Aug 17, 2007 07:06
The IRS criteria for a Religion are:
a distinct legal existence, - yup
a recognized creed and form of worship, - yup
a definite and distinct ecclesiastical government, - yup
a formal code of doctrine and discipline - yup
a distinct religious history, - yup
a membership not associated with any other church or denomination, - um...?
an organization of ordained ministers, - yup
ordained ministers selected after completing prescribed studies, - yup
a literature of its own, - yup
established places of worship, - yup
regular congregations, - yup
regular religious services, - yup
Sunday schools for religious instruction of the young, - um..?
school for the preparation of its ministers. - yup