The human mind is capable on boundless sets of imagination – in short, no limits. Everyone sought to search for the meaning of a life itself which sometimes found in the odd places everyone could imagine (not in disrespect for the major religions, since I myself is a Roman Catholics aren’t weird).
Now I’m not expressing any real value judgment as to the merits of these “religions” (I guess the quotes aren’t a good start). I’m simply highlighting some of the more unusual (often hilarious) belief systems throughout the world (Again… I make no judgment). This top 10 list is a contribution from an avid fan of always10list and I guess you’ll like it.
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1 – Prince Phillip Movement
The Prince Philip Movement is a cargo cult of the Yaohnanen tribe on the southern island of Tanna in Vanuatu. The Yaohnanen believe that Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the consort to Queen Elizabeth II, is a divine being, the pale-skinned son of a mountain spirit and brother of John Frum. According to ancient tales the son travelled over the seas to a distant land, married a powerful lady and would in time return. The villagers had observed the respect accorded to Queen Elizabeth II by colonial officials and came to the conclusion that her husband, Prince Philip, must be the son from their legends. When the cult formed is unclear, but it is likely that it was sometime in the 1950s or 1960s. Their beliefs were strengthened by the royal couple’s official visit to Vanuatu in 1974 when a few villagers had the opportunity to observe the prince from afar. Prince Philip was made aware of the religion and has exchanged gifts with its leaders and even visited them.
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2 – Jediism
For Star Wars die-hard fan, this religion is for you. Jediism incorporates the fictional teachings of the Jedi, believing that The Force is a very real power in the universe. Unfortunately, not everyone loves the Jedi: In 2008, two members of the Church of Jediism were attacked outside their home by a drunken man dressed as Darth Vader.
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3 – Church of all the Worlds
The Church of All Worlds is a Neo-Pagan movement based largely on a fictional religion featured in Robert Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land. They espouse pantheism, the belief that everything is a part of an all-encompassing God. They recognize deities of various traditions, such as Gaea (The Earth Mother-Goddess), Father God, as well as the realm of Faeries. In short, their only real dogma is a lack of exclusive dogma – that there are no specific beliefs, and the only sin is hypocrisy.
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4 – Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth
(TOPY) has been an influential presence in the underground “Chaos magic” scene since its inception in 1981. They focus on developing magical concepts devoid of mysticism or worship of Gods, instead focusing on the magical and psychic aspects of the human brain associated with “guiltless sex”.
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5 – The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (Pastafarian)
Another parody religion, The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM), whose followers are referred to as Pastafarians, chooses to “believe” that the world was created by a deity known as the Flying Spaghetti Monster. A response to the teaching of Creationism and Intelligent Design in our public schools, the idea behind FSM is that if one religion can be taught in schools, why not all religions, no matter how ridiculous? Pastafarians are generally thought to be the coolest people in the world.
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6 – Raelism
A French religion founded by former race-car driver Claude Vorilhons, now known as Rael, this church follows the belief that Rael was captured by aliens and taken to the planet Elohim, where he spent time hanging with Jesus, Buddha, Joseph Smith and Confucius. While there, the aliens informed Rael that they created humans in their lab 25,000 years ago and will be visiting Jerusalem again in 2025. We can’t wait!
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7 – Church of Euthanasia
The slogan of Chris Korda’s controversial religious movement is “Save the Planet – Kill Yourself”, and its platform includes four basic facets: suicide, abortion, cannibalism, and sodomy. Each of these four things serve to reduce the human population. Korda and his followers claim that all phenomena harmful to the Earth and its various species are a direct result of human action and, as such, to restore balance humanity must be eliminated.
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8 – Temple of the True Inner Light
A Manhattan-based religion, The Temple of the True Inner Light is believes that the psychedelics DPT, marijuana, LSD, peyote, psilocybin mushrooms and DMT are the true Flesh of God. And that’s kind of it.
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9 – Pana-Wave
An offshoot of a religious group called Chino-Shoho (“True Law of Chino”) based in Shibuya, Tokyo, Pana-Wave was founded in 1997 by Yuko Chino. Pana-Wave’s central teaching is the evils of electromagnetic waves, which the group believes cause catastrophic environmental destruction and climate change. In the mid-1990s, Pana-Wave members began dressing only in white, thus protecting them from harmful scalar electromagnetic waves, which they claimed were being used against them by communists to try to kill their leader. Sadly, the world did not end on May 15, 2003, as Chino predicted, so their current slogan is “Pana-Wave: How the Men in White Postponed the Apocalypse.”
