To all civil officers freedom of political opinion and of a.s.sociation are a.s.sured.
The civil officers receive special representation in their official capacity in accordance with more precise provisions of national law.
ARTICLE 131
If a civil officer in the exercise of the authority conferred upon him by law fails to perform his official duty toward any third person, the responsibility is a.s.sumed by the state or public corporation in whose service the officer is. The right of redress [by the state or public corporation] against the officer is reserved. The ordinary process of law may not be excluded.
Detailed regulations will be made by the appropriate law-making authority.
ARTICLE 132
Every German, in accordance with the laws, has the duty of accepting honorary offices.
ARTICLE 133
All citizens are obliged, in accordance with the laws, to render personal services to the state and the munic.i.p.ality.
The duty of military service will be defined in accordance with the provisions of the national defense law. This will determine also how far particular fundamental rights shall be restricted in their application to the members of the armed forces in order that the latter may fulfill their duties and discipline may be maintained.
ARTICLE 134
All citizens, without distinction, contribute according to their means to the support of all public burdens, as may be provided by law.
_SECTION III_
RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES
ARTICLE 135
All inhabitants of the Commonwealth enjoy complete liberty of belief and conscience. The free exercise of religion is a.s.sured by the Const.i.tution and is under public protection. This Article leaves the general laws undisturbed.
ARTICLE 136
Civil and political rights and duties are neither conditioned upon nor limited by the exercise of religious liberty.
The enjoyment of civil and political rights as well as eligibility to public office is independent of religious belief.
No one is under any obligation to reveal his religious convictions.
The authorities have a right to inquire about religious affiliation only so far as rights and duties are dependent thereon or in pursuance of a statistical enumeration prescribed by law.
No one may be forced to attend any church ceremony or festivity, to take part in any religious exercise, or to make use of any religious oath.
ARTICLE 137
There is no state church.
Freedom of a.s.sociation in religious societies is guaranteed. The combination of religious societies within the Commonwealth is not subject to any limitations.
Every religious society regulates and administers its affairs independently within the limits of the general law. It appoints its officers without interference by the state or the civil munic.i.p.ality.
Religious societies may be incorporated in accordance with the general provisions of the civil law.
Existing religious societies remain, to the same extent as heretofore, public bodies corporate. The same rights shall be accorded to other religious societies if by their const.i.tution and the number of their members they offer a guaranty of permanence. If a number of such public religious societies unite, this union is also a public body corporate.
The religious societies, which are recognized by law as bodies corporate, are ent.i.tled on the basis of the civil tax rolls to raise taxes according to the provisions of the laws of the respective States.
The a.s.sociations, which have as their aim the cultivation of a system of ethics, have the same privileges as the religious societies.
The issuance of further regulations necessary for carrying out these provisions comes under the jurisdiction of the States.
ARTICLE 138
State contributions to religious societies authorized by law, contract, or any special grant, will be commuted by State legislation. The general principles of such legislation will be defined by the Commonwealth.
The property of religious societies and unions and other rights to their cultural, educational, and charitable inst.i.tutions, foundations, and other possessions are guaranteed.
ARTICLE 139
Sundays and legal holidays remain under the protection of law as days of rest and spiritual edification.
ARTICLE 140
The members of the armed forces shall be granted the necessary leave for the performance of their religious duties.
ARTICLE 141
In so far as there is need for religious services and spiritual care in hospitals, prisons or other public inst.i.tutions, the religious societies shall be permitted to perform the religious offices, but all compulsion shall be avoided.
_SECTION IV_
EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS
ARTICLE 142