List of Alternate Religions and Deities

[TwiliAlchemist]

This is going to be like the List of Alternate Presidents and PMs thread, except with religions and deities.

Example:

Peak Mythology - (Brief description)

Deities:
Head God - Creator god
Sky God - God of the Sky and weather
Harvest God - God of the farming and the harvest
Drinking God - God of alcohol and parties
Money God - God of wealth and generosity
Animal God - God of animals and silence
Celestial God - God of the Sun, Moon, and Stars
Afterlife God - God of the Afterlife and judgement

 

[Rosa Luxemburg]

I'll do one that isn't exactly alternate but did never really take off.

Polytheistic Christianity: Basically seeks to solve the Problem of Evil by contending there are three of four Gods, depending on who you ask.

God: The 'main' god, who is Omnipotent. He should be worshipped above all.

Jesus: The omnibenevolent one. Second to be worshipped.

The Holy Spirit: Omniscient. Last in line for worship; not as well known.

Satan: The God of free will/rebellion. Should not be worshipped

 

[SeaBos]

Omani Trinitism: Throughout its history Oman has been a nation trapped between the great powers of Ethiopia to the southwest, Judea to the north, and Persia to the east. Each nation would attempt to pull Oman into their predominate faith and each would fail. Instead Oman set a different path for itself, combining all teachings in a single faith.

Yahweh: The Great Constructor, Yahweh built the world and will someday come to rule it. However, he rarely intervenes in the affairs of the humans believing that His children will only learn through struggle, pain, and failure. In prayer, one should only thank Yahweh for the gifts that he has already bestowed as he is an impatient father and does not care to be bothered with trite problems.​

Allah: The Holy Spirit, unlike his elder brother, Allah does believe in intervention on Earth. Though this means punishment for the wicked as often, if not more often, than blessing the righteous. Acting with a pure heart and humble desires may lead Allah to act on your behalf.​

Christ: The Blessed Son, Christ is Allah's greatest effort to influence mankind. Sacrificing his own son to a life in the flesh so as to provide mankind with a noble influence that they could follow. Christ understands the lives of humans in a far more intimate way than his father or uncle do and his therefore the most likely to offer assistance in times of trouble.​

Post-Fall Norcalay Theology: In the centuries since the punishment of mankind the peoples that once formed the Great Empire of Usa have grown into separate peoples different in flesh, tongues, and heart. Do not mourn for the Ancient Ones, their hubris led to their fall and we are surrounded by peoples that still do not understand this. Someday our gods will crush their spirits, just as we will crush their armies.

Gasolina: The Goddess of Invention, one of the few respectable goddess known to the Ancient Ones. Gasolina is an intelligent goddess that can inspire those that respect her power. Be careful though, she is profoundly greedy and those that are not careful in their dealings with her will inevitably suffer for their foolishness. This was the Lesser Sin of the Ancient Ones.

Wuw: The God of Connection, much of Wuw's gifts have been lost since the Reign of the Ancient Ones. However, Wuw allowed peoples of disparate lands to form bonds and share wealth. We must remember his wisdom whenever we speak to others have piety towards your parents, kindness to your guests, and friendliness to outsiders, even as you remember that they have been seduced by sinister superstitions.

Atom: God of Dishonorable Warfare, any who wish to deal with this god are monstrous and foolish in equal measure. His foul whispers will lead to suffering and ultimately to ruin. Trusting him was the Greater Sin of the Ancient Ones.

Watyu: God of Honorable Combat, Watyu will only support those that are noble in their cause and have exhausted all other means of conflict resolution through no fault of their own. The last time that he appeared on this earth was to assist the Army of Usa in their fight against the demon Nazi. Following Usa's victory he would try to return them to peace but was unable to do so. For now, he has abandoned mankind.

Terra: The Scorned Great Mother of All Things, once Terra gifting the Earth to her children, the Ancient Ones. It was through her efforts that our homeland became one of great wealth and was blessed with a lushness that is not present on the distant lands of Luna. Unfortunately, Gasolina and Atom would tell the Ancient Ones of wealth that might be gained by abusing the Blessed Mother. It was in this way that the Great Empire of Usa entered the Age of Hedonism that would only end when they committed the Greater Sin.​

 

[CountPeter]

Actually wanted to create a thread about left hand theology/religion and its potential, including how radically "Satanist" style religions could be from each other.

