QLD Are religious titles protected under law?

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KBosco77

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19 March 2018
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If I'm ordained overseas may I use my title in Australia? Are any such titles protected under law?
 

Rob Legat - SBPL

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I don't know of any impediment to using your title. The Constitution contains some provisions about the freedom of religion. However, your title may not be 'recognised' as legitimate in Australia (which is a different thing).
 
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KBosco77

Member
19 March 2018
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I don't know of any impediment to using your title. The Constitution contains some provisions about the freedom of religion. However, your title may not be 'recognised' as legitimate in Australia (which is a different thing).

Thank you very much for your reply. I realise I will have to register with the AG office for officiating marriages as my church is not on the officially recognised list. As long as there are no issues with representing myself with my title on any paperwork there should be no issues.

Thank you again.
 

Tim W

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As a general proposition,
you are free to use a religious title from anywhere,
as long as doing so is not misleading or deceptive,
or in some other way contrary to law.
This may be a factor when using the title
That said, many of the typical activities of a church
have law that applies them.
In Australia, things like tax, fundraising, and conducting marriages
all have law that applies to churches in ways that websites
for, say, American online ordinations, do not mention.

There are also a number of questions of law regarding commercial activities undertaken by churches.
 
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