Does church qualify as a state?
No.
To determine if a church qualifies as a state, we need to understand the definitions of both terms.
A church is typically defined as a religious organization where people gather to worship and practice their faith. On the other hand, a state is a political entity with its own government that has sovereignty over a specific territory and its people.
In most cases, a church is not considered a state. However, there are historical examples where religious institutions held significant political power and could be seen as quasi-states. For instance, during the medieval period, the Papal States were territories in Italy ruled by the Pope, making the Vatican City a theocratic state.
In modern times, the relationship between church and state varies across countries and depends on the legal and political systems in place. Some countries have a clear separation between church and state, where religious organizations do not have direct political authority. Others may have a religious institution that is intertwined with the state, such as an official state religion.
To determine if a particular church qualifies as a state, it is important to examine the specific context, the laws governing the region, and the level of political and legal authority the church holds.