Parody Religions coined so far:
Bokononism
Discordianism
Invisible Pink Unicornism
Jesus Christ Elvis, Church of
The Kult oV MONITOR
Last Thursdayism
Pastafarianism
Saget, Church of
Shatnerology
SubGenius, Church of the
Tiger Woods, First Church of
More to come...
Bokononism
Other Names: none
Deity: God
Prophet: Bokonon
Holy Book: The Books of Bokonon (found here)
Web Presence: http://bernd.wechner.info/Bokononism/
History:
Principle Beliefs:
Discordianism
Other Names: Erisianism
Deity: Eris, the ancient Greek goddess of discord
Prophets: Malaclypse the Younger and Lord Omar Khayyam Ravenhurst
Holy Book: Principia Discordia (found here) and the Honest Book of Truth
Web Presence: http://poee.co.uk/boards/index.php
History: All that I really know about it's origins are that the Principia Discordia was first printed in 1965. Beyond that it's really murky, as the history of all these religions seem to be.
Principle Beliefs: It is very hotly debated about whether Discordianism is even a parody religion at all. Some say it is a real religion, or that it is a real religion disguised as a fake one, or that it is a real religion disguised as a fake disguised as a real one, or... You get the picture. Anyway, as much debate goes into what it is that Discordianism really teaches as to whether or not it is a real religion or a fake one. I think it's best said by Kerry Thornley, "If organized religion is the opium of the masses, then disorganized religion is the marijuana of the lunatic fringe." (Introduction to the 5th edition of the Principia Discordia)
Invisible Pink Unicornism
Other Names: none
Deity: an Invisible Pink Unicorn
Prophet: none, or unknown
Holy Book: The Eley Manifesto and The Revelation of St. Bryce the Long-Winded
Web Presence: http://www.invisiblepinkunicorn.com/
History: The beginnings of the religion surrounding the Invisible Pink Unicorn are unclear. The first recorded mention of Her was in the alt.atheism newsgroup, though some contend that they had heard of the Unicorn before then. Either way, much knowledge of the Unicorn come from alt.atheism and other websites devoted to Her. One great source of wisdom is the Eley Manifesto, created by Follower Steve Eley. I have yet to see this document, so I can not speak of its claims yet.
Principle Beliefs: There is but one deity in the universe, and She is a unicorn that is both invisible and pink. This deity draws many parallels to the Christian deity, but is accepted by Her followers as the more plausible. She has a fondness for ham and pineapple pizza (though this is countered by a heretical sect of vegetarians who claim it is pineapple and mushroom pizza). There is also a malevolent spirit called the Purple Oyster (of Doom), who was cast of Her Pastures for teaching the doctrine that the Invisible Pink Unicorn prefers pepperoni and mushroom pizza. Followers of the Unicorn look forward to the Day of Oats and Honey, when She and the Purple Oyster shall be reconciled. There are many more doctrines and articles of faith, too many for the purposes of this synopsis.
Jesus Christ Elvis, Church of
Other Names: none
Deity: Elvis
Prophet: none, or unknown
Holy Book: none
Web Presence: http://jubal.westnet.com/hyperdiscordia/sacred_heart_elvis.html
History:
Principle Beliefs:
The Kult oV MONITOR
(A big thank you to the §E7EN §TÅR™ Corporation for introducing me to this one.)
Other Names: none
Deity: MONITOR
Prophet: the §E7EN §TÅR™
Holy Book: The MONONOMICON
Web Presence: geocities.com/kultovmonitor
History: Has always existed. Came to earth in 1998 during a cataclysm.
Principle Beliefs: GAIN PSYCHIC POWERS WHILE HAVING MIND-BLOWING SEXX! MONITOR, the pSychO §eXX goD, was created by evolved sex machines from outer space as their 'god". In accordance with a deal they made with their creators and a conspiracy being propagated by the §E7EN §TÅR™ Corporation for the entire span of Earth's history, the space machines "brought" MONITOR to earth for HU-MANS to use.
Last Thursdayism
Other Names: none
Deity: Queen Maeve, the cat
Prophet: unknown
Holy Book: none
Web Presence: http://web.archive.org/web/19990420141357/http://weber.u.washington.edu/~aexia/thursday.htm
History: This religion first prophecied by the slave ("owner" is not allowed in reference to cats) of Queen Maeve in 1999. Though the site proclaiming the religion was shut down in 2000. The religion seems to have gone underground since then, which seems odd since they were angling for official church status with tax exemption and everything.
Principle Beliefs: Followers of this religion hold the dogma that the world was creat last Thursday, and that nothing before then was "real" it was all just implanted memories and all of human history is a cleverly constructed tale. The implanters and constructors are, of course, cats. The ruler of these cats is Queen Maeve, who is the main deity of this religion. Not only was the universe created last Thursday, but it will be destroyed Next Thursday. On this day Queen Maeve judges the souls of all based on their kindness towards cats, who are really the dominant species on earth. Those judged good will be taken to heaven to become cats themselves and live in paradise, the heathens will be condemned to the Eternal Litterbox and forced to be slaves to the cats forever.
Pastafarianism
Other Names: FSMism
Deity: the Flying Spaghetti Monster
Prophet: Bobby Henderson
Holy Book: none, as of yet
Web Presence: http://www.venganza.org/
History:
Principle Beliefs:
Saget, Church of
Other Names: Sagetology
Deity: Bob Saget
Prophet: unknown
Holy Book: The Bible of Bob (found here)
Web Presence: http://www.bobsagetisgod.com/
History:
Principle Beliefs:
Shatnerology
Other Names: The Most Holy-n-High Church of the Blinding Light of the Holy Glowing™ Form of the One Toupeed and Gloriously Bloated Shatner
Deity: William Shatner
Prophet: none, or unknown
Holy Book: The Skriptures (found here)
Web Presence: http://www.shatnerology.com/
History:
Principle Beliefs:
SubGenius, Church of the
Other Names: none
Deity: "Bob"
Prophet: none, or unknown
Holy Book: The Book of the SubGenius
Web Presence: http://www.subgenius.com/
History:
Principle Beliefs:
Tiger Woods, First Church of
Other Names: Tigerianism
Deity: Tiger Woods
Prophet: unknown
Holy Book: none, they do have their own 10 Commandments
Web Presence: http://www.tigerwoodsisgod.com/index.php
History:
Principle Beliefs:
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