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What is religion? - Religion is typically the belief and/or worship of a higher, spiritual being or beings.
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Religion - It is estimated that there are more than 4,000 different religions in the world. Some of the more popular ones include Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
© iStock
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Religion - But there are many others that are a less known, little understood, and harder to come by.
© iStock
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Church of Euthanasia - "Save the Planet, Kill Yourself" is a popular slogan among these guys. They are also known for their common clashes with pro-lifers, as they support abortion and suicide.
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Rastafarianism - Rastafari refer to cannabis as "the holy herb," believing it to have healing powers and creating feelings of peace and love in those who use it.
© iStock
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Happy Science
- Happy Science practices Love, Wisdom, Self-Reflection, and Progress. Nothing too strange there, right?
Except for the fact that its leader and founder, Ryuho Okawa, claims to be the savior and living reincarnation of Buddha.
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Scientology - This controversial group are alleged to follow a practice, which is supposedly now-defunct, called "fair game." It essentially allows Scientologists to freely go after and harass anyone who is deemed an enemy, or against the Church of Scientology. But according to their website, this practice is no longer endorsed.
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Wicca - Also known as Pagan Witchcraft, this religion believes in magic, spells, and sorcery.
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Dudeism - Dudeism believes in taking it easy, kicking back, and not worrying so much, as outlined on their site. Hakuna matata!
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Confucianism - Based on the teachings of Chinese philosopher Confucius, this religion revolves around doctrines of good behavior, wisdom, and social relationships.
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Temple of the True Inner Life - Those who follow this religion believe that psychedelic drugs like Dipropyltryptamine and LSD are the true flesh of God.
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Satanism - Satanism could be regarded as the antithesis of Christianity. Followers believe in things like indulgence, kindness only to those who are deserving, egoism, and an "eye for an eye" code of ethics.
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Voodoo - Voodooists believe in a visible and invisible world, and that the two worlds are intertwined, according to HuffPost.
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Matrixism - Inspired by 'The Matrix,' this religion considers the films to be their sacred text.
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Aghori - This sect of Hinduism practices crazy rituals including cannibalism, drinking alcohol from human skulls, and wearing jewelry made of bones.
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Christian Science - Likewise, Christian Science (not to be confused with Scientology) also believes in faith healing and that pain does not really exist, relying solely on Christian Science prayers to alleviate ailments and other physical sufferings.
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Pastafarianism - Their deity? The Flying Spaghetti Monster. While not considered a real religion in the US, it is a legitimate religion in the Netherlands and New Zealand.
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Caodaism - This is the third largest religion in Vietnam, according to Religious Tolerance. Followers believe in karma and reincarnation.
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Cagenism - Followers of this religion are—you guessed it—devotees of actor Nicolas Cage.
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Iglesia Maradoniana - This church idolizes the former Argentinian soccer star, Diego Maradona.
© Reuters
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The Church of Ed Wood
- Similarly, this pop culture-based religion centers around the American filmmaker.
© Public Domain
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Jediism - Followers of Jediism believe that The Force (from the 'Star Wars' franchise) is a real thing.
© Getty Images
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Nuwaubian Nation
- This religion is based on black supremacy, and followers worship the Egyptian pyramids and believe in UFOs.
© Getty Images
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Religion - Whether you are looking to achieve divine enlightenment, or seeking comfort in some form of higher spiritual being, people identify with different religions for various personal reasons.
© iStock
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Be blessed - Whatever your reason and whatever religion you follow, happy worshiping!
© iStock
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© Getty Images
0 / 26 Fotos
What is religion? - Religion is typically the belief and/or worship of a higher, spiritual being or beings.
© iStock
1 / 26 Fotos
Religion - It is estimated that there are more than 4,000 different religions in the world. Some of the more popular ones include Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
© iStock
2 / 26 Fotos
Religion - But there are many others that are a less known, little understood, and harder to come by.
© iStock
3 / 26 Fotos
Church of Euthanasia - "Save the Planet, Kill Yourself" is a popular slogan among these guys. They are also known for their common clashes with pro-lifers, as they support abortion and suicide.
