ATHENS, Greece (Reuters) -- New identity cards have pitted the powerful Greek Orthodox Church against the pro-European socialist government in a heated row this week.
The fracas broke out when a commission said Greeks, who are mostly Orthodox Christians, should not declare their religion on new IDs expected to replace the outdated, handwritten cards now issued by police stations.The Authority for the Protection of Personal Data announced Monday that religion, profession and the name of one's spouse should not be included because this would violate a citizen's right to privacy and freedom from discrimination.
The Greek church says every Orthodox Greek should have the option to declare his religion on his ID.