How would you create a religion?

Question

What rules would you include?
What mythology would you include, would you modify an existing belief system or stat from scratch?
Quickly define your creation story, any prophets and heroes.

Serious, sarcastic or humorous answers please.

Please don’t ask what is wrong with (insert your faith here). I do not which to have that debate at this time and you will be reported for abuse, as you are distracting from the object of my inquiry. If you wish to argue the virtues and vices of an existing religion please wait.

Answer 1

I would start from scratch, I would not suggest any kind of specific deity and instead would base morality on being a productive member of society. I would offer no creation story and no prophets. Heroes would consist of historical figures and would be a personal thing not a religious thing. Science would be welcome in the church/temple/whatever, and services would consist of lessons on science, differing opinions on theology and philosophy. We would (this ones stolen from Heinlein) have an offering plate that came out with money, those that needed could take what they needed and those that had money to offer could. I haven't entirely hammered the idea out, but I have considered it before.

Answer 2

I think I'd start be creating a social structure – a network of the faithful. I think fostering a sense of community and communal support is one of the best things that religion accomplishes. Instead of myths, I'd have parables; that way we wouldn't need any pointless arguments about literal truth. My religion wouldn't have its own creation story, because it would hold that how we got here is less important than what we do now that we're here.

Oh, and we would throw kick-*** parties.

Answer 3

Just be intelligent as you can be (in terms of performing miracles). After you've done all your homework, expect that people will be ringing your doorbell and begging you to save them from hell. Many "religious" icons did that.

One more thing, the exorcist trick never gets old.

Answer 4

Do the same thing everyone else does. Come up with a bullshiat story and get enough idiots to beleive it.

Answer 5

I would need to have a life-changing experience first. Then I'd base my religion off of that.

Answer 6

Muhammad was extremely successful with his new religion, even during his own lifetime:

Answer 7

Too bad you can´t ask L. Ron Hubbard anymore. He did.

Answer 8

Find a group of unsatisfied, econmonically deprived, spirtually lacking youth...maybe your local collage or university. ;-)

Answer 9

I'm a Scientologist - Im happy with my religion

Answer 10

don't you think we have l ok one more