Latter Day Satanism: a rebellious movent in a Mormon majority USA

An offshoot of the LDS Church, a radical theology that believes Mormon Satan was correct in the war of words and was the true saviour. Advocates of totalitarianism on a theological level, the Latter Day Satanists are an illegal religion in many countries today due to their sponsoring of terrorist activities; a religion which takes 1984 and argues that it was too libertarian.


Yaldabaothism: a satanism for a gnostic dominated Christianity.

As opposed to Gnosticism, Yaldabaothism takes a radically materialist stance on faith and is in active opposition to gnosis. Known as Yabites for short, Yabites advocate a radical ecology, similar to Gaia theory but for the cosmos at hand. The material world is seen as a paradise that is harmed by people not accepting the world for what it is (I.e. love of money) and the ultimate sin being a desire to leave the material world.

 

[WotanArgead]

Beliefs and Cults - MDXXII ab Urbe condita
Part One - Western Europe​

Mithraism - system of beliefs derived from the syncretism of the pre-Zoroastrian beliefs with the Roman Cult with elements of the Chaldean mysticism. This teaching is based on the belief that the followers of Mithra will receive cleansing from sins and bliss in the afterlife.

The basis is the following legend - Jupiter ordered to catch and sacrifice the sacred bull. When the bull was caught and stabbed, all herbs and trees grew from his body, wheat from the spinal cord, and the vine from the blood. And from the bovine seed there were animals. It is the legend of the confrontation between Mithras and the bull that is dedicated to the bas-reliefs that were in every Mithraic sanctuary.

The first three steps are called "Servants". These included "Raven", "Hidden" and "Warrior". They were under the planetary protection of Mercury, Venus and Mars respectively.
Higher ranks are called "Participants". They belong to the "Lions", which were under the auspices of Jupiter. They follow the sacred fire and the preparation of a meal, which was analogous to the feast of Mithras, when bread and wine were eaten on the Sun chariot. "Persian" - the next high level of hierarchy, which is protected by the moon, symbolizing the destruction of the lower aspects of human nature. "The Solar envoy" is under the sign of the Sun, its attributes were a radiant crown and a torch. A priest of this rank is clothed in red robes - the colors of blood, the sun and fire. During the holy meal, he acts as the Sun and sat next to the incarnation of Mithras. At the top of the hierarchy is the "Father", patronized by Saturn. He wears a Phrygian cap, a ring and a rod as a symbol of spiritual authority. "Father of the Fathers" is the supreme priest of religion.

In addition to Mithras, the following gods are worshiped:

• Apollo (Belenus, Atepomarus, Moritasgus, Borvo, Grannus) - the god of arts, light and healing
• Mars (Lenus, Teiws, Tīw, Ziu, Nodens) - the god of war
• Diana - the goddess of hunting, moon and fertility
• Minevra (Sulis, Belisama, Senuna, Coventina, Icovellauna, Sequana) - the goddess of wisdom and war
• Venus (Murcia, Frouwa) - the goddess of love and beauty
• Juno ((Frīg, Frīja, Frike, Freke, Frea, Suleviae) - the goddess of birth and life
• Mercury (Wōden, Wōdan, Wuotan) - God is the conductor between the worlds. Patron of knowledge.
• Vulcan (Gobannos) - the God of Fire
• Ceres (Cybele) is the goddess of fertility. Wife of Mitra.
• Jupiter (Taranis, Brixianus, Þunor, Donar) - Heavenly ruler and King of the Gods.
• Neptune - the god of the seas

This belief is dominant in Lombard Italy and Iberia. As an ally, Mithra is revered by Frankish kings. A very simplified version of this belief is distributed among the Anglo-Saxons, the Welsh, the Britons, and the Bavarians.

