First, comparisons between different faiths can be misleading because different criteria are used to define membership.

Connected with that was the federal government's first use of "blood quantum" to define individual membership in tribes, for what became known as the Dawes Rolls.

On the other hand, civic nationalism defines membership as an individual's duty to observe given laws and in turn receive legal privileges.

Such thinking has also defined tribal membership.

Representation of Hispanics is somewhat complex, particularly because of the different ways to define membership in this group.

Wind whipped the flames on the tiki torches as well-heeled Venezuelans compared the kind of itineraries that define membership in a global elite.

One result is a legal and ecclesiastical issue about what defines membership in a religious congregation.

The legal issue may turn on a little-used state law written in 1895 that defines membership in a religious congregation.

The constitution defines membership - how does a tribe decide who is eligible to be a member of the community?

Great piece but I'm left questioning what a community is and who defines membership?