[lugsoul]

I think you are showing an ethnocentric bias. It does not. Any imam can interpret the Koran in their own way - and they often do so. You may have noted the recent comments from Khomeini's son. I'd dare say his views aren't mainstream. But he is still an imam, with a following. There is no "official" church, nor any "official" church doctrine. In fact, there is a fair argument that this kind of "establishment" is far more fraught with peril than a more centralized one.

Anyway - the idea that their are some faiths with fall within "thereof" which do not fall within "religion" is among the most tortured Constitutional constructions I've seen, and is worthy of none other than William O. Douglas in its lack of textual support.

[inquest]

There is no "official" church, nor any "official" church doctrine.

There would still have to be an official organization, otherwise anybody could just up and call himself an imam.

Anyway - the idea that their are some faiths with fall within "thereof" which do not fall within "religion" is among the most tortured Constitutional constructions I've seen, and is worthy of none other than William O. Douglas in its lack of textual support.

That's not what I said. I said that a "faith" is not a religion. Religions are modes of worship, and the organizations centered around them. There's only a slight variation of context between the two clauses that are influenced by the surrounding words. You seem to be reading way more into my statements than there actually is.