In these regions there are much less structured cults - for example, the Cult of the Goddess Epona - the daughter of Neptune, the beautiful and fast-moving housewife of horses. Despite the incredible popularity of the Goddess, she does not have a strict temple hierarchy, not sophisticated theology. In fact, this is a rural cult.

Despite the destruction of the Romano-British culture by the Anglo-Saxons, in the depths of Albion there are many traces of the arrival of the Romans. One of them was the cult of Therapeutae. This cult originated in the Middle East, and was brought to the Islands by Roman legionaries. Servants of the cult recognize Zeus-Oramazd as the only god of worthy worship. In their personal lives, they preach modesty and death, which is reflected in the rural poor. This cult received a lot from Buddhism and Judaism.

The Gaels of Ireland and Piktland still worship their old gods. The cult has not yet acquired clear outlines, but the central deities are -

• Dagda - "Good God". Associated with health, fertility, and magical power
• Meadow - the God of the Sun and the Arts.
• Nuadah - the God of War
• Brigid - the triple goddess of Fire, Poetry and Blacksmithing
• Manannan Mac Lir - God of the sea, as well as the Otherworld
• Morrigan, Badb and Nemane - Triple Goddess of War
• Dian Kecht - God of healing, who created a new hand for Nuad.
• Oghma - the God of eloquence

 

[water123]

Christus Invictus

In an ATL, Christianity becomes increasingly Henotheistic as a response to slower growth early on, accepting that the Trinity is one out of many gods. However, this leads to a reactionary movement within Christianity. This movement says that the Trinity is actually the most powerful god, and that the other gods essentially were interdimensional interloopers who set up shop to parasite off of human prayer. Christ came into the world under a thin guise of humility. He did not come into the world to save us from our sins. On the contrary, He came into the world to kill the rest of the gods who were interfering with humanity. During the decent into Hades, Christ viciously slaughtered every single other god, and built a great kingdom out of their power. Thus, sin is not caused by Satan, who is seen as a minor spirit who, while still fallen, ultimately is insignificant. Sin is actually because of the residual powers of the dead gods. To achieve salvation, one must convert 3 heathens or kill one. This has lead to Christianity being seen as a bloodthirsty and brutal religion, and has burned it's way across continents and seas.

 

[ArchimedesCircle]

Alexandrianism

Core Beliefs

Alexandrianism is a polytheistic messianic faith centered around the worship of the sky god Amon-Zeus and his son Megas Alexandros. The religion, an evolution of the Macedonian imperial cult, incorporates elements of Greek, Babylonian, Assyrian, Egyptian and Indian polytheism, as well as Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Neoplatonism and Buddhism. The primary tenets of the faith are that Amon-Zeus saw the chaos engulfing mankind and wished to send an emissary to earth to guide them. He sent his wife Hera-Olympias to earth to take the form of a mortal woman and wed Phillip II. Hera-Olympias birthed several demigod children for Phillip before Amon-Zeus returned to her and impregnated her once more, this time with a truly divine child- Megas Alexandros. Megas Alexandros attempted to unite humanity and lead them into a utopian future where all were enlightened in Monadic union. But in his journey to the east he was tricked by the gods of evil and entropy, Set and Kronos-Apep. Through their trickery the two gods slew Megas Alexandros' mortal body, but in the moment of his death Megas Aelxandros achieved enlightenment and united himself with the Primordial Monad, beating back the gods of evil and their demons. Megas Alexandros then ascended to Olympus to reign at his father's side, destined to return to earth at humanity's darkest hour and lead mankind to a true utopia.

