A week ago today, Germany’s top administrative court sided with Roman Catholic bishops by upholding the longstanding practice of allowing the Catholic Church to deny full access to the church to German believers who refused to pay a special church tax. Under the current system registered Catholics, Protestants and Jews pay a monthly tax to the government, and the government distributes those funds to the appropriate religious communities.
With this system, the tax provides the most significant portion of religious funding. On an annual basis, the Catholic Church receives $6.5 billion and the Protestant churches receive $5.2 billion.
So What?
Throughout history, governments have often resorted to collecting taxes to fund religion. Regardless of whether a church’s primary source of income is from current year donations, the government, endowment, or another source, each religious community must establish standards regarding who is welcome to fully participate in the life of that faith community.
- Does your congregation have any elements of its shared life (e.g., sacraments) that are only accessible to those who have met certain standards (e.g.., membership)? If so, what items are on the list and what standards apply for each?
- Do you think any Christian church should ever deny someone from full participation in worship, including the sacraments, based on that individual’s payments (of taxes, tithes, or other expected donations)? Explain.