On the Topic of Creating a Religion

[Valica]

Another OTTO...

Hey A&F. I'm trying to create a complete religion for this project I'm working on.
I could use some help.

Imagine that this religion is dualistic (two gods) and there are three prophets.
Two prophets represent the wishes of their respective gods while the third prophet is a moderate, attempting to keep peace.

I plan on writing 20 to 40 books for a bible of sorts.
I want 5 books for each prophet's personal writings and the rest will be writings of their apostles.

What, specifically, should I include to make this full-proof?
I want it to seem as authentic as possible.

I would appreciate advice for making this as thick and realistic as possible.
So just tell me what you would do if you were creating a religion.
I'm open to suggestions for specific events or people to be included.

[Charellia]

If I were trying to create a religion the first thing I would do is outline the nature of your two gods for yourself. What are they like? How do they interact with each other and with mortals? These don't necessarily need to be in your "bible" but you do need to know them.

For the actual writing work you might want to start with a creation myth. Then, depending on where in history the prophets come in, you may want a bit of pre-prophet history. You will then need to tell the story of the prophets. Having each one give a slightly different account in their writings would add a ring of authenticity.

[Cyrisnia]

As a makeshift Zoroastrian (Zoroastrianism is somewhat dualistic), I'd reccomend this:

Those two gods are divided. One is more good, the other more evil.
Two of the prophets follow each, spreading good and bad respectively.
The one in the middle is the patron of man. The middle. The in-between, the neutral. The middle prophet tries to keep peace by monitoring humanity the closest, whilst the gods and other two prophets attempt to get mankind to join their side.

EDIT: Also, try something like the religion being divided by 2 churches and an Religious Agency.
One worshipping the good god, one for the bad, and the Agency Constantly trying to stop things from the two churches gaining too much power.

[Lleu llaw Gyffes]

Both churches send missionaries to the next-door continent

Jack is a priest of one god Joe is a priest of the other god.

Together they solve crime

[Arrosoir]

The key to making an interesting religion is to have some totally bizarre traditions that arise out of history and seem out of place in a modern context, be it a ritual or title or something. It will give your religion deeper lore and make it seem cooler.

[MERIZoC]

Your head god has to masturbate the earth into existence.

I would suggest that you establish your different categories of powerful beings, like the Greek Gods and Titans, or the Norse Aesir and Jotunn. (Though, considering the dualistic nature of your religion, not as strong as these) Think about the interactions between these groups, what powers they have, how they interact with your two gods.

Another important thing to establish is the creation of/first encounter with humans. This will set the stage for various tales as well as the context of the prophets.

[Rhodevus]

Your head god has to masturbate the earth into existence.

I would suggest that you establish your different categories of powerful beings, like the Greek Gods and Titans, or the Norse Aesir and Jotunn. (Though, considering the dualistic nature of your religion, not as strong as these) Think about the interactions between these groups, what powers they have, how they interact with your two gods.

Another important thing to establish is the creation of/first encounter with humans. This will set the stage for various tales as well as the context of the prophets.

I like this idea. Expanding the first concept in my own way, have the two gods have either a brotherly relationship, or a father/son type relationship.
In the brothers case:
The two gods are equally as powerful as each other, but one is more interested in the physical and the other, more spiritual.
right there is the divide between the two. Both have the same core philosophy, keeping to a central religion, but one sect is more focused on the physical aspect of life, while the other sect is more interested in spirituality.

Now, for the father/son case:
The father figure was ruler at first, but was defeated by his son for possession of the Earth. So, now a younger more inexperienced god is in control, but one that may be closer to the humans, while the older tries to balance between all of nature.
The divide between the gods/sects, is now how important humans are to spirituality and religion. One side believes all of nature is important, while the other believes humans are the most important.

I personally like the brotherly relationship the best.

[Zakuvia]

Remember that actually followed religions tend to follow familial stories. X is the father of Y, who is brother of Z, etcetera. This is the same of practically every religion and religious dispute. You can tell fictional religions from the fact that they are strictly creative or destructive, with no interlink. Religions are 99% stage theatre, and nobody except creepy snobs go to plays with no interaction between character.

As for me, I'm a Catholic IRL, but even I can point out the sillier bits. Try to point out which languages or cultures dictated the rise of this religion, and tailor certain aspects to fit. African tribesmen worhsipping a god that told them how to build ski sleds doesn't make sense, does it?

[MERIZoC]

Your head god has to masturbate the earth into existence.

I would suggest that you establish your different categories of powerful beings, like the Greek Gods and Titans, or the Norse Aesir and Jotunn. (Though, considering the dualistic nature of your religion, not as strong as these) Think about the interactions between these groups, what powers they have, how they interact with your two gods.

Another important thing to establish is the creation of/first encounter with humans. This will set the stage for various tales as well as the context of the prophets.

