The countries at the forefront of religious freedom?

Question

* Australia
* India
* Turkey
* United States of America
* Canada


These are about the only countries in the world that do not recognize a religion or select religions as official religions.

Thank GOD we in the US are on the cutting edge.

http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/List_of_state_established_religions#Christian_countries

So, I don't want to hear it from too many other countries about how religiously intolerant we in the United States are. Anyone can come here and practice any religion they want, within reason (obviously, ritual human sacrifice and such are not permitted....)

WRONG -- check out the link I posted -- almost ALL European countries HAVE official religions. England is officially Anglican. Scandinavian countries -- Lutheran.

India is a Pluralist State that recognizes any and all religions and beliefs. Although, it's populace constitutes of a Hindu majority (~80% Hindus, ~14% Muslims, ~2% Christians, ~%4 Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Jews, etc.), India is a truly Secular state with a constitutionally and administratively guaranteed freedom to practice ANY religion; and a lot of Government policies favor the minority religions more than Hinduism, in fact.

The constitution, the laws, educational and administrative practices have been ensured to be devoid of any influence of Hinduism or any other religion, whatsoever. The country is a true cultural and religious melting pot.

All the western European countries have official religions.... Britain - Anglican -- France- Roman Catholic -- Scandinavians - Lutheran.... the list is too long to reprint. Clink on my link above, and scroll down.

Answer 1

How about Vatican City?

The Catholic Church forcefully speaks out for freedom of religion for all.

In the Vatican II document, Declaration on Religious Freedom, Dignitatis Humanae (Human Dignity), the Church states:

The human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html

Turkey: http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1128/pope.html

India: http://www.milligazette.com/dailyupdate/2006/20060606_freedom_religion_communalism.htm

Europe: http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2FREED.HTM

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

You are right. Only a handful of nation states recognize the secular rule of a separate church and state as well as tolerance towards non-majority religions.

It is sad considering 191 members of the United Nations and around 260+ recognized states around the world that you can count those that openly support freedom of religion and a strong secular state on less than two hands.

One state, no objective or reasonable person of history could possibly consider is Vatican City.

The Vatican is and remains the largest economic entity in the world. See:
http://one-faith-of-god.org/final_testament/end_of_darkness/truth/truth_0020.htm

It has so much wealth that if it dedicated just 10% of its treasure to helping the world it could solve all world poverty, homelessness, unemployment in a couple of years.

Moreso, The Vatican and Popes have been wholly dedicated to the suppression of human rights, freedoms and the development of spiritual and secular knowledge for almost 20 centuries.

See the Almanac of Evil showing an unbroken history of evil.
http://one-faith-of-god.org/final_testament/end_of_darkness/evil/evil_0190.htm

Answer 3

what are India and Turkey doing in your list?

and you forgot almost all Western European countries