Freedom of belief or religion is considered in democratic countries to be a fundamental human right and is enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Freedom of religion includes the right to change religion or not to have any religion. It also covers the freedom to practice the chosen religion and its various rites.

Freedom of religion does not, however, cover practices that do not conform to the laws of the state. For instance while Islam and some breakaway Mormon sects permit or advocate polygamy, most democratic countries including the United States and Britain insist on monogamy and bigamy is a criminal offense.

Forced marriages and honor killings, which are acceptable in some Islamic countries, are illegal in democratic countries, although they still occur.