Jayjay

I'm not a very keen follower of apologetics or interfaith conversations, but recently I've began to think that Christianity, as opposed to almost all other religions on planet, seems to have some very powerful advantages: it's old, it's big, it spreads like a virus, and it has a very strong theological tradition. So, partly in jest, partly seriously, I compiled this list of stuff that a new religion should do in order to take over the world...

1. Pick an existing religion and use it as a leverage. Cults that come from nowhere have a hard time getting recognition. An ideal parent religion has a continuous tradition stretching back several centuries (if not millenia) that you can claim as your own!
   
2. Go fundamentalist. If you're successful, there will eventually be a liberal strain, but if your basis doctrine isn't clear-cut, black-and-white piece of inspired scripture, there's no defense from fundies of other religions.
   
3. Avoid becoming a cult. Cults have serious problems expanding beyond fringes because of their lack of subtlety and subterfuge. You have to look like a mainstream at least, even if the hard core of your religion is for all intents and purposes a cult.
   
4. Learn from the terrorists (and southern baptists): independent cells is better than a strict hierarchy. If one cell gets nuked (say, the pastor/imaam/führer/whatever has a bit too much fun with the choir boys) the religion as a whole survives by denouncing the heretics.
   
5. For the same reason, don't be too attached to single individuals... all for one, one for all.
   
6. Agree with science, use scientific rhetorics as a propaganda tool, but avoid making any actual scientific statements about anything. Scientific blunders are the easiest way to make a laughing stock out of yourself.
   
7. You need scholars, scientists, engineers, and other people that are considered elite. It doesn't matter whether these people are actually dumb as cabbages, as long as they look smart to potential converts. It would be nice to have these people write a pile of books about your religion... there is a segment of wannabe intellectuals who'll gladly believe anything that's written down.
   
8. Have no shame. Evengelize like crazy. Learn the tricks of the trade from JWs and Jack Chick's of this world.
   
9. Go missionary. It looks altruistic to a casual observer, gives you a receptive audience that's not too skeptical (hey, you give them blankets and rusty water, you must be honest!) and lends credibility to the religion by making it seem global.
   
10. Holistic approach is the best. Have doctrine or at least an interpretation thereof applying to every aspect of life. Origins, science, work, studies, childhood, animal rights, clothes, music, television, food, internet pornography, politics, apocalypse, UFOs, hobbies, abortions, art, computer games, every other religion you can think of, reincarnation, past lives, afterlife, heaven, hell, you name it.
    
11. In every regard, try to mimic existing religions, but combine and twist things so that you can say you are unique.

If someone started a religion now (2003) with these tips, would it kick off or fail? Why? Why not? Any other suggestions?

Vylo

Neat post .

I believe you are refering to democratic centralism. It was used by the communist party in Russia, so that if one cell was infiltrated, usually only that one cell was affected, at worst maybe the 1 or 2 cells connected to it would fall.

To describe this briefly, imagine a pyramid of circles that aren't touching each other. Each circle represents a cell. Connect the cells vertically to one cell above them. This represents the communication system and ineraction between cells. The lines of communication are between only 1 person in each cell. With this method order come straight down from the top, and reports travel straight back up. No one besides the liasons is aware of any of the identity or often even the actions of any other cell, and the liasons are only aware of those directly beneath and above them on the pyramid. When a cell is infiltrated, no regular member of the cell has any information on other cells to provide, and the liasons will be hard pressed to give any. In the rare event of a weak liason, infiltration will only have a chance to spread up and down 1 cell. This system makes it exceedingly difficult to difuse the orginization, only attacking the head cell will even make a dent, and usually there is a cell that will be ready to replace the old head cell, and perpetuate the organization.

So, in short, you are very correct to suggest such a method for starting a cult that may come under attack Jayjay.

mike_decock

I think you missed out one of the most important things: the sales pitch. The most effective doctrines are based on the notion that humans are evil/corrupt/damned, etc and are in dire need of redemption/salvation/healing, etc. Convince them that the world is on a downward spiral, heading for certain oblivion and offer them a way to escape. Make them feel sick and sell them the snake oil as the cure.

-Mike...

Mageth

Good point, mike. I'll add the related carrot-and-stick tactic. You need a rich reward for compliance and harsh punishment for non-compliance (though mostly postponed to the afterlife, as the failure of reward or punishment promised immediately may lead many to doubt).

ImGod

You forgot the most important part of a new religion. Mandatory, tax deductable, monetary donations.

A religion without proper funding is just Sunday.

Mageth

ImGod, I was thinking about that angle as well.

The essential need to donate can be enhanced by providing a carrot - as in give abundandly and freely, and it will be given back to you in blessings (either here or, more than likely, in the afterlife) one hundredfold. You could think of a stick to go with this one too.

winstonjen

Yes, the afterlife blackmail is always a good method to convert people. If they do not desire a reward, then threatening them with pain should work, because only masochists enjoy pain.

TomboyMom

And give all members of the religion extra points for converting others, so that it will spread like a virus.

Rene

Jayjay

Rewards and punishments are a must. But they have to be separated so that the rewards come from the deity/deities, but punishments are caused by the wretched people themselves.

callmejay

Sounds a bit like... Mormon. (I don't think Scientology will have the staying power. At least I hope.)