Another Conreligion of Mine – 5 plus 4

[Civil War Bugle]

Now, to be sure, you can have a religion with only belief. (Protestanism is a living example of it, though I feel that Unitarian Universalism may be closest to what is described here.)

Interestingly (to me at least), my general sense is that most Unitarian Universalists have a set of specific beliefs above and beyond what the institution itself endorses - it's just that the content of the beliefs can vary wildly by individual, and so the institution itself sticks with the barebones consensus opinions in order to serve as the vehicle through which the members do their congregational activities. That is to say, I suspect Unitarian Universalism's advocacy of its principles is largely pragmatic avoidance of doctrine rather than fervent belief in a tiny number of philosophical principles as doctrines, even if all members endorse those principles.

Maybe headgear, e.g. members of the movement have to wear a certain hat?

I was thinking of more choice between different types of distinctive clothing, dependent on context, surroundings, and personal taste.

A la plain dress among people like the Amish or Quakers? No specific article of clothing required but if you wear trousers, for example, they need buttons instead of zippers (to pick a random example)?

[bradrn]

Now, to be sure, you can have a religion with only belief. (Protestanism is a living example of it, though I feel that Unitarian Universalism may be closest to what is described here.)

Interestingly (to me at least), my general sense is that most Unitarian Universalists have a set of specific beliefs above and beyond what the institution itself endorses - it's just that the content of the beliefs can vary wildly by individual, and so the institution itself sticks with the barebones consensus opinions in order to serve as the vehicle through which the members do their congregational activities. That is to say, I suspect Unitarian Universalism's advocacy of its principles is largely pragmatic avoidance of doctrine rather than fervent belief in a tiny number of philosophical principles as doctrines, even if all members endorse those principles.

Yes, this is precisely it. Really fervent belief in a set of common principles can go a long way; wild variation in beliefs between individuals cannot.

(Bringing it back to this con-religion, the various principles don’t strike me as the sort to encourage fervent belief. Contemplation, yes; fervency, not so much. Which is why something else would be needed if the adherents of this religion are to gel together to form a group.)

[rotting bones]

Buddhism flirts with the idea of paying attention to one's mental state at all times.

The purpose of an unreasonable religion is for cultists to harm themselves, thereby demonstrating fanatical loyalty to group interests.