2199:United Tavari Church of Life
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This page is a 2199 alternative universe article and is therefore not part of the TEP Evolved canon. |
| This page (or section) is a work in progress by its author(s) and should not be considered final. |
| Akronism | |
|---|---|
 The diamond is an ancient symbol of Akronism. This version inlaid with the Tavari four-pointed-star is the logo of the United Tavari Church of Life. | |
| Belief | Monotheism |
| Deity | Akrona |
| Region(s) | Tavari-Acronian Union |
| Founder | The First Elders |
| Founded | cir. 1470-1496 |
| Origin | Northern Tavari charismatic folk religion |
| Atriarch | Uva Štronai, the 5th Atriarch |
| Temples | ~5,000 |
| Followers | 151,203,718 (2197 Census) |
| Denominations | United Tavari Church of Life Church of Akrona |
The United Tavari Church of Life is the only legally established religious organization of the Akronist faith. It was established in 2120, after the last remnants of the Church of Akrona were outlawed due to criminal activity.
History
Akronism as a religion dates to 15th century Avnatra, where it arose among practitioners of old Tavari folk religion traditions in the far north of what was at that time the Kingdom of Tavarís. The religious organization that emerged from that movement was called the Church of Akrona, and it would be the established state church of Acronis for nearly all of that country's 567-year history. Over that course of time, Akronists exercised significant political control of society, culminating in the so-called "Acronian Dark Ages" of 2021-2052, which led to the collapse of Acronis as a state and, indirectly, to the formation of the Tavari-Acronian Union.
Beliefs
The religious beliefs and practices of Akronism center around life. Akronists believe that life is sacred, as reflected in the name of the church. Akronism is also a uniquely Tavari-Acronian faith that arose out of and in close connection to Tavari and Acronian nationhood. Akronism teaches that life must be protected, and that it is protected and encouraged to grow by the Tavari-Acronian state. Many Akronists still adhere to ancient dietary restrictions that forbid the consumption of animals that live on land. (The diet has seen a resurgence on the planet New Acronís, where animal life only exists in the ocean.) Care for the environment through taking care to use as few resources as possible and pacifism through disavowing weapons ownership and the use of force against any person are also major tenets of the faith.
Governance
The Church is led by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors elects from among its members a President who holds the title of "Atriarch," who is considered to be the spiritual head of the faith but is otherwise a first-among-equals in the leadership hierarchy. The Board is assisted by a body called the Council of Advisors, who are elected by members of the Church. These Advisors elect the Board of Directors. In this way, the governance of the church is democratic and beholden to its people. The Board of Directors is primarily concerned with the administrative work of the Church, such as the paying of bills and hiring of employees. The Atriarch is the first authority on the philosophical and religious realms of the Church, through the whole Board votes on any changes of belief. The Church is organized into divisions, one for each planet in the Tavari-Acronian Union. People like Priests and Priestesses or other local temple employees are hired and administered on the division level. The leaders of each four of the divisions, plus another three people appointed by the Atriarch, make up a body called "the Elders," with whom the Atriarch consults about the spiritual and religious affairs of the members.
Legally, the Church is a non-profit corporation with a charter issued by the Assembly of the Union. Its headquarters are primarily in the city of Tana Ilarís, New Acronís.