The Constitution of Belgium guaranteed the right to freedom of religion when it was enacted in 1831.
Articles 19-21 provide for protections of secularism: the Constitution of Belgium guarantees the freedom of worship and its public practice, forbids the obligation of any religious practices, and disallows government intervention or involvement in a religion's leadership.
[4] Religion has declined in Belgium, though Catholicism still remains large among the Belgian population.
[7] Due to pillarization which is in place in Belgium, irreligious individuals and families who desire to receive counseling and celebration for life moments often go to institutions of organized secularism, including secular organizations or liberal philosophical organizations (Dutch: vrijzinnige levensbeschouwelijke organisaties, French: organisations laïques) which are headed and led by clergy-like officials known as "counsellors".
[citation needed] Organized secularism is recognized by Belgium as a philosophy that exists alongside religious groups and receives state funding.