Baptists refused restitution hundreds of millions from the state.

[Crabtownboy]

This reads a bit rough as it is a Google translate from Czech to English.

Rounding the exchange rate up it is about 20 crowns to the dollar. That is a whole lot of money they are rejecting on principle, about $11,390,000 . I applaud the Czech Baptist on this decision of standing on principle and not bowing to the god of money.

Baptist Union will not ask for financial compensation in the church restitution. Almost 228 million crowns, which is required by law, remains the state. "We are close to the idea of ​​self-financing," said Chairman of the Executive Committee iDNES.cz Baptists Milan Kern.

The financial compensation from the state is entitled to 17 churches. Baptists are still the only ones money refused, informed decisions about their Czech Television . The church should get 227,862,069 crowns.


Zdroj: http://zpravy.idnes.cz/baptiste-nep...i-f02-/domaci.aspx?c=A130211_143855_domaci_jj

 

[Arbo]

Is this about perpetual financial support by the state or about reparations to the church for harm done during the communist period?

 

[Crabtownboy]

Is this about perpetual financial support by the state or about reparations to the church for harm done during the communist period?

I am not sure. I will try to find out which it is or a combination of both.

 

[Arbo]

I am not sure. I will try to find out which it is or a combination of both.

Thanks. Not that It would affect me personally, but I'm still curious.

My Czech is nonexistent, so I had to rely on Google Translate to read the article. GT generally is okay, but the translated article (at least the English one, should've tried Swedish or German) left me with that question.

Cheers.

 

[Crabtownboy]

Is this about perpetual financial support by the state or about reparations to the church for harm done during the communist period?

I happened to eat lunch with the head of the European Baptist Federation. He said the money is for the persecution and confiscation of property during the Communist era. The money was to be paid out over 30 years. The Baptist are the only group to turn down the money.

 

[Arbo]

I happened to eat lunch with the head of the European Baptist Federation. He said the money is for the persecution and confiscation of property during the Communist era. The money was to be paid out over 30 years. The Baptist are the only group to turn down the money.

Thanks.

Did he say why? Fear of undue state influence, perhaps?

 

[Crabtownboy]

Thanks.

Did he say why? Fear of undue state influence, perhaps?

He didn't say. There were others at the table and this was simply a question and a quick answer. I am sure that the thought of government meddling into church affairs was part of their thinking. Governments in Central and Eastern Europe have not been particularly kind to Baptists and Anabaptist.