The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus becomes a religion, for tax purposes anyway

[Warren Stupidity]

The science fiction-oriented Carnival marching group called The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus has become a bona fide religion, co-founder Ryan Ballard said Wednesday (Oct. 8). As Ballard explains it, the conversion is the product of a practical joke blended with an appeal for tax-exempt status.

"It kind of grew out of a natural evolution of the krewe," he said. "We've had an inside joke that Chewbacchus is like a cult."

Since it was founded in 2010, the 1,000-member Chewbacchus organization has had the same IRS tax status as a small business. "Not that it was ever profitable," he said. But this year, Ballard and other krewe organizers were inspired to dissolve Chewbacchus as a business and re-establish it as a "benevolent charitable religious organization."

As a founding myth this works as well as any other religion.

http://www.nola.com/mardigras/index.ssf/2014/10/the_intergalactic_krewe_of_che.html

[VanillaRhapsody]

1. I think all women should form a religion....and then they can claim that abortion is a sacrament!

[AtheistCrusader]

2. Not materially different from any other religion.

I don't care how old your churches are, or how festooned with loot from the people, it's still make-believe.

[trotsky]

3. Give it a few centuries.

It's amazing how many silly ideas can't be questioned anymore simply because someone has believed them for long enough.

[rug]

4. These comments using this publicity stunt as a platform to critique religion are hilarious.

Unintentionally I'm sure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intergalactic_Krewe_of_Chewbacchus

[PoutrageFatigue]

5. Yeah, because only this one is completely daft...right?

Not like all of those other totally-not-made-up religions....

[rug]

6. That's not the only one but it is clearly one.

I'm sorry you can't tell the difference between that and Buddhism.

[PoutrageFatigue]

8. But you believe there is one that ISN'T made up though, right?

Lemme guess...it's the one YOU believe in, right?

[rug]

9. I take it you have never studied religions, historically, sociologically, or theologically.

Reddit doesn't count.

[PoutrageFatigue]

10. Nice misdirection there 'professor'...

...but do you care to answer my previous question?

[rug]

11. Sorryb to take you out of reddit. I hadn't noticed your smiley.

You asked two questions, not one.

First you asked if I believed there is not a "made up" one. Yes, of course.

The second question you unwittingly asked, is there a religion that claims to be the only one not "made up"? Yes there are many. However, there are many that hold all religions have some truth which, necessarily, are not made up. The RCC for instance states it has the "fullness of truth" while acknowledging authentic truth in others. If you want a religion that explicitly holds that, check out the Bahá'í. There are many others.

[PoutrageFatigue]

12. Which one is it I wonder? (obviously not Buddhism..)

...And i'm not sure what your fascination with reddit is, and why you have to project that on me....

And no, I didn't unwittingly ask anything (there you go again seeing stuff that isn't there), because pretty much ALL religions say that they are the ONLY way...otherwise why would they exist? "Hey come and worship with us, every other religion is just as valid as ours, but we have nicer hats and cooler, more intricate rituals...plus wine!!"...not exactly a sure-fired way to get butts in pews, right?

[rug]

14. You're right. reddit has a more nuanced understanding of religion than you.

[truebrit71]

15. So, as usual, you got nothing....

Plus ca change. ..

[rug]

16. I've got plenty. Do you have anything other than unaccented French?

[truebrit71]

17. Yup. Nothing.

[rug]

18. Thanks for a candid answer.

[truebrit71]

19. Yup. Still got nothing.

Typical.

[rug]

20. I can hardly keep up with your incisive remarks.

Hold on, I've got to get pen and paper. I don't want to miss a single word.

[truebrit71]

21. Still waiting for your answer...

.. but apparently anything more complex than yes/no is too taxing for your massive intellect...

[rug]

22. Apparently. Although interacting with you doesn't require a massive intellect.

[truebrit71]

23. And yet you STILL can't answer a simple question...

[rug]

24. No, the word you're looking for is won't.

Here's a cartoon for a consolation prize.

[Curmudgeoness]

7. I love it.

Critical of tax exempt status for religious organizations, a little light-hearted dig at religion, Bacchus is a god and therefore there is no reason why Chewbacchus can't be one too, and it's legal. Well, maybe, but I don't see why not. People are free to worship (or not) in any way that they choose. These folks choose Chewbacchus.

[Gelliebeans]

13. Me too! n/t