Input/Ideas needed for Multiplayer Browser Based Game

[Parashu]

Hello!

The game could start with the player being God and creating the Universe. The options could be :

1) the artist god : it intelligently designs everything in a certain state and then pushes the "play button"
2) the quantum-mecanic god : it designs a combination of particles which then generate the universe
3) the squatter god : it finds an embryo of universe / buys an universe in kit at his local store and then runs it
4) the you're my shit god : God would take a load or spit or... and that would be the universe : some junk produced by a higher being who's not any more likely to get close to the universe than we are from approaching our own shit...
5) the co-op god : it creates other beings to create the universe with them
...

Then you could have choices of attitude towards the universe :

1) care
2) control
3) denial
4) curiosity
5) it's done, draw your own map
...

Then you'd have a choice :

1) try to live with the creatures of the universe, by coming now and then and giving it a shot -> supernatural universe
2) reach out to them by revealing yourself -> religions of prayer
3) let them reach out to you -> religions of meditation

[Pat Mustard]

As regards doctrines here's some that spring to mind:

1) Initiation rituals, simple or elaborate; hard to complete or easy; painful or painless
2) Dietary requirements
3) Clothing requirements
4) Ritual greetings
5) Differing levels of initiation, where level 1 knows only the rituals they have to perform, 2 knows the secrets behind the basic rituals and so on
6) Holy book open or secret; if open anybody can read, if secret great punishment on any non-believer reading and any believer assisting them.

Most of my suggestions speak to the "in-group, out-group" nature of religions, setting the believers visibly aside from those around them.

[Tiberius]

Those are all good ideas Parashu, however they won't integrate with the game I've designed, mainly because the player is more of a religion leader than a God. In addition, the game allows for entirely atheistic religions (like Buddism).

[Parashu]

It could be integrated. It would be a way to setup the "Truth" and thus the possible religions that would exist. You'd have to face as a religion leader the limits you've setup as a God in the beginning and thus answer the question : how do I reveal the One True God (of this setup configuration)?