How to Create a Cult

A cult is a group that fervently worships an object, person, or idea, elevating it above everything else. In the wrong hands, a cult becomes a means to manipulate people in harmful ways, but when properly executed, it can simply be an organization that transforms lives for the better. If you're looking to establish a group that passionately supports a particular cause, it's crucial to study healthy ideologies, effective organizational structures, and ways to build a positive, beneficial community.

Select something or an activity that improves your life. There are many things that can form the basis of a cult, but they should be positive activities, ideas, or ideals that you believe are worth investing time in and that deserve recognition by others. You need to choose something with the potential to improve lives.

• You could create a cult around French cheese, Roblox cheating, or String Theory if you truly believe those things have the power to impact the world positively. The object of worship doesn't have to be weird or complex; in fact, it's better if it's something relatively normal.
• A cult, even though it may resemble a religion, doesn’t necessarily have to be one. Cult-like behavior involves dedication to a person, object, or specific idea. Groups can be formed around anything. You can create a cult based on canasta card games or World of Warcraft if you wish. Just ensure the object of worship is positive and harmless.

Pick a topic or activity you are passionate about. You might love Chef Boyardee Ravioli, but does it deserve to be worshipped like a cult? A cult can only form if it is rooted in something that fascinates you, something that makes you dedicate yourself deeply and uncover connections in different aspects of life.

• When cults appear in movies, they are often depicted as eccentric, isolated groups that showcase a unique worldview meaningful to a small group of people but difficult for outsiders to grasp.
• Star Wars, Star Trek, and other science fiction genres feature legendary stories that immerse you in a deep multiverse worth studying. This is why these works have large fanbases that 'worship them like a cult,' with Wikipedia pages longer than a president's biography. As for families like the Kardashians? They are hard to compare.

Choose an object of devotion that you believe benefits everyone. The first question before forming a cult is: would the world be a better or worse place if everyone shared the same obsession with this as we do, or as I do? If the answer is 'better,' objectively speaking, then you are on the right track—positive and harmless. For instance, if everyone revered Tom Brady's Super Bowl gloves, and life was better because of it, you are headed in the right direction.

• Typically, cults are psychologically manipulative organizations led by a charismatic leader. They may appear to aim for the greater good of their members, but in reality, their actions serve only the leader's interests. Jonestown, Heaven's Gate, and the Manson Family are tragic examples.

Learn as much as you can about what you worship. If you plan to use the word 'cult,' you should make sure you understand what you worship and what you want others to follow, or you might end up looking like a fraud or a pushy salesperson.

• If you want to create a cult around Star Trek, you need to know more than the color of Spock's blood. You should know the first episode where Spock bleeds, the significance of the color of his blood in relation to the series' color scheme, and how this affects your interpretation of Star Trek's fictional universe. Start by exploring fan blogs about this show.

Choose a leader. Most cults are led by a single leader, or sometimes a collective. If you are the founder of the cult, you may assume the role of leader, but you must ensure that your cult is directed toward a noble cause, not for personal material gain or power.

• Cult leaders are often charismatic and manipulative. If you want to form a healthy group, choose a leader with a kind heart for the collective. Members who actively want to be the leader should not be the first choice.

Establish the principles. Your cult will be founded on rules, beliefs, and ethical principles. What is the ultimate goal of this cult? How can Star Trek change your life, or perhaps the lives of many others, for the better? What grand message do you wish to share with the world?

• Focus particularly on how the cult can improve your life. The key difference between a Star Trek cult and a Star Trek fan club isn't necessarily the level of passion for the series, but how you channel that enthusiasm to change your life.
• It might be helpful to write everything down in a guide, though you might want to avoid using the term 'cult,' as it could lead to misunderstandings.

Draft the document. Every cult has a foundational text, often vague and mysterious, yet seemingly profound and accessible to the masses. If you want your cult to grow and maintain legitimacy, it’s best to self-publish your guide to life or sermons as part of your community.

