Idea for a New Religion - Chapter 22 - Rules Of Conversion - Initiation Vow

RULES OF CONVERSION 1) A Good faith cannot be spread by evil means. It is wrong to convert people by force, blackmail or bribery. Those who obey God must do so willingly and sincerely. 2) Convert by example - Show your faith in action; the results that it can achieve and the advantages that it can bring. Go out and help people in need, attaching no strings to your help; expecting nothing in return. Make friends and let your good deeds be an advertisment for your religion. 3) Convert by reason - Seek out those whose minds are already open and receptive to the will of god; do not waste your energy trying to prize open closed minds. 4) Convert by beauty - Make your religion beautiful as the flower is beautiful which attracts the bee, 5) Convert by mystery - Nothing is more seductive than the veil. That which is mysterious makes us curious. 6) Convert by stealth - As lessons may be disguised as games or stories, and medicine may be disguised as a sweet, so a faith may have to wear an appealing disguise. 7) Respect all those whom you wish to convert - Conversion is an act of love; a greatness which you wish to share with others. Do not look down upon others or their beliefs or customs. You may even invite them to try and convert you to their beliefs. If you look down upon those people whom you are trying to uplift, their minds will close defensively.

VOW OF INITIATION Priest: Speak only the truth to God, for God will hear only what is good and true but demons, who feed upon the liar's soul, hear and praise every falsehood. Initiate: God permit me, please, to plant these words of promise in your ear, for I am sure to myself that, out of them, shall grow the dense forest of my good deeds and devotions. This promise that I make, I make to three; to you, my god and to your faithful and lastly, to myself. I have recieved the immunizing word; the sacred truth which is the root of this good faith and made sense of its meaning and now, I freely choose this path to God, knowing that it is long and snake-like, steep and narrow, perhaps with sorrow and danger behind each bend and that, all that I am, all that I own; all that I can, I must give to the good of all which is the will of God. Priest: With broadly open arms and hearts, we welcome you to join our number and pray that God welcomes you and that, together with God, you prosper and fulfill your life. Stay true to your vow and every year that you are with us, we shall give thanks for our good fortune and love and cherish you as the gift of a generous god. In every time of need, we shall be there; whenever grave danger looms over you, we shall be beside you, this we swear, unanimously, to you.