Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Clete · 01-23-2003, 06:06 PM

I have this idea that keeps rolling around in my head where I select a random work of fiction and arbitrarily decide that it is the Truth (with a capitol "T" no less). That way I can have my very own source of spiritual guidance. And if anyone tells me my book is wrong then I can flip it open to a certain page, quote a couple of esoteric lines, and tell them this proves that the book is True. What do you think, will people go for it? I guess I should pick a suitable book. Hmmm... maybe "The Satanic Verses". Yeah, that sounds like a good one.

By the way, I hope everyone's having a great day! I'm new here and just looking for a little diversion from the city of theists I live in. It's nice to be here!

-Clete

Amie · 01-23-2003, 06:26 PM

Hi Clete
can there be a book of Amie in there?

captainpabst · 01-23-2003, 06:34 PM

Yo Clete. I think I'd rather abolish all religion than create a new one.

But it would be nice to be able to preach the inerrant Truth according to me.

InFlames · 01-23-2003, 10:47 PM

I've always thought it would be interesting to make up my own religion and see how many "takers" there would be. I think thats what L. Ron Hubbard had in mind. Clete, if you go through with that book I'd like to be in it too

Clete · 01-24-2003, 07:37 AM

Unfortunately, since Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" is already a published work, we wouldn't be able to add anything to it. But then again, if we were to try and make this like a "real" religion we'd have to allow for hundreds of translations and various interpretations over the course of a couple millennia. So what the hell? After two thousand years it could metamorphose into "Anne of Green Gables" for all I know.

No doubt there would be takers. InFlames, as you point out, the very very existence of Scientology is enough to prove that some people will believe anything.

beyelzu · 01-24-2003, 08:50 AM

I also have figured that ole L Ron was just messing with the whole human race. Its like the ultimate inside joke. I once thought about becoming a preacher or teleevangelist, just so that after I separated hundreds of thousands of people from there money, I could then shout "just kidding" during a Save-athon. But that wouldnt compare to L Ron's greatest joke ever.

Just Another Infidel · 01-24-2003, 11:08 AM

I am sure I once saw a quote attributed to Hubbard about the the best way to make real money is to start a religion.

I managed to find this reference in support of my recollection.

I've kicked around the idea of starting a thread in IIdb asking for people to design their own religion. But I figured I needed to flesh out my own ideas before I asked anybody else to do that much work. I haven't gotten very far

BrotherMan · 01-24-2003, 12:48 PM

All good religions started as cults, so try this place to get a jump on the competition.

Infinity Lover · 01-24-2003, 03:33 PM

Make sure there's a passage in there, about the traditional brewing of beer. Beer should be holy!

Demigawd · 01-24-2003, 04:41 PM

You know what would be a unique, never-before-seen type of religion? One that produced observable supernatural effects just like their literature claims. That religion would be a sure-fire hit.

01-23-2003, 06:06 PM	#1
Clete Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Jose, California USA Posts: 5,275	Want to Start a New Religion? I have this idea that keeps rolling around in my head where I select a random work of fiction and arbitrarily decide that it is the Truth (with a capitol "T" no less). That way I can have my very own source of spiritual guidance. And if anyone tells me my book is wrong then I can flip it open to a certain page, quote a couple of esoteric lines, and tell them this proves that the book is True. What do you think, will people go for it? I guess I should pick a suitable book. Hmmm... maybe "The Satanic Verses". Yeah, that sounds like a good one. By the way, I hope everyone's having a great day! I'm new here and just looking for a little diversion from the city of theists I live in. It's nice to be here! -Clete

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01-23-2003, 06:26 PM	#2
Amie Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: New York Posts: 1,626	Hi Clete can there be a book of Amie in there?

01-23-2003, 06:34 PM	#3
captainpabst Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 200	Yo Clete. I think I'd rather abolish all religion than create a new one. But it would be nice to be able to preach the inerrant Truth according to me.

01-23-2003, 10:47 PM	#4
InFlames Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 10	I've always thought it would be interesting to make up my own religion and see how many "takers" there would be. I think thats what L. Ron Hubbard had in mind. Clete, if you go through with that book I'd like to be in it too

01-24-2003, 07:37 AM	#5
Clete Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Jose, California USA Posts: 5,275	Unfortunately, since Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses" is already a published work, we wouldn't be able to add anything to it. But then again, if we were to try and make this like a "real" religion we'd have to allow for hundreds of translations and various interpretations over the course of a couple millennia. So what the hell? After two thousand years it could metamorphose into "Anne of Green Gables" for all I know. No doubt there would be takers. InFlames, as you point out, the very very existence of Scientology is enough to prove that some people will believe anything.

01-24-2003, 08:50 AM	#6
beyelzu Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: the peach state ga I am a metaphysical naturalist Posts: 2,869	I also have figured that ole L Ron was just messing with the whole human race. Its like the ultimate inside joke. I once thought about becoming a preacher or teleevangelist, just so that after I separated hundreds of thousands of people from there money, I could then shout "just kidding" during a Save-athon. But that wouldnt compare to L Ron's greatest joke ever.

01-24-2003, 11:08 AM	#7
Just Another Infidel Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 370	I am sure I once saw a quote attributed to Hubbard about the the best way to make real money is to start a religion. I managed to find this reference in support of my recollection. I've kicked around the idea of starting a thread in IIdb asking for people to design their own religion. But I figured I needed to flesh out my own ideas before I asked anybody else to do that much work. I haven't gotten very far

01-24-2003, 12:48 PM	#8
BrotherMan Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: City of Dis Posts: 496	All good religions started as cults, so try this place to get a jump on the competition.

01-24-2003, 03:33 PM	#9
Infinity Lover Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,047	Make sure there's a passage in there, about the traditional brewing of beer. Beer should be holy!

01-24-2003, 04:41 PM	#10
Demigawd Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: On a sailing ship to nowhere, leaving any place Posts: 2,254	You know what would be a unique, never-before-seen type of religion? One that produced observable supernatural effects just like their literature claims. That religion would be a sure-fire hit.

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