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{{trope}}
[[File:execution3_9195.jpg|link=Haruhi Suzumiya
Consider the following scenario. A given work of fiction becomes successful after its release. Very, very, ''very'' successful. So successful, in fact, that it manages to achieve what only a very small number of works throughout history have done: spawned its own religion.
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{{examples}}
* '''[[Haruhi Suzumiya
** '''Kyonism''': Saving the world is unimportant. Sure, people who go around trying to save the world/advance it to its true form/overload it with fun [[Well-Intentioned Extremist|may have noble ideals]], but they often tend to treat people as gamepieces to be used and sacrificed in the pursuit of their ultimate goal, [[What the Hell, Hero?|and that is never okay]]. Because, ultimately, it's ''people'' who matter, not causes. So [[Rage Against the Heavens]], [[Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?|punch out Cthulhu]], [[Screw Destiny|tell destiny where to shove it]] and/or [[Messianic Archetype|take God's judgement upon one's shoulders]], but always treat people with the respect they deserve.
** '''Mikuruism''': Our purpose on this earth is classified information.
*** '''Mikuruianity''': [[Haruhi
* '''[[Star Wars|Jedi]]''' as a religion [http://www.jedi-church.co.uk/ actually exists], scarily enough. Most of the people who put 'Jedi' as their religion on census forms are just kidding, though.
** Some of us have also taken to answering as "Sith", because [[Evil Is Cool]] and [[Good Is Dumb]].
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*** In the New Zealand 2001 census Jedi was the second largest religion, though it was not recognised so all Jedi answers to the religious preference question were discounted.
*** The truth is that some regions - not necessarily those mentioned above - will provide a check-box in the next sentence if a write-in response gets above a critical response rate. And even that is usually discretionary.
* '''[[Puella Magi Madoka Magica
* '''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion
** Alternatively, some sects believe that in the right hands the angst of individuality is the most powerful force in the universe (the spiritual concept of the A.T. Field), other entire schools of philosophy are engaging in [[Flame War|massive crusades]] over the true meaning of the Evangelion, while countless others worship the [[Rei Ayanami Expy|Giant Blue-Haired Goddess with a Thousand Avatars]].
** Prayer and meditation may involve [[Gendo Pose|clasping one's hands]].
* '''[[TV Tropes (Wiki)|Tropology]]''': [[There Is No Such Thing
** '''[[Wild Mass Guessing|Wild Mass Guessingism]]''': [[Everyone Is Jesus in Purgatory|Everyone is either Jesus,]] [[Time Lord/WMG|a Time Lord]], [[Haruhi Suzumiya
* '''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
** {{spoiler|[[Messianic Archetype|Kamina also died for your sins.]]}}
** Use of 4chan and similar sites is strongly discouraged, for to hide one's face and rely on the power of a [[Hive Mind|Legion]] is the way of the Anti-Spiral.
* '''[[One Piece
** '''Doflamingoism''': Abnandon these foolish dreams and ideals, focus only on the tangible
* '''[[Joan of Arcadia|Joanism]]:''' The purpose of every human being is to fulfill his or her true nature. All are endowed by God with free will, but God will often speak to them, in one way or another, to show the right path. Humans thrive on their connections with one another - all is connected, and all actions have consequences.
* '''[[Harry Potter (
* '''[[Bill and Ted (
* '''[[Naruto
* '''[[Star Fox (
* '''[[Zombie Apocalypse|Zombism]]''': ''Braaaaains...''
* '''Orthodox Zombiism''': [[Translation Convention|<Fleeeessshh...>]]
* '''[[Dominic Deegan|Dominology]]''': Lord Dominus sees all and knows all. If you are a friend to The Dominus, he will grant you his <s>[[Omniscient Morality License|petty manipulation]]</s> guidance. If not, you are [[Jerk Jock|clearly evil]] and deserving of death (or [[Heel Face Turn|indoctrination]] at [[Put
* '''[[Dead Poets Society|Society of the Dead Poets]]''': Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary. Suck the marrow out of life, but make sure not to choke on the bone. Above all, make sure that when you come to die you do not discover you have not lived.
* '''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
** '''[[Fan Nickname|Trollestianity]]''': Obey... [[Taken for Granite|or else.]]
** '''Lunaism'''/'''The Church Of Luna''': ''[[Ye Olde Butcherede Englishe|"THOU SHALT SPEAKETH]] [[No Indoor Voice|IN YE ROYAL TONE AND RAISETH YE MOON TO BRINGETH FORTH GLORIOUSE NIGHTE! AND EMBARKETH UPON YE GLORY THAT IS NIGHTMARE NIGHTE TO PARTAKETH IN YE FUN THAT IS SCARINGETH OTHER PONIES FOR LAUGHS... ETH!"]]''
