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.
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.
Additionally, a few countries have communal local leadership structures which are sometimes hostile to foreign religions, despite official legal requirements for tolerance.
[3][4][5] According to US government reports, about one quarter of the countries in Oceania have had no significant breaches of the freedom of religion;[6][7] a similar proportion have recorded incidents of violence against religious minorities in the 21st century, against Hindus (Fiji[8]), Jews (Australia[9][10]) and Muslims (New Zealand[11] and Papua New Guinea,[1] with other countries having significant quantities of anti-Muslim political discourse[8][12]).
Antisemitism is present in Australian society, manifesting primarily in the form of attacks on synagogues, ranging in severity from vandalism to arson and bombings.
[23] A small community of Ahmadiyya Muslims (~20 people as of 2017) have reported discrimination, including both the denial of government services and vandalism against their property.
The constitution further states that religious belief may not be used as an excuse for disobeying the law, and formally limits proselytization on government property and at official events.
[8] Religion, ethnicity, and politics are closely linked in Fiji; government officials have criticized religious groups for their support of opposition parties.
In 2017, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces issued a press release stating that Methodist leaders were advocating for the country to become "a Christian nation" and that this could cause societal unrest.
Later that year, following an online post by an Indian Muslim cleric visiting the country, a significant amount of anti-Muslim discourse was recorded on Fijian Facebook pages, causing controversy.
[27] Two islands in Kiribati, Arorae and Tamana, maintain a "one-church-only" tradition, refusing to build any religious structures other than a single church.
[28] The Ahmadiyya Muslim community in the Marshall Islands has reported that it faces difficulties interacting with the government, as well as harassment in general society.
[28] The constitution of Nauru establishes the freedom of conscience and expression, although it provides that these rights may be limited by any law which is "reasonably required".
Blasphemous libel is a crime in New Zealand,[31] but cases can only be prosecuted with the approval of the Attorney-General and the defence of opinion is allowed: "It is not an offence against this section to express in good faith and in decent language, or to attempt to establish by arguments used in good faith and conveyed in decent language, any opinion whatever on any religious subject."
[6] The constitution of Papua New Guinea establishes the freedom of religion and religious practice, provided that it does not infringe on the rights of others or public interest.
[1] Churches operate roughly half of the educational and medical institutions in the country, and receive government subsidies to provide these services.
Public schools provide one hour of non-compulsory religious education per week; in practice, few students opt out of these lessons.
[38] The public school curriculum includes an hour of optional weekly religious education, with the content determined by the Solomon Islands Christian Association.
The constitution forbids commercial transactions on Sundays in accordance with the Christian Sabbath, although the tourism industry is granted some exceptions from this rule.
[39] Religious organizations are not required to register with the government, but may do so in order to receive tax exemptions, the right to issue legally recognized marriage certificates, and other privileges.
It establishes Tuvalu as an "independent state based on Christian principles, the Rule of Law, and Tuvaluan custom and tradition".
[3] Religious organizations whose adult membership comprises at least 2% of the population of Tuvalu are required to register with the government or face prosecution.
Additionally, all religious groups, regardless of size, must register with and gain approval from the traditional elder councils (falekaupule) of any island on which they wish to publicly practice their religion.