Could a new religion be developed?

Question

An amalgamation of several different religions to create this new religion.This is a hypothetical situation of course for the actual religions to do this they would have to renounce some of their most precious teachings of thousands of years, Scientology excluded. But could some of the following schools of thought get together, people like scholars of divinity, philosophers, scientists, doctors, rappers, Christians, Hindu's, Rasta's etc and then achieve with thousands of hours of arguments this idyllic religion where it is agreed there is one God, we have a soul it is eternal and our actions do determin what will happen after this life.

Are those 3 things not already taught to us anyway by most religions in some form or another? Or do we need a science fiction writer for such an undertaking?

I was posting my questions in Religion and Spirituality, but I think its more of an appropriate question for philosophy?

Answer 1

Of course it can be done, and has. What you're discussing has a name -- it's called "syncretism." Here's an interesting article for you to read.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncretism

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Nice question and thought but is such not being done almost every day. Of course I am only referring to the new religion concept for I do see new ones popping up everywhere, with only a minor variation to something that is already in existence.

I do though if I read your question corrrectly think this was not your point of focus. It to me seems you are hinting at a specific religion in which all were united simularly to the supposed movement to unite all so called Christian churches. If this your point of focus I do believe you did not include the most important element or elements that work hand in hand and really do prevent such from being a reality.

I see no where in your additional comments a mention about the funds or financial aspects and the head. leaders, and/or the power center. Is not that an important factor in the divisions in religion centered on who is the boss, where is the power center located, and who gets to handle the funds donated or collected? Was this not the basic factor when the Protesters did protest under Martin Luther? Was it not about power and control? Oh yes all will jump and say no, no it was about doctrine but that is too far from the truth. Most of the so called non-Catholic groups use the very concepts of the Catholic organization as basic foundational doctrines eventhough there is no solid biblical basis for such even being in place.

In my view religion is a set of beliefs and within such must be included if organized who is in control and who will make the final decisions when a question does come up. Likewise any organization must have a goal and a source of revenue to remain organized. Is it not stated in the world that money is power?

These are just some of my thoughts and I am sorry if I did not really answer your question. I just gave my view as I did understand it. Being a "NO" and not involved in any organized religion whatsoever, maybe my views are not the same as yours.

Even with that being true I do respect your view and did see for me your point of view. I do hope you have a great day. Besides, I do think the Bible does say some day all religion will be organized into one group under the brand name of 666.

Look up that word "brand" in the dictionary to see what I mean by this OK. I say this because I posted a question about that word "brand" in religion & Spirituality and not a one who answered bothered to look up the word. It is very obvious in their answers.

Answer 3

>>where it is agreed there is one God, we have a soul it is eternal and our actions do determin what will happen after this life.<<

A new religion that had these as its premises would be pretty redundant to the pre-existing religions and would have a very hard time gaining a foothold. It would have to offer something that the other major religions didn't. Scientology is sufficiently different from the other religions that it has managed to eke out a niche of its own.

Buddhism, BTW, is something in between a religion and a philosophy. As such, if practiced as a philosophy it can be held alongside other religious beliefs. You can be a Buddhist Xtian, a Buddhist Jew, a Buddhist Muslim, etc. (Or of course, just a full Buddhist in the religious sense.)

Answer 4

You mention Scientology and you pull it out and into the question.
1) it has been done with that and look at what that is it is not what you are mentioning. It is different.
2) The other combination of things anything is possible
3) A new cult can form any day look at all of them. They are here and gone and they destroy them selves and the dissipate and people put their lives back together. Some end up in jail some are all dead. It depends on the cult.
4) Anything is possible
5) We have the major religions that have standard the test of time

Answer 5

In a blind world full of immoral and unethical people? Yes. A new religion could be easily formed. People will believe the "new" trendy religion. Look at Scientology. You get a few celebrities interested and bamm! You have yourself a full blown religious excursion laughing all the way to the bank.

Answer 6

A religion, yes.
If you mean a new god? Then that might be more difficult.

Luckily you dont have to follow scietologys lead now. Its not the 1950s. Now you can help people without having to choose medical or religion. If you have new techniques then you can be self-help or alternative-healing and many other things.