Sanguis Astroism/Writings/Sermons/On Heresy, Hypocrites, and Disbelievers
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| Faithful Brothers and Sisters,
Considering the wise words of Brother Medugnatos last week, I pray that I shall approach this subject with the required balance. Today I shall expound upon the subject of heresy, hypocrisy, and disbelieving. First, what is a heretic, or a hypocrite, or a disbeliever? Heretics are those who believe what is contrary to the truth, and not only that, they believe that which is evil and harmful and perverted. The nature of evil is a more vast topic than the scope of this sermon, yet we all of us do have an intuitive sense, granted by true and harmonious communion with the Bloodstars, that there is such a thing as evil. What is harmful can be objectively measured, whether in loss of life, in blood shed, in cities ravaged, or kingdoms toppled. And what is perverted is not merely what is abhorrent or disgusting or distasteful, but it is a corruption of that which is good. An example might be in a believer in the Stars who also worships the Prophet as a "god;" a situation which I have never encountered but Sister Allison reportedly has. Another example might be in a believer in the Stars who, conversely, believes the Prophet is no prophet at all, that his prophecies are mere guesswork. Hypocrites speak what is contrary to the truth, or they act contrary to the truth, but it is not necessarily evil and perverted. The heretic is surely also a hypocrite, yet not all hypocrites are heretics. Disbelievers simply do not believe what is true. They may have the same doubts or wrong beliefs as the hypocrites and heretics, who are themselves also disbelievers of a sort, but are not all necessarily hypocrites or heretics. Second, what to be done with heretics, hypocrites, and disbelievers. Disbelievers must be converted and brought into the Light of the Stars. This would be helpful to them, to our faith, and thus to the world at large. This is the matter of preaching to expand the faith; the Open Hand. Hypocrites must be corrected, that they may walk in the Light of the Stars. To fail here would risk their becoming a heretic, who is even more dangerous. This is the matter of preaching to make steadfast and clear the faith; the Cup. Heretics must be shunned, lest they pervert the Light of the Stars. To fail here would risk the Sanguis Astroist faith being destroyed from within, to set ill examples both amongst us and to the world at large. This is the matter of safeguarding the faith from dangers; the Sword. May all of my fellows here seek to safeguard themselves against these dangers! By the Light of Austere, | |
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