State-Controlled Religion Is the Death of Religious Freedom

State control of religion is a practice that has long been in operation in more totalitarian regimes like China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Nicaragua. One of the reasons for this push for control is that the religious sector often serves as the moral compass of society. Religious organizations and their leaders are key public figures, able to influence millions of people with a message that may contradict the political narrative. The late Archbishop Desmond Tutu is an example of one who spoke truth to power. His Nobel Peace Prize recognized the key role that faith communities and their leaders can play in a nation’s sociopolitical life.