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The ACLU-EM represented the Ethical Society of St. Louis in a
challenge to an attempt by St. Louis County to rescind its status as a
religious organization for tax-exempt purposes. In 1962, the Ethical
Society was granted tax-exempt status. That status was being
reconsidered on the grounds that a Missouri Supreme Court case requires
that in order to be considered a religion, a group must profess "a
belief in the Supreme Being." Missouri Church of Scientology v. State Tax Commission of Missouri, 560 SW2d 837 (Mo 1977)
"Ethical Culture" (sometimes known as "Ethical Humanism"), the faith
exercised by the Ethical Society of St. Louis, is a nationwide and
international movement established in 1876. Its belief system seeks to
address religious needs of members without reference to God or a
supernatural reality. The group challenged the presumption in Missouri
law that that worship of "the Supreme Being" is required to be
considered a religion for tax purposes. In August, Tom Blumenthal
represented the Ethical Society at the St. Louis County Board of
Equalization. The Board recommended, and the St. Louis County Council
approved, the restoration of the Ethical Society's tax exemption.
Legal Documents
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