Equality principle and status of predominant religion (traditional religious denomination) in the Baltic States.

Abstract

The public polls in all the Baltic States show that in average about 70% of citizens believe in Churches and that’s are incredibly more then for Parliament or Parties. The according to the Lithuania Law on Religious Communities and Associations traditional religious communities and associations are those which are part of the historical, spiritual and social heritage of Lithuania. There is no state religion in Latvia as well. The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia (Satversme) does not mention any specific religion. The Latvian legislation (unlike that of Lithuanian) contains no concept of "traditional" denominations. No such distinction is drawn in the Law on Religious Organisations and that Law does not list religions or religious denominations that are regarded as traditional. In the Estonia, the church - state relations are governed not only by general laws, but also by formal agreements between the State and Churches.