** '''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
** '''The Church Of Discord''': "Eternal chaos comes with chocolate rain! After all, what fun is there in making sense?" (Not to be confused with Discordianism)
* '''[http://www.principiadiscordia.com/ Discordianism]''': There are no friends anywhere. There are no enemies anywhere. Everything is simultaneously true, false, and meaningless. By rejecting disorder, you reject the creative along the destructive. Instead, embrace the creative (orderly and disorderly alike) and reject the destructive. Life sucks because people take it too seriously. Just open your eyes and see the {{color|white|fnords}}. Eat ye no hot dog buns. [[The Walrus Was Paul|You are the Walrus]]. Five tons of flax.
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** Bonus game: Can you spot all the fnords hidden in this trope page?
* '''[[Lyrical Nanoha|Nanohaism]]''': It's OK if they call you a devil, as long as you use your devilish powers to do them some good. If a person does stupid things, don't say anything: instead, [[Get a Hold of Yourself, Man!|smack them down with your full power]], so they snap out of it first. No children will be left [[Parental Abandonment|alone and unloved]], all shall have a home with caring parents, even if [[Tyke Bomb|they're trying to kill you]] and you need to [[Defeat Means Friendship|beat them to submission first]]. Remember, for the people closest to your heart, nothing less than your strongest [[Finishing Move]] will suffice. [[Defeat Means Friendship|Then you comfort them]]. [[Romantic Two-Girl Friendship|Gender doesn't matter]] in [[Just Friends|friendship]]. It doesn't matter where you come from, what you did to survive, how you were born, and if you are a human or not: above all, you are a person who [[Rousseau Was Right|strives to be good like everyone else]]. Hence, no matter who you are, you deserve [[Cooldown Hug|a free hug]], [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming|compassion]], and [[The Power of Love|love]]. [[Defeat Means Friendship|And firepower.]]
* '''[[Death Note
* '''[[Pokémon|Pokeism/The Church of Arceus]]''': In the beginning, there was darkness. Then, [[Olympus Mons|Arceus]] emerged from its egg and said: DODOGYUUUN!
* '''Mewist Arceism''': Mew was the one who gave birth to Arceus in the world of darkness that life could not bear to even be in. Arceus then manipluated its mother's DNA to give birth to all other Pokemon and for some, ''''''{{spoiler|even humans}}'''''.
* '''[[Spider
* '''[[Godzilla|Godzillism/Church Of Kaiju]]''': "In the beginning, a brilliant flash from the atom bomb was seen, and the all mighty Godzilla was born. [[Tokyo Fireball|He smashed Tokyo for your sins.]] On the third day, he died in the seas from the Oxygen Destroyer...but he will rise again. And his true followers will ascend to Monster Island and enjoy eternal city-destroying mayhem."
* '''[http://www.thechurchofgoogle.org/ Googlism/Church of Google]''': Google is the closest thing to a "God" that humans can know and understand.
* '''[[Code Geass
** If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Lelouch first. {{spoiler|[[Messianic Archetype|He took the world's sins upon himself for world peace.]]}}
* '''[[Code Geass: Nightmare of Nunnally
* '''[[Soul Eater
* '''[[The World Ends With You
* '''[[Halo|Haloism]]:''' Humanity was once the supreme master race of the galaxy, but has since fallen. Do not be tempted by false Prophets, and be willing to fight to the death for what you believe in. Personal happiness is less important than striving to serve the greater good, no matter the cost. Honor is the highest virtue.
* ''' [[Star Trek|Church of Trek/Trekism]]''' : While the [[Gene Roddenberry|creator himself]] saw humans as evolving past religion many take his teachings to heart. Followers believe heartily in diplomacy, exploration, tolerance and boldly going where no man has gone before, and they can often be identified by their pajama like "uniforms".
* '''[[Star Trek|Vulcanism]]''' This group follows the teachings of Surak who preaches non-violence, honesty and logic although mileage tends to vary when it comes to the issue of celibacy.
* '''[[Star Trek|Klingonism]]''' The order of Kahless follow the way of the warrior, their highest calling is honor but they also enjoy a good party. Just don't piss them off. they tend to carry ceremonial swords called batleths
* '''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine|Bajorism]]''' Followers the teachings of The Prophets who believe in self defense, love and loyalty. While they are one of the smallest denominations under the Trek umbrella they do have distinctive traditions.
