Simply defined, freedom of religion is the ability of persons to be religious or not, the ability to believe (respond to what one perceives as the divine), the ability to worship alone or collectively, and the ability to change religion, all without interference by the state or government. Religious freedom is determined largely by a government's attitude toward religion. The shorthand term for this is "church–state relations." There are four basic historic categories of church–state relations:
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Hostility. Here government opposes religion because religious belief is perceived to compete with the government for the loyalty of the people. The government tries to suppress religion or tightly control it so that it might serve the state. Religious freedom does not exist.
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Establishment. Establishment is an official relationship between religion and civil authority. Government approves of, supports, and promotes a religion. The state benefits because it relies on religion to teach people to be moral and to obey civil law. Religion benefits because it utilizes the state's police power to compel people to believe and worship correctly. Religious freedom prevails for those practicing the favored religion; it is restricted for those adhering to disfavored religions.
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Toleration. This may be called "establishment light." Among the religions in the country, the government favors one. It allows others to exist; it tolerates them. The favored religion receives political and financial benefits, but the others do not. Tolerated religions exist at the pleasure of the government, which may repress or destroy them at any time. Religious freedom is rather complete for adherents of the favored religion. It is available to tolerated religions too, but the government may withdraw toleration, causing religious freedom to disappear.
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Disestablishment/ religious freedom. Here there is no official relationship between religion and government. Religion exists without support or opposition from the government. Religious diversity thrives. Freedom of belief is absolute; one can believe in any religion or none. Religious action is prevented only when it is contrary to public welfare.
