Crazy Religions!

Last week Dr. Lane brought up the notion that new religions are almost like cults, and he discussed that no matter what theories are brought up, and no matter how crazy some ideas are, most new cults do gain some followers. I wasn’t initially sure how crazy a religion could actually be, but after some searching, I came across a very interesting websites about some of the most bizarre religions that apparently exist

The website http://www.oddee.com/item_90977.aspx, is more of an online blog which details different oddities within the world, and it has a section which lists what one poster believes are the 8 most bizarre religions and cults around the world.


For example, coming in at number one of the list is the Church of Euthanasia, and its official slogan is "Save the Planet, Kill Yourself." Apparently it is a religion based on four principle pillars of suicide, abortion, cannibalism and sodomy, and according to its website the followers “use sermons, music, culture jamming, publicity stunts and direct action combined with an underlying sense of satire and black humor to highlight Earth's unsustainable population.” Although I was initially skeptical as to whether it could have any serious followers, members of the religion have apparently made appearances on the Jerry Springer show, and according to reports it has existed with its base in Boston since 1995!

The website discuss all the religions in greater detail but below is the rest of the list from number 2 thru 8, and I have included the name of the religion, alongside the slogan or main idea they try to adhere to:

2 – Nation of Yahweh:
"Black people are the true Jews"

3- Raëlism
"Scientifically advanced humanoid extraterrestrials created humans"

4- Heaven's Gate:
Committed suicide to take their souls to a spaceship behind Comet Hale-Bopp

5- Aum Shinrikyo

6- Creativity Movement
"Inferior colored races are our deadly enemies"

7 - The Body of Christ
Founder's son was not fed and died; they were "waiting for a sign from God to feed him"

8- The Church of Maradona

Obviously most of these are probably not followed by anyone seriously, but personally I think the page is definitely worth checking out just to see how crazy some ideas can actually be, and the extreme ideas some people actually have!