Ever wondered about the quirkiest belief systems out there?
Well, buckle up, folks, because today, I, Matt, your trusty guide to the bizarre, am going to take you on a wild journey through the top 19 weirdest religions in the world.
You won’t believe what some people worship!
1. Discordianism – Embracing Chaos
Discordianism, founded in the 1950s, centers around the worship of Eris, the Greek goddess of chaos.
This religion believes that chaos is fundamental to the universe and embraces the idea of unpredictability in life.
It’s all about finding the harmony in chaos and embracing randomness as the natural order of things.
Followers, known as Discordians, engage in playful and absurd rituals, often using humor to explore deeper philosophical concepts.
Example: Discordians celebrate “Chaos Day” on November 23rd, a day to embrace randomness and the absurd.
They may engage in activities like wearing mismatched clothes or performing spontaneous acts of kindness.
2. Pastafarianism – Flying Spaghetti Monster’s Followers
Pastafarianism, also known as the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, originated in 2005 as a satirical response to the teaching of intelligent design in schools.
The central tenet of this religion is the belief in a deity made of spaghetti and meatballs, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, who is said to have created the universe while “drunk.” Pastafarians see pirates as divine beings and dress in pirate garb during their gatherings.
They argue that correlation does not imply causation and use this point to challenge traditional religious dogma.
Example: In some countries, Pastafarians have fought for the right to wear pasta strainers on their heads for official identification photos, arguing that it is a religious headgear.
3. Jediism – The Force Is With Them
Jediism emerged in the early 2000s and is inspired by the Star Wars franchise.
It revolves around the belief in the Force, an energy field that gives Jedi knights their power.
Followers of Jediism adopt the Jedi Code, seeking balance and self-improvement.
Some Jediist groups have formal structures, complete with ranks, training programs, and lightsaber dueling events.
Jediists use the fictional teachings of Jedi masters as a basis for real-life guidance.
Example: The UK census in 2011 showed that over 176,000 people identified themselves as Jediists, making it one of the most popular “joke” religions in the country.
4. Church of the SubGenius – Slack Is Key
The Church of the SubGenius was founded in the 1950s as a parody of organized religion and consumer culture.
Its central tenets involve the pursuit of “Slack,” which refers to freedom, individuality, and the ability to do what one desires.
SubGenius followers believe that humanity is manipulated by hidden forces, and they seek enlightenment through humor, satire, and embracing absurdity.
The church often uses subversive and tongue-in-cheek language to critique societal norms and conventions.
Example: One of the church’s most famous slogans is “Bob” (a reference to the church’s alleged founder) once said, “Pull the wool over your own eyes, and the universe will reward you with a sheep.” This absurd statement illustrates the church’s approach to humor and subversion.
5. Aetherius Society – Cosmic Masters and UFOs
The Aetherius Society was founded in the 1950s by George King, who claimed to have received messages from advanced extraterrestrial beings.
This religion believes in cosmic beings and extraterrestrial intelligence, who they claim are working for the betterment of humanity.
The society’s followers participate in “spiritual energy broadcasts” to send positive energy to troubled areas of the world.
They also believe that UFOs are divine vehicles used by these higher beings to carry out their missions on Earth.
Example: The Aetherius Society has claimed responsibility for averting potential disasters through their spiritual energy broadcasts.
For instance, they believe that their efforts helped prevent the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1958.
6. Thelema – Will and Magick
Thelema was founded in the early 20th century by occultist Aleister Crowley.
Central to this religion is the idea of finding and following one’s true will, which is seen as the path to personal fulfillment and spiritual enlightenment.
Thelemites practice ceremonial magick to communicate with spiritual entities and explore their inner selves.
The religion emphasizes individualism, personal growth, and the idea that everyone has a unique purpose in life.
Example: Aleister Crowley wrote a book called “The Book of the Law,” which is considered the central sacred text of Thelema.
It contains cryptic verses that are interpreted and studied by Thelemites to uncover deeper meanings.
7. Raëlism – Elohim and Cloning
Raëlism, founded in the 1970s by Claude Vorilhon (Raël), claims to be the world’s largest UFO religion.
Its followers believe that life on Earth was created by extraterrestrial beings called the Elohim.
Raëlism promotes sexual freedom and advocates for the use of science and technology to achieve immortality and spiritual advancement.
They believe that cloning is a means to resurrect the dead and achieve eternal life.
Example: The Raëlians gained international attention in the early 2000s when they announced the birth of the first human clone, “Eve,” which was later revealed to be a hoax.
8. The Creativity Movement – White Supremacy Religion
The Creativity Movement, formerly known as the World Church of the Creator, is a white supremacist religion founded in the 1970s.
It promotes racial holy war and the establishment of an all-white society.
This religion uses hate-filled literature and propaganda to spread its ideology and has been associated with various hate crimes and violence.
Example: Matt Hale, the leader of the movement, was convicted in 2004 for soliciting the murder of a federal judge who ruled against the group in a trademark infringement case.
9. Church of the Last Testament – The Vissarion Cult
The Church of the Last Testament, also known as the Vissarion Cult, was founded in the early 1990s by a former traffic cop, Sergey Anatolyevitch Torop, who claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.
The cult’s teachings blend elements of Christianity with environmentalism and reject traditional societal norms.
The cult has established its own self-sufficient community in Siberia, Russia, where thousands of followers live in accordance with Vissarion’s teachings.
Example: The cult leader, Vissarion, teaches his followers to eat a vegetarian diet and avoid harming any living creatures, which is in line with his environmental beliefs.
10. Church of Euthanasia – Radical Population Control
The Church of Euthanasia, founded in the 1990s, is a provocative and controversial religion that advocates for radical population control through suicide, abortion, cannibalism, and homosexuality.
However, the church maintains that its teachings are satirical and intended to highlight the destructive impact of human overpopulation on the planet.
Example: One of the church’s most infamous slogans is “Save the Planet, Kill Yourself,” which reflects the extreme nature of their message.
FAQs
1. Are these religions recognized by governments?
While some countries may officially recognize certain religions, many of the weirdest ones are not considered mainstream and may not enjoy official recognition.
2. Do these religions have significant followings?
Surprisingly, yes!
Some of these unconventional belief systems have gathered sizable followings around the world, with dedicated communities and online presence.
3. Are there any rituals associated with these religions?
Absolutely!
Like conventional religions, these weird belief systems also have unique rituals, ceremonies, and practices that are essential to their followers.
4. Are there any controversies surrounding these religions?
As with any belief system that challenges the norm, some of these religions have faced controversies, criticism, and even legal battles.
5. Can anyone join these religions?
Most of these religions welcome new members, but keep in mind that some may require a sense of humor or a willingness to embrace the bizarre!
Embracing the Unconventional
In a world full of diverse beliefs, these 19 weirdest religions stand out as truly extraordinary.
From worshipping chaos to flying spaghetti monsters, each faith offers a glimpse into the unique and fascinating world of human spirituality.
So, if you’re ever feeling a bit too “normal,” just remember that there’s a whole spectrum of unconventional religions out there, waiting to be explored!
