Government should not patronize religion? What else is that religion tax in Germany other than government patronizing and controling religion?
Also as a Christian I have no use for Catholic rituals. Good for them keeping their own memory of Christ alive in their own ways, I have my own ways with Christ.
From my memories of serving in the US Army in Germany and talking with my German landlord, the German government does not tax the churches. It provides a subsidy to churches out of the general tax revenues.
Your comment on government control via those subsidies is a valid concern/issue.