Find a space for practice or worship. Just a reminder: outsiders may see the cult as a strange idea, and you may face hostility or strong reactions in public. It’s better to choose a quiet, private space where you can do what you want, the way you want.

• If you start a Star Trek cult, there won't be much to do at first other than watching the movies, having deep discussions, and possibly reenacting iconic scenes—simple activities you can do in a member’s living room.
• If you’re brave, you might try holding meetups in a public park or places where you could attract people’s attention, but it could be the kind of attention you don’t want.

Come up with a slogan. Every club, organization, or group needs a good slogan, including a cult. A slogan encapsulates the group’s mission, distilling it into a single ideal, and keeping everyone focused on the group’s core theme. The slogan should be memorable, simple, and open to multiple interpretations, keeping it mysterious and vague.

• "In outer space, everything knows how to fly" might work for a Star Trek cult. Or you could use a quote from the movie, "I was born in Iowa, I only work outside the universe." Keep the slogan easy to remember and natural.

Invite others to join the cult. When meeting people in public, you can spread the deep ideas and passions that have shaped your life, beginning the process of growing your group. Become an evangelist for whatever you worship.

• Again, you may face hostility and resistance, so try spreading your message in a less extreme way. The joy of the utopian world of Star Trek, perhaps? That’s the real draw. As for plans to build a space cruiser? That’s for later.

Ensure behavior aligns with group values. A cult worships only one thing. If you want to become an official member, or even the leader of the Star Trek cult, don’t be foolish by watching other science fiction films or engaging in activities that don’t align with Star Trek’s principles. Make sure you and other members reorganize your priorities to align with the cult’s monotheistic framework.

• Typically, members of a cult live together. You may consider moving in together and naming the place, like "Enterprise" (the name of the starship in Star Trek). This will help everyone grow together under the same ideal roof.

Make your beliefs the only correct ones. A way to attract attention to your cult is by presenting its ideals as the solution to all of the world’s problems. You should not just be an excited Star Trek fan, but instead talk about a complete devotion to the superior power of James Kirk and his crew. You must present these as the righteous way to live.

• Typically, this is the feature that makes cults seem manipulative. Therefore, strive for healthy discussion and debate, just ensure you present your points clearly to the group. If someone thinks Star Wars has similar life lessons or is on par with Star Trek, you must explain how the anarchic setting of Star Wars greatly influences its worldview. Preach what you believe and believe in what you preach.

Preach your doctrine. Do the things you normally do. The way you choose to let your ideals shape your life and others’ will depend on how your cult operates. Is the cult now growing more seriously than just snacking and watching movies? When will those more positive changes begin to take place?

• You might start writing to lawmakers to make Star Trek a more serious subject, dedicating time to scientific research and exploration, promoting gender, race, species, and class equality, and even rejecting the ancient Earth notion of "greed."

Engage with the community. Let your group create immediate, clear, and localized changes for the benefit of the community. You might organize free breakfasts with Star Trek screenings, or hold forums on equality where members wear Starfleet uniforms. Make sure everyone knows about your group.

Find ways to grow the group. What criteria and process will you use to recruit new members? How will your group expand and develop without losing its essential values and uniqueness? It’s crucial that everyone reaches a consensus and values it highly.

• Make sure both you and the core beliefs stay grounded in the real world. You need to ensure that your group doesn’t turn into a harmful or destructive organization. Is your behavior aligned with the group's values? How can you restore those core values if necessary?

• Be honest in your preaching so that people can trust you more. If your activities are secretive within the group, outsiders may perceive your organization as illegal (which is not ideal) and may not want to join.
• If you conduct rituals, make sure they don’t involve any illegal actions (such as violence, drugs, etc.).
• Start humbly, and gradually your group will gain more fame.

• A religious community is not the same as a gang. You cannot go around shooting people or you will get arrested.
• Don’t engage in illegal activities. No sacrifices. No "punishments." Do no harm to anyone, including yourself.