© iStock
4 / 26 Fotos
Rastafarianism - Rastafari refer to cannabis as "the holy herb," believing it to have healing powers and creating feelings of peace and love in those who use it.
© iStock
5 / 26 Fotos
Happy Science
- Happy Science practices Love, Wisdom, Self-Reflection, and Progress. Nothing too strange there, right?
Except for the fact that its leader and founder, Ryuho Okawa, claims to be the savior and living reincarnation of Buddha.
© iStock
6 / 26 Fotos
Scientology - This controversial group are alleged to follow a practice, which is supposedly now-defunct, called "fair game." It essentially allows Scientologists to freely go after and harass anyone who is deemed an enemy, or against the Church of Scientology. But according to their website, this practice is no longer endorsed.
© iStock
7 / 26 Fotos
Wicca - Also known as Pagan Witchcraft, this religion believes in magic, spells, and sorcery.
© iStock
8 / 26 Fotos
Dudeism - Dudeism believes in taking it easy, kicking back, and not worrying so much, as outlined on their site. Hakuna matata!
© iStock
9 / 26 Fotos
Confucianism - Based on the teachings of Chinese philosopher Confucius, this religion revolves around doctrines of good behavior, wisdom, and social relationships.
© iStock
10 / 26 Fotos
Temple of the True Inner Life - Those who follow this religion believe that psychedelic drugs like Dipropyltryptamine and LSD are the true flesh of God.
© iStock
11 / 26 Fotos
Satanism - Satanism could be regarded as the antithesis of Christianity. Followers believe in things like indulgence, kindness only to those who are deserving, egoism, and an "eye for an eye" code of ethics.
© iStock
12 / 26 Fotos
Voodoo - Voodooists believe in a visible and invisible world, and that the two worlds are intertwined, according to HuffPost.
© Shutterstock
13 / 26 Fotos
Matrixism - Inspired by 'The Matrix,' this religion considers the films to be their sacred text.
© Shutterstock
14 / 26 Fotos
Aghori - This sect of Hinduism practices crazy rituals including cannibalism, drinking alcohol from human skulls, and wearing jewelry made of bones.
© Shutterstock
15 / 26 Fotos
Christian Science - Likewise, Christian Science (not to be confused with Scientology) also believes in faith healing and that pain does not really exist, relying solely on Christian Science prayers to alleviate ailments and other physical sufferings.
© Shutterstock
16 / 26 Fotos
Pastafarianism - Their deity? The Flying Spaghetti Monster. While not considered a real religion in the US, it is a legitimate religion in the Netherlands and New Zealand.
© Shutterstock
17 / 26 Fotos
Caodaism - This is the third largest religion in Vietnam, according to Religious Tolerance. Followers believe in karma and reincarnation.
© Shutterstock
18 / 26 Fotos
Cagenism - Followers of this religion are—you guessed it—devotees of actor Nicolas Cage.
© Getty Images
19 / 26 Fotos
Iglesia Maradoniana - This church idolizes the former Argentinian soccer star, Diego Maradona.
© Reuters
20 / 26 Fotos
The Church of Ed Wood
- Similarly, this pop culture-based religion centers around the American filmmaker.
© Public Domain
21 / 26 Fotos
Jediism - Followers of Jediism believe that The Force (from the 'Star Wars' franchise) is a real thing.
© Getty Images
22 / 26 Fotos
Nuwaubian Nation
- This religion is based on black supremacy, and followers worship the Egyptian pyramids and believe in UFOs.
© Getty Images
23 / 26 Fotos
Religion - Whether you are looking to achieve divine enlightenment, or seeking comfort in some form of higher spiritual being, people identify with different religions for various personal reasons.
© iStock
24 / 26 Fotos
Be blessed - Whatever your reason and whatever religion you follow, happy worshiping!
© iStock
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The curious beliefs and practices of unconventional religions
These are all real stories
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Many of us identify with a particular religion or set of beliefs, which guide our moral compass and help us live our lives as best as possible. And while it is common to come across a fellow Christian, Buddhist, Jew, or Muslim, it isn't so typical to run into someone from the
Church of Euthanasia, for instance.
Click through this gallery to learn more about some of the world's wackiest religions and their curious beliefs.
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