7.25.3.6.5 (02-23-1999)
Religious Belief Defined
The term "religious" as used in IRC 501(c)(3) is not subject to precise definition. The leading interpretation of the term was made by the Supreme Court in United States v. Seeger, 380 U.S. 163 (1965), in which the Court interpreted the phrase "religious training and belief" as used in the Universal Military Training and Service Act, 50 U.S.C. section 456 (j), in determining an individual’s eligibility for exemption from military service on religious grounds. The Court formulated the following definition: "A sincere and meaningful belief which occupies in the life of its possessor a place parallel to that filled by the God of those admittedly qualifying for the exemption comes within the statutory definition."
The Court elaborated upon the Seeger definition in Welsh v. United States, 398 U.S. 33 (1970), stating that "f an individual deeply and sincerely holds beliefs that are purely ethical or moral in source and content but that nevertheless impose upon him a duty of conscience to refrain from participating in any war at any time, those beliefs certainly occupy in the life of that individual a place parallel to that filled by... God in the lives of traditionally religious persons." Thus, religious beliefs include many beliefs (for example, Taoism, Buddhism, and Secular Humanism) that do not posit the existence of a Supreme Being in the conventional sense.
http://www.irs.gov/irm/part7/irm_07-025-003.htmlIn short, no. Its a question only confused atheist would ask.
Bitcoin is a technological innovation. As such it generates interest as vehicle for quick profit (such is the case of majority of members here), followed by EGO of earlier adopters. Those along with minority of technocrats present sometimes "fetishizes" this technology to the point of obssesion. But that doesnt make it religion. Fashion? Perhaps.
Same thing happened back in the day during dot.com boom, before that to personal computer boom, to firearms boom. Etc. etc.
All of these people above will one day move to the next big thing or just will get old
Now, organized religion is something entirely different as it is not based around material possesions or avalaible technical equipment. Religion dictates upon indvidual strict belief system, that molds him into part of a community, something greater, that endures time and conflicts.
Bitcoin for the time being can complement religion XY as useful tool and vice versa. But those two are and will be separate things as they appeal to different parts of human psyche.
