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Well, if it's "church tax" then it's OK by me, insofar as it's a voluntary tax (though the fact that the state collects it on behalf of the church is problematic). If members of that church disagree with the contribution to a cause, then it's an internal matter for that church (and a test of how democratic it is, perhaps).

It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II
by eurogreen on Mon Feb 10th, 2014 at 04:00:36 AM EST
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You have to actively apply to get out of paying it (if you grow up in Germany. Otherwise, make sure to put "none" for religion when you register). But it's still tax-deductible, meaning that other taxpayers are still paying for your religion (though this is no longer specific to Germany).

In Italy you can redirect where this tax goes to, but you can't get out of paying it.

by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Mon Feb 10th, 2014 at 04:06:55 AM EST
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Those members who have a problem with it are the most right-wing faction of the CDU. They can't make careers in that party without being paying church members, but they don't like the positions the church takes. It is a problem for sure, but it is NOT my problem, to put it mildly.
by Katrin on Mon Feb 10th, 2014 at 06:32:17 AM EST
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