Declarations of Rights generally contain, justly so, principles relative to religious liberty and the free exercise of creeds. But the Constitution of Weimar could not limit itself on this point to traditional general maxims. The question of the relations of church and state forms an essential article of the programme of the Centre, and also of the programme of the Social Democrats. Their solutions would seem to be self-contradictory. The Centre wanted to guarantee to the Church a privileged and preponderant situation within the State. The programme of Erfurt, on the other hand, declared religion to be a purely private matter, and refused all subsidies levied on public resources in behalf of ecclesiastical or religious needs. But these two parties entered at that moment into a coalition which, together with the Democrats, governed the Reich. As neither of these two opposed conceptions was able to prevail, the conflict of the two theories was finally settled by a compromise--which before consummation required laborious negotiations. * * * * * The Constitution first proclaims the principle of liberty of belief and conscience and the free exercise of religion. These liberties are expressly placed by the Constitution under the protection of the State. They are guaranteed against every invasion no matter from what side it comes. But the general laws of the State remain intact and religious liberty finds itself limited by the general regulations for the maintenance of order and public security. Every abuse in the exercise of religious liberty is punished by ordinary law. Civil rights and duties must not be restrained or conditioned by the exercise of religious liberty. The enjoyment of civil and civic rights as well as the admission to public employ are independent of the religion professed. No one is obliged to divulge his or her religious convictions before any authority whatsoever, and the right of an authority to inquire into the sect to which one belongs may not be exercised except as one’s rights and duties depend upon this, as, for example, in the matter of church tithes or in the matter of guardianship or instruction; or where it is necessary for the gathering of statistics ordered by law. No one may be forced to attend any Church ceremony or to take part in any religious exercise. No one may be forced to make use of any religious oath as was formerly prescribed in civil and penal procedure. It is sufficient, in taking an oath, that the one swearing shall declare without a religious formula, “I swear!” On the other hand, the Constitution contains several provisions regarding the exercise of religion. Sundays and legal holidays remain protected by law as days of rest and spiritual edification.