J. Gordon Melton
c/o Department of Religious Studies
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-3130
Dear Mr. Melton:
I was quite disappointed when I recently discovered that I completely missed your job posting when you were looking to hire a new messiah a few months back. I was not aware of how many new religions crop up each year, but I am not very surprised. I read that the religious leader you selected is having a bit of a rough time getting started. Gathering disciples is indeed probably more difficult than it sounds. I think it would be easier on the West Coast than in New York, though. They’re just so cynical out there.
If, in the future, you feel that the East Bay would be a good spot to start up a religion, I wouldn’t mind giving it a go. The Berkeley area is rife with folks who need something to believe in. I’m thinking of forming a religion based on looking for signs in absolutely everything you see. In the meantime, perhaps I’ll join the new “Church of Now” you’re studying. Do they have a brochure?
Truly,
Liz Mann
