Freedom of religion in North America by country

The constitution of Antigua and Barbuda establishes the freedom of religious belief in the country. Members of clergy are not allowed to run for political office. The law decriminalizing marijuana for any use has eased relationships with the Rastafari community, although in 2022 there were still issues regarding children with traditional Rastafari hairstyles attending some schools. The law prohibits religious instruction in public schools; private schools are allowed to provide this and parents can also homeschool their children. == The Bahamas ==

The constitution of the Bahamas provides for the freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on belief. The country has no state religion, although the preamble to its constitution mentions "Christian values". Obeah is illegal in the Bahamas, punishable by a jail sentence. This law, however, is traditionally unenforced. Similarly, laws prohibiting the publication of blasphemy (with exceptions for opinions "expressed in good faith and in decent language") are also unenforced. Religious education is available in schools and focusses mainly on Christianity; in 2022 there were issues regarding children with traditional Rastafari hairstyles attending some schools. The government is looking at legislation in regards to Rastafarians and traditional drug use. == Barbados ==

The constitution of Barbados provides for the freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on creed; there is a law against "blasphemous libel" but it is unenforced. Religious groups are allowed to establish private schools and provide religious instruction, with some support from the government; education in Christian values is taught in primary schools, with several religions being taught at secondary level (students may opt out). Representatives of the Rastafari community have objected to mandatory vaccinations for schoolchildren. == Belize ==

The Constitution of Belize establishes the freedom of religion. Discrimination on religious grounds is illegal. A law against blasphemy is unenforced. The Belize Council of Churches and the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches appoint one senator to the senate of Belize with the approval of the Governor-General. The law also establishes that prisoners in jails must have their religious beliefs respected and accommodated. Religious groups are required to register with the government in order to operate in the country. Religious groups are exempt from certain taxes. Foreign religious workers are required to purchase a religious worker's permit and register with the government. The public school curriculum for primary schools includes non-denominational "spirituality" classes that introduce world religions, as well as ethics and morals associated with religion; in 2022 there were issues regarding children with traditional Rastafari hairstyles attending some schools. Most public schools are managed by Christian churches. A few schools are run by non-Christian religious groups. ==Canada==

Religious freedom in Canada is a constitutionally protected right as part of Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, allowing believers the freedom to assemble and worship without limitation or interference. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is entrenched in the Constitution, states in the preamble that Canada "is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law." Freedom of religion as also guaranteed. The Supreme Court of Canada, in the case of Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd., [1985] (1 S.C.R. 295) ruled that a 1906 statute that required most places to be closed on Sunday did not have a legitimate purpose in a "free and democratic society," and was an unconstitutional attempt to establish a religious-based closing law (see Blue law.) There is no established church, however religious groups can qualify for tax-exemption. Religious schools are run throughout the country; Catholic and Protestant schools in Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have the right to public funding. In 2022, Pope Francis traveled to Canada and gave an apology to the Indigenous peoples for "the evil" committed in former residential schools. == Costa Rica ==

The constitution of Costa Rica establishes Roman Catholicism as the state religion and provides it with special privileges and funding. The constitution also prohibits the government from interfering with the free practice of religion. Religious groups with at least ten members may register with the government in order to be able to raise funds and own property. There is no penalty for not being registered, other than a lack of access to these privileges. Religious marriage ceremonies other than those conducted by the Catholic Church are not recognized by the government. Couples married through such ceremonies must also obtain a civil union in order to have their marriage legally recognized. All public schools must provide general Christian religious instruction for all students, in a respectful way which promotes moral values and tolerance. == Cuba ==

The constitution of Cuba establishes the freedom of religion and prohibits religious discrimination. However, penal codes are enforced against anyone who is a member of an unregistered group or anyone who attempts to conscientiously object to military service, with fines and prison terms as punishment. Following the Cuban Revolution, in the 1960s Cuba's government polemicized against the Catholic Church, which was accused of being Francoist and anti-communist, and priests were imprisoned and harassed by the government. Additionally, the Communist Party of Cuba did not allow non-atheists to become party members. The government, however, continues to restrict the Catholic Church's communications and only allows it to receive funding from sources that it approves. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights noted that in 2022, 67% of people knew someone who had faced harassment due to their religious faith. == Dominica ==

The constitution of Dominica provides for the freedom of religion and thought. The government subsidizes the salaries of teachers at private religious schools; public schools typically include optional non-denominational prayers in morning assemblies. Rastafarian hairstyles are officially banned in schools and jails, but this is not enforced; possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is legal and Rastafarians have noted authorities did not enforce marijuana laws when the community used it in its religious rites. Religious groups may register with the government in order to receive non-profit status, hold a worship service or carry out a wedding. == Dominican Republic ==

