Scientology, maybe. But I tend to classify that as being more a bad whiff of cerebral flatus than an actual religion. What, with the ray-guns and the brain-beams and the engrams (which, in an amusing turn, would have originally been named Norns, for more on that please study Asatru…) Anyway, if the rumours I hear about it are true than I would say with their brain-washing and ritual purity, prescribed by a drug-addled leader who ought to have through his addictions realised what a blessing chastity and sobriety are… and they mess with your family if you try to quit.
If not scientology than Islam, fundamentalist Islam where they can cut off your hands for stealing. Although, to wit, a handless thief is a good thief…
If not fundamentalist Islam than backwater Southern Christianity where the Biblical passages about sparing thou not the rod are taken to be a fifth gospel. I think it takes a lot of chutzpah to survive a made-up imitation of a proper religion where the father of the house physically embodies the “fear of God.”
If not backwater “Christianity” than, oh, I don’t know. Wimpy people love to accuse religion of being so harsh and brutal… and they also love to accuse religious folks of being weak-minded. Yet wouldn’t the guy who survived scientology, the South and Islam technically, by virtue of his surviving, be more mentally resilient than the guy who believes he’s walking worm-food? Maybe secular humanism, I have to assume believing that when you’re done growing up and you die that the technical impossibility of “nothing” happens would be fairly disturbing. But sparing my philosophical ventures into atheism, I would say that atheism is a pretty strict religion in terms of mental discipline. And I suppose one could say that atheism isn’t a religion, but it is, sort of. It’s a religion like buddhism is a religion, and the last I checked the destination is ultimately the same. Religion, strictly defined, is obligation and reverence.
And if not atheism than Asatru. I mean, what could be more brutal than: “if you don’t die in glorious combat, or at least in a fire saving a kitten, you’ll never see Valhalla! And you’re not my son and/or daughter and I disown you! Now raise your horns! Nyaeahh!” I also recall reading in one of Galina Krasskova’s books that those who abuse cats are subject to the wrath of the “godess” Freyja. I put the term goddess in quotes not to mock their beliefs, such as they are, but to advance the interesting theory that Freyja is in fact Gullveig, a giantess of Jotun-stock. Also, look up some of the old girl Galina’s more radical exploits in the name of “religion.” it’s chilling, really. And also look up Freya Aswynn’s response, slightly less chilling and, if you’re a pagan or agnostic with a flare for existential drama, charming.
Also, I like your quote and picture. I don’t have a pug but I find drugs repugnant. I do raise chickens though.
Gott mit uns,
