how a group in the US legally goes from being an organization to being a religion. So, how

does that work?

Well, the short answer is, it doesn't. There is no actual way for the US Government to

legally recognize a religion. "But Tara, with Hobby Lobby the Supreme court said"- No. Let

me explain.

The First Amendment states that:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting

the free exercise thereof;"

So outside of acknowledging that religions exist, the amendment doesn't give the Government

the power to do anything. It's just gives them the obligation to not do things, namely

establish or prohibit religion.

By implication, it also prevents the Government from elevating any one religion over another,

because that would count as establishing one religion and, by extension, prohibiting others.

So, they can't even make a list of approved religions. Which begs the question, how can

you protect the rights of something you can't officially recognize?

That's the thing about the US constitution. It's designed to protect the rights of US

citizens, including their freedom of religion. But it's NOT designed to protect their specific

religion and it's definitely not designed to protect their religious institution. It's

the difference between protecting someone's belief in Catholicism and protecting the Catholic

church.

You see, the Supreme Court sees religion as "a sincere and meaningful belief that occupies

in the life of its possessor a place parallel to the place held by God in the lives of other

persons."

And that is what the freedom of religion protects, your right to believe and practice whatever

religion you want.

If an organization is using those beliefs and practices to form a religion, that's fine,

but it's those beliefs and practices that are being protected - not that religious organization.

So, there's no legal official way to become a religion, but there doesn't have to be.

All religious beliefs - big or small - are protected. So pray on, prayer.

If you wanna hear how freedom of religion is implemented in the real world, then watch

our video on the recent Hobby Lobby ruling by the Supreme Court. If you found this show

informative, please subscribe. And remember - we release new episodes 5 days a week. So

any help we can get spreading the word is much appreciated.