Q&A for How to Start a Religion

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How do I invent good rituals and customs that serve my religion well?

Community Answer

Think what would "fit." For instance, the Pastafarians have Ramendan, where they eat nothing but pasta for a period of time. This is due to their god being made of spaghetti and meatballs.

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Question

Can my religion praise cats?

Community Answer

Your religion can worship/praise anything at all. The ancient Egyptians worshiped cats!

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Question

How can I spread my religion to others without offending their religion?

Community Answer

You should just share your religion with others and try to let them know why you believe it to be the right choice. If the person is rational and reasonable, that will not offend them or their religion. The only thing that's offensive is insulting someone else's religion or trying to force them to follow yours without letting them decide for themselves.

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Question

How would I go about starting a religion in a small town?

Community Answer

Make a web page or poster for people to see, maybe find some friends and have them join or at least spread the word of your new religion.

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Question

What is the difference between starting a religion and starting a cult?

Cutegirlcorr

Community Answer

Technically speaking, religions and cults are the same thing. All major religions once started as a small, close-knit group - basically a cult.

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Question

How do I think of a name for my religion?

Graci Chandler

Community Answer

You could look at existing names and get one based of of that, or find one based off of your religion itself or your name.

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Question

What are some ways to get funding for my religion outside of its members?

Community Answer

You could do fundraising like other non-profit organizations, or find yourself a wealthy patron.

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Question

Can my religion praise a specific real life person without them knowing, or even without their consent?

Community Answer

Unless they're dead, I would probably get their consent first just to be on the safe side. Also, you might wan to take a look at the imperial cults of Rome for examples.

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Question

How many people do I need so I don't have to pay tax for my place of worship?

Community Answer

You need at least 3 people to be considered a religion. One person is a thought, two is a discussion, three is a belief.

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Question

How old do I have to be to apply for legal status and start a religion?

Community Answer

I believe in the US it would be 18-years-old since that's the legal definition of an adult.

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Question

What if my own religious place of worship is a temple instead of a church? Would I still need to earn the legal status and be at least at the age of 18?

Community Answer

Yes, all of the same requirements apply no matter the place of worship.

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Question

How can I write a holy book for my religion?

Community Answer

Once you have gods in mind, create a relationship between them, and then create a relationship with the world that you can write about.

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Question

How many people do I need to start a religion?

Community Answer

You need only a few.

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Question

What are some questions I can answer about my religion?

Bradenplier

Community Answer

Answer questions about a religion's belief on the afterlife and creation, and stances on issues including homosexuality and abortion.

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Question

Is there a formal process to start a new religion in Australia?

Community Answer

Because starting a religion is not a legal process, starting one in Australia isn't any different from starting one anywhere else.

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Question

Does a religion need a holy text? If so, how do I write one?

Graci Chandler

Community Answer

Not necessarily, but you can have one, and it's up to you and your religion on how you make your own bible, torah et cetera.

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Question

Is my religion allowed to be private, unregistered, and unrecorded?

Community Answer

Yes, it is, although this will make it more difficult to find new members.

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Question

Would sacrifices be legal or considered murder?

Community Answer

It would be murder.

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Question

Does a religion have to include a god?

Community Answer

Not necessarily, but religion, by definition, includes some kind of controlling force in the universe/world, even if it's not a specific "god."

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Question

Can I create an online religion?

Thomas Larson

Community Answer

While this could be seen as unpractical, it is possible. However, your religion could be considered a cult.

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Question

Can my religion's core tenets be about making myself very rich through the donations of gullible people?

Community Answer

Yes, and this is a very common practice. You just have to be charismatic enough and have a believable lie about where the money is going.

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Question

What if my parents don't let me create one?

Community Answer

This is really meant for adults, so better just wait until you're an adult and can do what you want. Until then, you can always just 'create' one in your own head or private writings.

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Question

Do I have to believe in a god to have a religion, or can it focus on a future goal for humanity?

Community Answer

Would that not be your definition of the word "God" then? Read John Dewey for more on Humanism. There are some places that are starting to already do what you are talking about. So the short answer is yes.

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Question

Can I create a branch of a religion?

Community Answer

Yes, this has happened many times over the course of history, but you may be branded heretical by the main branch of that religion.

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Question

What if I am creating a religion for fiction?

Community Answer

If your religion will never have contact with the real world, e.g it's in a comic, then you can do literally anything with it.

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Question

Why do people want to create their own religion?

Community Answer

For the tax exemption and all the other perks one gets from being religious in society. Many people start cults or religions because they want to have power or control over other people.

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Question

Could I create my own religion where all men wear baseball caps at all times?

Community Answer

Yes, of course! However, if you want to make it a serious religion, you might not want to use a baseball cap; those are seen as casual. However, if it fits with your religious texts, go ahead.

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Question

What is the best way to give my fledgling religion vital credibility?

Community Answer

An association with certain legitimate activities can improve your religion's credibility.

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Question

Can I worship a fictional character (Klaus Hargreeves from the Umbrella Academy)?

Community Answer

Sure, if you want to and if you think you'd be able to find others who are interested in worshiping Klaus.

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Question

Tip 1.2 says I need to write a cosmology such as a creation story and end times. Do I need to believe in the cosmology I write?

Christina Whitmore

Community Answer

It wouldn't make sense if you didn't. For example, it would be like a Christian not believing in Jesus.

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