Quantum Windbag
Gold Member
- May 9, 2010
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- #221
The thing is, without a special status for religion, the government would have no constraints on making groups of people do things that they personally disagree with. Obama handed the Amish an exception to Obamacare because their religious practices specifically forbid insurance.
As for your question, as I said the laws are a bit tricky. It is legal for the government to fire you if they find out you use peyote even if your religion says it is necessary, It is not, however, legal for them to arrest you for using peyote. One involves your rights as an individual, the other involves your rights as a believer.
Ok, but regarding my new religion, what sort of criteria must we meet for our followers to get special exemptions from laws we don't like?
You don't get blanket exemptions, you have to prove that what you are doing is an integral part of your beliefs, hence the exemption from drug laws if you are a Native American, but not employment laws.