History

Alexandrianism began with the vast conquests of its namesake Alexander the Great. Alexander had already proclaimed himself the son of Zeus or Amon before his ill fated Indian campaign. During the Indian campaign the Macedonian army was defeated at the Battle of Ganga, with no survivors returning to the Macedonian Empire to tell of the defeat. Alexander was never seen again. Hephaistion, who had not been a participant nor witness to the battle returned to Babylon and took control of the empire alongside Krateros and Seleucus as co-rulers. Following a civil war which the 'Babylonian Triumvirate' won, the three generals began promoting the idea that Alexander, who they claimed had appointed them to the throne, had indeed been a god. The messianic attributes came shortly after. Alexander would one day return, so the triumvirate wasn't usurping the throne, they were simply acting as placeholders. Hephaistion died without an heir, but the only daughter of Krateros and the son of Seleucus married, uniting the remaining two ruling dynasties into one. The kings of this line continued to promote the idea that Alexander the god had appointed their family to rule the world in his absence, to the point that even as imperial rule declined in many areas the idea of Alexander's divinity remained. Over time the Buddhist and Neoplatonic philosophies that had emerged on opposite sides of the empire met and mixed in Babylon, combining with the Zoroastrian faith and the Alexandrian cult. Although Alexandrianism mostly died out in Persia after it became independent from the Macedonian empire, the faith spread throughout the Mediterranean and Black seas through trade and conquest, and continues to be a major presence in the west today.

(Some of) The Gods

The Absolute/ The Primordial Monad: The first and primary divinity, who created the universe through its emanations. It is unaware of the material world and can only be contacted by achieving enlightenment, through which humans can achieve the powers of gods.

Amon-Zeus: The god of the sun, light, justice, rulership, wind and creation. He is one the most powerful emanations of the Absolute and is locked in unending struggle with Kronos-Apep. The most important god of the expansive pantheon of Alexandrianism.

Megas Alexandros: The god of humanity, preservation, hope and authority. He represents all that humanity can aspire to, to reach enlightenment and become godlike. He preserves the universe by opposing Kronos-Apep.

Hera-Olympias: The wife of Amon-Zeus and mother of Megas Alexandros. The goddess of marriage, fertility, childbirth, compassion and water, she took on the form of a mortal woman to birth Megas Alexandros.

Kronos-Apep: The devourer of time, god of entropy. A being who wishes to consume the souls of humanity and is only stopped by Amon-Zeus and Megas Alexandros. In some sects of Alexandrianism he is seen as an incarnation of the void that preceded the creation of the universe.

Set: The god of evil, trickery and traitors. He turned against humanity and was corrupted by Kronos-Apep.

Lord Hades and Lady Hecate Eresh: The husband and wife god and goddess of the afterlife, wealth and magic.

Mithrashur: The god of war and conquest, he was once a feral demon who ruled over the deserts near Babylon, but was tamed by Megas Alexandros before his ascension, which allowed Megas Alexandros to create his great empire.

Holy Sites

Olympus: The home of the gods in the west.

Alexandria, Egypt: The first city founded by Megas Alexandros, and his favorite city west of Babylon.

Issus: Where the truth of Megas Alexandros' divinity was revealed.

Pellas: The city where Megas Alexandros was raised as a mortal by the goddess Hera-Olympias.

Babylon: The center of the world, according to ancient and medieval Alexandrian theo-geography. Considered the holiest city among Alexandrians, it is the site of Megas Alexandros' throne, which still sits waiting for the god king's return, as well as the empty tomb built by the Babylonian Triumvirate in honor of their commander.

The Ganges River: The river on whose banks Megas Alexandros lost his mortal body. Because the site of the battle was unknown until revealed by modern archaeology, the river itself is considered holy to Alexandrians.

 

[wadebirdwhistle]

This is an excellent thread...


Bump!

 

[Timaeus]

Hm. I've seen a couple of ideas that'd be interesting, like a Tocharo-Hellenic pantheon of Zosyneia/Joseon after its conquest by Alexander, or a native Latin monotheism based upon the worship of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.

And there's always the other ideas, like monotheistic Ashurism and the worship of a native Israelite pantheon.

 

[JorgeGG]

The Cult of Prometheus is a deist belief started immediately after the French Revolution. Its symbol is the Flaming Eye of Providence.

Basic Tenets
It believes in naturalistic pantheism that can be explained by the use of observation, reason and science. Its premise is based on the myth of Prometheus giving Humanity the gift of Fire. This myth is interpreted as being the messenger and first teacher of observation, reason, argument and knowledge.

Its Wise Enlighteners, as the precursors of the cult are called, are the philosophers of the Enlightenment and all deist and or materialistic philosophers. It considers as martyrs of Prometheus all of those prosecuted for heresy by the Church.

