State religion

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A State Religion is, quite simply, the endorsement or enforcement of a particular religion by a state. The former position, with England as an example, whilst far from being ideal, is at least, for the most part, benign. The latter position, that of enforcement, has given rise to much loss of life and liberty over the centuries, and even today a number of countries have repressive policies regarding their state religion and severe punishments that may be meted out to those who break them.[1]

State Religions have often been used to upheld nationalist regimes, such as Nazi Germany's use of "Positive Christianity" and the development of "State Shinto" in Imperial Japan. There is also the Religion of the State as exemplified in "Communist" China and formerly in the USSR.

(antidisestablishmentarianism was once the longest word in the OED - it's something to do with the subject - it was later floccinaucinihilipilification - now - pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis)

Contents

Examples

Christianity

Islam

Buddhism

  • Tibet's government-in-exile

Atheism

England

The state religion or Established Church of England is "The Church of England" or "Anglican Church" [3], familiarly known as the "C of E"., and was founded by Henry VIII to get round the papal ban on his desires for possible manchild bearing spouses.

Some senior clergy actually have the right, by virtue of their job, to sit in the upper house of the legislature (House of Lords). The bishops of the C of E are also (nominally) selected from a shortlist by the monarch (in fact, by the Prime Minister). The other methods of gaining entry to the House of Lords, (originally gained by virtue of their birth) are, of course, perfectly legitimate.

The fact that the religion is officially part of the government gives the clergy an influence out of proportion to the size of their denomination.

U.S.A.

Don't be tempted to do it, U.S.A.

Oh shit, see dominionism, and all the crazy people who think it's a good idea!

Video Games

In the video game Civilization IV, a state religion increases the happiness of citizens where the religion is found. However, a state religion also sours relationships with any nation with a different state religion, virtually guaranteeing war with non-coreligionists after 200 years, at higher difficulty levels.

Additionally, states which adopt "Free Religion" as their "state religion" enjoy a +10% research bonus. So, abandoning your state religion boosts your scientific productivity. And they say videogames aren't educational.

Religion can also be a good source of gold. Unlike real life...

Not to mention that you only get culture bonuses for each religion present if you don't repress them by adopting a state religion.

Footnotes

  1. See: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria, Israel, etc., etc.
  2. Sort of...
  3. http://www.cofe.anglican.org/
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