The status of religious freedom in North America varies from country to country. States can differ based on whether or not they guarantee equal treatment under law for followers of different religions, whether they establish a state religion (and the legal implications that this has for both practitioners and non-practitioners), the extent to which religious organizations operating within the country are policed, and the extent to which religious law is used as a basis for the country's legal code.

There are further discrepancies between some countries' self-proclaimed stances of religious freedom in law and the actual practice of authority bodies within those countries: a country's establishment of religious equality in their constitution or laws does not necessarily translate into freedom of practice for residents of the country. Additionally, similar practices (such as having religious organizations register with the government) can have different consequences depending on other sociopolitical circumstances specific to the countries in question.

Every country in North America includes provisions for the freedom of religion or freedom of conscience in its constitution. Several countries also have formally outlawed discrimination on religious grounds,US State Department, 2022 report on JamaicaUS State Department, 2022 report on NicaraguaUS State Dept, 2022 report on Bahamas and according to US State Department reports many countries in the region have no outstanding issues regarding breaches of religious freedom due to government intervention or societal pressure.US State Department 2022, report on Antigua and Barbuda Seven countries have blasphemy laws which have been part of their legal codes since the British colonial era, but which are not currently enforced. Rastafarians face discrimination and obstacles to religious practice in many countries in the region, often due in part to countries outlawing cannabis, which is used in Rastafarian religious rituals. Roman Catholicism is the state religion of a few countries in North America,US State Department, 2022 report on Costa RicaUS State Department, 2022 report on the Dominican Republic and a couple more provide preferential treatment to the Catholic Church despite not officially establishing it as a state religion.US State Department, 2022 report on GuatemalaUS State Department, 2022 report on Haiti

Antigua and Barbuda

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;US State Dept, 2022 report on Barbados 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.US State Dept, 2022 report on Belize

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., (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.US State Dept, 2022 report on Canada

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.Oliva, Enrique Lopez. "Religious reawakening: stirrings in Cuba." "> 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.US State Dept, 2022 report on Cuba

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. Since the 1980s, the government of Cuba has taken an increasingly permissive stance towards religious practice, first thawing relations with Protestant groups which were encouraged to practice their religion, and then later inviting Pope John Paul II in the 90s to visit the country (all subsequent popes have made official visits to Cuba since then).Jim Yardley, "Praising Pope, Cuban President says he might return to Church." New York Times May 11, 2015 A4. The government, however, continues to restrict the Catholic Church's communications and only allows it to receive funding from sources that it approves.

Homeschooling is illegal in Cuba.

In 2022, Freedom House rated Cuba's religious freedom as 3 out of 4.Freedom House website: Cuba - Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights noted that in 2022, 67% of people knew someone who had faced harassment due to their religious faith.

A 2023 report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide found that documented freedom of religion violations more than doubled from 272 in 2021 to 657 in 2022. Violations included harassment, arbitrary detention, restrictions on movement and travel, prevention from attending religious services, confiscation of goods and property and attacks on social media.Christian Solidarity Worldwide website, 2023 report on Cuba

Dominica

The constitution of Dominica provides for the freedom of religion and thought.US State Department, 2022 report on Dominica

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.US State Dept, 2022 report on El Salvador

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.