They object the idea of personal sin of divine guidance believing that all individuals are judges of their acts as long as these do not destroy the person (i.e. kill another human being) nor enslave or prevent from exercising its free will and pursuit of reason and happiness. Suicide is a personal act that is not wrongful in itself. Prometheism holds in high regard the ideas of Epicureanism and take as the ideal behavior of its members.

The immortality of the soul or its transmigration (metempsychosis) is still a subject of debate due to no tangible scientific evidence. Prometheism is divided in three camps. Those that uphold both beliefs, either one of them and those that deny it.

Also due to the wide range of contradictory premises written or taught by deist and materialist philosophers there exist several internal brotherhoods or unions that adhere to some modified forms or combination of these premises and th1eir practical implications in daily life.

Rites
All men and women that adhere to this Basic Tenets can become acolytes. To become a member a candidate to acolyte must pass a brief exposition of the Basic Tenets and after it declare outloud to the community the Adherence to Prometheus (I believe there is a Deity in the Know Universe that created it and left to its creations to govern it and learn from its creations. I believe that I can know the workings of his creation by means of observation, my mind, experimentation and learning.)

Organization.
The cult does not believe in a ordained hierarchical priesthood or anything similar. Its lecturers and orators assemble in the Atheneums with the community of acolytes. The community elects its lecturers and orators from a list licensed individuals provided by the elected Atheneum Governance. The Athenaeum also provide for libraries, classrooms and space for communal meals. All forms of religious liturgy or similar are disregarded or ignored. Thought in its beginnings it use liturgical services in the communal gatherings of the Athenaeums, that are now considered incorrect, shameful, ridicule and a remaining trait of superstitious beliefs.

The Rite of Passage and Beginning of Self Discovery from childhood to adulthood is an important event done before the assembly of the Atheneum at the age of 14 were boys and girls recite the Adherence to Prometheus, the Oath of Self Identity and Individuality and take a new name (and optionally a new last name) of their choosing.

Local Atheneum Governances gather in District or League Synods to elect their central authorities. Doctrinal definition is left to local Athenaeums. There have been cases of schism were rival groups gather in separate local Athenaeums or hold meetings in different schedules.

The Travellers are in charge proselytize the non acolytes, specially in regions outside the influence of European civilization (i.e. Africa, Americas, Asia and Australasia). Its acolytes must engage to fight superstitious belief with the use of reason, knowledge and skepticism. They also must teach non acolytes or non followers in the basic tenants of the Cult. They must also teach to read, write and the 4 basic mathematical operations to non believers and acolytes and their children.

In accordance with the Epicureanism women and men established self sufficient communities (Elysium) that seek the Basic Tenants within a simple and frugal lifestyle that lead to ataraxia by means of cooperation and pursuit of knowledge and happiness.

Its celebrates the equinoxes and solstices in Festivals. Communal gatherings are done in Sundays but more out of practical and social customs and conventions them for a rational motive.

 

[WotanArgead]

Beliefs and Cults - MDXXII ab Urbe condita
Part Two - Roman Empire in Nicomedia​

The Eastern Roman Empire, after experiencing the Barbaric Invasions, could prove to be a worthy successor to the State of the Caesars. The Nicomedian possessions stretched from Chersonesus to Elephantine, from the Euphrates to Gibraltar. However, many people notice that the Hellenistic cultural component dominates in the Empire, and judicial proceedings are often conducted in Aramaic, Coptic, and other dialects. In such a power there was a place for different cults and beliefs.

The Supreme Deities of the Empire are Isis and Serapis. The cult of Isis originated in Ancient Egypt, where she was revered as the goddess of fertility, motherhood and wisdom. Serapis by its appearance is due to the Ptolemies and Alexandria, where the cult is based on the identification of Osiris-Apis with Dionysus and Hades. An important point in this cult is that Isis and Serapis are not creators of the universe, but its guardians and supervisors and merciful teachers of mankind.

