Q&A for How to Start a Religion

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

You need only a few.

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

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

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.

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

It would be murder.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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