How to Start Your Own Religion: Form a Church, Gain Followers, Become Tax-Exempt, and Sway the Minds of Millions in Five Easy Steps [Paperback]

Philip Athans (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 18, 2012

Yes, world domination and eternal adoration can be yours!

"The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion."
—Attributed to L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology

Wouldn't you like to control countless worshippers with a single word? To call forth bountiful offerings of gold and silver? Wouldn't you love to make your acolytes bow in awe of your greatness?

Starting a new religion can be fun and profitable. You'll laugh along with Philip Athans (founder, leader, and sole member of the Church of Phil), as he shows you how to:

• Gather the flock and keep 'em coming back for more
• Organize mysterious and complex rituals
• Interrogate (or just ridicule) the hell out of nonbelievers
• Recruit celebrity spokespeople, from Tom Cruise to Uma Thurman

If you've ever felt the need to sacrifice on an altar beneath a blood-red moon, or just make Friday a holy day (three-day weekend, anyone?), this is the only sacred creed you need.

Live long and prosper.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion." (L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology)"

About the Author

Philip Athans is the New York Times?bestselling author of Annihilation and twelve other fantasy, science fiction, horror, and nonfiction books. In The Guide to Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction, he offers detailed advice for creating richly realized sci-fi and fantasy settings, including how to craft plausible invented religions. He lives in Issaquah, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Adams Media (June 18, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440538581
• ISBN-13: 978-1440538582
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,479,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars How To Start Your Own Religion June 3, 2012

By Cynthia M. Athans

Format:Paperback

A laugh riot! And oh so true on each page. I am very proud of the author for writing a entertaining yet highly informative book. I can only hope that those who need to read the truth will open this book and their minds as well.
Congratulations Phil.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read! April 4, 2013

By D. Banici

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Having grown up with parents who were members in a cult, and having a natural inclination for exposing scams such as the mathematical impossibility of MLM programs, the mechanics of propaganda and brainwashing, initially I didn't think there was anything new I could possibly learn from this book.

Boy, was I was wrong. It turned out to be a fascinating read, and the author has a veritable and pervasive sense of humor throughout. Whether you are a cult member, an "affiliate" who can't figure out "the secret" of success, a freethinker who enjoys a deep look at human nature and how it is exploited, or an evil genius bent on world domination, this book is for you.

Highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome! June 3, 2012

By cmoriarty

Format:Paperback

Picked up the Kindle version a few days ago and read it in one sitting. Super funny take on organized religion - an enjoyable read all around. Definately sparked a lot on conversation at a party this weekend that led to some ordering the book from their smart phones while still at the party. Definately recommend ths book.