User:Tanos/Church of Humanity
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"A Church of Humanity Knight is truly a fearless knight, and secure on every side, for his soul is protected by the armor of faith, just as his body is protected by the armor of steel. He is thus doubly-armed, and need fear neither daimon nor man."
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Introduction
The Church of Humanity, founded in the ancient city of Perdan on the East Continent, was founded with a weak structure, designed to keep the Church small and with little authority over doctrine and observance of the Faith. However, this led to the near-collapse of the Church and it underwent something of an internal reformation as more hard-line priests took leadership from the lay elders.
Followers are instructed to follow the 12 Tenets, while noble adherents of Holy Church are also expected to pledge themselves to the Church's Code of Chivalry. The Church believes in a grand divine power, the creator of the world and all the cosmos, a power that guides and helps us when we are in need, protects us from evil and is ready to teach us when we are ready to listen and be enlightened. This power, this Divine, has been dubbed the Holy Light by the current elders of the Church.
The Church acknowledges that this divine power may take a form appropriate to each individual and as per Its Will. While a grizzled veteran of many wars may see an armored god wielding a sword, another may see a mighty dragon or a even a goddess of beauty. Be it a single monotheistic Maker or a polytheistic pantheon, all are projections of the same Divine. Many members of the Church have had encounters with the divine via visions or sudden impacts of inspiration, often reporting seeing something different to what another member had seen. The Church wishes its members to worship the Divine, by any name they choose, while following the 12 Tenets. It is the belief of the clergy that it is not up to mankind to dictate how the Almighty Divine can and cannot appear to mortals.
The 12 Tenets
1. Seek religious inspiration.
2. Base religion on personal experience & knowledge; do not follow blindly.
3. Treat nobles with equality.
4. Take action to diminish suffering, and advance happiness.
5. Resources that belong to every one must be protected.
6. Make a regular practice of religious activities (eg. prayer, meditation).
7. Recognize the debt to past and future generations.
8. Stand up for these principles and defend your beliefs.
9. Protect the weak and helpless.
10. Spread guidance to all those that don't believe.
11. Stand up to any evil you see.
12.Continually improve these ideas as new information becomes available.
The Church asserts that all members must be good Knights and follow the Code of Chivalry. Members must hold the values of truth, honesty, loyalty and honour above all else. Through spiritual worship and honour, Knights will be guided to make right decisions within their lives.
Followers of any of the divinities (such as the Path of the Great Dragon or Odin or Mead) are welcome to join the Church as long as they hold dear individual freedom and personal achievement and all that these principles imply, such as acceptance of diversity and political authority.
More Details
Encrypted and Translated Texts
Preachings of Master Priest Chadro'ez
OOC Disclaimer
The Church of Humanity is a fictional pseudo-religion created for the purposes of roleplaying in the world of BattleMaster game. It has no connections to any real-life religions, churches or sects whatsoever.
