DIY Faith

The Minimalist Religion

If Christians, Buddhists, and everyone in between can have a religion, why not you? Gather a few friends, call it a church, and voilà—holy (or hilarious) legitimacy.

You don’t need churches, temples, or monasteries. Start your own religion—small, simple, and totally yours. Pick your beliefs, gather your people, and add a little ritual flair.

In just a few steps, your ideas can become a living, breathing spiritual community.

1. Beliefs

• Write 1–2 paragraphs describing your core beliefs or philosophy.

• Keep it broad but meaningful: purpose, ethics, or spiritual ideas.

2. Structure

• Name yourself the minister or leader.

• Keep a simple list of members (even just names and emails).

3. Practices

• Hold regular gatherings or meetings (even weekly or monthly).

• Include one consistent ritual—prayer, meditation, sharing insights, or a symbolic action.

4. Records

• Note dates of meetings and rituals.

• Keep a copy of your beliefs and member list.

5. Legal Considerations

• Optional: register as a nonprofit if you want tax-exempt donations.

• Check state rules if performing weddings—online ordination usually works, but some states have extra requirements.

That's it. Who needs centuries of tradition when a paragraph of beliefs and a ritual will do?

Keeping basic records and following legal requirements ensures your group is recognized and taken seriously—even if it’s just a joke or a tax dodge, like any other religion.

With a few clicks, a clear set of beliefs, a simple structure, and consistent practices, even a small group can qualify as a legitimate religion.

You don’t need to be an ordained minister to start a religion—thanks to freedom of religion protections, anyone can form one, and ordination simply provides a formal title that can make legal and ceremonial tasks easier.

Top Sites for Online Ordination

1. Dudeism – dudeism.com | Free

   Ordain as a "Dudeist Priest," inspired by The Big Lebowski, Taoism, and Zen. Recognized in many U.S. states; includes wedding officiant resources and certificates.

2. Universal Life Church (ULC) – ulc.org | Free

   One of the most widely recognized platforms, ordaining millions. Supports ceremonies, weddings, and provides resources for officiants.

3. American Marriage Ministries (AMM) – theamm.org | Free

   Non-denominational, focused on weddings. Offers ordination and training to perform ceremonies that reflect the couple’s beliefs.

4. Provenance Center for Ordination (PCO) – provenance.co | Free

   Modern nonprofit ordination with resources and training to ensure legal and meaningful ceremonies.

5. Open Ministry – oministry.com | Free

   Straightforward ordination process; grants legal authority for weddings, vow renewals, and other ceremonies.

6. Spiritual Humanism – spiritualhumanism.org | Free

   Ordains those with humanist principles; allows performance of ceremonies aligned with philosophical beliefs.

Important Considerations

• Some states require officiants to register before performing weddings.

• Check that your ordination is recognized where the ceremony occurs.

• Additional credentials, like a letter of good standing or minister license, may be needed depending on the state.