Interesting article in the Globe. Apparently, in Germany, there is a tax levied that is used to support the churches. The article is specifically about the RCs, but apparently Protestants and Jews pay it, too. The focus of the article is that many Catholics are opting out of the tax and the country's bishops are playing hardball, threatening to withdraw church rites and other privileges from those Catholics. The reasons for the opt-outs are disenchantments we hear over here, too: disagreement with church positions and opposition to use of church resources to cover-up abuse scandals.

I am not sure where to put this, it is not likely to appeal to the Popular Culture folks, but neither do I intend to make a political statement.   This story and pictures made feel like I could sense the ghosts of history.  I will add a few sample photos as "posts" because they are tricky to load and you cannot edit the title post.

from Der Spiegel

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,800658,00.html

 Germany's Protestant Church's on Wednesday elected Margot Kaessmann as its first female leader.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4832675,00.html

Today, to my surprise I found out that the church (Lutherans)  that gave birth to all Protestant Churches has until today not have a women lead them.

It always surprises me that Christianity outside of the UCC is behind us on some issues.

Well, Hello Wundercafe!!  How goes it all?

I'm having an absolutely wunderbar zeit mit mein family in germany ^^

As I'm sure Arminius can attest to, this country is absolutely beautiful...and I swear I could shop here endlessly >< lol.

So far I've picked up a Beirstein, for me, and one for my buddy.  I have also acquired, (to add to my already eclectic collection) a full set of lederhosen (sans vest and jacket) and a hat to match ^^

Well, it's off to the fatherland for the Kruger clan starting march 31st ^^  a 16ish day trip is going to be so awesome.  I can't wait to see the brandenburg gate, and purchase a beerstein (for fresca of course).

We land in Berlin first, then we are going to go nuts...visit saxony, bavaria, and such, and it's going to be jolly gutt fun!

Hopefully i'll pick up enough german to say something to Carisa (a girl in our grade who went on a exchange trip there for a year) :3

Any suggestions arminius?