The constitution of the Dominican Republic provides for the freedom of religion. Catholicism is the state religion and the Catholic Church receives special privileges, such as subsidies for clergy salaries and the transfer of property to the Church. Non-Catholic religious groups can register with the government in order to receive custom duties exemptions and to be allowed to officiate marriages. Public schools include religious studies classes with either Catholic or evangelical Protestant curricula. Parents can choose to have their children skip such classes, and private schools are not required to provide them. Private religious schools may offer their own religious curricula. == El Salvador ==

The constitution of El Salvador provides for the freedom of religion and prohibits religious discrimination. Publicly offending others' religious beliefs or damaging religious objects is punishable by imprisonment. Members of the clergy may not hold senior government positions, and are forbidden from joining political parties. Religious groups may register with the government for the purposes of tax-exemption and acquiring building permits. Special visas are required for individuals who wish to travel to El Salvador to engage in proselytizing. during Covid, all visits were banned and in 2022, these had not been resumed. == Grenada ==

The constitution of Grenada establishes the freedom of religion. The country's legal code bans the publication of blasphemy, but this is not enforced in practice. Religious groups may register in order to receive tax exemption and to sponsor missionaries from outside the country. == Guatemala ==

The constitution of Guatemala establishes the freedom of religion. While it is not a state religion, the Catholic Church is recognized as "a distinct legal personality" that receives certain privileges. According to the constitution, no member of the clergy of any religion may serve as president, vice president, government minister, or as a judge. Registration for religious groups is not required, but provides access to property purchase and tax exemptions; registration can take up to two years. The constitution includes a commitment to protect the rights of indigenous Maya groups to practice their religion. Mayan religious groups are allowed to use historical sites on government-owned property for ceremonies. However, representatives of Mayan groups have complained that their access is limited and subject to other obstacles, such as being required to pay fees. Public schools may choose to offer religious instruction, but there is no national framework for such classes. Private religious schools are allowed to operate. == Haiti ==

The constitution of Haiti establishes the freedom of religion. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs oversees and monitors religious groups and laws affecting them. While Catholicism has not been the state religion since 1987, a 19th century concordat with the Holy See continues to confer preferential treatment to the Catholic Church, in the form of stipends for clergy and financial support to churches and religious schools. The Catholic Church also retains the right to appoint certain amounts of clergy in Haiti without the government's consent. In the past, the government did not recognize marriages performed by Haitian Vodou practitioners, despite it being a registered religion; government officials claim that they are working with the Vodou community to establish a certification process for their clergy in order to resolve this issue. Representatives of the Vodou community have reported social stigma against their communities, and discrimination in employment. In the past, Muslims in jail did not reliably have access to halal food and Muslim clergy due to a lack of resources. == Honduras ==

The constitution of Honduras establishes the freedom of religion. however, the constitution prohibits religious leaders from holding elected office or publicly making political statements. Public schools are required to teach secular curricula. Private religious schools are also operated by several Christian denominations. In the past, conscientious objection to military service has been protected by law, including objection on religious grounds. In the past, some opposition politicians have regularly used antisemitism rhetoric in their political statements. Some Protestant pastors have been elected to government positions and serve on government advisory bodies. The government has also included Catholic or Protestant prayers as part of official events and ceremonies, which has been criticized by representatives of other religious groups. == Jamaica ==

The constitution of Jamaica establishes the freedom of religion and outlaws religious discrimination. A colonial-era law criminalizing Obeah and Myal continues to exist, but has rarely been enforced since Jamaica's independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. ==Mexico==

The Constitution of Mexico and other laws establish and protect the freedom of religion in Mexico. In 2023, the country was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom. == Nicaragua ==

The constitution of Nicaragua prohibits religious discrimination and establishes the freedom of religion. It declares that Nicaragua has no state religion, but it also empowers government controlled, community-level organizations called Family Committees to promote "Christian values" at a community level. ==Panama==

The Constitution of Panama provides for freedom of religion, and prohibits discrimination based on religion. The constitution recognizes Catholicism as the religion of the majority of citizens; religious education which focusses on Roman Catholicism must be taught in all public schools, although pupils may officially opt out of this. == Saint Kitts and Nevis ==

The constitution of Saint Kitts and Nevis establishes the freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination. Religious organizations are not required to register with the government, but doing so adds them to a database through which the government sends up to date information about policies regarding religion, and allows them to operate as charities. == Saint Lucia ==

The constitution of Saint Lucia establishes the freedom of religion, and prohibits religious instruction without consent in schools, prisons, and the military. An anti-blasphemy law remains part of the legal code of Saint Lucia but is not enforced. The government requires religious organizations with more than 250 members to register with the government. Upon registering, the groups can further apply for concessions such as tax breaks. In 2023, Saint Lucia was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom. == Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ==