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> The case I knew from my hometown was that the Church (as in country organization) payed one third. The congregation hat to pay one third as well and the secul
by TulliusCicero 5y ago
> The case I knew from my hometown was that the Church (as in country organization) payed one third. The congregation hat to pay one third as well and the secular municipality also had to pay one third.
The lack of institutional separation of church and state within Germany surprised me when I lived there. The populace isn't particularly religious on a personal level, but they tolerate a surprising amount of religious interference or intertwining with state institutions. IIRC there are church schools/daycares that are publicly funded as well, and of course the state cooperates with churches for religious taxation (yes, really -- if you're a member of one of those churches, you can't opt out short of leaving that church, they take the money directly out of your paycheck).
- _lnwk 5y agoWhich ends up funny if you migrate there. I've heard so many stories other Poles going there, declaring they are atheists so they won't pay taxes, and then being surprised when they come back only to their their local priests laughing them out of door when they want service XD
- TulliusCicero 5y agoHuh, that's interesting to me. Didn't realize you had to be a member to attend services. My experience has been that churches are generally quite open to visitors.
- jakub_g 5y agoBy "services" I think the parent means "getting married at the church" etc.
- dagw 5y agoIn Sweden at least, if you leave the church you don't get to have your wedding, funeral or baptism there. If you're a member then it's all free. You can of course still attend the Sunday services, but I don't know about taking communion or other rituals.
- Claude_Shannon 5y agojakub_g was correct, that is what I meant