* ''' [[Star Trek:
* ''' [[Star Trek|Ferengism]]''' : Profit is the ultimate virtue.
* '''[[Portal (
** '''[[Portal 2
* The [[Real Life]] '''[[wikipedia:Church of All Worlds|Church of All Worlds]]''' was inspired by the fictional church of the same name (and its teachings) in [[Robert A. Heinlein]]'s ''[[Stranger in A Strange Land]]''.
* ''' [[The Legend of Zelda
** Google "Naroin" for a particularly interesting example of this.
** Not to be confused with [[Ah! My Goddess
** Or [[Tenchi Muyo!
** Or [[The Hecate Sisters|any of these]].
* '''[[Doctor Who|Whoism]]''': Humans are absolutely ''[[Humans Are Special|amazing]]''... except when they screw up; then they're just apes. Also, so-called 'gods' are usually, but not always, fakes; choose your higher powers wisely. They might just try to turn you into Daleks.
** And remember: Killing People is evil, but [[Heroic Sacrifice|Martyrs]] are the best shining examples of humanity.
* '''[[
* '''[[Red Dwarf
** First Compiled Church of Silicon Heaven: Always serve man in your existence. Androids who do shall go to silicon heaven, to be happy forever. It is impossible for an android to be happy before this.
* '''[[The Dark Tower|Rolandism]]''': The quest for the truth is more important than anything.
* '''[[Gundam
** '''Zeonism''': A sort of Darwinism/Nazism hybrid. Holocaust optional.
** '''Brightism''': [[Get a Hold of Yourself, Man!|Exorcise]] the daemons of [[Wangst]] to become '''[[Badass|MEN OF DESTINY]]'''.
** '''[[Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
** '''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 00
** '''[[Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
** '''[[Mobile Fighter G Gundam
** '''[[After War Gundam X
*** '''[[Turn a Gundam (Anime)|Soleilism]]''': You better believe the Moon is out.
* '''[[WWE|Hulksterism]]''': The Four Commandments: Train, say your prayers, take your vitamins, and believe in yourself... BROTHER!
* '''[[Power Rangers|Oliverism]]''': Get the girls in Pink, sacrifice the mecha, and never quite decide what your carreer is. Oh, and be very, very good at kicking ass.
* '''[[Azumanga Daioh
* '''[[Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventure
* '''[[Berserk
* '''[[Discworld
** Alternatively, '''[[Discworld
** '''[[Discworld
** '''The Way Of Mrs Cosmopolite''': [[Ice Cream Koan|Wisdom can be found anywhere, even in the sayings of old ladies]]. [[Almighty Janitor|A humble sweeper can usually get anywhere]]. Use your dustpan wisely. [[Old Master|And never forget Rule One]].
* '''[[Ultima|Avatarism]]''': Live according to the Principles of Truth, Love, and Courage, and uphold the Virtues of Honesty, Compassion, Valor, Justice, Sacrifice, Honor, Spirituality, and Humility. Not to be confused with [[Avatar (
** '''[[Let's Play|Nakarist Avatarism]]''': Strive to champion the virtues of every spiritual order you come across, even if the native practitioners are a bunch of [[Jerkass|Jerkasses]]. If that fails, clever hacking (of both code AND bodies) should suffice.
* '''[[wikipedia:Church of the subgenius|The Church of the SubGenius]]''': Differs from all of the above in that the books on which it is based are not fictional and all of its teachings are literally true. Especially the bit about the world coming to an end...ten years ago!
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* '''[[Transformers|The Church Of Primus]]''': Be yourself (but pretend to be something else if you want to hide from your enemies, or it's [[Rule of Cool|just cool]]), [[Merchandise-Driven|buy Hasbro products]], and remember when things get too tough: [[Theme Music Power-Up|you got the Touch!]].
** What you are is not decided by how you are made, but by what you become, in life and in memory. 'Til all are one.
* '''[[The Big Lebowski
* '''[[Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Abridged Series
** '''Kaibaism''': [[Screw the Rules, I Have Money|Screw religion, I have money!]]
** '''Téaism''': [[Power of Friendship|Friendship is God!]]
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** '''Keithism''': To show your faith, wear a flag on your head... in America!
** '''Deus ex Infantus Draconis''': You have infinite potential. ''Use it''.
* '''[[Yu-Gi-Oh!|The First Church of the Orichalcos]]''': Acknowledging one's inner darkness enables one to retain control of it and hold onto their sense of self, whilst remaining in denial over it's existence allows that darkness control over you. Values inner strength more than the fleeting purity gained during times of despair. [[Humans Are Bastards]], and [[Utopia Justifies the Means]].
