[lugsoul]

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

Yep. That would be the case. Though not everyone would have to agree, or listen to him. It is more of a bottom-up thing than a top-down thing.

[MineralMan]

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

Yep. That would be the case. Though not everyone would have to agree, or listen to him. It is more of a bottom-up thing than a top-down thing."

Not that much different from Protestant Christianity, really. Anyone can start a church and declare him/herself a minister. You can just start preaching. If you can attract a following, then you have a viable Christian church. There are so many of them around here that were started just that way.

[inquest]

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

Yep. That would be the case. Though not everyone would have to agree, or listen to him. It is more of a bottom-up thing than a top-down thing.

Then it sounds like what you're describing is freedom of religion. In what way is it "established"?