If you could start your own religion...

[SoonerCoug]

If you could start your own religion, what would it be?

My religion would focus on reality. In other words, fairy tales would take a back seat to intellectual inquiry and discussion.

Practical issues like treating others kindly would be emphasized. Mythology would be acknowledged for what it is. I wouldn't absolutely prohibit mythology. But discussions of these topics (e.g. the existence of God or an afterlife) would have a mandatory fiction disclaimer of some sort.

Sunday School could consist of invited lectures from specialists in a variety of fields. It wouldn't have to be professors from a university. There could be blue-collar lectures as well. The audience would be encouraged to give speakers a very hard time and make them defend their statements.

Instead of choosing between gospel doctrine and gospel essentials, people could choose among lectures on a variety of topics like physics or philosophy or carpentry.

Sports on Sunday would be encouraged.

[Scratch]

If you could start your own religion, what would it be?

My religion would focus on reality. In other words, fairy tales would take a back seat to intellectual inquiry and discussion.

Practical issues like treating others kindly would be emphasized. Mythology would be acknowledged for what it is. I wouldn't absolutely prohibit mythology. But discussions of these topics (e.g. the existence of God or an afterlife) would have a mandatory fiction disclaimer of some sort.

Sunday School could consist of invited lectures from specialists in a variety of fields. It wouldn't have to be professors from a university. There could be blue-collar lectures as well. The audience would be encouraged to give speakers a very hard time and make them defend their statements.

Instead of choosing between gospel doctrine and gospel essentials, people could choose among lectures on a variety of topics like physics or philosophy or carpentry.

Sports on Sunday would be encouraged.

So, not religion?

[NorthwestUteFan]

I think it should be based on the basis for the future world from 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure'.

"Be Excellent to each other!"

Beyond that everything else takes care of itself.

[UteBeliever aka Port]

If you could start your own religion, what would it be?

My religion would focus on reality. In other words, fairy tales would take a back seat to intellectual inquiry and discussion.

Practical issues like treating others kindly would be emphasized. Mythology would be acknowledged for what it is. I wouldn't absolutely prohibit mythology. But discussions of these topics (e.g. the existence of God or an afterlife) would have a mandatory fiction disclaimer of some sort.

Sunday School could consist of invited lectures from specialists in a variety of fields. It wouldn't have to be professors from a university. There could be blue-collar lectures as well. The audience would be encouraged to give speakers a very hard time and make them defend their statements.

Instead of choosing between gospel doctrine and gospel essentials, people could choose among lectures on a variety of topics like physics or philosophy or carpentry.

Sports on Sunday would be encouraged.

So, it would be a lot like life at a real, non-religious university. A PAC12 University (parts bolded for emphasis), no less.

I could see how such a concept would be interesting to a BYU fan.

;)

[LadyUte]

I think it should be based on the basis for the future world from 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure'.

"Be Excellent to each other!"

Beyond that everything else takes care of itself.
And we could drink as much as we wanted!! Oh, and wear tank tops.

[Newbomb Turk]

And we could drink as much as we wanted!! Oh, and wear tank tops.

So, basically what you do now......

In my ideal religion, if you didn't answer your phone when it rang, but immediately returned a text message, you would be fined $50

[LadyUte]

So, basically what you do now......

In my ideal religion, if you didn't answer your phone when it rang, but immediately returned a text message, you would be fined $50
Turk!! lol
The sacrament would be rum shots. :)

[SoonerCoug]

So, not religion?

Reality is much, much better than religion. I think Carl Sagan said something to that effect.

[Virginia Ute]

So, not religion?

Yep, sounds like majoring in philosophy or something. Just go do that.

[SoonerCoug]

Yep, sounds like majoring in philosophy or something. Just go do that.

Actually it's pretty far from just majoring in philosophy.

[Virginia Ute]

Actually it's pretty far from just majoring in philosophy.

My bad, I didn't see that you mentioned carpentry in your original post.

[SoonerCoug]

My bad, I didn't see that you mentioned carpentry in your original post.

Not to mention the fact that religion is really just a form of philosophy.

I'm talking about a religion where people genuinely care about facts--an honest religion.

[UteBeliever aka Port]

Not to mention the fact that religion is really just a form of philosophy.

I'm talking about a religion where people genuinely care about facts--an honest religion.

It's like you are starting all over again here on this board. A new audience. This must be exciting for you!

[Virginia Ute]

Not to mention the fact that religion is really just a form of philosophy.

I'm talking about a religion where people genuinely care about facts--an honest religion.

I see what you're saying. To me, religion should be more about doing good to others than it should be about facts. I guess that's how I would answer your original question.

