<P> Religious instruction (for members of the respective religions) is an ordinary subject in public schools (in most states). It is organized by the state, but also under the supervision of the respective religious community . Teachers are educated at public universities, in departments that are nevertheless affiliated with a specific church (Protestant or Catholic) or with confessional Islam . Parents, or students 14 years old and above, can decide not to take those religion classes, but most federal states require classes in "ethics" or "philosophy" as replacements . A small but significant number of religious schools, which receive the majority of their funding (but never all of it) from the state, exist in most parts of the country; however nobody can be compelled to attend them . There was considerable public controversy when the Federal Constitutional Court declared a Bavarian law requiring a crucifix in every classroom to be unconstitutional in 1997; Bavaria replaced it with a law still demanding the same, unless parents file a formal protest with the state . </P> <P> The government generally respects religious freedom in practice . There were reports of societal abuses based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice . Right - wing groups and Muslim youth from immigrant backgrounds committed politically motivated crimes against some minority religious groups . Some Jewish cemeteries were desecrated, and individuals from Muslim communities sometimes suffered societal discrimination . The Roman Catholic and Protestant churches continued to use "sect commissioners" to warn the public of alleged dangers from some minority religious groups such as the Unification Church, Scientologists, Universelles Leben (Universal Life), and Transcendental Meditation practitioners . Scientologists continued to find that "sect filters" were used to discriminate against them in education, employment, and political party membership . A sect filter is defined as a written agreement a new employee has to sign stating that he or she has no contact with Scientology, has not participated in its training courses, and rejects its doctrines . Prominent societal leaders, however, took positive steps to promote religious freedom and tolerance . Many members of civil society, such as members of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany, members of the Turkish community, and members of prominent Jewish organizations, initiated discussions regarding Muslim integration and expressed commitment to that process . </P> <P> Greece, as the only European Union (EU) country to ban proselytism in its constitution, is the only EU country that has been condemned by the European Court of Human Rights for a lack of religious freedom . The position of the Church of Greece and its relations with the State are set forth in Article 3, par . 1 of the present Constitution (1975 / 1986 / 2001). According to this article: (a) The Greek - Orthodox dogma is the prevailing religion, (b) The Church of Greece is inseparably united in doctrine with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and with all other Orthodox Churches, and (c) The Church is self - administered and autocephalous . Freedom of religion for all Greeks is guaranteed in the constitution and proselytism is outlawed . </P> <P> An estimated 98 percent of the population identifies itself as Greek Orthodox . The 1923 Treaty of Lausanne created an officially recognized "Muslim minority," which consists of an estimated 140,000 to 150,000 individuals (approximately 1.3 percent of the Greek population) residing in Thrace . The remaining population is composed of Roman Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Old Calendarist Orthodox, Jehovah's Witnesses, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints (Mormons), Scientologists, Baha'is, Hare Krishna devotees, and followers of polytheistic Hellenic religions . Church leaders estimated that 30 percent of self - identified Orthodox regularly participates in religious services . The government supports the Orthodox Church financially . For example, the government pays for the salaries and religious training of Orthodox clergy, partially finances the maintenance of Orthodox Church buildings, and provides a tax exemption for the Orthodox Church's property revenues . Orthodox religious instruction in primary and secondary schools, at government expense, is mandatory for all students, although non-Orthodox students may exempt themselves by turning in a statement requesting exemption . However, public schools offer no alternative activity or non-Orthodox religious instruction for these children . Many private schools offer alternative religious instruction to their students . </P>

Where is freedom of religious expression still denied