Freedom of Religion in the Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights — The Impact of the European Court of Human Rights on the Development of Church—State Relations in Europe

Abstract

Freedom of religion naturally belongs to the fundament of Europe. Church—state relations, however, were shaped in different ways throughout history in different countries and regions and still show a great variety. The present study examines haw far the emerging case law of the ECHR jurisprudence has in impact in the convergence of church—state relations in Europe. Beyond the shifting boundearies of rights of individuals and religious communities, the character of church—state relations may change and changes may show a kind of convergence of models of State and Church.