined as the state religion; in Costa Rica the Catholic religion has the status of state religion. In such states the treatment of other religions is regulated under varying legal conditions.
Class activity
Working with a legal text: find the general provisions of the Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations” on lex.uz and note at least three principles in your own words.
Practice
1
Name at least three groups of states by their state–religion relations.
States with a state religion; secular states separating religion from the state; states without an official religion (also states with a special agreement).
2
What does the separation of religion from the state mean in Uzbekistan?
The state does not interfere in the internal affairs of religious organisations, nor do they interfere in state affairs; all organisations are equal before the law.
3
Does the concept of freedom of conscience include the right not to hold a belief? Justify.
Yes: it guarantees equal rights both to citizens who follow religious views and to those who do not, and does not permit persecution.
4
Why does the “separation of religion from the state” not mean the “separation of religion from society”?
Because believers are a part of society and have their place in civil society; the separation only distinguishes the functions of the state and of religious organisations.