So in Egypt, revered Harpocrates - the son of the Divine Couple, the god of silence and mystery, and Hermanubis - the god-guide of the souls of the dead. Palmyra is the center for the cult of the "Aramaic Trinity" - Malakbel (the Sun), Aglibôl (Moon), and Yarhibol (Morning Star). Arabs who live in Palestine and Egypt worship Al-Lat. Carthage is patronized by Tanith, the daughter of Isis.

The Berbers living in the province of Africa worship the tribal Deities. The most important of them is Idir.

The Ants who settled in Thrace and Illyria have many gods - most often mention Perin, Volos, and Svarozic. And in the very north of Thrace, near the Istra River, the Turk-Bulgars serve as federates, the shamans of whom speak with the Spirits and the Sky themselves.

There are two cults that worship only their gods - the Aletheist, who are considered the only god of Zeus-Ahuramazda, and all others only his servants (the majority of followers in the Nicomedia Empire are the Cilician Armenians). And in Tauris and Asia Minor there are many followers of "God the Most High" (Syncretic deity based on Yahweh, Zeus and Sabazios).

 

[Jan Olbracht]

I wondered about development of Judaism in 'No Christianity World'. Hellenistic Judaism should fare better ITTL without Christian competition. Maybe there would be schism later between Hellenistic and traditionalist Judaism, with former adopting Septuaginta as cannon and being heavy influenced by Greek philisophy and the latter just taking path of OTL Judaism.

 

[piratedude]

Couldn't resist

 

[WotanArgead]

I wondered about development of Judaism in 'No Christianity World'. Hellenistic Judaism should fare better ITTL without Christian competition. Maybe there would be schism later between Hellenistic and traditionalist Judaism, with former adopting Septuaginta as cannon and being heavy influenced by Greek philisophy and the latter just taking path of OTL Judaism.

I mentioned the real case of Hellenic-Jewish syncretism.

 

[JorgeGG]

(from the Manual of Things To Be Aware Of)

The Hand of Eris, an anormalty and heretic offshoot of the Cult of Prometheus. Its impious followers disbelieve and actively descredit all the Tenets of Prometheism stands for. They indulge, it is said, in the psychotic belief that the Deity cares and intervenes in behalf of Humanity. They reason, or rather vigorously pursuit, that chaos, randomness, immediate sensibility (The irrational apprehension of things that true acolytes must apart themselves from) and selfishes are acts that the Deity favours and rewards. They can engage in the most gruesome acts such as gluttony, merry dancing in public spaces with no purpose, hysteria, lying, unconstructive idleness and drinking, and sick romanticism. They advocate the discipline and practice to speak out the first thing that comes out of their feverish and irrational minds. If they gather enough interest in using the gift of invention it is indulge in needless tasks and amusements that do not promote the understanding of nature such as stamp or bottle collecting. Be aware that the reading fantastic literature or religious texts, arhythmic music creation or listening and idle chat are first signs of this anomaly.

They assemblies are know to be cacophony of voices interrupting its lecturers and orators. They meet in places of ill reputation and non enlighten temperance such as pubs and bars.

 

[CountDVB]

Tenjri (Teŋri) Christianity

Tenjri Cross

Summary

The dominant form of Christianity in Asia, Tenjri Christianity is a branch of Christianity split from Eastern Orthodox as a result of those beliefs mixing in with Tengri beliefs and later Protestant faiths. Historians trace the formal routes of the religion when Ghengis Khan ended up converting into Christianity after having his life saved by a caravan of Orthodox preists. The Tengri faiths and beliefs were formalized and changed to fit into the Orthodox cosmology, with the Christian God being equated to Tengri. Furhter additions included that Jesus' mother Mary was actually an earthly incarnation of the Earth mother and that Joshua was viewed as a celestial caretaker that connected them while Jesus himself was the caretaker of humanity, the perfect mix of humans and the spirits. Ancestor spirits became mixed with the concept of guardian angels and most of the lesser Tengrist deities became archangels or equivalent forces.

Primary Deities- The Holy Trinity

Tanrirod- The name used for the Abrahamic god in Tenjri Christianity; formed from a combination of Tanri (sky father) and the old Slavic supreme god (God). Yawheh and the ruler of the infinite heavens. Was referred to as the Tengerkhagan as well.

