How To Start A Religion (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Start a Religion PDF download Download Article Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Planning Your Religion
    • |
  • Earning Legal Status
    • |
  • Increasing Membership
    • |
  • Video
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  • Q&A
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  • Tips
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 804,682 times. Learn more...

Have you ever felt dissatisfied with existing religions? Have you ever become fed up with the lack of tolerance within many existing religions? If you are inspired to create change, you can start your own religion. It may take a lot of effort to organize your religion and get it officially recognized. If it is something you are moved to do, however, it will be very rewarding to see your work lead to a thriving membership.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Planning Your Religion

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  1. Step 1 Select a name for your religion. 1 Select a name for your religion. The name of your religion should reflect its purpose and foundation, so do not choose it carelessly. Think about the central beliefs or messages of your religion, and try to reflect these in the word or phrase that will serve as its name. Names for religions invented in the past include:
    • Discordianism
    • The Church of All Worlds
    • The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
    • Scientology
    • Eckankar
  2. Step 2 Develop a list of your religion’s core tenets. 2 Develop a list of your religion’s core tenets. These might explain things like how it views relationships between people (Should you be charitable toward others? Act on your own interests?). These principles might also contain philosophical arguments, which can explain how your religion views the world differently than others. For instance, your religion’s principles might contain arguments proving the existence of its god(s), if any.[1]
    • If you want to, write a sacred text or holy book that explains all these things.
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  3. Step 3 Write a plan. 3 Write a plan. Starting a religion will require a significant amount of planning. You can start by writing down your ideas about why you want to invent a new religion. Understanding the basic reason for your religion’s existence will be critical if you want it to be successful. You may want to start a religion:
    • Because you are dissatisfied with the ones that currently exist.
    • Because you are deeply inspired and/or have glimpsed secret knowledge that you would like to share.
    • To perform weddings and other ceremonies in your own way.
    • As a joke.
    • To be critical of other religions.
    • For a book or story.
  4. Step 4 Develop a cosmology. 4 Develop a cosmology. If your religion intends to explain broad questions about the origin of the universe, the nature of reality, and the future, you will want to develop a cosmology, which explains all of these things. Your religion’s cosmology might describe things like a creation story and projections about the eventual end of things. Be as creative or inspired as your religion calls for.[2]
  5. Step 5 Talk to people about your religion. 5 Talk to people about your religion. Once your religion’s core ideas are worked out, you can start inviting other people to join you. Many experts suggest working slowly at first. You might talk to some of your own acquaintances, then build from there by word of mouth. When you have a trusted and fairly stable group, you can work with them to develop bylaws that explain how your religion will be organized and managed.
  6. Step 6 Find a meeting place. 6 Find a meeting place. Followers of your religion might start out by meeting at your home (or someone else’s). As it grows, you might look for a place that is more public, such as a café, a park, or somewhere else that is convenient. As your religion grows, you may look into a more permanent meeting place, such as a rented or purchased building.
  7. Step 7 Read about historical examples. 7 Read about historical examples. If you are looking for inspiration while planning your religion, you can look into the histories of other religions. Studying the world’s major religions can give you ideas, but you can also read about more recent examples of invented religions, such as:[3]
    • L. Ron Hubbard’s Scientology.
    • The Church of All Worlds, inspired by Robert Heinlein’s science fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land.
    • Discordianism, and its foundational text Principia Discorda.
    8. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Earning Legal Status

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  1. Step 1 Learn the benefits of official recognition. 1 Learn the benefits of official recognition. Churches that are recognized as nonprofit according to Internal Revenue Code (IRC) 501(c)(3) are automatically considered tax-exempt. You do not have to apply for this protection if you meet the code’s guidelines. This tax exemption can provide financial and legal protection to your religion, allowing it to practice freely according to its principles.[4]
    • Though tax exemption is automatic for recognized churches, you can still apply formally for it. This might be a good idea if you just want to be sure your religion qualifies for this protection, or if you think that officially applying will give it some legitimacy.
    • If you want to apply for tax-exempt status for your religion, use IRS Form 1023-EZ.[5]
  2. Step 2 Meet the guidelines for legally establishing a church. 2 Meet the guidelines for legally establishing a church. The IRS uses the term “church” broadly, taking it to mean any recognized religious group. The primary guidelines for recognition stipulate that any revenue the church earns may not be used to financially benefit an individual or shareholders or to influence political decision-making (lobbying). The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will consider whether or not a religious group officially qualifies as a church if it meets some combination of features, including:
    • It has a creed and worship practices
    • It has a formal leadership
    • It has a clear history
    • Its membership is distinct from other religious groups
    • There is a recognized course of study to ordain leaders in the religion
    • The religion has some form of foundational texts or literary tradition
    • There are recognized or regular places to worship
    • The religion has a regular congregation and services
  3. Step 3 Apply for a certificate of formation. 3 Apply for a certificate of formation. A certificate of formation (sometimes called articles of formation) is a document used in many locations to formally incorporate a religion as a legally recognized entity. It describes what a nonprofit organization will do, how it will be managed, etc. Check your local laws to see if it is necessary to file this document.
  4. Step 4 Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN). 4 Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Even if you qualify for tax-exempt status, you will want to apply for an EIN number from the IRS. This number will be necessary if your religion ever has any employees.[6]
    • Even if your religion is tax-exempt, you must withhold income tax on its employees.
  5. Step 5 Keep records. 5 Keep records. The tax-exempt status allows religious organizations to have special audit protection. Nevertheless, it is very important to keep excellent records of all your finances. These may include salaries, expenditures, money collected from members of your religion, etc.[7]
    6. Advertisement
Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Increasing Membership

