How do we know the difference between a "real" religion and a "fake" religion?

Question

Just as an example, "jimnists" don't really worship "jim darwin", its an alternate messianic cult - that is - its an inside joke.

The Flying Spaghetti Monster, thats an alternate atheist theory, its meant to illustrate a point about America's Education policy.

Do you have to be outside of Religion to be able to know the difference between "real" religions and "fake" religions?

Answer 1

Absolutely not. Its quite simple, really.
For a Christian, which is what I can speak of, being Christian;
you study and know what the Word of God says - not just the love your neighbor - be kind - be saved - be baptised - parts, but the deeper level of understanding it provides.
If a person studies to find himself approved by God, that person will automatically know a fake when they see one, because their teachings will not align with the Word of God. Period.
If it doesn't fit, you must dump it.

Answer 2

By fake, I assume you mean a religion founded on lies, half-truths, or unprovable claims? No, there is no way to distinguish between real and fake religions then. Everyone who is not a follower of a certain religion believes that religion is fake.

Perhaps there is a subtle difference between a cult and a religion however: cults generally expect complete obedience and frown upon members contacting or speaking to anyone in the "outside" world. With some religions (or some religious sects), that difference is not so evident, however.

Edit: As for the whole "Jesus was either a liar, crazy, or the real thing" argument, this leaves out two other choices: (1)Jesus, the great prophet and teacher, never existed; people just made him up in order to convince others to support their doctrine, or (2)Jesus was a teacher/philosopher and truly did exist, but his works have been exaggerated and his words twisted or modified by others who wanted to use his (modified) example in order to convince others to accept their doctrine.

Answer 3

Although each of your examples are with humor they don't fall into the category of religion. So the need to compare with fake and real does not apply here. If your asking if someone on the outside has more humor and the ability to see a joke........maybe

Answer 4

Instead Think in Opposites.

Examples:

A Theist - An Atheist
Homeless - At Home
On - Off
Fake - Real
Lie - Truth
North - South
Accept - Deny
Up - Down
Sin - Righteous
Left - Right
East - West
Dis-Obedience - Obedience
Christ - Anti-Christ
Dark - Light

The rationality of "Opposites," which of these are "real" or "fake?"

To deny one, one must deny all.
To accept one, one must accept all.

Answer 5

JD, I'm not outside of religion.. I am a pagan, and I get the difference between Pastafarianism and Buddhism.

I think lots of people understand parody and satire.. some just don't want to admit that it's funny or creative because they feel it will offend their god if they do.

Answer 6

I like to use this example:

Jesus Christ can only be one of 3 things:
1) a Liar
2) Crazy
3) He is whom He says He is.

Most religions of the world consider Jesus to be either a great teacher or a great prophet. If Christ is either a liar or crazy, He cannot be a great teacher or prophet. So if we are left with the 3rd choice, that He is whom He says He is, then He is the Son of God and the other religions are wrong by their own confession.

Answer 7

The fake religion does not stand the text of time but real religion do.

Answer 8

That's a good question - which brings up another - if someone starts truly believing in a fake religion, does it become real?

Answer 9

Depends on what you mean by "real" religion.

A religion is a belief in the existence of one or more gods.

So, if someone really has a belief in a god, he has a real religion, in the sense that his belief is really a belief.

If you want to find out which religions believe in real gods, that's easy: None of them. There are no gods.

Answer 10

6 of one half a dozen of another...I fail to see any difference between one created long ago and one created yesterday, so " fake " and " real " are one in the same because some knuckle head will " BELIEVE " whatever it is, thus the answer is NO.