Why maintaining our old churches should not be the state's responsibility

A proposal to transfer the financial responsibility for maintaining Denmark's old churches from the National Church to state funding has drawn sharp criticism. Carl Andersen, a member of parliament for the Liberal Alliance, suggested this shift, but opponents warn it could weaken the church's financial stability.

The core argument against the proposal is that it would make church building maintenance an easy target for budget cuts during future finance law negotiations. Critics fear that members of parliament less inclined to support the National Church could easily propose reducing maintenance funds, even if framed as a temporary postponement.

This approach is compared to how funding for green areas might be prioritized over essential infrastructure like sewage systems, which often face postponements with negative environmental consequences. The current system, where building maintenance is closely tied to the users of the buildings, is seen as functioning well for the National Church and should not be altered.

Opponents view the proposal as a cost-saving measure, a fact not hidden by the Liberal Alliance itself, according to their website. This is considered particularly unfortunate at a time when many others are advocating for strengthening the National Church.