How to Create a Religion for Fantasy Writing
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The second law of storytelling applies to religions. The limitations of a person are greater than their power. If your religion requires sacrifices, these may be of pleasure, family, or wealth. It may also require visits to a temple to renew one's strength. In any case, storytelling requires conflict. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
Religions without particular gods
A fictional religion can have a wide variety of religious practices without necessarily importing real religions. For example, you can create a religion based on the gods associated with aspects of human society, such as war, farming, and child rearing. If your fictional religion is associated with war, you can have a god of war who is a son of thunder or a goddess of wisdom who protects the people who worship him.
Choosing a religion is an important step in creating a world, and choosing one that has a distinct structure can make a huge difference in your story. Religions may be monotheistic, polytheistic, or both, and there are many different ways to structure your pantheon. In general, a religion can be divided into one of three basic types: polytheism (the belief in many gods), monotheism (the belief in a single all-powerful god), or atheism -the belief in no gods at all.
The creation of a religion begins with giving it a name and title. If the religion has no particular gods, you can skip this step, but you'll need a general name for the deities. For example, a god could be called "All-Powerful" or "God," or an individual deity could be called "The One." Once you have a name for the gods, you can move on to developing their personalities.
For example, the North of Westeros worships Old Gods, which were based on Celtic and Norse mythologies. Similarly, the Lord of Light is based on Catharism and Zoroastrianism. Both are centered on the idea of two gods. Consequently, they are similar to polytheism in the world of fantasy writing. The beliefs and practices of polytheism are very common and are reflected in various types of fantasy fiction.
Religions with different traditions or denominations
In creating a fictional religion, you can incorporate some interesting behaviors and beliefs. There are many ways to incorporate these traditions and beliefs, including sacred books and items. Religious beliefs are often rooted in mystery or lore, so adding subtle variations can add an element of humor and mystique to the story. Make sure to make it clear where the differences originate. Otherwise, your readers will have trouble identifying them and might become confused about what religion they should believe in.
The final pantheon does not use god names, but uses titles. People connected to the over-religion see their myths reflected in the pantheon. Often, there are many different denominations of one main faith, and these sects are actually different cultures within the larger culture amalgam. When researching religions, look for trends, cultures, and opposing denominations.
The first step in creating a religion is to make up a deity. If you don't have any gods, you can skip this step. The deity must have a name, or title, so it will be easy for readers to recognize them later on. You can make a single deity, called God, All-Powerful, or whatever your chosen title is, but he or she must have some unique characteristics.
If you're writing a historical novel, you can also create different religions, and you can include some of the main religious traditions. Some examples of major religions include African, Persian, Baltic, and Old Catholic churches. For example, Christianity includes the Nicene creed. This creed is used in ceremonies as a formal statement of belief. The Nicene creed is the creed of Christianity, and the Five Ways, a list of religious symbols, and a rite of passage.
Sects are small religious bodies that break away from the larger denomination and attempt to restore the original views of the religion. They are small and generally do not have the bureaucracy and formal training that denominations have. Sect worship services can be powerful emotional experiences, and their members proselytize in order to recruit new members. Sects that gain popularity eventually become denominations.
Afterlife stories impact burial customs
Afterlife stories can impact the way people choose to be buried and the customs associated with their death. In the sixth century B.C., the Greeks had already formed an idea of the Afterworld, where Hades, the brother of Zeus, is the ruler of the shadowy dead. The use of such myths influenced many fantasy writers to create a different kind of afterlife. But not all afterlife stories are created equal.
Burial practices vary greatly across the world. Some have been around for centuries and are still in use today, while others have only recently evolved as a result of environmental challenges. However, there is one common factor that links them all: they show a certain level of human consciousness. It's also easy to imagine the impact of afterlife stories on burial customs in fantasy writing. After all, burial rituals reveal a culture's religion and mythology.
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