celebrating 20 years of separation

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Religious freedom in Germany

Main article: Freedom of religion in Germany

The German constitution guarantees freedom of faith and religion. It also states that no one may be discriminated against due to their faith or religious opinions. Church and state are separate, but there is cooperation in many fields, most importantly in the social sector. Religious communities that are of considerable size and stability and are loyal to the constitution can be recognised as "statutory corporations". This gives them certain privileges, for example being able to give religious instruction in state schools (as enshrined in the German constitution, though some states are exempt from this) and having membership fees collected (for a fee) by the German revenue department as Church tax. It is a surcharge amounting to between 8 or 9% of the income tax. The status mainly applies to the Roman Catholic Church, the mainline Protestant EKD, and Jewish communities. There have been numerous discussions of allowing other religious groups like Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslims into this system as well. The Muslim efforts were hampered by the Muslims' own disorganised state in Germany, with many small rivalling organisations and no central leadership, which does not fit well into a legal frame that was originally created with well-organized, large Christian churches in mind.[...]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Germany

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_religion