Public Funding of Religions in Europe

’Public funding of religions is an important subject of debate today in Europe. Within eighteen well-documented chapters, gathering different national points of view with timely historical insights, this book represents a major contribution to this key question, so complex to solve. It is a high-level reflection led by the best specialists.’ Vincente Fortier, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Strasbourg University, France ’In contemporary Europe, direct and indirect financial aid to religious organizations represents a key testing ground for relations between religion and the State. This scholarly volume is ample testimony not only to the importance of the topic in our critical understanding of these relations but also of the value which the State places on religious activities as they contribute to social vitality. This impressive collection of studies offers profound insights on the issues, principles and challenges faced in this field of law and religion.’ Norman Doe, Cardiff University, UK ’From historical compensations and privileges to the status of not for profit organizations, this essential publication shows that public funding of religions in European legal systems is a clear expression of the evolution from institutionalized systems of church-state relationships to systems based on the fundamental rights of individuals.’ Miguel Rodríguez Blanco, University of Alcalá, Spain