Religion and the State

Throughout the broad sweep of history, religion and politics have been inextricably linked, both within the microcosm of the United Kingdom and globally. ¹ Foreign policies have been dictated by crusade and jihad; political power and influence has vested in ecclesiastical authorities; and minority faiths have been disadvantaged through overt oppression or ostensibly neutral but, in reality, discriminatory practices. This chapter considers the subtle but meaningful way in which the State and religion engage one with another within the United Kingdom. Starting with a critical analysis of the nature of the established Church of England, consideration is given to religious organisations as voluntary associations enjoying an institutional relationship with the State on behalf of its members. The chapter then examines the facilitative function of the twenty-first century pluralist State which enables religious diversity to flourish. What emerges is a long-standing – though occasionally misunderstood – constitutional settlement in which the spiritual has a valued and protected place in society by which the traditional relationship between the Church of England and the State serves to facilitate the flourishing of other religious organisations yet preserves their institutional autonomy and freedom of belief.