We used Barrett, Kurian, and Johnson’s (2001, pp. 834-35) tabulations to measure
the presence or absence of a state religion. These classifications are clearer in some cases
than in others. In some of the straightforward situations, the constitution designates an
official state church and restricts or prohibits other forms of religion. However, even
without these designations or prohibitions, the government may systematically favor a
religion through subsidies and tax collections or through the teaching of religion in public
schools. These considerations caused Barrett,et al
, to classify some countries as having
a “state religion,” despite the absence of an official state church in the constitution.
Controversial cases in this category include Italy, Portugal, and Spain, which are