Final answer:
A state governed by religious leaders with strict religious laws is known as a theocracy, where a deity or divinely guided officials rule, contrasting with secular states that separate religion from civil law.
Step-by-step explanation:
A state that is controlled by religious leaders and imposes strict religious restrictions on its citizens is known as a theocracy. This type of government recognizes a god or a deity as the state's supreme ruler, or it may be governed by officials considered to be divinely guided. Theocratic governments enforce theonomic laws and are characterized by the religious hierarchy's control over the state's administrative functions, unlike secular states where there's a separation of church and state.
Examples of theocracies can be seen in history as well as in modern times, where religious codes, such as the Sharia in Islamic states, take precedence over civil law. In contrast, secular states like Turkey tend to separate religious and civil matters, promoting laws based on democratic consensus rather than religious doctrine.
It's important to note that not all countries with a state religion are theocracies. For instance, England has the Church of England as its state church, but it does not impose strict religious laws upon its citizens. The church has a significant presence in national institutions, but there is also a respect for the freedom of individuals to practice other religions within the bounds of generally applicable neutral laws.