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Can anyone found a religion which would be protected by the freedom of religion including all newly-created rules and rituals?

Asked by mattbrowne (31732points) March 2nd, 2010

What exactly are the criteria in your country so a worldview becomes accepted as a religion?

Suppose a few Flutherites found a religion called Lurvnuism and the key ritual to worship Lurvana is smoking weed on a full moon. Well, would it be legal to smoke cannabis? Is this ritual protected by the freedom of religion?

Under US Federal law, employers generally cannot discriminate against employees on the basis of race, sex, age, disability and many other factors. Same in Europe.

I’ve heard of a recent case in Europe when a woman who graduated in Catholic theology applied for a job as a priest which the church denied. She filed a lawsuit with the European Court of Justice claiming that the European anti-discrimination laws had been violated by the Catholic Church. I’m not sure how this will end but obviously there’s a legal conflict between freedom of religion and discrimination. So if Lurvnuism is officially recognized as a religion in the US and Europe smoking weed should become legal for Lurvana worshipers.

Seriously, would this approach work?

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