Church of the Silent God
In the godless Waste, where most don't even bother thinking about the gods, there is one deity of dubious origin that holds sway over many. The Church of the Silent God is a bizarre religion, unique in that it worships a god that does not offer anything in return for worship of it. In fact, it worships a god that might not even exist, due to its eponymous silence. Despite this fact, the religion has spread over the Waste, to people of all races and origins.
Mythology & Lore
The Church of the Silent God believes that the Waste is the domain of their mighty god, and that god alone. This god is supposedly so powerful that it is capable of blotting out the influence of all other deities in its domain. It draws its name for its love of silence, which is sometimes also interpreted as a love for the deprivation of all senses. This love is its motivation behind the silence it has placed over the Waste, preventing all chatter between mortal and immortal.
The Silent God's mythology has more variation than any other religion's, due to the lack of real knowledge of their god's existence, form, or past. Even Tkurite mythology is more consistent, due to most of its practitioners being concentrated in a single spot. However, there is not a lot of argument about the Silent God's appearance, due to its followers not caring as much about the senses as others, and the fact that many swear oaths of silence which prevent them from debating such subjects.
Divine Origins
The Church of the Silent God most likely finds its origins in the unwillingness of some to accept that the gods could be absent in the Waste. Due to this, a phony god that imposed this silence upon other gods was created. Even though there is no evidence of this gods existence, nor are there any powers granted to followers, the faith has spread wide and has grown quite strong. Around one in ten people believe in the Silent God, though that number is growing. The faith is especially strong with humans, who have no gods to call their own, and so are more willing to adopt those not affiliated with a specific other race.
Tenets of Faith
Members of the Church, like their god, love silence over all other things. The less noise, the better. They do not have sermons, nor do they pray like adherents of other religions. The most prayer one would offer is a thought, without any motion or speech to accompany it. While most faithful prefer to speak less than more, most still use their mouths for more than eating. However, some especially devoted members of the Church of the Silent God swear oaths of silence, not contributing to the sound that so offends their god.
Some believe that the Silent God wishes not only for silence, but for total deprivation of all senses. This is a much rarer belief, but is still held by many. Such people prefer to keep inside, in the darkness, and wear either comfortable clothes that do not offend their sense of touch, or sometimes nothing at all when it is acceptable to do so. Especially devoted or fanatical followers of the Silent God sometimes sew their eyes and mouths shut, and permanently plug their ears. Such people are very rare, and generally viewed as repulsive even by other members of the Church.
Priesthood
The Church of the Silent God, while somewhat organized, is still far less so than other religions outside of the Waste. It does not have any official positions or priests, but certain members of the Church are recognized by others as incredibly devoted to the Silent God. These people are not given any comforts above others, nor do they dress any different or do anything to distinguish themselves from others. Despite this, they often take up leadership positions over other faithful in the area.
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
Mums, Tongue Tiers
Location
Related Ethnicities
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my favorite part is the fact debating them is complicated as some takes the vow of silence. A funny and clever take. I'd wonder if any people tried to pass themselves as chosen or even the god itself to profit over others, but it's sole purpose feels almost impossible to masquerade as. quite the interesting take. I don't know if you know about them, but if you look for extra inspiration, i believe the kuo-toa in dnd/pathfinder 'invented' their own gods out of the blue. could give some cool parts of lore to inspire of if you want to get inspired of it. Happy Summercamp to you!