Church of the Goddess
Introduction:
Church of the Goddess is the bare bones remnants of Christianity, using the cross of saint James though it is referred to as the Royal Cross by its current day users, with the knowledge of saint James and its Spanish origins being lost to time. The Religion is formed from a few scraps of the Bible found in an ancient Alicornian museum in Alpacan. Since then Religion has spread world wide due to its kind and forgiving nature and its ability to mingle and integrate with other cultures.Mythology & Lore
Long ago there was nothing, nothing but Void space and rogue elements and particles. Until one day the first particle was created, this was the Goddess. Combining with other particles she created a Big Bang of particles and elements. Growing in sophistication and awareness, the Goddess moulded space and time around here to create Stars, planets, moons, gases, asteroids and then galaxies, then galaxy clusters until the very universe itself was created.
Alone in the infinite space, she seeded many worlds with bacterial life, giving way to evolution and the spontaneous eruption of life upon various worlds. Guiding various worlds too vast and magnificent heights. However, where there is Light there is Darkness, in time a sinister evil, older than existence is self wished to return all to void. Granting victims the Book of Necrosis to call forth Its Dark servants to bring ruin and devastation to all life.
This was the fate of humanity, few know of this Dark God, simply referred to as "The Dark One". To this day, the Dark One works from behind the scenes. Seeding evil and discord into the hearts of many. Tempting them down dark paths and laughing as they suffer and struggle. One day Necrosis will come again and the Night will be long and terrible indeed.
Divine Origins
Based on a few scraps of the Bible, The faith was created as a means for people to rationalize the complete and utter downfall of not one but two entire world orders. First Under Humanity and then Second the Alicorns. There is also claims that state that the original founders spoke to the Goddess during a scrying session and she had told them what to do. Believing that a Great Evil is conspiring against them, the church organized and used science to help explain some of life's mysteries.
Its use of Christian Iconography was a purposeful choice as they believe the Book of Revelations to be the Precursor understanding of what's truly going on in the universe. The Cross they use is the Cross of Saint James, though they barely recognize this. They believed that Joseph (Jesus) was a Human saint that reincarnated in various humans and existed as many of the saints of Old Christianity.
To them, the Cross of Saint James represents the continual sacrifice of the Holy Spirit to guard Life against the Dark One.
Cosmological Views
Using Science they have a mythicized understanding of Scientific phenomena, they understand physics, celestial bodies, the roundness of all planets, gravitational Orbits and an advanced understanding they are not the sole planet of the Universe, their creation wasn't of some grand design or that there is a holy plan for the universe. Instead, they see the universe as the great petri dish of all life.
That Life, The universe and all within it is so much greater than their understanding. Rather than a point of fear, the mystery is one of the great drives of the Church in its pursuit to Understand the Goddess and her creation. In a lot of ways, there is a lot of 'God of the Gaps' going on here. Indeed it is possible a life form seeded the universe and helps it grow, but are we gods for growing crops? If the Corn had a mind, it would surely think so.
Tenets of Faith
There are 3 main tenets of the faith to help people remember them and guide their behaviour and actions. They are not strict rules everyone must abide by or else, rather they are the guiding ideals of the faith.
The Three Tenets
Compassion
Understanding others and having empathy for them. You are to act with compassion for all life and not ignore their suffering. Even if you perceive yourself as above them, you must still bring yourself to their level and feel their pain and help alleviate it.Reason
Dogma and Pages must never stifle a mind, you must try to understand and learn all that is around you. To use your mind and Heart to reason with what is around you. You are encouraged to see above Dogmatic Zeal or irrational fear and understand why something is happening. Do not just react blindly and let maligned forces misguide you.Tenacity
To be strong and be strong with others. To share your strength and act as a United force against the Darkness. You refuse to give in to hopelessness and you refuse to let fear compromise who you are. You decide your fate, personality and life, not the Darkness and not agents of Fear and Hatred.Ethics
There are many, many rules that guide members of each sect and it'd be a lot to talk about. Generally speaking, these rules ban various vile acts and protect the vulnerable. They are based around empowerment, generally speaking, and wish to see everyone improve and rise above their current status. The Church forbids any and all casting of Dark Magic, even the helpful necromantic art of Flesh Crafting.
Indeed those who cast any sort of necromancy are seen as violating the sanctity and purity of Life and are punished with the full force they can afford at any given time. Even if the Undead in question is not harmful and indeed Sapient, they believe all who are Undead, should be returned to death.
Worship
To worship the Goddess you simply need to pay with hands together and be on your knees. Normally worshippers pray for god fortune and assistance which normally comes in the form of Light Miracles. When praying in church a congregation can collectively perform various miracles which can help with crops, promote rainfall and stuff like that.
Wearing crosses, and holy symbols and hanging Roses up are more passive forms of worship. There are also shrines and small chapels where one can prey. You can also baptize in holy water which clears the mind of ailments and helps treat extreme emotions.
Priesthood
The Priesthood is chosen based on their Affinity to Light, Priests and Priestesses are dedicated to the faith, to Science and to the People. Their entire existence is to further all life in any form, providing guidance and aid to whoever should need it, even those outside of their faith. Selected in your teen years you under years of practice and trials to gain the power of light and any other power you choose.
If you lack such powers then you may become a Monk, a worshipper, a worker and a warrior who wields Aura and seeks enlightenment and perhaps one day achieves their own light. Often going on pilgrimages, defending holy sites and practising the arts of war, whichever arts they choose to learn and master. There are no Racial, Sexual or Gender barriers to joining the clergy.
All are welcome within the light, all can be greeted by its grace.
Guardians
Unsurprisingly some guardians are taught by others who follow the faith and indeed have their own Sub Orders such as the Rose Vanguard. Guardians who follow the faith not only see themselves as Guardians of Life but also the active and faithful servants of the Goddess. Generally considered one of the more charitable sorts of Guardians. As such they do have ties to the Guardian Order.Paladins
Knights of the Clergy are effectively Tier 2 Guardians who are taught by no guardian and serve directly for the church. These are ascendant Monks who've found their light and these Knights Crusade in the name of the Church. They have named diversity through various chapters and Retinues who serve to save the innocent and banish the Darkness.Granted Divine Powers
The Iconic type of Magic here is the Light, and Fire. Most members of the clergy forces use a lot of fire and Light magic. They call them miracles and sing holy hymns to perform the spells. They are also very skilled healers and have even brought back the recently deceased.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Church made the decision as of 720 AD to cancel any and all involvement in politics after many, many, many scandals rocked the church and triggered a series of reforms where most Sects now stay out of politics. Some Purists however still try to affect nations and instate theocracies, regardless of the corruption it's known to bring. There are dark cults and shadow organizations that are involved with foiling however and in that way, they are politically engaged.
Being a religion they still have passive influence in that political leaders are religious and they have minor influence in the education system which is a leftover of when the church was more politically involved.
Sects
Orthodox Sect
Locations: PfredreichArchbishop: Rafael Geissler
Membership: Excommunicated
Orthodox is a hyper-conservative sect and believes that the Church is too soft in its opposition to the Darkness and that only extreme measures can serve extreme sides. Engaging in heavy political meddling and very exclusive. Orthodox is totally in support of Totalists and engage in Equine Supremacy and have invented their own 3 main tenets. The name Orthodox harkens to their belief that they are the proper worshippers and should be the ones running the show instead of the Clergy as it is now.
"The Night is Coming..."
Founding Date
20 AD
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
Church of Light | Sect of the Goddess | Guardians of Light
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
Luxites
Permeated Organizations
Deities
Related Traditions
Related Professions
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