What religions are recognized by the US government?

Answer 1

Freedom of religion is addressed in the First Amendment to the Constitution, which does not mention any specific religion. It states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Except for creating a list of "recognized" religions/denominations for purposes of determining from which of them the military will allow there to be military chaplains, there are no religions that are "recognized" by the US government. Anyone is free to practice any religion one wants in the United States; and most in the United States acknowledge anything which calls itself a religion as, in fact, a religion.

For example, most agree that Scientology isn't really a religion, even though it has long called itself that. The IRS (after a lengthy court battle and a final out-of-court settlement in the '90s) finally granted Scientology non-profit status as a religion under section 501(c)(3) of the tax code; but those who considered it a religion considered it so long before that, and ever since. And most in the US will at least treat it as a religion out of courtesy. But there's no government recognition involved... not even by the IRS. Its decision is based on how the group handles its money; whether it truly complies with the requirements of a "non-profit" or "not-for-profit" entity. I make that point to show that even whether or not the IRS grants "non-profit" status isn't really recognition as a religion. Many non-profit organizations are secular; and non-profit status by the IRS is not required in order for a religion to call itself that.

The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States expressly prohibits the government involving itself, in any way, in religion. So there both is and can never be a list of "recognized" religions. All religions are permitted, and the government goes out of its way to leave them alone as long as they're law-abiding... just like anyone else. If a religion, either as part of its normal practices, or as part of a moment of its existence for whatever reason, breaks the law in some way -- and by that I mean the same laws by which anyone else must abide (no special laws for religions) -- then said religion (or at least the people in it) will find themselves on the wrong side of the law, and may be arrested or sued by the government... again, just like anyone else.

So, then, bottom line: There are no religions that are recognized by the US government. The US government doesn't engage in such things.

For the list of religions that are recognized by the U.S. military, please visit the Relate Link.