The Historical Development and Definition of a Secular State

This Chapter explains the historical development of the concept of secularism in the Western world and introduces the definition of a secular state. This is essential for understanding the specific characteristics of Turkish secularism as construed by the Turkish Constitutional Court referring to the differences between the historical development and organizational structure of Islam and Christianity. In a second step, the Chapter draws the definition of a secular state expounding its fundamental requirements: the freedom of religion and the separation of state and religion. These concepts are explained in detail in light of the Turkish Constitutional Court and the ECtHR judgments and by referring to the possible constitutional frameworks.