5 ms·

In the US it does not matter. Freedom of Religion does not imply one must choose from a pre-approved list of religions.

by CodeWriter23 4y ago

tracker1 4y ago
While not a list, there are some constraints when it comes to being an organized religion for tax purposes.
- CodeWriter23 4y ago
  Which would only come into play if a religion collects revenue.
pkulak 4y ago
Pretty sure it does. Pastafarians have been trying for over a decade now to get special treatment and it never works.
- henryfjordan 4y ago
  You can wear a colander in your driver's license photo: https://people.com/celebrity/pastafarian-wins-right-to-wear-colander-in-dmv-photo/ https://people.com/celebrity/pastafarian-wins-right-to-wear-...
  - ndsipa_pomu 4y ago
    I think she's straining the limits of parody religions there
Zetice 4y ago
It absolutely matters if I’m trying to understand the reasoning…
Root_Denied 4y ago
Not really relevant in the context of an employment contract since that only applies to government actions with respect to religion and religious beliefs, and for some accommodations (like being tax exempt) it actually is from a pre-approved list.
- getoffmyyawn 4y ago
  That is incorrect. The IRS uses a set of tests to determine tax exempt status of a religious organization and none of them involve being on a pre-approved list or indicate what the nature of the religious beliefs must be. Organizations that meet the test requirements are automatically exempt and don't need to file anything at all[0]. 0. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/churches-integrated-auxiliaries-and-conventions-or-associations-of-churches https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/churches-integrate...
- CodeWriter23 4y ago
  False. https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/small-business/3-who-protected-employment-discrimination#:~:text=Applicants%2C%20employees%20and%20former%20employees,(including%20family%20medical%20history) https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/small-business/3-who-protecte....
AnimalMuppet 4y ago
Freedom of religion doesn't mean "freedom to take any random thing you like and claim that it's a religion", though.
- yamazakiwi 4y ago
  Religions are claims so I don't see a difference if the person truly believes it. I don't know if your definition of religion is important to what people consider their religion.
  - brewdad 4y ago
    Ok but what happens when my religion says no one should be allowed to live past age 50? I have a "strongly held" belief that all of the world's problems are caused by older people and removing them from the planet is a necessity. There have to be some limits on what is allowed to be a protected religious belief. Otherwise we get into the realm of ranking which human rights matter more and that path leads to madness. The path of "silly" religious beliefs is no better. My religion requires that Coke Zero be the one true soda. If the employee cafeteria offers sodas, you must accommodate my beliefs by serving Coke Zero. Also, Pepsi is the root of all evil and must never be allowed in the same room as Coke products.
    - yamazakiwi 4y ago
      Of course we as humans should create limits to protect ourselves from crazies but let's be clear; the "silly" religious beliefs are generally nothing but an inconvenience. That is completely different than thinking outsiders of your religion should die. My point is that those that hold religious beliefs would ignore limits if they targeted their beliefs anyway. Additionally, the action of defining what is and is not religion is usually done by those with self-righteous attitudes. Humans regularly decide if they like someone based on what they believe and an unbiased definition will never be possible in our current state.
    - ndsipa_pomu 4y ago
      Ultimately, religions are about the behaviour of the members of that religion. Attempting to make others conform to your own religion is generally a bad idea and leads to violence and wars. If you truly believe that over-50s are against the will of <insert-deity>, then it is up to you to remove yourself when you hit that age. Similarly, it is up to you to only consume Coke Zero and not be tempted by the evils of other sodas. If you feel strongly enough about it then you boycott any cafeterias that provide alternatives. Religions that prescribe the behaviour of non-members are merely a means to control other people and such religions should be shunned by society due to the historical problems that they have caused.
dragonwriter 4y ago
Constitutional freedom of religion is not directly relevant to employment claims; what is relevant there is the scope of the applicable anti-discrimination law. But that also won’t use pre-approved lists.

In the US it does not matter. Freedom of Religion does not imply one must choose from a pre-approved list of religions.

tracker1 4y ago

While not a list, there are some constraints when it comes to being an organized religion for tax purposes.

CodeWriter23 4y ago
Which would only come into play if a religion collects revenue.

pkulak 4y ago

Pretty sure it does. Pastafarians have been trying for over a decade now to get special treatment and it never works.

henryfjordan 4y ago
You can wear a colander in your driver's license photo: https://people.com/celebrity/pastafarian-wins-right-to-wear-colander-in-dmv-photo/ https://people.com/celebrity/pastafarian-wins-right-to-wear-...
- ndsipa_pomu 4y ago
  I think she's straining the limits of parody religions there

Zetice 4y ago

It absolutely matters if I’m trying to understand the reasoning…

Root_Denied 4y ago

Not really relevant in the context of an employment contract since that only applies to government actions with respect to religion and religious beliefs, and for some accommodations (like being tax exempt) it actually is from a pre-approved list.

getoffmyyawn 4y ago
That is incorrect. The IRS uses a set of tests to determine tax exempt status of a religious organization and none of them involve being on a pre-approved list or indicate what the nature of the religious beliefs must be. Organizations that meet the test requirements are automatically exempt and don't need to file anything at all[0]. 0. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/churches-integrated-auxiliaries-and-conventions-or-associations-of-churches https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/churches-integrate...
CodeWriter23 4y ago
False. https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/small-business/3-who-protected-employment-discrimination#:~:text=Applicants%2C%20employees%20and%20former%20employees,(including%20family%20medical%20history) https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/small-business/3-who-protecte....

AnimalMuppet 4y ago

Freedom of religion doesn't mean "freedom to take any random thing you like and claim that it's a religion", though.

yamazakiwi 4y ago
Religions are claims so I don't see a difference if the person truly believes it. I don't know if your definition of religion is important to what people consider their religion.
- brewdad 4y ago
  Ok but what happens when my religion says no one should be allowed to live past age 50? I have a "strongly held" belief that all of the world's problems are caused by older people and removing them from the planet is a necessity. There have to be some limits on what is allowed to be a protected religious belief. Otherwise we get into the realm of ranking which human rights matter more and that path leads to madness. The path of "silly" religious beliefs is no better. My religion requires that Coke Zero be the one true soda. If the employee cafeteria offers sodas, you must accommodate my beliefs by serving Coke Zero. Also, Pepsi is the root of all evil and must never be allowed in the same room as Coke products.
  - yamazakiwi 4y ago
    Of course we as humans should create limits to protect ourselves from crazies but let's be clear; the "silly" religious beliefs are generally nothing but an inconvenience. That is completely different than thinking outsiders of your religion should die. My point is that those that hold religious beliefs would ignore limits if they targeted their beliefs anyway. Additionally, the action of defining what is and is not religion is usually done by those with self-righteous attitudes. Humans regularly decide if they like someone based on what they believe and an unbiased definition will never be possible in our current state.
  - ndsipa_pomu 4y ago
    Ultimately, religions are about the behaviour of the members of that religion. Attempting to make others conform to your own religion is generally a bad idea and leads to violence and wars. If you truly believe that over-50s are against the will of <insert-deity>, then it is up to you to remove yourself when you hit that age. Similarly, it is up to you to only consume Coke Zero and not be tempted by the evils of other sodas. If you feel strongly enough about it then you boycott any cafeterias that provide alternatives. Religions that prescribe the behaviour of non-members are merely a means to control other people and such religions should be shunned by society due to the historical problems that they have caused.

dragonwriter 4y ago

Constitutional freedom of religion is not directly relevant to employment claims; what is relevant there is the scope of the applicable anti-discrimination law. But that also won’t use pre-approved lists.