Anyone can make a religion (rambling #1)

What is a religion but a bunch of personal rules everyone follows? There might be a god, but at the heart of every religion is just that: personal rules and values that everyone part of the religion upholds. So theoretically, anyone can make your own religion with your own gods. We saw this already with scientology and the ant hill kids, and various other cults.

But getting people to believe in your religion is the hard part. I believe anyone charismatic enough can rally enough followers to create a functioning cult. One of the main pillars of religious followers is that they use their religion as a way to get through hard times. That's where faith comes from, and it's why cults always target those that have no other support. Religion is a safe space. I think in order to recruit people, you must give your personal beliefs as a way to cope through their hard times.

However, it's not right to create a religion for the sole purpose of abusing your followers. I think every religion should always be beneficial towards its believers.

Okay that's all. Goodbye.