Founding A New Religion

Let’s say you wanted to get obscenely rich and decided to do it the L. Ron Hubbard way, by founding a new religion. What are some of the tried and true tactics?

• Target a small initial group. Tell them they are special, the deity’s chosen people and that they have holy legal title to some extremely large chunk of real estate, currently occupied by some rival group.
• Tell the recruits though rape of virgins is normally not recommended, it is commanded if the victims are not adherents of the new religion.
• Tell the recruits that sexual urges, masturbation, even sex within marriage for pleasure are exceedingly wicked and will be severely punished after death. Guilt makes them easy to manipulate.
• Tell the recruits them that killing people who are not adherents to the new religion is a virtue. They can then take revenge on pretty well anyone for petty reasons guilt free.
• Tell them they must pay a tax, 10% of income is traditional, for god, actually a management fee for you. Tell them that failing to pay will result in after-death torture and paying extra will be rewarded with after-death extravagant sensory delights.
• Tell them that plundering the property of non-believers is mandatory.
• Torture anyone who questions or contradicts you. Do not wait for their death.
• These ideas were all borrowed from existing religions, particularly Zionism, Christianity and Islam. Borrow other ideas freely.

~ Roedy (born:1948-02-04 age:68)