RELIGION CREATION ESSAY

RELIGION CREATION ESSAY

DescriptionInvent your own religion. Imagine you are before Congress or some other form of Government and you have to provide a rationale for why your group /beliefs/ practices /rituals, etc. should be considered a religion. Some things to consider: What is your religion called? Does it have a founder/leader? Does it have text(s)? If so, what is in it/them? Is your religion attempting to answer existential questions (e.g., why are we here)? What kind of practices or rituals are involved, if any? What is your overall worldview (afterlife? Salvation?)? Is there a moral code? What about a justice system? What is the daily life like of a follower of your religion? Do they have any enemies?

You will be graded on how creative you can be. This should not be simply a rehashing of a religion we’ve covered so far. Also, it cannot simply be a “sect” or branch of an existing religion or a version of someone else’s idea, such as the Kanye West Church of Yeezus (do not do this). I want you to be creative and innovative. Must be at least 1000 words. This is a substantial part of your grade (15%), so take this assignment seriously and put some serious thought behind your creation.

GRADING

• 30 Pts. Student mentions name of the religion and whether or not they have a founder. If a founder exists, how was it founded?
• 30 Pts. Student discusses the body of text that his/her created religion uses.
• 30 Pts. Student discusses the underlying philosophy and rationale of the created religion. What questions of human experience does it seek to answer?
• 30 Pts. Student discusses, in detail, the rituals associated with their religion.
• 10 Pts. Student discusses any enemies the religious group may have, its moral code, justice system.
• 20 Pts. Student reflects on how their created religion challenges or upholds commonly held notions of what “religion” is.
TOTAL: 150 Pts.

Example:
Here is an excerpt from a former student’s essay:
KKLDS
The Kim Kardashian Church of the Latté Day Saints…. I am here to tell you that the one true savior to mankind is a goddess of beauty incomparable to that even of Aphrodite… Kim Kardashian. Her followers called “Basics” live by the Mantra “You Only Live Once, a.k.a. YOLO…. The Holiest of sacraments of the KKLDS is Communion, the sacred bond that connects Basics to the Holy Mother. Between the ages of 11-13, an initiate to the KKLDS becomes a full fledged follower when they partake in the sacred religious ritual of The Foam and the Eucaffeine. The Foam and the Eucaffeine is the consumption of a Cinnamon Dolce Latte from Starbucks…. From the end of August to mid-November, KKLDS members rejoice as it is the Pumpkin Spice Latte Festival… etc.