Akronism: Difference between revisions
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===Criticism===
The two most common criticisms of the Church of Akrona relate particularly to its relationship with the government of Acronis, namely the requirement of being a Church member in good standing to be a citizen. Non-church members with permanent residency can only attain the status of "non-citizen national." Perhaps the most controversial consequence of this is that non-Akronists cannot vote in Acronian elections (with exceptions in the law for Native Rodokans and in a few municipalities), even if they were born in Acronis. If a member of the Church loses their status of good standing, which can occur if the member does not pay their annual tithe or as a penalty for various crimes, they lose their citizenship and therefore their right to vote. Similarly, avowed atheists or members of other religions cannot vote either, regardless of the length of time they have lived in Acronis.
Because the Church administers all Acronian social programs, in order to receive these benefits, one must be a member of the Church in good standing, and therefore accept the Church's significant rules on personal and moral conduct. It is in this capacity that the Church of Akrona draws the most criticism. Foreign citizens resident in Acronis are not able to access unemployment insurance, pensions, or even food or housing assistance unless they join the Church, and must either pay out of pocket for medical care or purchase private healthcare insurance, which only exists in a very limited capacity in Acronis. Residents who hold other religious faiths, or no faith, are similarly restricted, even if they were born in Acronis. And most controversially, while non-members of the Church are technically permitted to participate in the criminal justice system, atheists and other non-Akronists have complained for years that crimes reported by them go unanswered by Church authorities, or the authorities deliberately procrastinate or otherwise delay addressing atheist and non-Akronist complaints. Prior to the late 19th century, non-Akronists could not participate in the legal system at all, even in cases of sexual assault or attempted murder. The Church changed this policy in the face of significant social backlash, and continues to face sustained criticism from non-members of the Church domestically and internationally, as well as from members of the Church itself.▼
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Furthermore, while under the letter of the law non-members of the Church are permitted to participate in the criminal justice system, atheists and other non-Akronists have complained for years that crimes reported by them go unanswered by Church authorities, or the authorities deliberately procrastinate or otherwise delay addressing atheist and non-Akronist complaints. Prior to the late 19th century, non-Akronists could not participate in the legal system at all, even in cases of sexual assault or attempted murder. (Murder itself was prosecuted by the Church after the fact in all cases.) The Church changed this policy in the face of significant social backlash, and continues to face sustained criticism from non-members of the Church domestically and internationally, as well as from members of the Church itself.
[[Category:Religion]] [[Category:The Acronisphere]]
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