Paxism: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
No edit summary |
|||
Line 12:
In around 740 CE, the Prophet Ipsit, a traveller who crossed from modern day Suvania to Central Yasteria in order to better understand the world, returned to his homeland speaking of "The Prophet of the Water". This is believed to be a misinterpreted form of the Pax, with Pax having been the word used for "Water". Ipsit taught his followers of his interpretations of Pax as a mortal prophet of Noi, and thus was declared by them to be the second coming of the Prophet, with the [[Ayalism|Ayalist]] Alvans being descendants of the torturers. The followers of Ipsit wrote what was to become the ''Mahimavan Agranirupana'', compiling the interpretations of Paxism made by Ipsit in a prophetic text referring to their theorized cycle of Urth. This belief spread across the nomadic hordes of Western Yasteria, competing with [[Ayalism]] in the region.
As the Iktanite dynasty spread over Yasteria and met other races, their beliefs and traditions influenced Paxism. This contamination led to Iktanite King Melkezedek calling for a council of scholars and religious leaders known as the Council of Bingol to establish the most authoritative writing of Paxism known as the ''Bas Magdamar'' (which built on the ''Vagumar'') whereupon he established the [[Magisterium of Paxism|Magisterium]]. The Yehudite sect was divided by those who followed the original Vagumar and those who followed the new ''Bas Magdamar'', leading to the formation of the Melkezedekite sect.
Following the formation of the [[Alva|Alvan Empire]], the Ipsitites declined in influence in their region at the benefit of [[Ayalism]], the sect being almost entirely isolated within modern day Suvania, experiencing further decline under the repression of a string of rulers intolerant to their religion.
Line 53:
* '''Diet''': In Paxism certain foods are forbidden because they are seen as dirty and unholy. The meat of reptiles, all insects except grasshoppers and consumption of blood or dead animals (i.e., animals that died due to disease or other strange causes not intended or known by the person consuming the animal) are forbidden. Animals must be slaughtered with a sharp knife, cleanly and swiftly and with a blessing before they can be regarded as holy and suitable for consumption. Ipsitites are notably exempt from some of these restrictions, allowing for animals to be slaughtered in any which way so long as a prayer of thanks is given after eating, and the animal's bones are picked clean, with Ipsitite doctrine heavily discouraging the wastage of food.
* '''Marriage''': Marriage is a highly contentious issue within Paxism and the sects do not agree. According to Madvinism practiced in Packilvania, marriage is restricted to men and women and men may have more than one wife. According to Yehudism and Ipsitism, marriage is monogamous and same-sex marriage is permissible. According to both Madvinism and Sohadekism, marriage and sexual relations between species are forbidden. According to Obedism, polyamorous marriages are permissible. Obedism and Ipsitism believes that premarital sex is allowed. Yehudism, Madvinism and Sohadekism believe that pre-marital sex is not allowed. Madvinism and Sohadekism believe that men may have sex with concubines if their wives cannot bear children. Obedism believes that extramarital sex is allowed with the consent of the partners.
* '''Clerical authority''': Most Paxists believe that there exists clerical authority. Yehudism believes that any recognised priest may train priests under them and both Ipsitism and Yehudism believes that women, queer and non-felines may serve as clerics. Melkezedists (Madvinists, Sohadekists etc.) believe that religious authority emanates from the [[Magisterium of Paxism|Magisterium]]. Thus, Magisters are regarded as having the sole authority to determine religious interpretation and appoint priests and recognize prophets and scholars.
* '''Sacrifice''': Most Paxists believe that sacrificing food is required when a toning for ones sins. The general formula is to set up a specially designated altar and to burn the sacrifice thereupon while asking Pax and Noi for forgiveness. Some sects and even individuals believe that one should sacrifice crops while others believe that one should sacrifice animals. Others believe that a priest or Magister may sacrifice on behalf of the community or nation respectively. They also believe that sacrifices are necessary when making a Covenant (an unbreakable vow) which includes marriage to seal the bow in heaven and Urth. Ipsitism purely endorses the latter, and does not accept the possibility of attoning for sins without strife, with it only being possible through being felled while in service to the Faith or performing a pilgrimage, with the only other option being through the sacrifice of your own life to Pax via suicide by drowning, though such a practice is increasing uncommon.
* '''Divination and supernatural interventions''': Paxists believe that there are people who have been imparted with a special anointing to conduct supernatural healing, to reveal hidden and unknown truths, to cast out evil spirits and to impart messages from Noi to the nation. These people are called Prophets. Mosts Paxists believe that someone is a Prophet if their prophecies or miracles actually come true. However, Madvinists and Sohadekists believe that the [[Magisterium of Paxism|Magisterium]] must verify miraculous acts for a Prophet to be recognised as such.
* '''Pilgrimage''': Paxists are encouraged to make pilgrimage to at least one of the three holiest sites of the Paxist religion if they are able to: the Temple of the Remembrance (i.e., [[Memorial of the Jovian Gate]]) in Akas Akil, Temple of the Restoration in [[Adrien]] and the Temple of the Authority in [[Bingol]]. Pilgrimage involves prayer, fasting, cleansing, sacrifice etc. The cities of Adrien and Akas Akil are off-limits to non-Paxists and the Temple Mount in Bingol on which the Temple of the Authority is located is forbidden to non-Paxists. While historically there have been less Ipsitite Pilgrimages on account that Ipsitism demands pilgrims cross the land only by foot and the sea only by boat, Ipsite pilgrims tend to be highly respected within their communities for undertaking such a task.
* '''Cleansing''': Paxists believe that evil spirits as well as the spirits of the dead can haunt places or people and cause destruction, sickness or misfortune. Thus, they believe that through sacrifice, baptism and prayer, those places or people can be exorcised of the spirits contained there.
Line 77:
The [[Temple of the Restoration]] is built on the site where King Suleiman of Yehudah received a vision from Noi and Pax to start writing the ''Vagumar'' to bring the nations under a single version of Paxism. At the Palace that was formerly located on the site, Jerome of Damaclion conducted the work of compiling writings from notable scholars and prophets alongside the Ichtmar into a single document known as the ''Vagumar''. At this same spot, a council of scholars and prophets from across Central Yasteria approved the final document which today comprises the bulk of the writings of Paxists in the world. It is the second holiest site in Paxism and is the last whose holiness is undisputed.
The Temple of the Authority is located on a hill in [[Bingol]] that forms part of the [[Bingol Royal Palace]] complex. It was the location where High King Melkezedek ordered various scholars to compile the ''Bas Magdamar'' due to the fact that there was major divisions among Paxists due to the infiltration of pagan ideals and beliefs. It builds on the ''Vagumar'' and by extension the ''Ichtmar'' with a few other writings specifically related to religious authority and interpretation. This was the site where Melkezedek issued a Decree proclaiming the establishment of the [[Magisterium of Paxism|Magisterium]] and at which he summoned the Council of Bingol to approve the ''Bas Magdamar''. All Paxists hold that it is an important site, but the degrees vary. In Melkezedekism it is the third holiest site equal to Adrien and Akas Akil. In Yehudism and Ipstitism, it is holy but not equal to Akas Akil and Adrien due to the face that Magisterium is recognised as important but hardly authoritative. This means to them pilgrimage to Bingol is not compulsory but edifying. In Obedism it is holy because King Obed III issued additions to the ''Vagumar'' from the same place.
There are other sites of minor religious significance in Paxism as follows:
| |||