NationStates Jolt Archive

This is indeed another discussion entirely. I've recently learned that Germany (and Finland) both have a Church tax. I find this preposterous, but I'd like to hear what the citizens of these countries think.

It depends on what they're taxed for.

Oh boohoo... So they have to pay tax; cry me a river.

Tax exempt status for religious institutions in the USA is a good thing. Tax churches and watch local outreach for job training, food banks, homeless shelters suffer.

It's not the Church that's taxed, it's the people. It's just called "Church Tax." They actually get tithed (sp?) by the state.

Also, is it true that there are quite a few scientologists in Germany?

If churches were taxed differently than just regular sales tax, property tax, income tax (all as applicable) then it would destroy the seperation of church and state in the United States as some churches would undoubtedly be taxed unfairly.

This is indeed another discussion entirely. I've recently learned that Germany (and Finland) both have a Church tax. I find this preposterous, but I'd like to hear what the citizens of these countries think.

hahaha!
The catholic church is richer than microsoft, and you think we shouldn't tax them. You know it's funny, becuase it's you conservatives that always whine about how high taxes are.

So people get taxed for the benfit of the churches? Even if they're atheist? You shouldn't have to pay for someone else to worship.

hahaha!
The catholic church is richer than microsoft, and you think we shouldn't tax them. You know it's funny, becuase it's you conservatives that always whine about how high taxes are.
I'd be willing to better that there are more Catholics than Windows users too.

So people get taxed for the benfit of the churches? Even if they're atheist? You shouldn't have to pay for someone else to worship.

Which is why it's peposterus. I really should of seen that confusion coming.

And I'm not a right wing nutcase. I'm a libertarian fiend.

So people get taxed for the benfit of the churches? Even if they're atheist? You shouldn't have to pay for someone else to worship.
In a roundabout way, you do pay for someone else to worship--even in the US. You pay taxes to the government. The government maintains and army to protect its citizens. Its citizens therefore are alive and free to worship. :)

why dont people just be protestant you dont even have to go to church over here in England :headbang:

In a roundabout way, you do pay for someone else to worship--even in the US. You pay taxes to the government. The government maintains and army to protect its citizens. Its citizens therefore are alive and free to worship. :)
Yeah, but with that logic, everything is taxed. From what I've gathered you're taxed in Germany and Finland to upkeep the churches in the country. This is an obvious violation of the separation of church and state.

Yeah, but with that logic, everything is taxed. From what I've gathered you're taxed in Germany and Finland to upkeep the churches in the country. This is an obvious violation of the separation of church and state.
1) Not if all churches are maintained equally.
2) US Constitutional Amendments don't apply to Germany or Finland as much as some people would like for them to.

Does anyone else find a discussion about taxation rather taxing?

I've heard of the Church tax before and there is no way in hell I'd give a dime to those jerks.

I've heard of the Church tax before and there is no way in hell I'd give a dime to those jerks.

Really now? Are you certain the government wouldn't have something to say about that? They do like their money, you know.

From www.enterprisefinland.fi:

"The church tax is also a proportional apportionment tax. The church tax rates vary from 1 to 2.00 per cent. Church tax is only paid by the members of the Finnish Evangelic Lutheran and Orthodox Churches or the Olaus Petri congregation. Corporations (limited liability companies and cooperatives) always pay the church tax since part of the corporate income tax (tax rate 29%) is paid to the Evangelic Lutheran and Orthodox congregations."

In other words, if you belong to a church, you have to pay taxes to support it.

Something similar goes on in Germany.

One problem for these churches is that members are quitting in order to cut down on their taxes. Sounds like a reasonable option to me.

Really now? Are you certain the government wouldn't have something to say about that? They do like their money, you know.

Government does not equal 'the church' and vice versa. I am not Christian nor would I ever be and I don't give money to ANY charity with religious connections nor would I allow myself to be taxed, when in a democracy taxation is tied to representation, for the benefit of a group which preaches medieval bigotted intrusive divisiveness and all sorts of other wonderful things with their money.


I'd simply move to atheist Canada...oh wait I'm already a citizen. :D

Yeah, but with that logic, everything is taxed. From what I've gathered you're taxed in Germany and Finland to upkeep the churches in the country. This is an obvious violation of the separation of church and state.

The church and state are not seperated in Finland (I don't know about Germany), Finland has 2 established churches, Lutheran and Orthodox.

Here in Sweden we have a church fee (used to be a church tax before 2000 when the Church of Sweden was disestablished) collected by the Tax authorities. It's not very much though.