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10 – Happy Science
A man named Ryuho Okawa founded this pleasant little religion to teach the Fourfold Path: Love, Wisdom, Self-Reflection and Progress. These teachings would seem perfectly fine if Okawa didn’t claim to channel the spirits of Muhammad, Christ, Buddha and Confucius. Oh yeah, he also says he’s the incarnation of a supreme spiritual being called El Cantare.
Contributor
Dustin is a blogger from Catbalogan, Samar, Philippines. Visit my site Dustent.blogspot.com and follow Dustin on Facebook.
September 6, 2012 at 7:27 am
Bizarre indeed! Thanks for sharing
October 24, 2012 at 3:19 am
Though we have different beliefs and choices. Respect and Understanding must prevail in order to avoid chaos. We have to control our self on what we believe.
October 24, 2012 at 4:50 am
I met Mr. Ryuho Okawa in person in Pasadena, CA in 2008. I have some of his books sent by a Japanese friend. I may not understand all of his lessons yet, but I admire his inspired writings. Not ordinary men can do that.
Until we learn the facts, empathize and understand where they are all coming from, Religion will always be a sensitive topic to talk about.
We all remain accountable and responsible for what we write. My two cents.
October 24, 2012 at 5:55 am
Everyone one of us has a free will to decide whatever things we wanted in our lives. I would agree to Pal Rain that understanding and respect to others are essential to live in a peaceful life!
October 24, 2012 at 6:06 am
wtf! di ko alam na may ganito palang religion na nag e-exist!! ahahah thanks for this posts! buti nabasa ko to..
October 24, 2012 at 6:52 am
I’m amused and still laughing at the Jedism and they being mauled by a man dressed as Darth Vader. May the force be with them.
October 24, 2012 at 8:28 am
Oh my! These bizarre religions are something, alright! Sure, we have no right to judge other by their religions. But I’ve got to say, these are some of the most outrageous ones. Jediism, The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, Chuch of Euthanasia, really?
October 24, 2012 at 11:56 am
Jediism I can imagine and comprehend but Prince Philip’s cult is… quite unusual to say the least.
October 24, 2012 at 4:29 pm
So weird! I’ve read five of them in other published article , but the The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, that’s something new for me. I am submitting articles like this one at Triond. You can create an account there and submit your posts there.
October 24, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Wow, these really do exist? It’s weird and funny. I hope their followers will find the true meaning of life in these religion =)
October 24, 2012 at 6:26 pm
Whatever belief each one of us, what’s most important is the respect for each other. We might find others bizarre, but I call them unique.
October 24, 2012 at 8:20 pm
oh wow, they really believe in those things. How in God’s name did they come up with those weird religion
October 25, 2012 at 1:47 am
We do have to give respect to people with regards to their choice of religion but one which encourages members to hurt themselves or others is unacceptable . Man has certainly invented many movements to push their personal motives.
October 25, 2012 at 3:25 am
Jediism… hmmm! How brilliant can George Lucas be? Who would’ve thought his movie idea can turn into something this big?!
October 25, 2012 at 5:10 am
This is really weird but I understand and respects their religious belief.
http://www.mommyhopeful.info
October 25, 2012 at 8:17 am
We have our own belief and we are entitled to it whether some won’t agree with our FAITH. But these strikingly unconventional religions formed by people may have been a result of misconceptions about things and hallucinations.
October 25, 2012 at 9:32 am
this really got me into thinking want to feel and say. As a Christian, we are encouraged (I am referring to my religion) everyday to disciple. but this came as a surprise as i really never have thought of these groups with these beliefs.
October 25, 2012 at 9:35 am
it really got me into thinking what to feel and say. As a Christian (i mean in my religion) we are everyday encouraged to disciple. But I was really surprise to have read such groups with such beliefs and practices exist,
October 25, 2012 at 10:06 am
Jedi and Spaghetti? what more can you ask for, right? Just kidding, The things people do are often ridiculous. pero respect pa rin natin. to each his own…
October 25, 2012 at 10:06 am
this is RC Gweniful
October 25, 2012 at 11:41 am
#1 takes the cake for absolute madness, and I wouldn’t mind becoming a High Priest of Jediism
October 25, 2012 at 9:58 pm
Couldn’t help but laugh on the Pastafarians! Sorry but it’s indeed funny.
October 26, 2012 at 4:41 am
There’s a Jediism religion? lol Those are indeed bizaare religions and beliefs
October 29, 2012 at 1:12 am
Oh cool. What a very good research of top 10 things. I would say I didn’t know any of these groups until I’ve read them here. ‘Will be sharing this on my Facebook wall.
October 30, 2012 at 3:12 am
wierd, indeed. And Prince Philip as a diety is hilarious!