[Virginia Ute]

It's like you are starting all over again here on this board. A new audience. This must be exciting for you!
I wouldn't have expected it to be the BYU fans that would troll the religious folk :)

[UteBeliever aka Port]

I wouldn't have expected it to be the BYU fans that would troll the religious folk :)


It's Sooner's "specialty." :p

[Corvan]

I would recommend that, if you didn't see it in theaters which most people didn't, you rent The Master. It's about the creation and growth of a religion loosely based on L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology. As for my own religion that I would create one similar to Northwest's suggestion. If you look at the details of Christ as told by the Bible essentially his only message was "love each other". Actually I'm trying to remember. Wasn't it "Be most excellent to each other"?

[SoonerCoug]

I would recommend that, if you didn't see it in theaters which most people didn't, you rent The Master. It's about the creation and growth of a religion loosely based on L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology. As for my own religion that I would create one similar to Northwest's suggestion. If you look at the details of Christ as told by the Bible essentially his only message was "love each other". Actually I'm trying to remember. Wasn't it "Be most excellent to each other"?

Did you know that one of the main leaders of Scientology was actually a converted Mormon named Heber? He is also a graduate of the University of Utah.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMHjR2c3K0Q

[CardiacCoug]

Not to mention the fact that religion is really just a form of philosophy.

I'm talking about a religion where people genuinely care about facts--an honest religion.

I think something like that could maybe be called an Ethical Society.

[Rocker Ute]

If you could start your own religion, what would it be?

My religion would focus on reality. In other words, fairy tales would take a back seat to intellectual inquiry and discussion.

Practical issues like treating others kindly would be emphasized. Mythology would be acknowledged for what it is. I wouldn't absolutely prohibit mythology. But discussions of these topics (e.g. the existence of God or an afterlife) would have a mandatory fiction disclaimer of some sort.

Sunday School could consist of invited lectures from specialists in a variety of fields. It wouldn't have to be professors from a university. There could be blue-collar lectures as well. The audience would be encouraged to give speakers a very hard time and make them defend their statements.

Instead of choosing between gospel doctrine and gospel essentials, people could choose among lectures on a variety of topics like physics or philosophy or carpentry.

Sports on Sunday would be encouraged.


Uhg, worst religion ever. You people have no idea how to start a religion, at least not one that anyone is every going to actually go to. Why not just say, "My religion would be to take all the worst parts of Mormonism."

Open forums, practical discussions, letting blue-collar people talk about things, disclaimers on fictitious topics, giving people a hard time... You just described a day in the life of an Elder's Quorum without someone half-assing a lesson from a manual they cracked open 15 minutes before class.

[UteBeliever aka Port]

Did you know that one of the main leaders of Scientology was actually a converted Mormon named Heber? He is also a graduate of the University of Utah.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMHjR2c3K0Q

Uses the phrase: "Shoulders to the wheel." LOL

Apparently this guy was the President of Scientology. Who is the Miscavige guy? I thought he was the leader?

[SoonerCoug]

Uses the phrase: "Shoulders to the wheel." LOL

Apparently this guy was the President of Scientology. Who is the Miscavige guy? I thought he was the leader?

Heber was hidden away somewhere by the Church. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's kind of like what happened to President Benson.

[SeattleUte]

Not to mention the fact that religion is really just a form of philosophy.

No it's not.

[CardiacCoug]

No it's not.

Yep, I would file religion (at least the abstract parts of religion) under Fantasy Literature, not Philosophy. It's an art form more than anything else.

[SeattleUte]

Yep, I would file religion (at least the abstract parts of religion) under Fantasy Literature, not Philosophy. It's an art form more than anything else.

Or superstition.

Philosophy involves the systematic asking of questions to which there may not be answers. But in the past 350 years philosophy has fired scientific inquiry (not been at war with it) by asking questions that expose religion's certitudes. Philosopy preceded science and may have made scientific inquiry possible.

I frame Sooner's question another way. I regard religion as crucial to human progress just as adolescence is crucial to our ultimate maturity as individuals. I would hope that someday humnas would progress to the point of outgrowing religion.

[Viking]

I'd call my religion, "Prestige Worldwide"

[SeattleUte]

I'd call my religion, "Prestige Worldwide"

You seem to have missed the important things that Christianity tried to teach you.

[GUBA]

Turk!! lol
The sacrament would be rum shots. :)

I would attend this kind of church.

[480ute]

The only reason I would ever start a church would be to bilk faithful parishioners out of their hard earned money. I'm not a complete scumbag though, so I wouldn't start my own church (this is in no way an indictment against all churches).

[Clark Addison]

I'm not sure exactly what my religion would be like, but I do know that I would make it very attractive to those demographic groups that would allow the religion's flagship university have a very powerful athletic program.

[San Diego Ute Fan]

The only reason I would ever start a church would be to bilk faithful parishioners out of their hard earned money. I'm not a complete scumbag though, so I wouldn't start my own church (this is in no way an indictment against all churches).

