In Germany there has been a long tradition of a “church tax” which pre-dates government income tax.
The Church used to assign a amount you owed, according to your income, and they would collect it themselves. This was in both Protestant and Roman Catholic regions of Germany (which are actually different states).
Of course to most American Christians this seems odd—as few churches here handle pledges that way. Some do, however, and I’ve even heard of synagogues that will charge a membership fee—according to the size of your family (and perhaps income too)...so its the same idea.
When a national income tax began, in the typical German orderly fashion, it was suggested that the tax collectors for the State and the Church be combined (no 1st Amendment separation there, mind you), and the government collect both income taxes along with Church donations (the “Church tax”). Since at the time 95%+ of Germans were baptized either Protestant (usually Lutheran) or Roman Catholic—this assured a steady income for the churces and seminaries—of which there were (and are) many.
Of course today, as someone mentioned above, very (very) few Germans attend Church more than twice a year (Christmas and maybe Easter)...only about 4% or less attend more than 4 times a year. Still, nobody wants to see the churches fall down—and pastors to be unemployed, and the renowned seminaries to close...so traditionally secular Germans keep paying the Church tax—as it is taken along with their regular income tax...so they never see it.
In recent years though, a form is available to exempt oneself from the “church tax.” As I understand it, this form basically requires the person to sign that they renounce their faith...and therefore should no longer be required to pay the Church tax.
The policy by the Roman Catholic church mentioned not to allow the privileges of Church membership to those who have formally renounced their membership (to avoid the tax) seems pretty fair by me.
We must keep in mind in Germany—its a very different culture—and a person has to have formally renounced their faith, in writing...to avoid the Church tax.
I guess, if they pay the tax, then they can confess that they didn’t used to pay it, if they don’t pay, then they can’t confess the non-payment.
There must be some American type Christianity over there that is fighting this.
I remember years ago when my mother (single, divorced, four children) was told what her tithing? would be in the Presbyterian Church. She was outraged.
We never became members and never went again.