International Encyclopedia of law-Religion: Ethiopia

Religion has had a profound impact in the public sphere in Ethiopia, influencing politics, laws and public institutions and the state in general. The state started to dissociate itself from religion in the early 1970s following the demise of the imperial regime that declared the Ethiopian Orthodox Church a state religion. The military regime (1974-1991) adopted not only secularism but also anti-religious rhetoric and forced the Church to take a back-seat in public sphere. Since the military junta was toppled in 1991, the state and religion have officially been separated and religious communities have relatively been enjoying religious freedom. However, state and religion relationship is said to be undergoing fundamental changes as a result of, among others, religious freedom, and religious pluralism and diversity guaranteed. While the Orthodox Church is in retreat in terms of its dwindling influence and numbers of its followers, the Evangelical Church and Islam have shown growing activism. Growing religious renaissance has given rise to concerns. Government officials and some commentators claim that religious fundamentalism is taking root in the nation, particularly among Muslim community that has experienced an unprecedented religious freedom. The state seems poised to re-define its relationship with religious communities. However, a comprehensive statute that defines their relationships has not been put in place. A state and religion relationship is rather based on pieces of provisions inserted in constitutional text, statutes and by-laws. The absence of such law makes it difficult, if not impossible, to have a clear picture on the role of religion in public sphere and of the state in religious affairs. On top of this there are few cases shedding light on state and church relationship. However, the state, among others, is not to financially support any religious group. Notion of religious financing and church taxation are thus not recognized in Ethiopia. This Monograph presents a glimpse of factual situation of religious groups in Ethiopia and discusses legal framework on religious freedom and state and religion relationships.

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1QjobQC
via IFTTT