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  1. Step 1 Hold frequent services or meetings. 1 Hold frequent services or meetings. Studies have shown that the most successful religions have congregations that meet often. If your religion has services or worship procedures, consider holding them several times a week. You will be more likely to increase your religion's numbers if members and potential members have the flexibility to choose when to attend services.[8]
  2. Step 2 Increase your religion’s visibility. 2 Increase your religion’s visibility. It is more important than ever to get the word out about your religion if you want to increase its members. Make sure that your religion has active representation on all social media, make flyers to distribute in your community, give away T-shirts, etc.
  3. Step 3 Create a welcoming feel. 3 Create a welcoming feel. People are more likely to become regular members of your religion if you offer them a welcoming place to visit. Whatever your religious services entail, consider having them in a comfortable environment that is easily accessible. For instance, people that are intimidated by or turned off of traditional religious services might be more likely to attend an informal, coffee-house-style service.
  4. Step 4 Offer lots of programs. 4 Offer lots of programs. Worshiping and increasing understanding of your religion’s core tenets might be the most important aspects of your services. However, offering additional programs can increase the sense of community among your religion’s members, while still keeping people close to the religion itself. Consider incorporating activities like:
    • Music for services and entertainment
    • Game nights
    • Potlucks
    • Sports
    • Reading groups
    • Social gatherings (youth groups, retiree meetings, etc.)
    • Community service (beautification projects, prison outreach, food drives, etc.)
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question How do I invent good rituals and customs that serve my religion well? Community Answer Community Answer Think what would "fit." For instance, the Pastafarians have Ramendan, where they eat nothing but pasta for a period of time. This is due to their god being made of spaghetti and meatballs. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 75 Helpful 460
  • Question Can my religion praise cats? Community Answer Community Answer Your religion can worship/praise anything at all. The ancient Egyptians worshiped cats! Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 60 Helpful 398
  • Question How can I spread my religion to others without offending their religion? Community Answer Community Answer You should just share your religion with others and try to let them know why you believe it to be the right choice. If the person is rational and reasonable, that will not offend them or their religion. The only thing that's offensive is insulting someone else's religion or trying to force them to follow yours without letting them decide for themselves. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 44 Helpful 253
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Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Be accepting of all people, because if there are more people who feel welcome to join it’s easier to build membership. Also, it will make one of your core tenants be acceptance of humanity.
  • Don't say that anyone who doesn't believe in your religion is bad, as that can alienate people.
  • Make sure that you’re not judgmental about other religions or you might offend other people.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/INTRO_TEXT/Chapter%203%20Religion/Cosmological.htm
  2. ↑ https://physics.ucsc.edu/cosmo/primack_abrams/COSMO.HTM
  3. ↑ http://www.religiousstudiesproject.com/podcast/podcast-carole-cusack-on-invented-religions/
  4. ↑ https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf
  5. ↑ https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1023ez.pdf
  6. ↑ https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf
  7. ↑ https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf
  8. ↑ http://www.reformedworship.org/article/march-1999/different-strokes-7-reasons-your-church-should-consider-adding-another-worship-se

About This Article

wikiHow Staff Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 804,682 times. 23 votes - 97% Co-authors: 73 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 804,682 Categories: Religion Article SummaryX

If you believe you’ve discovered a truth about the universe or human life and want to share it with the world, you can start your own religion by creating a list of central tenets that explain how your followers should treat others. Choose a name that reflects the message or belief of your religion. Talk to friends and acquaintances about your religion and decide on a meeting place to hold services. Keep reading for help becoming a legal, official church and how to increase membership for your new religion! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Joydeep Ghosh

    Joydeep Ghosh

    Jun 16, 2017

    "I might start a religion, someday, but I am busy for now. I am working on it. But I was always curious about..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. wikiHow Staff Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer Co-authors: 73 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 804,682 97% of readers found this article helpful. 23 votes - 97% Click a star to add your vote Joydeep Ghosh

Joydeep Ghosh

Jun 16, 2017

"I might start a religion, someday, but I am busy for now. I am working on it. But I was always curious about..." more Melissa William

Melissa William

Apr 2, 2020

"This article was really helpful with my schoolwork but at the same time was very interesting. I made a religion..." more Rated this article: Anonymous

Anonymous

Dec 19, 2023

"I grew up with religion not in my life, but I had other ideas, I always prayed to a god I called my own, who was..." more Tyler Lariat

Tyler Lariat

Mar 7, 2020

"It helped me because it included great detail, but was plainly written. It included details about tax exemption..." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Feb 5, 2024

"I am now inspired to make a religion called Astropotatoism. It is the belief of space potatoes. I don't want..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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