Godhood

Godhood is a concept with varying interpretations in Fyrra. While most cultures agree that godhood can be reached through ascension, there is a lot of disagreement on how ascension can be reached and what implications it carries. The most common understanding of godhood is that it is a state of being where a person’s Will is elevated from the physical realities of the world into a sort of higher existence, giving them the power to watch over the world and their followers. Godhood allows a being to transcend the limits of the material world, including the limitations of physical mortality.

Theology

The state of godhood has been subject of a lot of research over the course of the centuries. This scientific research on godhood, referred to as theology, focuses on the common aspects mentioned in the various religious teachings. Rather than following a single religious understanding of godhood from one god or culture, the theological research on godhood attempts to establish a common framework based on which godhood, ascension and related topics can be understood.
Contrary to the religious understandings of godhood, theology attaches no moral value to godhood or ascension. Godhood is researched as something natural, rather than something desirable. Due to this many theologians face backlash from the followers of various religions, especially from Churches.

Religious understandings

Both Churches and Convictions see godhood as something to be desired and as the highest possible state of being. Religious understandings of godhood still differ greatly however. The fundamental difference between Churches and Convictions is mirrored in their understanding of godhood.
Churches see godhood as a divine state that is proof of the truthfulness of their God’s teachings. Because a God ascended into godhood, this God knows how to obtain ascension, which is seen as a form of paradise. By following the God’s teachings a person, or even a society, could obtain godhood and thus eternal bliss.
Convictions, especially those associated with one or more Gods, also see godhood as something divine. Gods are worshiped as the greatest followers of a convictions. By following the teachings of the Conviction, a God could obtain godhood and thus eternity. Ascension is seen as a proof that the Conviction is in fact something desirable and thus should be followed. While this view is most common in Convictions, some Convictions hold a more theological view on godhood.

Key aspects

Both theological and religious understandings of godhood share certain key aspects, which are thus said to be generally true:

• Godhood can be reached through ascension
• Gods possess a greater Will than normal beings, allowing them greater influence on the world
• Gods are not bound by the material world anymore, but they can return into a physical body
• Gods are technically immortal, but can be killed when in their physical body
• It is possible to gain a God’s attention by reaching out to them with your Will (through prayer or otherwise)

Other key aspects are not agreed upon between different understandings:

• Ascension is the only way to reach godhood/ Godhood can be reached in different ways
• Only humans can reach godhood/ All kind of species can reach godhood
• Godhood is something inherently desirable/ Godhood as itself has no value

Known Gods

• Bolar, God of Domination
• Dunar, God of Trade
• Jereba, God of Healing
• Kastia, Goddess of War and Justice