Bennett Briggs

Considered one of the least religious countries in the world, Estonia has less that 30 percent of residents who claim that religion is an important part of their daily lives. Roughly 54 percent of those who responded to the census claimed no religion and another 17 percent declined to answer. Of those who do affiliate with religion, a mere 380,000 of the countries 1.3 million inhabitants, about half belong to one of the two Orthodox Churches: the Estonian Orthodox Church, subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate, and the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church. About 8 percent of the population is Lutheran. The remaining believers are from other, mostly Christian, denominations.

The constitution of Estonia allows everyone the freedom to worship how they wish as long as it is not detrimental to public order, health, or morals. While the law allows religious groups to congregate and collectively worship, it also determines and regulates the activities of churches. Religious Associations must be registered in both country and city courts. Each group is required to have a governing management board made up of legally registered citizens. In general however, these are merely for the formation of the association and after these requirements are met there is very little government oversight. Religious organizations are treated as tax-exempt organizations and enjoy legal protections under the law as long as they are registered.

Basic religious instruction is optional and available in public and private schools if students request it.