Communionism/Beliefs

Here are the beliefs of Communionism, summarized.

Theism

The religion is non-theistic, neither worshipping nor denying any specific gods.

Religions that focus on gods are at best misguided.

Worship and Personal Relationship

Communionism is a personal religion, involving shamanic initiation and personal relationships between the priests and followers. The reliance on experienced priests as guides is a key factor in differentiating between ordinary hallucinations induced by a drug (as with recreational use) from genuine Communion with otherworldly spirits.

However, Communionism also incorporates various domestic-level activities, which also involve a spiritual guide (the priest) and small groups of people.

The religion is not corporate in the sense of mass-gatherings.

Beings

Spirits

Spirits of the dead continue to exist, and can listen and speak to the living - with help from the priests and ikrif, of course.

There are also vague beliefs in the existence of spirits that were never living humans, but which are not gods.

Both of these types of spirits feature heavily in existing folklore, and thus Communionism incorporates native religion.

Monsters

Monsters are spirits held to originate from hostile worlds, which inhabit and transform beings (animal and sometimes human) in the mundane world. They have many shapes and sizes.

Undead

The walking corpses of humans are not considered human in any way. Instead, they are considered possessed (as with monsters) by hostile, alien spirits.

Mankind

The spirit of men is not considered to be immortal: spirits in Communionism always have a beginning, and many times can have a permanent end. In the greater paradigm of Communion, men are not considered particularly special or important.

Other Worlds

Communionism maintains a view of infinite worlds. The idea is that ikrif 'unlocks' the capacity to experience these other worlds.

Ikrif is not held to physically transport a person to a separate plane, but rather to a mind-set in which to perceive that the mundane world is a confluence of all the other worlds.

The Mundane World

This is where we live. It is not simply a location, but it is also a mind-set: the mindset of the ordinary, day-to-day living that most people have, most of the time.

The Spirit World

This is a general term for any perception involving ikrif and the non-ordinary. It actually encompasses the entire infinity of other worlds, none of which are mapped out, named or categorized in a concrete way.

Creation Myth

Communionism doesn't hold to a specific creation myth; instead there is the belief in an unending cycle of birth and rebirth. Thus it can incorporate multiple existing creation myths, or none.

Sacred Places

"Sacred" places are simply those locations more conducive to spiritual reflection and/or ikrif journeys. They are excellent places for shrines and temples, meditation or simply having a good time.

This is another aspect of Communionism which takes its cue from local folklore and existing pagan religions without trying to override it.