German Bishops: Pay up or burn in hell

In a famous passage about taxes, Jesus said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:13-17; the same passage appears, slightly modified, in Matthew 22:15-22 and Luke 20:20-26). For the Roman Catholic Church in Germany, God and Ceasar are inextricably linked, and the Church has become dependent on the German state for its financial well-being.

Registered Catholics in Germany must pay a "Church Tax" (Kirchensteuer) equal to 8% or 9% of their income tax, which the state then transfers to the Church.  The same tax is collected from registered Protestants and Jews. The New York Times points out the irony of an an increasingly secular Germany getting in the religion business in a fundamental way: 

It is a paradox of modern Germany that church and state remain so intimately tied. That bond persists more and more awkwardly, it seems, as the church’s relationship with followers continues to fray amid growing secularization.

The problem is, many Germans no longer want to pay the Church Tax and are opting out of registering as Catholics.  In 2010, more thany 200,000 left the Roman Catholic Church in Germany.  The reasons for defection range from outrage over the Church's cover-up of child rape, disappointment over the persistent inferior status of women in the Church, and anger at Pope Benedict's conservative course and reversal of the Vatican II reforms. But the anger and frustration is directed more at the Church hierarchy, not the institution.  Many of these same defectors would like to attend services, receive the sacraments, and participate in the spiritual life of the Church.

But the Bishops have other ideas:

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Germany issued a crystal clear, uncompromising edict, endorsed by the Vatican. It detailed that a member who refuses to pay taxes will no longer be allowed to receive communion or make confession, to serve as godparents or to hold any office in the church. Those who leave can also be refused a Christian burial, unless they “give some sign of repentance,” it read.

What does the RCC do with the $6 billion it collects every year through the German state?  Some, to be sure, is channeled to hospitals and other charities.  But most of the funds are used for maintenance and upkeep of the increasingly empty Church properties, and to pay exorbitant salaries and benefits to the clergy.  A large slice is also transferred to the Vatican, to maintain the opulance in Rome. 

The Church Tax has made the German Bishops fat and happy.  The last thing they want is for the gravy train to end.

Jesus said: "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!...It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."   Mark 10. 17-26

 

Comments

[Zyme]

Among all the disadvantages there are also two pros I can see with the Church Tax:

As it made the church fat and happy, it has also made them lazy. They are no longer dedicated to gaining new members for their organization and can instead turn to spiritual discussions no outstander is willing to take part in.

The other pro is that since membership actively costs money, many leave because of it once they start earning money. This I have seen countless times among my fellow students once we have graduated.
The numbers of people leaving is so high that it comes to the part where you enter the respective authority and see two signs directing people at ground level upon entry: Heirat (Marriages) & Kirchenaustritte (Leaving the Church).

Of course these cannot be excuses to upkeep this tax forever. I find it highly discriminating against children to make them members and future taxpayers to a religion at the age of 0. If they decide to do so at 18 - fine with me. But then we would have the Eastern German situation all over the country :-)

[koogleschreiber]

Jesus didn't talk about a camel but a hawser and I wonder what else is willingly or stupidly made up of the things he ought to have said and done...

[Matthew R Giese]

Hey, I can't view your site properly within Opera, I actually hope you look into fixing this.

[David]

Sorry, that is a Typepad issue. I have no control over which browsers Typepad supports.

[Zyme]

Maybe an update wouldn't hurt?

I use Opera too and it works just fine.