Established Church

Established Church is a church that has been given official status and support by a country or state, often with the head of state playing a significant role in its governance, as seen in the cases of the Church of England and the Church of Scotland. This relationship between the church and state can be complex, involving various degrees of involvement and influence, as exemplified by the Roman Catholic Church's historical ties with the Holy Roman Empire and the Vatican City's current status as a sovereign city-state. The concept of an established church has evolved over time, with notable examples including the Eastern Orthodox Church in Greece and the Lutheran Church in Denmark. The establishment of a church can have significant implications for the country's Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Human Rights Act, as seen in the United Kingdom's Act of Settlement 1701 and the United States' First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Definition and Overview

An established church is typically characterized by its official recognition and support from the state, which can involve financial support, representation in the government, and a role in the country's Ceremony of the Keys and other national events, such as the Coronation of the British monarch. This relationship can be seen in the historical ties between the Church of England and the British monarchy, as well as the Presbyterian Church in Scotland and the Scottish Parliament. The establishment of a church can also involve the appointment of Bishops and other high-ranking clergy by the head of state, as is the case with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Monarch of the United Kingdom. The concept of an established church has been influenced by various Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Protestant Reformation, which has led to the development of different models of church-state relationships, such as the Erastianism of Thomas Erastus and the Separatism of Roger Williams.

History of Established Churches

The history of established churches dates back to the early Christian Church, when the Roman Empire recognized Christianity as the official state religion, as seen in the Edict of Milan and the Council of Nicaea. This relationship between church and state continued through the Middle Ages, with the Catholic Church playing a dominant role in European politics, as exemplified by the Papal States and the Holy Roman Empire. The Protestant Reformation led to the establishment of new churches, such as the Church of England and the Lutheran Church, which were often closely tied to the state, as seen in the Act of Supremacy 1534 and the Treaty of Westphalia. The Enlightenment and the French Revolution led to a decline in the power of established churches, with the Separation of church and state becoming a key principle in many countries, as seen in the United States Constitution and the French Constitution.

Characteristics and Implications

Established churches often have a number of characteristics, including official recognition, financial support, and representation in the government, as seen in the Church of England's role in the British Parliament and the Presbyterian Church in Scotland's role in the Scottish Parliament. The establishment of a church can also involve the appointment of clergy by the head of state, as is the case with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Monarch of the United Kingdom. The implications of an established church can be significant, with potential impacts on the country's Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Human Rights Act, as seen in the United Kingdom's Act of Settlement 1701 and the United States' First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The relationship between church and state can also influence the country's Foreign policy, as seen in the Vatican City's diplomatic relations with other countries and the Holy See's role in international organizations, such as the United Nations.

Examples of Established Churches

There are several examples of established churches around the world, including the Church of England in the United Kingdom, the Church of Scotland in Scotland, and the Lutheran Church in Denmark. Other examples include the Eastern Orthodox Church in Greece and the Russian Orthodox Church in Russia. The Catholic Church has also been established in several countries, including Vatican City and Liechtenstein. The establishment of a church can have significant implications for the country's Politics, as seen in the United Kingdom's House of Lords and the Scottish Parliament's Presiding Officer. The relationship between church and state can also influence the country's Culture, as seen in the United Kingdom's BBC and the Scottish Government's Cultural policy.

Separation of Church and State

The concept of the separation of church and state has become increasingly important in many countries, with the United States being a notable example, as seen in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Supreme Court of the United States's decisions on Separation of church and state. The separation of church and state can involve the removal of official recognition and support for a particular church, as well as the establishment of a neutral or secular government, as seen in the French Revolution's Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the Turkish Constitution's Secularism. The implications of the separation of church and state can be significant, with potential impacts on the country's Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Human Rights Act, as seen in the United States' Establishment Clause and the European Convention on Human Rights's Article 9.

Contemporary Status and Debates

The concept of an established church remains a topic of debate in many countries, with some arguing that it is an important part of the country's Heritage and Identity, as seen in the United Kingdom's Church of England and the Scottish Government's Cultural policy. Others argue that the establishment of a church can be seen as a form of Discrimination and that the separation of church and state is essential for a fair and equal society, as seen in the United States' First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the European Court of Human Rights's decisions on Freedom of religion. The relationship between church and state continues to evolve, with many countries grappling with the implications of an established church in a modern, Multicultural society, as seen in the United Kingdom's Multiculturalism policy and the Scottish Government's Interfaith dialogue initiatives. The Vatican City's diplomatic relations with other countries and the Holy See's role in international organizations, such as the United Nations, also continue to influence the global debate on the role of established churches in modern society. Category:Christianity