Ideology: My followers would not only worship me as a god, for even people who believed in gods have defied them. Rather, they would revere me as if the very foundation of the Universe flowed from my fingertips. Anyone who defies my words would be defying the very world around them, and as such my rule would be complete and unquestionable. My followers would be considered to be the Chosen People, and only they would be allowed in my presence. Furthermore, only the Shamans of the Order, my most trusted followers, would be allowed to make dealings with non-followers. My followers would believe that it is their destiny and their duty to build a society so magnificent and bright that it can be seen from around the world on a dark night. This would propel them towards scientific innovation and architecture.
On the eve of every new moon, all the followers would gather at the base of my keep for praying and storytelling. The stories would all teach the values of the community, most notably the values of innovation, hard work, and fear of non-followers. It is there that they offer one new female to become my newest servant.
The ideology would be centered around 7 Aspects. They are Farming, Industry, Military, Religion, Community, Science, and Harmony. The 6 Shamans would each represent the former Aspects, and I would complete the Holy Seven by representing Harmony. The Shamans would each be masters of their craft and also resolve issues concerning their Aspect. So, for example, the Shaman of Community would be a master city-planner and architect, and would decide where to build new buildings. A new Shaman must be chosen when either a Shaman dies or 75% of the people of his Aspect decide to remove him. When a new Shaman is being chosen, the people elect a choice, which I would then either veto or approve.
Initiation: Beneath my citadel would be a huge, undergound system of caves and tunnels (both natural and man-made). This dungeon would contain all manner of traps and wild animals (snakes and the like). Any initiate would have to take various hallucinogenic drugs and journey through this dungeon, a journey that would last 3 days with no food and only a little water. At the end of the tunnel would be all the High Shamans, clothed in white with golden crowns, seated on gilded thrones in a room full of the brightest marble. In the middle would be a smoldering fire, and the initiate would have to strip his clothes, throw them on the fire, and then walk across the charred remains. This would represent him abandoning the old, ignorant ways forever. When he reaches the other side, he would be given robes of blue, symbolizing his rebirth. Note, however, this would only apply to males wishing to be initiated. Females could only be initiated as described below.
Location: My band of followers and I would journey to some very fertile region in either the Middle East (i.e. Israel, Mesopatamia), South Africa (i.e. Baviaanskloof or Ceres valley), or New Zealand. The important word being journey, as a long and arduous journey would not only separate the strong from the meek but also solidify my already god-like status.
The Citadel: My followers would begin by creating for me the foundation of my citadel on a hill. The first order of business would be in creating massive walls, 15 feet thick and 100 feet high. Everything would be in one central, connected building, forming concentric, domed rings with plazas and paved roads between each ring. In the center would be a giant keep where I and my females would reside on the uppermost floor with various administrative and religious chambers on the lower floors. Most of the rings would only be one story above ground, but several stories of subterranean passageways and chambers below. Farms and livestock be in a terraced section of the hill, with a lower outer wall protecting them a winding stair cut into the face of the hill leading up to the Citadel.
Economy: The economy would be largely communal. Families would work on collective farms or in collective workshops, with each family getting a portion of the product and the remainder being allocated as the group decides democratically. Any disputes go to the Shamans to resolve, and in rare instances can be taken all the way up to me. Land would not be bought or sold, but allocated as I saw fit. I would also place moderate taxes in order to support the team of scientists and scholars working on creating new inventions or better ways of production.
Education: My followers would be indoctrinated from birth through hypnotherapy, much like Brave New World, albeit a bit restricted due to lack of technology. All children at the age of 10 would receive one year of elementary combat training. The boys would then proceed to have an additional 4 years of combat training, and the most proficient among them would receive an additional 2 years of training. All children would be receive the same education until their 13th year, at which they would begin an apprenticeship for 5 years.
Dealing with non-Followers: Generally, non-Followers are not to be trusted. Often, however, the soldiers would lead raids on nearby villages, carrying off loot, food and women. Often, the soldiers will simply attack a village, enslave the males (killing all who show the least ounce of resistance), and rape the women until they are impregnated. When the women have their babies, they are given the choice of accepting the new religion and marrying a soldier or simply being killed on the spot. Should they choose the latter, their child will be adopted by a family of Followers. As the women have their children and the new generation of Followers in the town are able to support themselves, the enslaved males are gradually killed off.
Okay, so I was bored and have too much time on my hands. But that's what I would do if I had a cult.
(and me being the Supreme Beaver King)
