How to Start a New Religion

Reading about various religions and branches of old ones we can see a pattern. If I wanted to start a new religion or a new branch of an old one how would I do it?

First, it would be best to build on an old one. Selling a revised or "reformed" version of an old faith is the easiest way to establish a new faith. It will be about some a new insight or interpretation of an old one. Christianity is the perfect model. There was an old faith, Judaism, that had a sky god. Along came a story of a personality who claimed to have talked personally to the sky god and was told he was the guy to carry on the god's mission. Out with the all important circumcision. Away we go.

There are more contemporary applications of this model, individuals who have met personally with Jesus and have been handed the keys. One is Joseph Smith. Jesus let him know there was unfinished business and Joseph was the guy to finish it. 

Another application of the Christian model is Reverend Moon of the Moonies. He, too, talked to Jesus and guess what Jesus told him? There is unfinished business, you are my guy. Many thousands of sermons and TV productions feature a preacher who heard from either Jesus or God.

It's best if these messages have "witnesses." Joseph Smith's tablets were "seen" by associates in the 1800's. Rev. Moon's messages had "witnesses." Paul in the Bible had "witnesses" who watched as he talked to the long dead Jesus. When Jesus died long dead bodies walked out of graves, went into town and were seen by "witnesses." If you are starting a religious group don't forget the "witnesses" who saw you chatting it up with the old one. 

A variation of the model is to take a non Christian religion and tweak both it and Christianity into something that feels familiar and fits the local culture. I've read it is popular in China to take ancient Chinese beliefs about good fortune and interpret Christianity accordingly. Going to a Christian church then brings good luck. I've read that in Africa the spirits and demons that have been since forever part of religious life are inserted into Christianity. Abortion, for example, is not of much interest there. Evil behavior, like homosexuality, is seen as bigger than even in the U.S.

All of these tried and true practices have one problem. Tomorrow another huge ego will announce he/she has heard from God and anointed to carry out the unfinished business. The competitor will have "witnesses" just like you did.

 

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