Icelanders flock to religion revering Sumerian gods and tax rebates

[trotsky]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/08/new-icelandic-religion-sumerian-gods-tax-rebates-zuism

Icelanders opposed to the state funding of religion have flocked to register as Zuists, a movement that worships ancient Sumerian gods and – perhaps more importantly – promises its followers a tax rebate.

More than 3,100 people – almost 1% of Iceland’s population – have joined the Zuist movement in the past two weeks in protest at paying part of their taxes to the state church and other religious bodies. Followers of Zuism will be refunded the tax element earmarked for religion.

Icelanders are required to register their religion with the state, with almost three-quarters of the population affiliated to the established Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland. There are more than 40 other registered religious bodies that qualify for “parish fees” paid through the taxation system. The amount set in next year’s budget is the equivalent of about $80 (£53) per taxpayer over a year.

“There is no opt-out. Those who are unaffiliated or belong to unregistered religions effectively just pay higher taxes,” said Sveinn Thorhallsson, a Zuist spokesperson. An opinion poll published in September showed 55% of respondents want an end to the system.

Nice!

[Yorktown]

1. From memory, Germans too have to pay a religion tax

If one declares to be an Atheist, the religion tax is paid to some charity.

Enforced religion by the State.

Where is das mauer of separation when you need it?

[AtheistCrusader]

2. This happened in the original colonies and initial states.

Took thirty years after the ratification of the bill of rights to eliminate all the protestant laws forcing catholics and 'nones' to pay for their fucking churches via state taxes.

This is why I get annoyed with these oh so innocent people of religion, look what you do when you have power and you think you can get away with it.

Oh yeah, you're all nice and happy and play well now that you've been forcibly nerfed. Thanks for that. Don't mind me if I keep a wary eye on you, since you don't self-regulate.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. They have a system for opting out and not paying, though

http://blog.mygermanexpert.com/2013/06/10-Facts-about-German-Church-Tax.html

As far as I can tell, they just pay less tax if they opt out.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_tax#Germany

[trotsky]

5. Ah, I remember reading about #7 in your first link before.

Hee hee.

[Yorktown]

7. Progress. I think I remember this opt-out clause is recent.

Not affirmative, but I think I remember that.

[Act_of_Reparation]

3. Sumerian, eh?

Gozer the Gozerian, Gozer the Destructor, Volguus Zhildrohar, the Traveler has Come!

[Yorktown]

8. At last, a god one can see

[Promethean]

6. We pretty much do the same thing in the US.

Its just hidden from the tax receipts. Instead of paying a tax which is labeled and recorded as going to the churches the churches simply don't pay taxes which essentially means we are all subsidizing them indirectly.

[Jim Lane]

9. Looks like the Pastafarians missed an organizing opportunity there. (n/t)