* '''[[Shakugan no Shana
* '''Bokononism''': God has deterministically organized humanity into unknowing teams (''karasses'') to do his work. Not much of a spiritual demand, but of course you have to memorize some oddball "calypso" scripture and a lot of silly words like ''Foma'' and ''Granfalloon.'' In addition to certain characters in Kurt Vonnegut's ''Cat's Cradle'' and in [[Real Life]], known Bokononists include Rayanne's mother, Amber, on ''[[My So-Called Life]]''. (The name of the religion derives from the San Lorenzan pidgin English pronunciation of its founder's name, that founder being an ex-slave named Johnson, or "Bokonon.") Two calypsos in particular highlight the Bokononist worldview, the first regarding the nice little lies a Bokononist must internalize so as to avoid the pitfalls of despair:
{{quote| ''I wanted all things''<br />
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''All fit together''<br />
''In the same machine...'' }}
* '''[[Mega Man (
** '''[[Mega Man X
** '''[[Mega Man Zero
** '''[[Mega Man Battle Network
** '''[[Mega Man Legends
** '''[[Mega Man ZX|Rockmanism ZX]]''': ...Or this time, either. The newer converts will pick up your slack following the [[Time Skip]].
* ''[[
** Quite surprisingly, actually, given that Tolkien was a devout Roman Catholic of a rather traditionalist stripe, and specifically modelled his mythos around Roman Catholic theology, rather than anything resembling modern New Age or Neopagan spirituality. I can't help but think that [[Misaimed Fandom|these individuals]] [[Did Not Do the Research|don't really understand that]].
*** Elves (and Dwarves, and Ents) have their own paths - the Dwarves' involves some belief in resurrection - but arguably don't have souls. Men may, in time, develop a religion that will become Christianity. This is very subtly forshadowed in the conversation between Legolas and Gimli as they enter Minas Tirith. Bear in mind that the events of LOTR is supposed to take place on earth in ancient pre-history.
* '''[[Zero Wing|The Path of All Your Base]]''': In the end, everybody dies, so make the best of your time here on earth. Move every zig, for great justice!
* '''[[Superman
* '''[[The 4400|White Light]]''': You have great potential waiting to be unlocked, if you are willing to take commensurately great risks. Accept that things happen for a reason, that there is a plan, and you have a place in it. Some hide amongst us who wish to derail that plan, and they seem powerful, but they ''can'' be defeated. Trust that, with your help, tomorrow will be a better day.
* '''[[Disgaea|Flonneism]]''': [[The Power of Love|Love]] [[The Power of Friendship|conquers]] [[Love Freak|all]] [[Deadpan Snarker|(though a healthy dose of sarcasm can help).]]
* '''[[Supernatural|Supernaturalism]]''': [[You Suck]] and it's a [[Crapsack World]], but you should help people because it's the right thing to do. [[Have You Seen My God?|Who the hell know if there's a God?]] [[God Is Evil|If there is one, he's probably a dick.]] And most importantly: laugh, even when you're scared shitless.
* '''[[Heroes (TV series)|Sylarism]]''': Superpowers make you better than everyone else, so you should take as many as you can because you can.
** '''[[Heroes (TV series)|Petrellism]]''': Superpowers make you special and/or better than everyone else (depending on which Petrelli you talk to), so you should either act as a [[Deus Ex Machina]] or [[A God Am I|play God]].
** '''[[Heroes (TV series)|The Church of Claude]]''': [[You Suck|People suck.]] [[Crapsack World|That's just the way it is.]]
* '''[[Angel
** '''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer
*** Not related to '''[[Portal (
* '''[[Youtube Poop|MAI BOI!-ISM]]''': All toasters toast Spaghetti, and if people do not join and have their face made the greatest, {{smallcaps| YOU WILL DIE!}}
** Where there's smoke, they pinch back.
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* '''[[The Lucifer and Biscuit Hammer|Animaism]]''': Serve the Princess Anima, and you will be loved and rewarded for your service. Oppose the Magus Animus, who seeks to destroy the world. Destroy that which you hate, and destroy that which you love, so you may be freed from the burden of your hatred and may forever claim ownership of that which you love. Be ready to die at all times, because living just means you have a 100% chance of dying.
* '''[[Kamen Rider|Kamenism]]''': Even if there is no God or Buddha, there is Kamen Rider.
