Should religions be made to prove their claims, before gaining tax exempt status or any recognition at all?
463110
Great idea -\n\n- no tax exemption status until at least three miracles are performed in the presence of IRS agents.
458261
No. All non-Christians have the right to request and use a non-Christian or non-religious oath, or in some courts they will be required to "affirm" that their testimony is the truth.  Even Christians may do that -- some Quakers, for instance, believe that asking god to back up your testimony is a form of cheating (and if you think about it, they have a point), so they use the affirmation oath instead.
916050
FIrst you must start a church or organization. This costs around $45 for the paper work and tax ID number. You will be tax exempt of course. For approx. $75 more you can start your own religion. This is for filing the proper paper work.  You will need to be specific about the details of your religion but there are no requirements.
478681
No, they can't force you to however, it may impair your credibility so you can instead make an affirmation. \n\nI do not "believe in god" either, I also will not swear an oath to any state or government either. Many legal documents require a notary seal, I refuse their oath so, instead i make only a documented affirmation, it works and is completely legal.(saves on notary fees to boot)
715168
Of course.  They wrote the law, so it doesn't apply to them.  Political campaigns, charities and companies you've done business with before are all exempt.
349787
I think your question is rather retorical, if someone makes information about themselves public, it's rather hard to just "take it back" once it's out there. I really can't see the Jehovah's Witnesses having any legs to stand on. From what I read, these quotes in question were not some secret memo that might have some protection under the law, although I don't know if religious secrets are protected in the same manner as trade secrets. In any case if the statements are made publically or in a publically available publication (hence the word Public-ation), they do not have any legs to stand on.
554127
If the religious organization is incorporated in the US, you should be able to contact the local Secretary of State to get the appropriate documents.\n\nIf it's not, then those documents are just internal policies.
97776
There is a detailed set of requirements for being recognized as a non-profit by the IRS. This non-profit status is recognized by everyone nationwide. It allows your income to not be taxed. The source below has details about the process.
1107591
Yes if anyone tries to sell you religion just tell them this:\n\n Suppose you hear in one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you that some worthless rabble among you have led their fellow citizens astray by encouraging them to worship foreign gods.  In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully.  If you find it is true and can prove that such a detestable act has occurred among you, you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock.  Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the street and burn it.  Put the entire town to the torch as a burnt offering to the LORD your God.  That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt.  Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction.  Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you.  He will have compassion on you and make you a great nation, just as he solemnly promised your ancestors.  "The LORD your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him."  (Deuteronomy 13:13-19 NLT)
166738
1.  I believe the churches actually provide the chaplains, and the army just provides living expenses and transportation, etc.  I don't see how that violates the Establishment clause.\n\n2.  I would not have a problem with non-denominational or rotating denominational prayers and holiday displays.  I think religious diversity and "comparative religion" as a study would be preferable to trying to eliminate all things religious and spiritual.  This is a country with a great many religious people in it, and making secularism or materialism the only "religion" taught in public schools is a big mistake.
581981
I'm not sure how you are defining "separation of church and state".  That phrase doesn't appear in the constitution in any form.\n\nI agree with what the constitution says, in essence and I paraphrase... that "the congress (government) shall establish no official mandated religion" which it never has nor ever will. If that is your definition, YES.  I do believe and support no "state mandated religion" which is what the writers of the constitution clearly intended.  \n\nIf you define it like that idiot out in funny land (California) Michael Neudow does, who wants "in God we trust" off all our money, all our buildings and all references to any higher power expunged from all government related materials of any kind, the answer is NO.\n\nIf you don't remember Mr. Neudow, he is the same looney that filed the phoney lawsuit "on behalf" of his 7 year old daughter to take "under God" out of the Pledge of Alleigence.  My answer to that perverted interpretation of the constitution is a big, BIG NO and I don't believe in it for the simplest reason in the world, THATS NOT WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS. nor what it means.\n\nAs for tax status, I could care less since the IRS will stick to just as bad either way.\n\nOh, yeah, by the way.... <lord_dups76> (the first reply) should really, REALLY be back on his Lithium.
367586
The best way is to get a receipt when you make the donation.  If you try to claim donations without one, you won't have any proof to show if you're audited.
30622
The state I live in was founded by a group of people (The Pilgrims) who wanted the right to have religious freedom. I knew a few Muslim families when I was growing up. They were a hard working, law abiding, kind and generous people. It is unfair to judge a religious group based on what a very small percent of them are doing. Having said that, I will say this about the controversy this past December in regards to Christmas. It comes across as not wanting to offend other peoples religious beliefs but, at the same time, it appears to be heading in the direction of denying Christians their rights. The controversy this past December about changing the name of the Christmas Tree to Holiday Tree is one example. Department stores who sell Christmas gifts, toys, and decorations telling their employees they can not say Merry Christmas only Happy Holidays is another example. As an example (no offense meant toward anyone): If one of my children's teachers said to my child Happy Hanakah or Happy Kwanza, I would interpret it as a sign of good will, not a reason to hire a lawyer and sue.
129764
I would imagine the IRS has certain immunities to laws such as this, as well as having probable cause when suspecting an individual or business of tax fraud.
1153255
I don't understand why they feel the need to pressure the government to recognize their marriage. Are they doing it for the tax benefits? Or to make waves? I also don't understand what the government is doing getting involved in a religious institution. It's none of their business. Why are there tax laws benefitting married people in the first place? Maybe it's to help promote the building of families.  I think it would be a better idea to make an amendment to the constitution stating that no branch of the government shall cede benefits to anyone based on marital status. And that the government shall in no way make laws concerning marriage. It would be separation of church and state. They shouldn't have their noses in it at all.
282852
Hmmmmm.....not sure (isn't there some sort of monetary thing in your belief system?)\n\nJust one thing I would like to point out, because it is actually important. You need to make sure that your religion has a legitimate history or connection to history. Why? Well, the Supreme Court of the US said that to atleast be considered a religion, for the sake of defining religion, that a religion has a connection to history or a history to its beliefs. Think of Wicca. It wasn't called Wicca before (and in fact some Wiccans tell me that Wicca is a new religion, but that it came out of the Old Religion or the Craft). Just thought I'd mention it so that way your religion is legitimate in the eyes of the courts.\n\nAs for supporting you monetarily...well I don't know your beliefs well enough to know what it says about having to do that. You might want to look at your beliefs and find out what it says about that very topic. Perhaps in your rituals you could add a place where people can offer money as a sacrifice. Just a thought.
55334
thats an interesting question, we just learned about that whole issue in self and identity class (dont ask)...we talked about the origins of earth, man, etc. and how this stupid lawsuit is ruining everything...i think that a person should be entitled to their opinion, and adding lets say religion to a Catholic teaching anyways wouldnt do ANY harm...and the most common belief relious wise is the whole God created the world in seven days thing...i think that religion can carefully be incorporated into schools without overdoing anything...its lame in general