Definition

1. Noun:
   • A state ruled by religious authority: A political entity where the government's power and legal system are derived from, and subject to, religious doctrine and leadership.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Historically, the Vatican City is an example of a church-state.
  • The concept of a church-state was common in medieval Europe.
  • The constitution explicitly prohibits the establishment of a church-state.

Advanced Usage

• "the church-state relationship": Refers to the dynamic or legal framework governing the interaction between religious institutions and the government.
  • The debate focused on the proper church-state relationship in a modern democracy.

Variants and Related Words

• Theocracy (n): A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god. (This is a closely related, often synonymous concept).
• Secular state (n): A state that is officially neutral in matters of religion, supporting neither religion nor irreligion. (This is an antonymous concept).

Synonyms

• Theocracy: Government by religious authorities.
• Ecclesiastical state: A state governed by a church.

Related Phrases

• Separation of church and state: The principle that government and religious institutions should be independent of each other. (This is a key opposing principle).
  • The First Amendment guarantees the separation of church and state.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. a state ruled by religious authority