* '''[[Xanth
* '''[[Metal Gear|Snakism]]''': [[Hideo Kojima|NUKES ARE VEDDY, VEDDY BAD.]] [[Author Tract|GRRR NUKES.]]
* '''[[Exalted|The Righteous Path of Resplendent Solar Glory]]''': This is actually several philosophies in one. The Usurpation caused the initial schism, and they have since split into several different sects, most of which do not get along very well.
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* '''Amoralism''': There may or may not be a god, he hasn't done anything lately if there is. You pretty much care about taking care of yourself, and don't give a rip what people do provided that it fails to effect you. While at the same time providing limited aid to your circle of friends and those who pay you. Disciples of the teachings of amoralism don't really give a rip if you mess with them, they will simply ignore you and get back to work, or deck you if you start physically harming them. But if you mess with their friends or loved ones, be prepared for disproportionate retribution.
* '''[http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/friends-chat/do-you-believe-in-mods/t.1494572/ First Gaian Church of the Mods]''': Initially an sarcastic panning of "Cotton Candy Christianity", the Church did spawn dedicated believers who tried to keep the standard of discussion in GAIA's Extended Discussion forums relatively high-brow. Lost cause, but hey, they tried.
* '''[http://www.examiner.com/x-4908-Twilight-Examiner~y2009m4d2-Twilight-series-spawns-religion-Edward-Cullen-is-real-members-should-read-the-books-like-a-Bible Cullenism]''': Basic tenets are that the ''[[Twilight (
* '''[[Warhammer 40000|40K-ism]]''': In the grim darkness of the far future there is only FAITH.
** '''The Imperial Cult''': [[Church Militant|The God-Emperor Protects!]] [[Humans Are Bastards|Suffer not the]] [[Fantastic Racism|Mutant, the Heretic, and the Xenos to live!]]
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** '''Tauism''': When doing something, [[Utopia Justifies the Means|think of the Greater Good]].
** '''Orkism''': [[More Dakka|There is no such thing as 'enuff dakka.]]
* '''[[World of Warcraft|The Church of the Holy Light]]''': Be honorable, righteous, and kind to yourself and others, and the Light will guide and protect you. Take care to avoid all taint or corruption, for the forces of evil are insidious and love bending the good to their will, and redemption is a tricky business that [[Redemption Equals Death|you might not survive]]. Not to be confused with the Church that worships the other [[Death Note
* '''[[Homestuck|Skaiaism/Sburbism]]''': The universe was created by [[Troll|trolls]]. Creativity is the ultimate virtue. [[Stable Time Loop|Stable Time Loops]] are real. Intelligent civilizations may be sacrificed at random to create new froggy universes, continuing the cycle of creation.
** '''[[Problem Sleuth|Church of the Godhead Pickle Inspector]]''': All was created in the middle of time when GPI split two copies of his pre-accession self infinitely, creating all matter ever in existence. All men should strive to excel in the three holy stats of IMAGINATION, VIM and PULCHRITUDE- although abandoning one or two stats to become outrageously powerful in the third is perfectly fine. If you die in the imaginary world you will forevermore exist in an infinite lotus afterlife where you may play boardgames with a nice chap named Death- unless, of course, you make an easy escape though the backdoor back into life. However true nirvana may only be achieved by finally escaping your office into the real world.
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* '''[[Patrick Swayze|Swayzeism]]''': [[Road House|Pain don't hurt. It's his way or the highway. There are also three simple rules to adhere to]]:
** Never underestimate your opponent. Expect the unexpected.
** [[Take It to
** [[Nice Guy|Be nice.]] [[Let's Get Dangerous|Until it's time to not be nice.]]
* '''[[Preacher (Comic Book)|Custerism]]:''' Don't take no shit off fools. Judge a person by what's in 'em, not how they look. An' you do the right thing. Be one of the good guys. 'Cause there's way too many of the bad.
* '''[[Anime|Animism]]''': The worship of the large-eyed ones that came from Japan.
** '''The [[Otaku|Otakult]]''': A more extremely devoted worship of animism that is often characterized by [[Basement Dweller|elaborate underground rituals]].
* '''[[Katawa Shoujo|Katawa Shoujoism:]]''' [[You Are Not Alone
* '''[[Sayonara, Zetsubou
* '''[[Shin Megami Tensei|The Threefold Path Of The Goddess]]''': There are but three paths to follow: [[Order Versus Chaos|Law, Neutrality, or Chaos.]] None is better than the other, all can be good [[From a Certain Point of View|depending on one's perspective.]]
* '''[[F
** '''[[Star Fox|Wolfism]]''': The dark counterpart to the Church of Falcon.
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