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I don't agree that such a tax is a good idea, but consider the following: 1. If it bothers the Germans, why don't they change it? Is there some concordat that

I don't agree that such a tax is a good idea, but consider the following: 1. If it bothers the Germans, why don't they change it? Is there some concordat that makes it difficult? 2. Do I really have a right to comment given that I'm not German? Does it really makes sense for you to apply what are presumably post-revolution, secular French standards to Germany? 3. "co-opted by the church to act as their debt collectors " -- sounds conspiratorial. You think the Church is all-powerful and able to do that? Tithing isn't new. 4. "disgusting and no longer of this day and age" -- appeals to time period are rather silly. We're not talking about fashion, and it's important not to fall prey to the Idol of Progress. 5. Interesting that more religious countries, like Germany's neighbor Poland, have no such tax.

jacquesm 9y ago
> If it bothers the Germans, why don't they change it? Is there some concordat that makes it difficult? The church is still very powerful in Germany. > Do I really have a right to comment given that I'm not German? You have a right to your opinion about what is happening in a country even if you are not living there. > Does it really makes sense for you to apply what are presumably post-revolution, secular French standards to Germany? It is fairly exceptional to see the state harnessed to do a private institution's bidding like this. > "co-opted by the church to act as their debt collectors " -- sounds conspiratorial. You think the Church is all-powerful and able to do that? Tithing isn't new. That it isn't new doesn't mean there is a place for it today. The state and the church should be firmly separated. In Germany this is - not yet - the case. > "disgusting and no longer of this day and age" -- appeals to time period are rather silly. We're not talking about fashion, and it's important not to fall prey to the Idol of Progress. It's not the 15th century any more. > Interesting that more religious countries, like Germany's neighbor Poland, have no such tax. My point exactly.

jacquesm 9y ago

> If it bothers the Germans, why don't they change it? Is there some concordat that makes it difficult? The church is still very powerful in Germany. > Do I really have a right to comment given that I'm not German? You have a right to your opinion about what is happening in a country even if you are not living there. > Does it really makes sense for you to apply what are presumably post-revolution, secular French standards to Germany? It is fairly exceptional to see the state harnessed to do a private institution's bidding like this. > "co-opted by the church to act as their debt collectors " -- sounds conspiratorial. You think the Church is all-powerful and able to do that? Tithing isn't new. That it isn't new doesn't mean there is a place for it today. The state and the church should be firmly separated. In Germany this is - not yet - the case. > "disgusting and no longer of this day and age" -- appeals to time period are rather silly. We're not talking about fashion, and it's important not to fall prey to the Idol of Progress. It's not the 15th century any more. > Interesting that more religious countries, like Germany's neighbor Poland, have no such tax. My point exactly.