What Is: Religious Organizations?
Religious Organizations are those organizations established for purposes that relate directly to religion. They include both strictly religious groups such as religious denominations and congregations, and groups organized around religion, for example: bible societies; religious grade schools, high schools and colleges; relief organizations; religious orders and societies (ie., the Knights of Columbus, Worldwide Marriage Encounter, Knights of St. Joseph); humanitarian aid groups; missions; dioceses; youth groups and sports leagues; various media and political organizations; and inter-religious groups. As some degree of infrastructure is necessary to conduct religious activities, there are other religion-related organizations responsible for necessary tasks such as nominating and appointing religious leaders; determining qualifications for membership; establishing doctrine and regulations; maintaining churches, temples, mosques and other places of worship; and establishing and paying the salaries of religious leaders. Religious organizations are also addressed in both federal and state law, although definitions of what constitutes a religious organization, for tax and other legal purposes, vary from state to state.