ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the distinctive nature of religious and cultural pluralism creates an inroad for understanding the ability of government to deal with the phenomenon. The state–religion agreements are identical with regard to issues like religious assistance to the military or to convicts, the relationship between civil procedures and religious wedding ceremonies, and access to mass-media. The chapter focuses on Italian policies in the field of religious freedom. It serves as a background against the discussed specific problems that arise when Muslims constitute a significant presence in a given country and reasons why the relationship between Islam and the European states tends to be problematic. The state's interest in promulgating state–religion agreements with identical provisions, coupled with the religion's interest in reaching an agreement quickly and easily, has produced an effect called "imperfect pluralism". Spain has introduced general religious liberty legislation as well as a Concordat with the Catholic Church.
