Q: Can a person murder another person and it'll be OK if they claim it's part of their religion to murder people?
How come some people are exempt from the draft due to their religious beliefs or anti-war beliefs whereas others have to fight? Wouldn't everyone just claim they can't follow a law because it goes against their religious beliefs? If someone claims they can't pay taxes because it's against their religious or personal beliefs, does that mean they don't have to pay taxes? Where is the line drawn where religion can get you out of things and where it can't? Can laws ever be 100% secular?
I'm not planning on killing anyone by the way; this is just for research purposes and out of curiosity.
I would like a response. I asked this question before and no one answered my question. Thank you.
A:
Claims of religious beliefs can be tested for sincerity. That is the case with conscientious objector status in the military. If you claim that your religion precludes, prevents, or causes you to do something, you better be prepared to show you sincerely believe that, and that you ascribe to all principles of that faith.
You cannot claim a religious exemption to most crimes, including murder.
1 user found this answer helpful
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
