There is a part in the article that explains the history. While an oversimplification, the Church Tax was an attempt to ensure the independence of the Church relative to the State. I don’t know that theology has much to do with it.
There is a part in the article that explains the history. While an oversimplification, the Church Tax was an attempt to ensure the independence of the Church relative to the State. I don’t know that theology has much to do with it.
Right, I understand somewhat the history and the political rationale. Where theology comes in would be the idea of individual's status as a member of the Catholic Church (from the Church's own perspective, not as a matter of the state's records) being tied to or determined by payment of a tax. That seems, potentially, highly problematic in relation to the Church's theology of baptism.
See also that this process of formal disaffiliation is described as 'debaptism' in some European countries. Debaptism is not possible!
There is a part in the article that explains the history. While an oversimplification, the Church Tax was an attempt to ensure the independence of the Church relative to the State. I don’t know that theology has much to do with it.
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2019/04/30/in-western-european-countries-with-church-taxes-support-for-the-tradition-remains-strong/
Right, I understand somewhat the history and the political rationale. Where theology comes in would be the idea of individual's status as a member of the Catholic Church (from the Church's own perspective, not as a matter of the state's records) being tied to or determined by payment of a tax. That seems, potentially, highly problematic in relation to the Church's theology of baptism.
See also that this process of formal disaffiliation is described as 'debaptism' in some European countries. Debaptism is not possible!