In 'Dune' by Frank Herbert, there is the Bene Gesserit order, which has its own set of beliefs, rituals and a form of religion that influences the political and social structure of the universe in the story. Another example is the Force in the 'Star Wars' books, which has aspects of a religious or spiritual belief system that Jedi and Sith follow in different ways.
Fictional religions in books help create unique cultures. For example, in 'A Song of Ice and Fire', the Faith of the Seven shapes the social norms and values of the people in Westeros. It affects how they marry, inherit, and even wage war. This adds depth to the world.
Start by defining the core beliefs and values of the religion. Make them unique and interesting. Then, create rituals and ceremonies that reflect those beliefs.
Religions can't be simply classified as just stories. They provide people with a sense of purpose, guidance, and community. They shape values and offer explanations for various aspects of life that go beyond mere narrative.
There are many systematic and comprehensive introductions in books on Western religions. You can refer to the following examples:
1 The Essence of Religion (History, Doctrine, and Tradition of Religion) ·Scott
2 The Encyclopedia of Western Religion (History, Doctrine, Tradition, and Theology of Western Religion) ·Luther King
3. Christian Prophecy (Christian Theology, History, and Philosophy) by Aaquinas
4."A Comparative Study of Christian and Eastern Religion"(A Comparative Study of Christian and Eastern Religion) ·Mills
History and Philosophy of Western Religion (History, Philosophy, Culture, and Theology of Western Religion) by Arthur Wilson
These books covered all aspects of Western religion, from Christian history and traditions to theology and philosophy to culture and history. He could choose books that suited his needs and interests.
Buddhism also has its roots in India. Founded by Gautama Buddha, it emphasizes the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, aiming at achieving enlightenment and liberation from suffering. Although it spread widely outside of India, it still has a significant presence in certain parts of the country.
One of the most famous fictional places in fictional books is Middle - earth from J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' series. It's a vast and detailed world filled with different races like hobbits, elves, and dwarves. There are epic landscapes, from the peaceful Shire to the imposing Misty Mountains. Another is Narnia in C.S. Lewis' 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. It's a magical land accessed through a wardrobe, where animals can talk and there are great battles between good and evil. Wonderland from 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' is also well - known. It has strange creatures and a topsy - turvy logic that makes it a very unique fictional place.
One more example is Zoroastrianism. It is one of the world's oldest religions, originating in ancient Persia (now Iran) around the 2nd millennium BC. It was founded by the prophet Zoroaster. Its teachings revolve around the battle between good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu). These origin stories play a significant role in shaping the beliefs, practices and cultures associated with each religion.