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RE: Stephen Fry falls foul of crazy Irish blasphemy law
I'm not really sure what to even say about this. It's just too crazy for words to be honest. Though I recently did hear how, in Sweden, as soon as you're born, you're signed up with a church. No choice, it just happens for everyone. If you want to leave later on in life, you have to pay for that. It is part of 'tradition', but to me, it just seems like state and church are mixed. This just doesn't sound right in a modern world. I was really surprised to hear about these things.
Yes it is really shocking to be honest. Didn't know that about Sweden - that is pretty odd too.
This not quite true I think but common practice. The same in Finland (where I am calling from).
Most just sign up because you can't have a christening without being a member of the church and even in open secular societies, some like the traditions.
We got a letter the other day reminding us that we can still have our 8 month old child baptised. Yeah right, thanks... totally forgot....
There was a compulsory church tax at one point but now it is only compulsory for members. Non-members get an equal value tax that goes to something else I think. Probably to the secret police as funding to investigate the non-members ;)
OK thanks for the clarification.
same in Norway