Yes the connection of state and church in germany is really creepy to me too. Even if you are not part of a church it is backwards for the state to collect chur

Yes the connection of state and church in germany is really creepy to me too. Even if you are not part of a church it is backwards for the state to collect church fees at all and accordingly forces you to check the checkboxes on nearly all official forms what church you belong to. In addition we have to remember that Chancellor Merkels party which is one of the big two parties is called the "christian democrats" it is also totally common for the main news programs of public service broadcaster networks to report on the pope and bishops as if they were relevant political figures and also broadcast church service programs on sundays. The church bells will ring at incredible volume on sundays and other days without any mercy and everything has to be shut down on sundays, not even grocery shopping is possible.