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Freedom of religion in Germany is guaranteed by article 4 of the German constitution. This states that "the freedom of religion, conscience and the freedom of confessing one's religious or philosophical beliefs are inviolable. Uninfringed religious practice is guaranteed." In addition, article 3 states that "No one may be prejudiced or favored because of his gender, his descent, his race, his language, his homeland and place of origin, his faith or his religious or political views." Any person or organization can call the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany for free help.[1]
The German system of state support for otherwise independent religious institutions assists all religions equally in principle, though in practice it has been unable to fully encompass some minority faiths.[2] The government has granted most of the country's major religious communities "public law corporation" (PLC) status – Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts in German – which allows for numerous benefits. Traditions that lack a centrally organized national structure – most notably Islam – have had difficulty attaining PLC status and the benefits that come with it.[2]
In 2023, the country was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom.[3]
- ^ Fact sheet on the constitutional complaint at the Federal Constitutional Court Archived 2011-09-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Germany". Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. Archived from the original on 2013-10-12. Retrieved 2011-12-29. See drop-down essay on "Religious Freedom in Germany"
- ^ Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08