Soder's Cross Decree Back in Court
In a shakeup, Markus Söder's controversial crucifix decree from 2018 will once again be under scrutiny at the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig on December 14th. The Association for Freedom of Thought, a group critical of religion, has filed an appeal after losing their case in the Bavarian Administrative Court last summer.
Dating back to April 2018, when Söder was newly appointed as Minister President, the cross decree caused an uproar despite criticism from churches, who accused him of using the Christian symbol for campaign purposes. Despite the outrage, the decree came into effect in June 2018, and Section 28 of the rules of procedure for the authorities of the Free State of Bavaria now states that a cross must be visible in the entrance area of every office building.
The Munich Administrative Court previously argued that the displayed cross was merely a passive symbol, without proselytizing or indoctrinating effects. As a result, they ruled that the integration of the cross did not violate the requirement of state neutrality, nor did it infringe on the rights to freedom of belief and confession or equal treatment for other religious and ideological communities.
However, a group of individuals and the Bund für Geistesfreiheit, a critical voice on religion, submitted a complaint, which was dismissed by the Administrative Court. The Bund für Geistesfreiheit, therefore, appealed the ruling to the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig, citing the Christian religion's preference over others and the state neutrality violation as grounds for their appeal.
Worth Noting
The cross decree controversy highlights religious tensions and the struggle for balance between religious freedom and state neutrality in secular societies. The Association for Freedom of Thought's appeal raises questions about the extent to which religious symbols can be integrated into state buildings and whether such measures discriminate against individuals or groups with different beliefs.
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