Why do some religions succeed better than others?

[Coito ergo sum]

Smith just wanted all the pussy for himself. Seems to be a common motivator for cult leaders.

Isn't that just a common motivation?

[HomerJay]

Is scientology a religion?

Not really recognised as such in most of europe.

[Geoff]

Is scientology a religion?

Not really recognised as such in most of europe.

Well, that's really only one example...what was different about the mormons (for example) that made them so successful, compared to other cults that started around the same time or later?

I can see that there are always going to be a fraction of the population that will swallow crazy ideas of some sort, but why those particular crazy ideas?

[hiyymer]

...what was different about the mormons (for example) that made them so successful, compared to other cults that started around the same time or later?

Have you ever been to Utah?

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Why do some religions succeed better than others?

1. A charismatic, eloquent, duplicitous leader:

Scientology had Hubbard
Mormonism had Smith
Christianity had Paul (not jeebus - he probably didn't even exist and certainly had little to do with organising the moralistic, dogmatic and ritual elements!)
Islam had Big Mo


2. The conversion of influential, establishment figures:

Christianity had Constantine
Islam had Big Mo (who was a trader turned general turned political leader who unified several arab states, converting their leaders from polytheism as he went.)
Scientology has Travolta, Cruise, Chick Corea, etc...
Mormonism had the Osmonds!


3. Aggressive evangelism - passive religions fail, end of.


4. Money! - religions that don't milk their suckers congregations for every penny they can muster fail. End of.


5. ??????


6. Prophet.