Living in the USA is a unique experience for everyone. This country offers you a diversity that no other country can ever provide. One of the unique freedoms you can get here is religious openness. However, if you do not like existing religions, you can make it your own.
Yes, you heard it right! You can have your religion with your own rules and regulations. Sounds intriguing? You only have to follow a series of steps that will make you a protagonist eager to bring a revolution in the world and with unique views towards the world.
Ready to start your own set of beliefs? Let us begin the journey!
Step 1. Planning
Nothing can be executed without thorough planning. When you start a new religion, you must make sure that each aspect is clear and catchy. However, you must establish a foundation for this new set of beliefs before announcing it. Some of the reasons you might have are.
- Maybe you are dissatisfied with the ones that currently exist.
- You are deeply inspired and/or have glimpsed secret knowledge you want to share.
- You want to perform weddings and other ceremonies in your way.
- You are taking this as a joke.
- You are keen and critical towards other religions.
- The purpose is writing for a book or story.
Step 2. Develop A Cosmology
Starting a new religion requires a lot of attributes to prove its existence. You have developed an exciting and attractive cosmology that is creative and engaging for your followers. It should cover topics like the world’s creation, future predictions, numerology, and the end of times. Remember, creativity is the key to maximum success!
Step 3. Find A Unique Name
Your religion must have a name that resonates with your ideology. You can be creative and be old school at the same time while considering a name. Some famous names of the new religions are
- Discordianism
- The Church of All Worlds
- The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
- Scientology
- Eckankar
Considering these names, you can think of many possibilities that help you choose an appropriate name for your own beliefs.
Step 4. Write Your Set Of Commandments
We all know that all major religions of the world have their books, rules, and commandments on which they spent their lives. You need one for your religion as well. You can write dos and don’ts in these commandments, making it easier for your followers to acknowledge them. You can write your own book with all these rules in any order you like.
Step 5. Spread The Word
Your initial preps are all done. Now, it’s time to spread your beliefs among common people. Talk to your friends, family, and other people to collect followers who help you take your mission on a larger scale. Remember to use polite and convincing body language so people believe in you and become active in spreading your religion worldwide.
Step 6. Create A Meeting Point
If you observe, all the world’s prominent religions have one common meeting point. This is where they gather, and their leader or religious personnel teaches them about religion. You can use a cafe or restaurant in the beginning. After collecting a handful of followers, you can hire a building or room to make it more official.
Step 7. Legalize Everything
Get a legal status to enjoy its perks all over the country. Religions recognized as nonprofit according to Internal Revenue Code (IRC) 501(c) are automatically considered tax-exempt. You must not 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.
Though tax exemption is automatic for recognized new religions, you can still apply formally. This might be a good idea if you want to be sure your religion qualifies for this protection or if you think that officially applying will give it legitimacy.
If you want to apply for tax-exempt status for your religion, use IRS Form 1023-EZ.
Step 8. Meet The Respective Guidelines
Before enjoying tax exemption and legal status, you need to meet specific criteria that will make you eligible to get the status of new religious personnel. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will decide whether or not a new religious group officially qualifies as a religion if it meets some combination of features, including:
- It has faith and worship exercises
- It has a formal leader
- It has an intriguing history
- Its membership criteria are different from those of other religious families.
- There is an affiliated 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
You will get legal status pretty quickly if you meet all these requirements.
Step 9. Apply For Formal Formation
If you meet all the requirements, you are fully eligible to apply for a formal formation application to the IRS. This document declares you a nonprofit organization that eventually gives you full advantage of tax exemption and funds from the followers.
Step 10. Get Your Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Get an EIN even if you are a non-profit organization. It will help you keep a record of your employees and their payments. Even if your religion is tax-exempt, you must withhold income tax on its employees. It is advisable to keep records of all the expenses and payments to get revenue benefits from the income tax department.
Step 11. Increase Members
Now, you can promote your religion in all sorts of gatherings. Spread your word through public gatherings, private sessions, podcasts, and any means you find beneficial. Make sure your religion has active representation on all social media, make flyers to distribute in your community, give away T-shirts, etc. 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.)
These events will increase your visibility, help you gain many followers, and make you prominent on the world map.
Start Your Religion
Here you go! You have a complete manual for starting your new religion. So whether you want unique marriage laws or a new ideology about God, you have a full process in front of you. While the steps outlined may simplify the process, creating a new religion is a profound endeavor that should be conducted with the utmost care and consideration.
Visit Grey Journal to read more about such topics. Broaden your horizons to gain better and more accurate knowledge about the world and its practices.
