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Testing Durhams’s Theory of State-Religion Relations and Religious Freedom Using the Religion and State Dataset

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  • Jonathan Fox
  • Ariel Zellman

Abstract

This study tests W. Cole Durham, Jr.’s argument that “strong positive and strong negative identification of church and state correlate with low levels of religious freedom” using new data from the Religion and State dataset round 4 (RAS4) focusing on sub-Sharan Africa and the post-Communist East European and Central Asia (PCEECA) region. We find that governmental discrimination against religious minorities as well as government restrictions and regulation of the majority religion in these regions follow the predicted pattern. However, societal discrimination is low in states where governments are hostile to religion and rise as they move along the spectrum toward governments which more strongly support religion.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Fox & Ariel Zellman, 2026. "Testing Durhams’s Theory of State-Religion Relations and Religious Freedom Using the Religion and State Dataset," The Review of Faith & International Affairs, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(2), pages 65-82, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rfiaxx:v:24:y:2026:i:2:p:65-82
    DOI: 10.1080/15570274.2026.2657686
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