How Does a Religion Become Legally Recognized As a Religion or Made "Official"

[steven39]

For example, a legally recognized religion can perform functions legally permitted to clergy such as marriages, funerals etc. In certain instances they can claim exemptions to SOME laws or protocols on legal grounds. In order to do so the religion must be recognized.

I need to know how a religion becomes legally recognized to the extent mentioned.

[Dogmatique]

We're not doing your homework for you.

This is the type of stuff you do yourself.

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(And really - in the US, you need not be of ANY religion to be recognized as an officiant who can perform the same services....)

[steven39]

Dogmatique,

Thank you for not being able to answer my question but going through the inane effort of leaving a response attesting to your inability to do so. I am sure you feel like you have accomplished something. And, pardon me for wording my question in such a grammatically advanced manner as to make you think it must be copied from a homework assignment which it is not.

Also, excuse me for thinking this was a legal forum... Perhaps this is a support forum for the intellectually challenged which would explain your presence here. Cyberspace must be a very confusing place for you, because I checked and this is indeed a legal forum which makes your presence even more peculiar. Since this is a legal forum and I started a relevant thread, the topic of which is not your lack of intelligence, I suggest you refrain from comment.

Interesting how you attacked me for asking a question. You would make a good specimen for a sociology study.

[Dogmatique]

Dogmatique,

Thank you for not being able to answer my question but going through the inane effort of leaving a response attesting to your inability to do so. I am sure you feel like you have accomplished something. And, pardon me for wording my question in such a grammatically advanced manner as to make you think it must be copied from a homework assignment which it is not.

Also, excuse me for thinking this was a legal forum... Perhaps this is a support forum for the intellectually challenged which would explain your presence here. Cyberspace must be a very confusing place for you, because I checked and this is indeed a legal forum which makes your presence even more peculiar. Since this is a legal forum and I started a relevant thread, the topic of which is not your lack of intelligence, I suggest you refrain from comment.

Interesting how you attacked me for asking a question. You would make a good specimen for a sociology study.

^^^^ and this is how we know you're a troll.

[flyingron]

The rules as to who can certify marriages varies from state to state. If you have a specific question, indicate the state and we can help you.
There are no laws as to who can perform religious ceremonies.
There are laws, Federal and state, that indicate what religions may have to do to claim the benefit (tax, etc...) of being religious organization.
These however are again highly varied depending on what you're trying to do.