Established Religions and Religious Institutions
A state religion (or established church) is a religious body officially endorsed by the state. A theocracy is a form of government in which a God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler. The opposite are secular states, in which the government does not formally adopt a particular religion.
Read more about this topic: Religious Law
Famous quotes containing the words established, religions, religious and/or institutions:
“Justice is what is established; and thus all our established laws will necessarily be regarded as just without examination, since they are established.”
—Blaise Pascal (1623–1662)
“This Administration has declared unconditional war on poverty and I have come here this morning to ask all of you to enlist as volunteers. Members of all parties are welcome to our tent. Members of all races ought to be there. Members of all religions should come and help us now to strike the hammer of truth against the anvil of public opinion again and again until the ears of this Nation are open, until the hearts of this Nation are touched, and until the conscience of America is awakened.”
—Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–1973)
“The English are probably the most tolerant, least religious people on earth.”
—David Goldberg (b. 1939)
“I envy neither the heart nor the head of any legislator who has been born to an inheritance of privileges, who has behind him ages of education, dominion, civilization, and Christianity, if he stands opposed to the passage of a national education bill, whose purpose is to secure education to the children of those who were born under the shadow of institutions which made it a crime to read.”
—Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825–1911)