What is a Religion?

A Phoenix story concerning a Goddess temple that is alleged to be involved in prostitution raises interesting questions about what is and is not a religious practice.

In the United States, atheists and agnostics have claimed protection against employment discrimination under the religious discrimination prohibitions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Not all religions involve a belief in God. Some religious practices have involved the use of drugs. Critics of fanatical environmentalism have argued that it has become a religion for many as it implies a worship of the Earth. [Is Earth Day a religious event?] Since there is no list of recognized religions, it is possible for a person to create a new religion in no time at all and with few followers.

Given the broad coverage of what may constitute a religion, it can reasonably be asked if those who would remove any references to religion from government buildings are imposing a Religion of Non-Religion. Communism, in a famous critique, was called "The God That Failed."

Sincerity of belief has been part of the analysis in discrimination cases and that, of course, can be difficult to measure. Is a temple that involves sexual practices a sincere religious institution or is it a scam? Does a movement that denies any desire to be a religion but resembles in all other aspects a religion fall under the definition of religion?