15 Religions Just As Strange As Scientology

People search for meaning in a lot of different ways. While major faiths have centuries of tradition behind them, the newer spiritual movements that pop up can feel pretty far out. When traditional beliefs do not cut it, some folks look to the stars, pop culture, or even the internet for deeper answers.

We usually hear about high-profile celebrity groups, but there is plenty more out there. How each person finds their meaning in life is up to them, and there are more answers out there than meets the eye. Some of them, though, leave a lot to be desired.

The Extraterrestrial Beliefs Of Raelism

Founded in France by Claude Vorilhon, this group believes advanced aliens called Elohim created humanity. Members also teach that Jesus was brought back through scientific cloning and that extraterrestrials mated with humans to create half-alien prophets.

The Cosmic Teachings Of The Aetherius Society

George King started this UFO-based group after claiming he received telepathic messages from alien ‘Cosmic Masters’. Adherents believe Earth is a living goddess and try to draw spiritual energy from spaceships using special batteries.

Pastafarianism And The Flying Spaghetti Monster

Bobby Henderson started the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster in 2005. Followers abide by the ‘Eight I’d Really Rather You Didn’ts’ and worship a deity that looks like a giant ball of spaghetti and meatballs.

The Star Wars Inspired Religion Of Jediism

Taking cues straight from the famous movies, Jediism is an actual philosophical and religious movement. Followers observe the metaphysical power of the Force and live their lives according to strict moral codes like the 21 maxims.

The Japanese Spiritual Movement Happy Science

Ryuho Okawa founded this new religious movement in Japan, declaring himself the reincarnation of Buddha and Hermes. His followers went a step further, believing he was the actual incarnation of a supreme being from Venus.

The Pana Wave Laboratory And Electromagnetic Waves

Founded by Yuko Chino, this Japanese group fears that scalar electromagnetic waves are harmful weapons used by communists. Members wear completely white clothing, cover their surroundings in white material, and worry deeply about environmental destruction.

The Water Brother Rituals Of Church Of All Worlds

Inspired by Robert A. Heinlein’s science fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land, this American Neopagan group calls its members Waterkin. Heinlein’s concept of a ‘waterbrotherhood’ directly influenced the rituals of this unique organization.

Temple Of The True Inner Light

This psychedelic church was founded in 1980 and uses DPT as a central sacrament. Followers believe that these legal mind-altering substances are actually God manifesting in a physical form for them to consume and experience.

The Taiwanese UFO Religion Chen Tao

Hon-Ming Chen started this group in 1996, eventually moving his followers to Texas the following year. Also known as God’s Salvation Church, the organization gained national attention after a highly publicized millennial prophecy failed to happen.

The Foot Reading Cult Ho No Hana Sanpogyo

This spiritual group claims to understand a person by examining the bottom of their feet. Leaders suggest they can diagnose physical ailments and spiritual problems simply by looking closely at the shape and lines of a foot.

Eckankar And The Light And Sound Of God

Paul Twitchell established this American religious movement in 1965. Adherents practice simple spiritual exercises, like singing a specific love song to God, hoping to personally experience divine light and sound in their everyday lives.

The File Sharing Missionary Church Of Kopimism

Founded in Sweden, this congregation views the act of copying information as a sacred virtue. It sounds like an internet joke, but Sweden actually recognized it as an official religious community back in 2012.

Unarius Academy Of Science And Past Life Therapy

Started in 1954, this organization focuses on an interdimensional science of life based on physics. Leaders have published over 100 volumes of channeled dissertations, which they claim come directly from advanced beings on higher frequency planes.

The Urantia Book And Its Followers

A dedicated community formed around the teachings found in this mysterious book. The text reportedly originated from William Samuel Sadler, who claimed celestial beings were speaking to him at night through another man.

The Nuwaubian Nation And Ancient Egyptian Themes

Dwight York founded this movement by mixing Judaism, pseudo-Islamic themes, black nationalism, cryptozoology, and New Age concepts. The group eventually settled down and built an elaborate Egyptian-themed compound for its followers known as Tama-Re.