Establishment

The term establishment has several meanings:

Establishment of Religion

With regard to religion, establishment is the act of assigning a religion the status of an official, state-supported church. Contemporary examples include the Anglican Church in the United Kingdom, and Ithna Ashari Shia Islam in Iran. Some countries, such as Germany and Finland, grant an official status to more than one church, with privileges such as the state collection of church taxes on their respective members. During the Protestant Reformation in Europe, the issue of which church was to be the established one was highly contentious, as Protestant and Catholic states fought, not only each other, but also dissident factions within their borders on the basis of official religion.

Related Topics:
Anglican Church - United Kingdom - Ithna Ashari - Shia Islam - Iran - Germany - Finland - Protestant Reformation - Europe - Protestant - Catholic

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The first amendment to the United States Constitution forbids Congress from making any law with respect to an "establishment of religion." Here the term "establishment" refers to an official religion similar to the Church of England, with which the Constitution's authors were quite familiar. This so-called "Establishment Clause" complements the first amendment's protection of the "free exercise" of religion, by limiting government entanglement with religion (whereas the "Free Exercise Clause" is more focused on preserving individual freedom of conscience).

Related Topics:
Establishment of religion - Church of England

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