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Testing Reality based Religions
Some religions claim to be reality based, but are they really? How do we know if their claim is true? How do we know if the Church of Reality is really reality based or is just using the name as a marketing tool to find suckers to integrate into a cult of mindless zombies who are brainwashed into believing they are part of a great army of Realists? What are the objective tests that we can use to determine if a religion is truly reality based or not?

Of course since this test is written by the Church of Reality one has to assume that we are going to pass our own test. So perhaps these tests should be modified by and outside person so as to make it more objective and raise the bar on us. We are assumed to be biased. But - having said that we are still going to try. Here are some tests.

  • Advocating for Reality - A reality based religion will advocate for reality by name. Reality will be part of their doctrine and part of their practice. Reality will be a dominate factor in their religion. They will encourage their members to follow reality above all else and that reality take precedent over their current doctrine. If a religion refuses to advocate for reality, it isn't a reality based religion.

    If you are a reality based religion then your shouldn't be afraid to put "Choose Reality" on your web site.

    A reality based religion shouldn't have any problem putting this web sticker on the front of their web site. This is an interesting test because religions who are not reality based are threatened by the promotion of reality. A non reality religion is diminished by the message of reality, where a reality based religion is enhanced by advocating reality. Reality based religions embrace reality, while others fear it.

  • Question Reality - Faith based religions require you to believe without questioning doctrine. You are expected to suppress our reason and substitute an emotional process to support your beliefs. In the Church of Reality we believe that if God exists that God would not be afraid of reality and that God is strong enough to stand up to scrutiny and doubt. Realists believe that if God exists that he is a strong and mighty God and that reason won't drive him away. We therefore consider it a test of a religion's commitment to reality that they are not afraid of their beliefs being questioned and scrutinized. In the Church of Reality we have the Principle of Scrutiny and Doubt as one of our Sacred Principles. We assert that a reality based religion is required to embrace scrutiny.

The bottom line is - if your religion is afraid of reality, or refuses to advocate reality, can't accept scrutiny, prohibits questioning, suppresses reason and logic, and asks you to believe stuff that is just plain stupid, it's not a reality based religion. Remember - all cults claim to be real too.
 
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