Law Commons^™

Let My Arm Be Broken Off At The Elbow, Chad J. Pomeroy

Faculty Articles

Though the American legal system is deferential toward religion and churches, it is undeniable that the Church of Latter-day Saints-and other like organizations-are not just churches. They are, instead, important participants in the market economy, some of them global business enterprises of major proportions. This twinning of profit and spirit is seamless for many religions, with numerous modem churches preaching a "prosperity gospel" that promises spiritual and temporal blessings in return for donations."' Still other churches-such as the Church of Scientology-directly charge for religious services that are "necessary" for spiritual improvement and advancement in the church hierarchy. And still others …