What if I created a new religion? Would it be legal?

Question

1) Cutting off the lobes of ears: (We believe ears are dirty because my God said so in a book I wrote).

2) All men must wear designer silk gloves . (Part of my belief of not catching germs).

3) Women wear a hood over their heads with pictures of Motorbikes. (Motorbikes are sacred in my religion, and we must be allowed to carry a bottle of oil also).

4) I need seperate bathing areas to other religions where I bathe in tears of friends and relatives. (Vital part to my religion).

5) I require a special diet where I only can eat food that is cold. My preference is ice cream. (Any other way would be seen as very wrong to me and offensive).

6) I need buildings where I play rock music very loudly at 7am over loud speakers and nobody is allowed in the building if they are female, or they aren't a member of my religion.

7) If anyone draws a photo of a motorbike without consent, we riot/threaten or kill people - worldwide.

8) My own motorbike bank law with legal standing.

Answer 1

Creating the religion -- that depends on the laws of your country. Some countries have a national religion (England, Iraq, Saudi Arabia) and some don't (US, India).

In the US -- the courts are not allowed (constitutionally) to evaluate whether a religion is "valid" or not -- they can only verify whether you are consistent in following its tenets.

As to the activities you list -- belief is one thing -- practice is another. Almost all counties regulate conduct, whether religious or otherwise -- and just because something is religiously motivated may or may not (depending on the country and the religion) get you around general laws.

In the US -- you can get away with #2, #3 (mostly), #4 (but the govt won't provide them), and #5 (again, you provide your own, or settle for whatever non-heated food is available).

#1 and #7 aren't going to be allowed -- maiming and violence don't have religious exemptions. #6 you might get -- except for the noise problem, depending on local zoning.

Answer 2

If you are Canadian, according to section 2a) of the Charter of Freedoms and Rights, you are allowed to practice your freedom of religion. But, these freedoms are restricted by section 1 of the Charter of Freedoms and Rights, which says that the following freedoms are permissible only to justifiable limits. These limits include other freedoms from the Charter, including section 7 which states the right to life, liberty, and security. Therefore, number 7 would be out of the question because of Criminal Law. The others will be subject to reasonable limits as well. Your practice of religion will be considered a minority and thus will not be recognized by the government, but you can however, find your own place to play music, pray and wear whatever clothing your religion may please, as long as it is not offensive to the public.

Answer 3

Nice comparison with Islam.
But its not the religions fault that a small group are up themselves and want to kill all infidels and non-belivers. And not only non-believers, but also people wgo dont worship in a certain way.
I dont believe in any god, however if people get comfort from it I wont knock it, but you must never hurt anyone else because of your beliefs.
That is always wrong, no matter who does it.

Answer 4

Definitely not. Your commandments(?) 2,3,4 & 5, would probably be legal - weird, but legal - but 1, 6, 7 & 8 would definately be illegal.

1 - self mutilation is not illegal I don't think(you would probably be commited for 3 days for psychiatric examination); but unwillingly, like for a child, definately out.

6 - the standard for the allowance of loud music is from 8-10 p.m.

7 - you tripped up here; your proposition is beyond the pale; want even comment on it.

8 - this one is too far out; you would have to have unfettered control of the treasury.

To conclude, you must have had a ball thinking this up. I enjoyed reading it, and responding to the rather hilarious tenants you postulated for your new religion.

Enjoy,

Wotan

Answer 5

Starting your own religion is ok, legally speaking.
Practically speaking, though, a religion isn't really a religion unless more than one person believes and belongs/worships whatever. A religion of one is just one weird guy.

Answer 6

You can start any religion you please but I don't understand why you would want to kill anyone who doesn't believe in your religion. That's not being very tolerant of others.

Your faith is worshipping "motorbikes"? Are you the only member of your religion?

Answer 7

Well overcourse it would be legal to creat your own religion, this iss the USA and we have freedom, as to cutting of ear lobes... well on yourself thats ok, but DONT DO IT TO OTHER PEOPLE UNLESS THEY SIGN SOMTHING SAYING THEY WANT YOU TO DO IT, big sign on your head saying , SUE ME, and three stop spamming, we all know your not realy gona do it, got me laughing thought LOL

PS. STOP BEING SEXIST!!
YOU FREEK


I can see it now ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY MOTORBIKE!!

Answer 8

You already know this wouldn't be legal. And honestly, just how many followers do you see yourself getting. Sounds more like a warped cult rather than a religion, but hey that's just my opinion.

Answer 9

I'm not sure if your religion would be legal or not, but if you played rock music very loudly at 7am where I live, you'd better start saying your prayers! lol

Answer 10

I will be honest I didn't take time to read all of this but yes it is legal to start your own religion but you need to get followers but if you do illegal things with this group of followers obviously that is not legal.