This variable indicates the extent to which the freedom of citizens to exercise and practice their religious beliefs is subject to actual government restrictions. Citizens of whatever religious belief should be able to worship free from government interference. Additionally, citizens should be able to hold no religion at all.
Citizens should be able to freely practice their religion and proselytize (attempt to convert) other citizens to their religion as long as such attempts are done in a non-coercive, peaceful manner.
Members of the clergy should be able to advocate partisan political views freely, oppose government laws, support political candidates, and otherwise freely participate in politics without fear of government prosecution.
Some important questions to consider include: Does the government respect rights to religious expression, including the freedom to publish religious documents in foreign languages? Does religious belief affect membership in a ruling party or a career in government? Does the government prohibit promotion of one religion over another, or discriminate on the grounds of religion or belief? Does the government restrict the teaching or practice of any faith? Does the government discriminate against minority religious groups?
Scoring Scheme:
Government restrictions on religious practices are:
(0) Severe and Widespread
(1) Moderate
(2) Practically Absent
Type of variable: Categorical
Downloaded by QoG on: 2023-08-29 Last updated by source: 2023-08-27