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Religious Freedom Summary* (1997) The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects this right in practice. In August the legislature voted to establish a national day to observe traditional religious practices, thereby affording traditionalist beliefs a status similar to that of more established religions, such as Christianity and Islam and implicitly recognizing them as part of domestic culture. The designation does not convey special status to traditional beliefs. President Kerekou, an evangelical Christian, has been criticized in the press for public statements against certain traditional religious practices and for expressing views that might violate the principle of separation of church and State. *Source: County Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997, U.S. Department of State |