Editorial Note by the Editor-in-Chief

Abstract

The main comparative surveys of religion-related legislation in the various Member States of the EU confirm three main assumptions, namely that:
a) religion has been, and continues to be, extremely influential in the legal and social regulation of nearly all Member States,
b) the regulation of religion is not harmonised, since there are very diverse and different approaches to the regulation of religion in the Member States, mirroring the diversity of national cultures and identities,
c) Member States which until recently had been characterised by their religious and cultural homogeneity, have been transformed into multi-religious communities and have re-evaluated, or are in the process of re-evaluating, their legislation and social policies in order to address this challenge.