Iowa Republicans pass law allowing religious displays in capitol. Get mad at religious display

some charismatic guy can just say he’s a “Christian” and start a “church” and it’s the same thing he just gets spared the scrutiny.

 

You are right and that is a church, he may preach whatever but under auspices of some recognized religion, I'm asking about a religion. Like I don't know, something apolitical, let's say frog worship! Can I start that religion and get any and all benefits of a recognized religion?

 

I’m a Bible Believer and I infer from the scriptures that Satan is no more. I’m an atheist of sorts. Who knew ?

 

I don't see why not. No more disingenuous than a conman pretending to be "christian" and starting a "church" to make money tax free.

 

People outraged that churches draw revenue.

Would also be outraged if churches ceased the charitable work they’re doing.

 

It's sadly ironic that a segment of those who object to government assistance programs identify as Christian nationalists and want the U.S to be officially recognized and run as such.

 

The complicating aspect here is that, absent clear evidence of fraudulent intent, do we want the government (the courts, IRS, etc.) subjectively deciding which religious propositions are "legitimate"? And if so, how should that work given that religious beliefs are, almost by definition, typically not falsifiable?

Should there be a minimum number of believers requirement? Should the belief system have to be a specific number of years old? As another example (I previously brought up Scientology), many people, including Christians, I'm sure, believe that Joseph Smith was a fraud who essentially formed a cult as recently as the 19th Century. Let's assume the worst about him for the sake of discussion. How should the government analyze that today given that there are obviously many LDS members who are as sincere in their beliefs as anybody else? Is it just going to be like porn - that we know a "real" religion when we see it?

Just thinking out loud; I don't have any bright line test. To the extent that religious beliefs and religious organizations might increasingly be afforded special status under the law (as opposed to merely neutral status), it will be interesting to see if more and more people start framing arguments in religious terms and/or "discovering" new religions entirely.

 

I can think of another phenomenon that’s highly ironic.

 

I really think we and many others probably are very close in our thinking about this. It' impossible to have a "legitimate organization" to determine a "legitimate religion".

 

I’m pretty sure it only has to be a Christian group to be eligible to commit hate crimes.

 

Ridiculous to equate morons stirring up trouble with Satanic figures with actual religion. Those folks even state it’s not a religion.

 

it’s also ironic they refer to themselves as strict constitutionalist.

As a practicing Christian, I realize our gov should not steamroll Christianity.

 

Many seem to ignore that side of the coin. Most people I consider to be sincere Christians have concerns about what the state could do to religion if they're not kept separate. But I imagine those who cynically use religion as a means to an end don't ultimately care much about these risks.

 

Christians have lost the culture war. They are defeated. The defeat is decisive. The defeat is likely irreversible. Time to get on to being churches.

 

That's the first thing I've heard today that makes any sense.
And I read the Kirby Smart to the Falcons thread.

 

I have read various versions of the bet. I honestly don’t buy it. He did say in one of his later pieces of fiction that the way to get rich was to form a religion. My favorite version of the bet story is heinlein, Vonnegut and Hubbard were drinking and they made a bet about who could come up with the best religion. Heinlein came up with Stranger in a strange land, vonnegut came up with Cats Cradle and L Ron came up with Dianetics.

 

Maybe because the followers have faith in something that can't be proven by anyone or anything. Pretty much the foundation for all religions. Faith in something that can't be proven.
Just because there are more people believing one deity than another, doesn't make their faith any less real to them.

 

That’s a big enough tent to include atheists!

*listens for gnashing of teeth*

 

Not believing in anything is a belief system too. Atheists, of which these mostly tongue-in-cheek devil worshippers most likely belong, should have the same rights to display their views as Christians do.