The Sad State of Christianity in Germany
Germanic tribes began converting to Christianity in the 4th century. Since then Christianity grew to be the dominant faith of the German people.
For well over 1,000 years Germany has been at the centre of Christianity in Europe. Today the influence of Christianity is still seen everywhere in modern Germany. There are church buildings in most villages and neighbourhoods. Fifty-five percent of the population still identifies with the official Protestant or Catholic Churches.
When the church and the state went their separate ways in 1919 a deal was struck and dependence on state funds continued. Protestant and Catholic Germans are taxed and extra 9% of their income. Ever year billions of euros ensure the churches are well funded.
In 2019 the Catholic Church collected the equivalent of $8 billion USD, the Protestants collected $7 billion.
Despite the history and the funding, less than 10% of Catholics attend church and only 3% of Protestants. In 2019 over half a million Protestants and Catholics officially disassociated themselves from their church.
It gets worse. Around half of Protestants and Catholics no longer believe in the resurrection. Only 40% of Catholics and 32% of Protestants believe in life after death. Atheists make up 24% of Protestants and 11% of Catholics.
The churches are empty and an increasing number of “Christians” no longer believe the faith.
What can we learn from this sad story?
Source: 6 facts about Catholic and Protestant influence in Germany
