I was thinking about it while reading up on Jesus of Nazareth and what not. What does it take for one to start a religion?

So far... it could possibly be:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>

<LI>All embracing

<LI>Make the person feel... "connected"

<LI>Go around telling your tale

<LI>???

<LI>PROFIT!

</UL>

Excuse my little joke on the last part. In all seriousness... if one were to create an idea that had potential. Like an all embracing being that any one could talk to, could feel connected to, etc., and went around preaching that idea... If you got followers; Wouldn't that start a small religious community?

This is by no means a day long task. One would have to think beyond the simplicity and try to fix loopholes that bother people from their own religion. The idea I had is not a "God" or greater diety, but one that is all around. One that people know, and can believe. What ever they want it to be.

I guess this isn't your whole Jesus came back from the graves, got the Jews, slayed the dragon, and took off with his lady idea from a book 2015 something years ago. Kind of an absolutely true set of values. Much like a Knight's code of chivalry. I discussed the idea of religion being to "involving" and many people I knew and talked to this about agreed. People don't want to have to go to church every Sunday, they don't want to have to pray to Allah every day. They want to do what they want to do and still know a higher being is still having an effect or is in play. This is of course generalizing. Surely there are people that like going to church.

I just know that I don't want a religion to be a chore. It should be an idea, that spreads, is easy, and makes the person feel good while controling the masses. Much like in the Middle Ages... the Pope was like... the King's puppet master. The fact that corruption broke through is what split and made new ideas. So I guess a free roaming religion would be a bad idea to some degree, if it spread and a majority of the people believed in it then there would be problems if they didn't follow a strict set of codes.

To summarize and conclude this rather weird post; One could say all that is needed is:

The feeling of a higher being, a set of values, strong BUT TRUE thought system (AKA: If I murder some one, Karma will bite me in the ass. That is a example of a kind of a lie. Ever action has its own reaction and repercussion. So if you murder some one, for sure you're in trouble! But whether or not you're going to hell...I haven't decided on an afterlife. That is what seemed to turn most people to some religions in the first place any ways.)

The idea for this thought system almost seems cynical, yet embracing at the same time. Sure you're going to die, what happens we don't know, but live this way, live a virtuous, honest, and caring life style and in the end you may not be rewarded with a heaven, but you will be rewarded by the fact you managed to stray from the evils of life.

And this may already be a religion, but this is just pouring the mind of an ill, and high man I am.

-deus-

Bump.

-deus-

you need followers and lots of them, i think in australia we have this thing where if 30 or so people sign a particular governtment form, it can be an official religion, that is, it can get charitable incentives from the government. thats how the jediism religion came about

quote:Originally posted by Mantikore:

you need followers and lots of them, i think in australia we have this thing where if 30 or so people sign a particular governtment form, it can be an official religion, that is, it can get charitable incentives from the government. thats how the jediism religion came about

Hm... Makes sense... whats a religion with out the people?

-deus-

write science fiction novels

I'm in the process of creating a parody religion so i'm quite interested in this as well. If it becomes successful i'll let you know.



~Q~

Gullible people.

quote:Originally posted by Q:

I'm in the process of creating a parody religion so i'm quite interested in this as well. If it becomes successful i'll let you know.



~Q~

How about we work together? http://www.totse.com/bbs/eek.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/eek.gif)

-deus-

quote:Originally posted by The_Big_Beef:

Gullible people.

But where will you find gullible people in this enlightened age?

quote:Originally posted by Viraljimmy:

But where will you find gullible people in this enlightened age?

THE CHILDREN!!

quote:Originally posted by land195:

write science fiction novels

To begin a religion, you not only need a great idea, you need a gift. Not a supernatural gift, but a gift for oratory and writing. You must be able to convince anyone of anything, you have to have power over people. You must be entrancing, awe-inspiring, and never waiver. The number of followers does not matter at first, but merely their devotion to your cause. They must not be mindless cult members, they must be free-thinkers pursuaded with reason and logic. Although a few mindless minion are an integral part in any organization. So, in short, you need an idea, and you need to be able to speak and write prophetically.

Faith.

An act of god.

Somone who with magic tricks can get many people to not question your ideas.

Ex. Chris Angel. He can walk on water dude.

** Deuce Omen

There are already so many religions and philosophies its like pissing in piss. Whats the point? You just don't have enough potential followers.

quote:Originally posted by Infectedgoose:

An act of god.

Something that would change Christianity (for simplicity's sake I'll use my own religion, which is not to say it takes precedence over any other religion, and would likely work assuming a belief in Islam, or Judaism also), such as the coming of a Christ-like figure, Christ returning, or a prophet of some kind. They would have to prove themselves, at least to a group large enough to make a difference, and these believers would spread the newcomer's teachings. These teachigs would have to have great wisdom, and of course, appeal. Assuming that the new figure proves himself, it could change all of the monotheistic religions. The Jews would shift similarly to the Jews who changed after Christ's coming, the Christians also, and Muslims maybe the same, or accept the person as a prophet. It could also convert followers of other religions to the new teachings. Wide-spread conversions, if the person proved his legitimacy of course, would occur due to the news and media. After that, who can say?

But of course, this is assuming that Christians are right. Or this is asinine and oversimplfied, or complete drivel. I'm pretty sick right now, and I fear I could be rambling.

Haha, rambling, it's almost a pun.

Someone i forget now said this.

"Give me the boy untill 7 and i will give you the man"

The point is that children are wired to believe what their parents or others in authority tell them, they have no time to learn on their own that the cliff edge is dangerous for example therefore this is why religion tries to get children in as young as possible when of course they don't know their own religious conviction until they're MUCH MUCH older, but it is drilled into them from such a young age.

Now, to start a religion i will use the flying teapot analogy - There is a flying teapot going around the sun, you can not disprove the teapot but anyone believing in it would be called a fool by most, however, if texts were written about the teapot and this tradition was passed down through centuries and centuries someone who was an atheist about the teapot could be called a fool by most.

The point is, most religion is tradition passed down and drilled into us as children so we follow the same path, which is why in my mind religion is a virus.

Though, of course it doesn't take centuries, just look at Scientology which is actually classified as a cult more than a religion, but still, it shows what the power if wanting something to believe in can do.

if you arent forming it only your actuall beliefs and are just doing it for the money, like scientology for instance

you could write a book yourself, or reinturprate the bible in some way, say your a prophet from god and god speaks to you through your writing, make a part of your book say it your duty to spread the word of the true god. then convince a handfull of people and watch the people roll in

[This message has been edited by boozehound420 (edited 12-01-2006).]