Obviously TIC 480. We know you better than this, and we're not buying it.

[Rocker Ute]

The only reason I would ever start a church would be to bilk faithful parishioners out of their hard earned money. I'm not a complete scumbag though, so I wouldn't start my own church (this is in no way an indictment against all churches).

See, 480Ute knows how to start a religion. Next critical element is good music.

[LadyUte]

See, 480Ute knows how to start a religion. Next critical element is good music.

Soft Jazz?

[Scratch]

Soft Jazz?

It's impossible to start a new religion without an acoustic guitar.

[Rocker Ute]

It's impossible to start a new religion without an acoustic guitar.


I'm thinking heavy bass rifts, but that is also because I'm interested in this church thriving.

[480ute]

I'm thinking heavy bass rifts, but that is also because I'm interested in this church thriving.
Gotta have a solid Christian rock band. I would name it "Daughters of Lot".

[San Diego Ute Fan]

I'm thinking heavy bass rifts, but that is also because I'm interested in this church thriving.

The grammar police would like you to change that to RIFF. A breakdown in communication, or hard feelings is no way to start a church.

[480ute]

And I would have a church comedian. We would start each sermon with a stand up routine featuring jokes like "Why didn’t Cain bring God an acceptable offering? ......Because he wasn’t Abel!"

[Scratch]

And I would have a church comedian. We would start each sermon with a stand up routine featuring jokes like "Why didn’t Cain bring God an acceptable offering? ......Because he wasn’t Abel!"

With material like that you'll be swimming in donations and single women for sure.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Not only would Man not be punished for Adam's sins, but also Woman should not be punished for Eve's sins.

Or in other words, I would ensure that men and women are fully equivalent in all aspects of the leadership and any congregation (or the entire church) could be run by a woman.

[480ute]

With material like that you'll be swimming in donations and single women for sure.
Tithing would be mandatory, and women can wear as much clothing as they wish, but they'd get a discount off their monthly dues if they choose to attend in more "casual" attire. My church will not judge (unless you're ginger).

[mUUser]

It would look something like reasonable mix of Catholicism without the pomp and circumstance, and Mormonism without the goofiness and fanaticism.

I like the idea of worshiping for 45 minutes, then head out for brunch with the family, followed by perhaps a 1/2 day on the lake or an afternoon at the ballpark. No meetings.

I also like the idea of eternal families, and a comprehensive atonement that accounts for the entirety of mankind. Seems to me God could figure out how to accomplish this without an hour and a half temple visit per person. A full-time mission would be available. Under no circumstance would a SP mail out a calling to all YM/YW in his congregation for a full-time 2 day mini-mission. I'd eliminate EMS and replace with home study. Sleep deprivation is taking a toll on our youth. Eliminate Scouting.

Only a few formal "callings" such as Bishop, which would be paid. Everyone else interested in serving would sign up and visit with the Bishop about what they're willing to do.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Also nobody will be left out of participating important life events. All family members and friends will be allowed to attend weddings, mothers can give blessings to their children if they desire, etc.

[480ute]

Also nobody will be left out of participating important life events. All family members and friends will be allowed to attend weddings, mothers can give blessings to their children if they desire, etc.
Unless they're ginger, I presume.

[Freaky Girl]

I know this thread is TIC for some of you, but I'm going to share mine anyway. :)

I recently found a perfect fit for my beliefs at the South Valley UU society in Salt Lake. No offense intended to Mormonism, which was a great fit for me for a long time, though my missionary service and graduation from BYU.

UU has all the things I find imperative:
No one is excluded.
Not having all the answers is embraced and encouraged. People with no beliefs, athiests, agnostics, Christians, Wiccans, LDS can all worship together and build on their common beliefs.
Kids are taught respect and tolerance and practice it in their classes.
Comprehensive sexuality classes for Jr High and High School age kids.
Live music (including an acoustic guitar) on certain weeks.
Monthly brunch at the church following the meeting, and weekly coffee hour for the parents while the kids are still in class.
A 'split the plate' offering where half the money that comes in is donated to a cause that aligns with their principles. Recently it's been the Trevor Project and the Teen Homeless Resource Center.
Community Activism for those who desire.
Book club discussing aspects of social justice.
A community that draws from all the important teachers in history regardless of their religious affiliation.
Fun parties with dinner (gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options), dancing and games.
Meeting starts at 10:30 and is done 75 minutes later.
You can sit in the back and slip out when it is over, or participate in the service.
The minister is a woman, a BYU graduate who has been with her lesbian partner for over 30 years.

Can you tell I like it there? :) Come on down - I'll save you a seat.

[wuapinmon]

Should I assume malevolence or benevolence? If benevolence is required, exactly how magnanimous do I have to be? Because I could see some serious Carpocration stuff happening betwixt the members.