aerodrown asked:


What would a religion need to be legally recognised as a religion, with the practices and whatnot made legal as “rights to practice free religion”?
I mean like, scientology has been officially recognised as a religion, as has kabala… what is necessary for the US government to recognise it as a legal religion?

5 Responses to “What is necessary to make a religion a legal?”

1. rickinnocal on July 10th, 2008 9:28 am

   Nothing.

   The US government does not ‘recognize’ religions. You have the right to practice your religion, even if you made it up yourself and you’re its only believer.

   Now, if one of the practices of your religion is something that violates the law, the government has to show they have an overriding reason to ban it, but they can do that.

   Richard

2. Curtis on July 11th, 2008 12:15 am

   Global Warming is a religion.

3. lizards on July 12th, 2008 8:09 am

   Religion cannot be recognized as legal or illegal. Religion is freedom of choice with many different kinds of followers. One person’s god may be different from another person’s god. The law cannot tell you which god to believe in or whether it is valid or not.

4. thegubmint on July 13th, 2008 8:07 am

   The Church of England was the official church of the empire. Other religions were relegated to second class status, or even outlawed.

   Hence the Pilgrims and the Mayflower. There is almost no criteria for registering as a religion in the United States as long as the practices are legal.

5. Pascha on July 16th, 2008 8:45 am

   You don’t need to have religion be recognized as legal or legal in the U.S. The Constitution prohibits establishing any state religions.
   However, if you want tax free status, you have to meet the IRS requirements. Look up what is required in the IRS publications, which are available on line and at your public library.