State Church

A State Church is an official religious organization directly supported and established by a government. In this system, the government recognizes a particular religion as the national or official faith, often involving state funding, legal privileges, and influence over religious practices. This close relationship can impact religious freedom for other faiths and shape national identity and policies. Examples include the Church of England in the UK and the historically official churches in Scandinavian countries. While some State Churches maintain independence, their official status typically signifies a formal tie between religion and state authority.