POV: You're getting your first paycheck in Germany

We’re reposting a more inclusive version of one of our most viral videos. #berlin #germany #cultureshock #asl #signlanguage #hearingimpaired #shorts

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[rosiebuglife]

I appreciate the sign language in the corner of the video, I'm not Def or anything, but I'm still glad it's there

[jonathanspeicher]

Why am I suddenly getting these shorts about moving to Germany? My ancestors would be like "tf u doing, why do you think we left?" 🤷

[Robynhoodlum]

Keep in mind, church affiliations have benefits in Germany that we don’t have in the USA. For instance, it can affect which Kindergartens (German daycare/preschools) your kids can attend.

[themuch]

I don't care what you believe in. The government shouldn't collect for any church.

[jz]

My dad makes around 200k a year and was already paying around 2k a year in Austria once he started working in germany they said he needed to pay church tax for both countries which would have been 6-7k a year. Since then he is a proud atheist and invested the money for church in local charities instead😌

I quit as soon as the first bill of 234 euros arrived I never went to church unless it was a funeral so I said straight up "there ain't no damn way"😅

[eastfrisian_]

The fees for "Kirchenaustritt" (leaving the church) and the authority where it must be declared vary even per Bundesland (state). In Lower Saxony, I had to go to the registry office ("Standesamt") of my municipality, sign a piece of paper and paid EUR 25.

[waynemattson]

When my dad was a missionary (not to Germany) the country we were going to had similar laws. But also allowed the government to have power in the church. So his plan was to not affiliate with any denomination, and when he planted a church, it would not be affiliated with any denomination. The mere fact that he wasn't going to plant a Baptist church (in name only) was enough for many churches to refuse support. It's unfortunate that many churches cared more about the name of the church he was going to plant than they cared about reaching the lost.

[AweryGhe]

Americans be like: yes im proud catholic. No i dont want my church to benefit from my money!!! No, i dont want to write that im an atheist to not pay these tax, because it is not christian to commit such blasphemy!!! What do you mean its not christian to hold for your money that much???

[horriblepianorecords]

This sounds like a remnant of tithing in medieval times

[emotionalfriendone]

If a German official is asking your religious affiliation you’re already in trouble.

[DoctorSpicy]

I do enjoy this channel very much. All these fun facts.

[shinlua]

I don't know how it works in germany but in switzerland a lot of the church taxes go to wellfare organisations..

[soupernuova]

Why even put the sign language if there's subtitles?

[namenotavailable]

Don't give Lauren Boebert any ideas. She'd love that.

[animak]

I don't know if in Germany is the same (I'd like to know) but in Spain your total tax is X and if you say you want a percentage to go to the church then it goes but still your total is X. Like, for example, if he paid 42% income tax and 9% went to the church, 11% to A, 11% to B and 11% to C that's 42%, but if he had said he was atheist he will had paid still 42% just 15% to A, 15% to B and 12% to C wich is still 42%. I wonder if that's how it works

[ramabg]

Well, what prevent people from leaving the religion section empty? Religion is a faith of someone. It should not be something that government regulate.

[Blaukriton]

If you want to realize gains on the sale of shares, you also have to pay church tax of 8-9 %.

[coltonmims]

Germany out here really turning charity into taxes. But I guess that’s what all taxes are anyways

[casematecardinal]

I prefer my government not to take it upon itself to both have record of my religious affiliation and take my money to give to religious organizations. the more powerful a government is the more oppressive it will become

[lebaguette]

Reason 247 why I don't plan on moving to Germany