Germany’s Cooperation with Religious and Belief Groups: Bilateral Agreements and Exemption Rights

SUMMARY: 1. Introduction. 2. Germany’s constitutional regulation of religion/ belief. 2.1. The right to freedom of religion or belief. 2.2. Religious and belief groups’ right to doctrinal and organizational autonomy. 2.3. The selective character of State cooperation with religious and belief groups. 3. Bilateral agreements. 4. Exemption rights. 4.1. The ministerial exception. 4.2. Religious slaughter. 4.3. Religious symbols. 4.4. Ritual circumcision