The supreme court decision establishing Scientology as a recognised religion in the UK (Scientologists win fight to marry in own church, 12 December) reopens questions about the perks given by the state.

Offering religious organisations special treatment forces the state to determine which groups receive that benefit, and so to define what constitutes a religion. But the lack of a true religion means there is no metric to determine this by. Unless we want government to wade in on thorny theological issues, self-identification is the most reasonable definition.

Say hello to the slippery slope. Should Buckingham Palace be registered for the solemnisation of marriages for those who believe Prince Philip is a divine being? Should we slash business rates on facilities used by the Universe People to contact extraterrestrial civilisations? How about the group dedicated to reversing the effects of past-life trauma patterns, ie the Church of Scientology? It isn't for the state to say which of these are proper religions and which are a bunch of crackpots. Instead, religions should be treated under the law like any other civic group.

Alex Csicsek

London

• Lord Toulson's description of religion is one that believers and non-believers can surely live with, and also satisfies the law; local government minister Brandon Lewis worries about what it means if churches such as Scientology will no longer have to pay business rates. Perhaps now is the time to consider why the government invites some churches into privileged advisory roles and why it is unlikely to invite Scientologists to do so. Here's an opportunity for the government to tell us where it stands on "mankind's place in the universe and relationship with the infinite". Only then can it tackle the vexed question of business rate relief.

Colin Challen

Scarborough

• If a sect as controversial as Scientology can claim legal parity with mainstream religions, virtually any organisation can claim to be a religion and therefore eligible for charitable status, tax relief etc. The only way to avoid this would be to move towards a fully secular state, with the abolition of faith schools, removal of charitable status from religion etc.

Chris Peeler

Wendover, Buckinghamshire