Legitimate Religion

[NeferKa]

I registered at http://beliefnet.com/ in order to suggest this website. Has anyone else tried this yet? They have everything from Baha'i to Zoroastrianism, but no Pastafarianism. Perhaps if more people suggested FSM to the site, they’d accept it as a legitimate religion.

I also found this link: http://www.tylwythteg.com/association/assoc8.html It’s for registering Wiccan covens, but perhaps the information could be helpful in getting FSM legally recognized.

Also, check out the IRS site about tax-exemption for religious organizations: http://www.irs.gov/charities/churches/index.html

[paulcounter]

During the last UK population census (they do one every five years- next due 2010 I think) sheer weight of numbers forced "Jedi" onto the list as an official religion. We've got 4 years left to get enough numbers together in the UK to make Pastafarianism official. Get recruiting.

[Dr. Otis Lansa]

http://www.snopes.com/religion/jedi.htm

I've seen this so many times I had to check.

I also just did my Canadian census forms.... Canada doesn't want to know what religion you are. I find this pretty representative; I don't really know the faith of many of my friends.


Paul, pop over to the New Convert Thread in the area with the big red START HERE and say hello!

[Alpaca]

Okay. At this point, it's warranted a new addition to the FAQ thread.

[EVA 01]

...If booby does a few more of his crazy stunts (as well as us) tax exempt status will be in our hands. But untill then...belef.net will be fine.

[boghog]

I also just did my Canadian census forms.... Canada doesn't want to know what religion you are. I find this pretty representative; I don't really know the faith of many of my friends.

They do, but they don't ask everybody.

There are two sets of forms. Most people get the basic set ("What's your name? What's your address? How old are you? Are you a farmer?" and that's it), but I know one person who got randomly selected for the detailed form ("What's your religion? What's your ethnic background? How much do you make?" and on, and on...). They just ask fewer people (I guess so they don't have as much data-crunching to do at Statistics Canada).

[SiX]

What is the status of becoming legit? I have some experience starting a nonprofit, have researched becoming a church, and am an ordained minister of the ULC. I am more than happy to help and contribute in any way possible. Let me know what I can do.

[Dr. Otis Lansa]

They do, but they don't ask everybody.

There are two sets of forms. Most people get the basic set ("What's your name? What's your address? How old are you? Are you a farmer?" and that's it), but I know one person who got randomly selected for the detailed form ("What's your religion? What's your ethnic background? How much do you make?" and on, and on...). They just ask fewer people (I guess so they don't have as much data-crunching to do at Statistics Canada).

Huh. I got the half-and-half set then, because they asked all the ethnic, language and financial info, but not religion.

[boghog]

They do, but they don't ask everybody.

There are two sets of forms. Most people get the basic set ("What's your name? What's your address? How old are you? Are you a farmer?" and that's it), but I know one person who got randomly selected for the detailed form ("What's your religion? What's your ethnic background? How much do you make?" and on, and on...). They just ask fewer people (I guess so they don't have as much data-crunching to do at Statistics Canada).

Huh. I got the half-and-half set then, because they asked all the ethnic, language and financial info, but not religion.

My mistake, then. I thought they asked about religion on the big form.

[Dr. Otis Lansa]

It wasn't on mine... perhaps it's a regional difference?

[boghog]

It wasn't on mine... perhaps it's a regional difference?

[joke]
'Cuz everyone knows that everyone in Alberta is an evangelical Christian, so they fill it in for you!
[/joke]



Edit: My 500th post!

[iacrawf]

I go to Iowa State University for college, and when i return to campus in the fall, i plan on starting a Religious organization for pastafarianism. It will be my mission as long as I remain at ISU to introduce others to our religion. Of course, i will not force others to believe (as if i could force anyone to do anything )

[Enigma]

Hmm... I've never had to write down "my faith" anywhere, ever. In fact, I could very well have avoided to answer similar questions in real life as well, with the result of remaining a mystery in form of beliefs. It's not that important over here, I guess.

[Fredrick2003]

I wonder what the response would be if you wrote pastafarianism down...