Edward nz

Bangladesh on the secular states map

Hi Edward,

Bangladesh is set to return to secularism in a few days. Will you be able to change the map and give a green color to Bangladesh on it?--Bazaan (talk) 00:53, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

East Timor is a secular state even if the word "secular" is not mentioned. East Timor should be added to the list and map of secular states.

According to the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of East Timor:

Section 12 (Relationship between the State and religious denominations)

1. There shall be no official religion of the State.

2. The State shall respect the different religious denominations, which are free in their organisation and in the exercise of their own activities, to take place in due observance of the Constitution and the law.

3. The State shall promote the cooperation with the different religious denominations that contribute to the well-being of the people of East Timor.

4. The religious denominations have the right to possess and to acquire assets for the achievement of their objectives.

The first paragraph of section 12 of the East Timorese Constitution which forbids the establishment of an official religion of the State, and the second, third and fourth paragraphs of section 12 which correspond with the arguement that "A secular state is a concept of secularism, whereby a state or country purports to be officially neutral in matters of religion, supporting neither religion nor irreligion.", perfectly shows that the state of East Timor is secular. The lack of the word "secular" in a constitution does not always and automatically apply that a state is not secular. The content of section 12 of the East Timorese Constitution definately proves it otherwise. Therefore East Timor should be added to the list and map of secular states.

See:eastimorlawjournal.org Constitution of the Democratic Republic of East Timor —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.104.211.39 (talk) 21:51, 17 January 2010 (UTC)

The map of secular states is incorrect.

England, Iceland, Moldavia, Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Slovakia and Thailand are not secular states. Source: [1]

And why is the whole UK shown as a secular state? The Church of England, which is the established church of England. Only Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are secular inside the UK.

East Timor is a secular state according to Section 45 of the East Timorese constitution, which stipulates the separation of religion from the state. Source: East Timor Constitution Section 45 talk —Preceding undated comment added 21:56, 13 February 2010 (UTC).