Fan Religions (religions or forms of spirituality derived from pop culture elements like films or literature) 

Technological Immortality (religions or purveyors of goods which promise eternity through science)

Watchdog Groups (Anti-Cult Organizations)

New Age/New Paradigm Groups

Miscellaneous

 Fan Religions



1.  Jediism--Although several news articles certify this is little more than an urban legend or a hoax, or perhaps even a form of 

protest against a census question concerning religious affiliation in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, one does find suggestions

that at least some people derive helpful spiritual elements from the "Star Wars" films.  Moreover, these websites do indicate

the beginnings of an attempt to organize viewers' interpretations of the films' spiritual "force" into spiritual principles--which would 

represent a start toward the formation of a new religion.  Some of its pronouncements may indeed be "tongue in cheek," but in 

this age of irony this is often how more serious pursuits get started.



Link to Jedi Religion Discussion Boards--http://www.jedireligion.com



2.  Klingon Religion--Link to Klingon Ecumenical Alliance--http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/1959/Kbelief.htm





3. Elvis Worship--the Groups in question may not take it seriously, but this church group does.

Jesus and "The King"







Technological Immortality



1.  Extropianism--technological immortality par excellence.   It is really not a new religion as much as a tranformative

philosophy that posits that humankind is capable of overcoming the human condition and achieving the next level of 

being through the rational, intelligent use of technology.  It does not fit this category per se, but I include it as many of the

groups cited here borrow assumptions from the Extropians, albeit in watered-down form. 





2.  Alex Chiu's Eternal Life Device--Available in a variety of forms for the fingers and/or toes, these little rings promise

incredible benefits.  Whether or not they work, well, science will have to wait several centuries for a controlled study

to find out.  Link forwarded by Gavin Parks.









Watchdog Groups



1.  Rick Ross--Ross maintains a comprehensive clearinghouse of NRMs and quasi-religions organizations.  The information

is definitely tilted toward the anti-cult perspective, but it nevertheless represents an impressive collection of links and 

other resources.









New Age/New Paradigm Groups 



1.  Terrence McKenna--website of the late Terrence McKenna, a spiritual explorer and theoretician whose work cannot be

encapsulated in a sentence or two.  Dealing with topics like psychelia, consciousness, and mystical shamanism, McKenna's

thought touched upon one of the seminal directions religion is headed in the early 21st century.  Link forwarded by Antoine 

Pedeaux.









Miscellaneous Sites of Interest



1.  SelectSmart--If you're not sure what to call your personal religious beliefs, this website questionnaire will tabulate them for you

and issue probabilities.  It makes looking for a new church much easier!  Link submitted by Gavin.


2.  If you're tired of New Religions promising immortality, here's a website that will calculate your approximate time of death, 

based upon certain selectable factors.  Link submitted by Janica Day.