Confessional state facts for kids

A confessional state is a country that officially recognizes and supports a specific religion. This usually means the government encourages its citizens to follow that religion and often includes public religious ceremonies.

Throughout history, many countries have been confessional states. This was very common in places where Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism were the main religions. The idea that different religions should be allowed to exist freely, known as religious pluralism, is quite new. Before the 1900s, most nations had an official state religion written into their laws or declared by their monarch (ruler), even if other religions were sometimes allowed.

How Did Confessional States Work?

Not all confessional states were the same. Some large empires allowed different religions to be practiced in the areas they ruled. For example, the Mongol Empire had its own court religion called Tengrism. However, they did not force this religion on the people they conquered.

Empires and Different Religions

The Achaemenid Empire and the Roman Empire (before Emperor Constantine I) also allowed local religious leaders and practices to continue. This was usually fine as long as people offered sacrifices to the Roman Gods and paid taxes to Rome.

Life for Religious Minorities

In confessional states, people who belonged to Religious minorities (groups with different beliefs) were treated differently. Sometimes they had certain legal rights, but these rights might not always be easy to use. For instance, in medieval Europe, Jewish people sometimes faced unfair treatment from the government and society. In Islamic states during the same time, non-Muslims (called dhimmi) had fewer legal rights than Muslims but were given some protections.

A Big Change in Europe

After many religious wars in Europe, especially following the Protestant Reformation, a major agreement was made in 1648. This was the Treaty of Westphalia. It introduced a rule called cuius regio, eius religio, which means "whose realm, his religion." This rule meant that the ruler of a state had the right to decide the official religion for everyone living in their territory. This helped to reduce religious conflicts.

Confessional States in the United States

Before the American Revolution, several of the Thirteen Colonies were confessional states, each with a different official Christian group. Connecticut remained a confessional state until 1818. Other American states required towns or individuals to support some religious group, even if the state didn't pick which one. This practice was also eventually stopped, with Massachusetts being the last to end it in 1843.

Confessional States Today

Today, confessional states are much less common in Western countries. However, they still exist in some parts of the world, especially in the Middle East. The form of government known as the Islamic republic is still quite common there. Many modern countries have a state religion but also allow freedom of religion for their citizens. Examples include England, which is an Anglican confessional state; Costa Rica, which is a Catholic confessional state; and Russia, which is an Orthodox Christian confessional state.

Confessional State vs. Theocracy

Sometimes, people confuse a confessional state with a theocracy. A confessional state has an official religion, but it doesn't mean religious leaders directly rule the country. In a theocracy, religious leaders or religious laws have direct control over the government. Some people argue that a country like Poland is a confessional state, not a theocracy. Others might see them as similar.

See also

• Confessionalism (religion)
• Separation of church and state
• Elite religion
• Divine rule
• State religion

In Spanish: Estado confesional para niños