Metaphysical Roulette is a game based on betting on beliefs (those appearing in previous Censuses). A custom roulette table has been created for the purpose of the game. This game premiered at the Ventnor Fringe Festival in 2021 and is available for hire/performance.
Introduction to the Game of Metaphysical Roulette
No longer has religion left you spiritually rich and materially poor.
You can now…
Make Money From Betting on Religious and other beliefs Using the 2021 Population Census
Ladies and gentlemen, gather round, in for a penny in for a pound, the ball it goes around and around, until a winning belief is found.
Its Bob Prophette’s Metaphysical Roulette, if you think about it…
What you believe is just a bet, a cash reward you rarely get, but today, right here you have met, a man called Bob who can change all that.
It’s betting on the outcome of the 2021 Census question: What is your religion?
22 million households can’t be wrong, so, gather around and make a throng, we will be starting in not too long, place your bets before I bang the gong.
So, how’s it work Bob, I hear you ask?
Here we have a table of roulette, to begin five chips you will get, make a choice and then your set, a belief your choice it reflects.
Here you see a table with 36 beliefs. Each belief was an answer to the ‘what is your religion?’ question in the last two censuses. Those in black went down, those in white went up. You can bet your chip on a single belief to win a prize.
If the belief you seek is not shown, it’s not a reason for a frown, the fish bowl of belief has many more, simply chose the one you adore. By an act of cosmic grace, one belief I’ll then replace.
You can bet on white or black, up or down. You will receive another chip, doubling your chances of winning a prize.
You can bet a combination, any two, three or four beliefs and you will receive three more chips, giving you a total of four.
The beliefs are arranged in groups of three, three similar beliefs you’ll see, but making up your mind is key, if a prize winner you want to be
Once the best are placed, I spin the little wheel, the special ball observes not the laws of physics, No! The laws of metaphysics rule here.
If with your choice the balls agrees, a prize you will then receive, play until you decide to leave, if you win a prize, come see me.
So what are the prizes Bob?
One Million Turing – the only Crypto Currency with a crossword on the back.
Is that all Bob, I hear you say…
We’ll this is just a game, win or lose, its all same, if you think its all too tame, lacking in fortune and fame
Then let’s talk some more, I may just have what you are looking for.
Now who is ready to play?
One twist. There are two more players. Richard Dawkins and the Dali Lama. You can’t bet on the spot where Dawkins sits. If that belief is selected, you all lose an extra chip. Don’t blame me, blame Richard. Conversely, the Dali Lama. If he comes up, you all win an extra chip.
Bets are grouped as follows:
Folk Off – yes all the Folk religions, Animism, Native American and Shamanism
Free to Choose? – two you choose yourself (free thoughtism and own belief system) and one you don’t (scientology)
Abe’s Children – The Abrahamic religions – in order of development – Judaism, Christianity and Islam
I Don’t Believe It – but yes you do, beliefs of secularism, atheism and rationalism
India My Dear – Hinduism, Sant Mat and Sikhism
Flexible Friends – our syncretic friends – taking a bit of lots of religions – universalism, Bahai and Unitarian Universalism
Diaspora Darling – beliefs of those who moved around the world – vodun, santeria and rastifari.
Pagan Alley – Wicca, Asatru and Heathen
One World Now – features the global consciousness movement of Hare Krishna, Humanism and Internationalism
Two Weddings and a Funeral – brings together the Free Church of Love, the Unification Church (known for its mass weddings) and Ancestor Worship
New and Old – brings together Traditional Chinese beliefs, Confucianism and the new age lot
And finally:
Tin Tao and All the Rest – Tin Tao was a belief according to the 2011 census but I’ve yet to meet anyone who can tell me what it is, it may be related to Taoism or a Chinese wrestling star.
