Paxism

This page (or section) is a work in progress by its author(s) and should not be considered final.

Texts

Scriptures

The Scriptures comprise the core religious text of Paxism. They were originally written over 1000 years starting in 2100 BCE. In 1100 BCE, Priest-King Suleiman of Yehudah ordered the closure of the canon of the Scriptures and ordered Jerome of Damaclion to compile the Scriptures into one writing and the Council of Adrien approved the final version. The Scriptures closes with an instruction by Priest-King Suleiman that "may be added to or taken from these Holy Scriptures, and destruction shall befall he who does". The Kingdom of Yehudah established the Literary Schools to preserve the transcription of the book and ensure the quality of the books. This function has been assumed by many different institutions thereafter. Although there was an attempt by King Obed of Bingol in 230 CE to add his own book. He was overthrown by the Holy Alliance led by King Iktan of Bakil and the addition was removed. Ever since, the Scriptures have remained the same. Some cults have arisen which have offered deviations. This was especially problematic when the United Kingdoms of Bakil spread throughout Yasteria with pagan subjects embedding their writings into the Scriptures. In 670 CE, High King Melkezedek of Bakil ordered the Council of Bingol to declare anathema these acts, and draft the Creed of Bingol as the core proclamation of faith. The Scriptures consists of 20 books which are put in the chronological order that they were written. For analytical purposes they are put into four categories as follows:

• The Histories contain a description of historic accounts. They are written in the narrative style and contain the bulk of the historic events which shaped the religion. Many of these books are the consolidation of older scrolls and oral traditions which preceded their inclusion in the Scriptures.
• The Sayings contain advice for how people are to live their lives. They are written in the idiomatic style whereby simple parables and figures of speech or sayings are used to teach people about how to deal with many elements of life like loss, love, and so on.
• The Instructions contain comprehensive step-by-step information on rituals and legal elements of the religion. This provides the basis of Paxist canon law.
• The Mysteries contain descriptions of incredible spiritual matters such as information on the nature of the divine, the afterlife, end and beginning of the universe, spiritual beings and so on.

Catechism

The Council of Bingol along with publishing the Creed of Bingol, gave the High King the power to establish a formal government of the Paxist religion. He gave the Magisterium to issue the official interpretations of the Scriptures (called dicta in Staynish or fatwa in Packilvanian) which are collected in the Catechisms. More on dicta is discussed in the section on religious government.

Governance

Magisterium

The Magisterium (known in Packilvanian as the lu-Majilli ale-Sharya from whence the Staynish name originates) is the institution responsible for managing religious matters of Paxism. It was founded by High King Melkezedek of Bingol following the Council of Bingol in 670 CE. The Magisterium is not an exclusively Packilvania institution however, because of its heritage in Bakil which eventually became the Sultanate of Packilvania and the location of its highest seat in Bingol, Packilvania , it is associated closely with Packilvania.

Council of the Cloth

The Council of the Cloth is the highest body of the Magisterium and it consists of the Grand Ayatollah and the 12 Ayatollahs with 7 from Packilvania and 5 from other countries in the world. The Council of the Cloth is self-perpetuating. This means that when a seat opens, the remaining members vote for a new Ayatollah to fill in that seat. All the members hold their positions for life. Council of the Cloth can impeach members of the Council and order their removal for various offences. The Council of the Cloth has the power to override the dicta (fatwa) issued by members of the Magisterium, which it usually does in documents called Ayatolline bulls. It can also excommunicate members from Paxism and declare certain believes, practices and organisation anathema (cursed). In Packilvania, it is not legally the highest court of appeal for matters of religion, however its dicta have incredibly persuasive power in the Supreme Court of Packilvania. No women may serve in the Council.

Clergy

The Clergy consists of Scholars and Priests comprise the rest of the Magisterium. Scholars are responsible for researching matters of religion and they have the authority to issue dicta. Priests are responsible for managing religious communities. To become a Scholar or Priest one must write a test and receive a formal license. Anyone is allowed to apply to be a priest as long as they have some sort of priestly course recognised by the Magisterium and remain in good standing with the Magisterium. To be a Scholar one must have studied at a higher institution of education and published peer-reviewed literature regarding religious matters before requesting membership. They have the power to issue dicta on most matters and they have to defer to the dicta of a previous Scholar unless it was overturned by the Council. Other scholars may publish an interdictum which places doubt on a dictum published by another scholar or scholars. The interdictum is temporary and falls away once the Council of the Cloth issues the Ayatolline bull. Scholars issue their dicta in Scholastic bulls. They may not issue an interdictum on a dicta in an Ayatolline bull. They can also issue a ratio which is a non-binding opinion and may be disregarded but can be persuasive. In Packilvania, women are not allowed to serve, but women in other countries may serve as either scholars or priests. There are no feminine versions of these titles.