I like this idea. Expanding the first concept in my own way, have the two gods have either a brotherly relationship, or a father/son type relationship.
In the brothers case:
The two gods are equally as powerful as each other, but one is more interested in the physical and the other, more spiritual.
right there is the divide between the two. Both have the same core philosophy, keeping to a central religion, but one sect is more focused on the physical aspect of life, while the other sect is more interested in spirituality.

Now, for the father/son case:
The father figure was ruler at first, but was defeated by his son for possession of the Earth. So, now a younger more inexperienced god is in control, but one that may be closer to the humans, while the older tries to balance between all of nature.
The divide between the gods/sects, is now how important humans are to spirituality and religion. One side believes all of nature is important, while the other believes humans are the most important.

I personally like the brotherly relationship the best.

Personally, I thinks a sisterly relationship would be more unique and interesting. I'd also say that the nature/humans split holds a bit more water than the spiritual/physical split, since gods are inherently spiritual, and it wouldn't make sense to have one more in tune with the physical realm.

However, my criticisms of the nature/humans divide is that it is too similar to most religions that make a concrete distinction between the two. Not quite sure what the split could be, I've got to go know, but I can get back to it later.

[Rhodevus]

I like this idea. Expanding the first concept in my own way, have the two gods have either a brotherly relationship, or a father/son type relationship.
In the brothers case:
The two gods are equally as powerful as each other, but one is more interested in the physical and the other, more spiritual.
right there is the divide between the two. Both have the same core philosophy, keeping to a central religion, but one sect is more focused on the physical aspect of life, while the other sect is more interested in spirituality.

Now, for the father/son case:
The father figure was ruler at first, but was defeated by his son for possession of the Earth. So, now a younger more inexperienced god is in control, but one that may be closer to the humans, while the older tries to balance between all of nature.
The divide between the gods/sects, is now how important humans are to spirituality and religion. One side believes all of nature is important, while the other believes humans are the most important.

I personally like the brotherly relationship the best.

Personally, I thinks a sisterly relationship would be more unique and interesting. I'd also say that the nature/humans split holds a bit more water than the spiritual/physical split, since gods are inherently spiritual, and it wouldn't make sense to have one more in tune with the physical realm.

However, my criticisms of the nature/humans divide is that it is too similar to most religions that make a concrete distinction between the two. Not quite sure what the split could be, I've got to go know, but I can get back to it later.

well, a sisterly relationship would work the same way. I just said it as brotherly/male because that is what most ancient religions do. But, even if it is female/sisterly, than the divide works. I also agree it would be more unique.

[Valica]

You guys have helped me out a lot so far.

The idea right now is that the two gods are different versions of the same entity.
In the few times they have appeared on Earth, they appeared as a man with a split personality.

[MERIZoC]

Would anyone here object to me making a thread for the community creation of a religion, as a fun project for A&F? And, more importantly, would anyone here participate?

[Rhodevus]

Would anyone here object to me making a thread for the community creation of a religion, as a fun project for A&F? And, more importantly, would anyone here participate?

yes and yes.

also... yes.

[Liberated Duloc]

Personally, I thinks a sisterly relationship would be more unique and interesting. I'd also say that the nature/humans split holds a bit more water than the spiritual/physical split, since gods are inherently spiritual, and it wouldn't make sense to have one more in tune with the physical realm.

However, my criticisms of the nature/humans divide is that it is too similar to most religions that make a concrete distinction between the two. Not quite sure what the split could be, I've got to go know, but I can get back to it later.

Actually, sects of Gnosticism and Manichaeism had a "Good god" and a "Physical World god".

[MERIZoC]

Would anyone here object to me making a thread for the community creation of a religion, as a fun project for A&F? And, more importantly, would anyone here participate?

yes and yes.

also... yes.

You would object, but also participate?

[MERIZoC]

Personally, I thinks a sisterly relationship would be more unique and interesting. I'd also say that the nature/humans split holds a bit more water than the spiritual/physical split, since gods are inherently spiritual, and it wouldn't make sense to have one more in tune with the physical realm.

However, my criticisms of the nature/humans divide is that it is too similar to most religions that make a concrete distinction between the two. Not quite sure what the split could be, I've got to go know, but I can get back to it later.

Actually, sects of Gnosticism and Manichaeism had a "Good god" and a "Physical World god".

Hmm, interesting, I'll have to read up on that.

[Rhodevus]

yes and yes.

also... yes.

You would object, but also participate?

umm... yes?

Throw me a TG when you set up the thread (or post it here)

[MERIZoC]

You would object, but also participate?

umm... yes?

Throw me a TG when you set up the thread (or post it here)

Right here.
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=323346

[Arrosoir]

Actually, sects of Gnosticism and Manichaeism had a "Good god" and a "Physical World god".

Hmm, interesting, I'll have to read up on that.

You should because Gnosticism and the demiurge makes for some sick ass reading.

Listen to this while you do.