Ejemeri- The name for the Earth mother, specifically for that of her earthly avatar, the mother of the savior, Jesus. Meri (Adopted from Mary) was used to often to name female children.

Ulgen Yesus- The name for the man-god and viewed as the champion of humanity and the savior. He is also given the title Khonichdyn Khagan or king of shepards.

Church Information

The main symbol of Tenjri Christianity is the Tengri cross, which resembles the Tengri tree of life, but with a horiztonal cross beam below the "branches." It is usually hung in banners though in the larger churches, it is carved out of stone or wood.

The male and female shamans maintained their traditional role in preaching to the people and communicating to the people. Each shaman was the religious head of their church along with a few students and apprentices. However, the Tenjri church would borrow a few more elements from their western neighbors, including the concept of patriarchs/matriarchs in the form of Böökhan and Udgankhatun respectably. While initially appointed by the Khan of the nation to represent them spiritually, it has shifted into them being elected by a council of various shaman from across their nation to represent national Church (for example, the Böökhan of the Tatar Tenjri Church.)

The holy book is a modified version of the Irk Bitig, combined with various Biblical verses, namely the new Testament with the Old Testament being replaced with the traditional Turkic folklore. It was traditionally written in Orkhon script, though is now available in various other scripts for people to read, including English. In addition, there are additional books containing songs and even pictures of dance among other traditions that serves as a supplemental holy book.

Religious Influence

Tenjri Christianity stood out amongst its fellow Christian paths for where it was based on yet the common ground of Christianity helped give it prominence and influence. Due to steppe influence, women were held in higher societal status than most other Eastern Asian religions and even other forms of Christianity. This provided them a benefit of having many women converting, with some rising to prominence on the battlefield and the court. This newfound form of power for women led some to be more ambitious and promote for more equal treatment, such as caring for livestock and horses, often invoking Ejemeri as a reason. This would pay off when Tenjri Christian nations would indeed be among the first to polticially have men and women of equal status (though another pragmatic reason was as a result of the loss of menfolk in wars with Islamic nations for control of Central Asia.)

Another one was the meritocracy within the system. Preached heavily by Ghengis Khan, Tenji Christianity incorporated the rejection of noblility and the rise through one's own work, regardless of background. This sentiment resonated heavily amongst many lower class people and led to numerous conversions, especially outside of Central Asia. While this caused greater clashes in most of Europe due to the threat of noble status, some European nations approved of it, if for political reasons. Other heavy amounts of conversions including in the Indian subcontinent, especially during the Mughal reign as many of the lower castes sought to escape it through conversation. Furthermore, this was forcibly tolerated due to Tenjri Christianity's alliance with the Hindus in clash against Islam.

A third influence coming from Tenjri Christianity, albeit a far more subtle one, was on syncrenating faiths. Despite the Christian rhetoric and adaptation, it still contained much of the old ways, if different enough to have it stand out compared to the traditional beliefs. This pragmatic approach would be adopted by some of the people Tenjri Christian preachers would meet, such as the Inuit people over in the Yukon, who formed their own variation of Protestantism from based on Tenjri explorers.

Viewpoints and relations with Other Religions

Other Christians- Tenjri Christianity does not usually clash against other religions, with the Crusades against Islam being more political than anything else. While it initially had a harsher relationship with the Eastern Orthodox Church due to the "Eastern Schism", they are on amicable terms nowadays. The Tenjri Christians are on colder terms with the Catholics historically due to the traditions and maintanance of nobility. Tenjri Christians have varying viewpoints on Protestants though in contemporary times, polls show the Quakers are among the most popular and well-known within Tenjri Christian communities. The Tenjri Christians are also close to Oriental Orthodox Churches due to shared background of being storng Churches outside the scope of Europe.

Judiasm- Tenjri Christianity has always had been the most favorable toward the Jewish people, in part because of the history of the Jewish Khazars, and indeed some of the diaspora would end up settling over in Central Asia. This friendship resulted in long-term benefits for Tenjri Christian nations as many Jewish businesses ansd organizarions would often fund projects within those nations which gave them an advantage when competing against Europe or China.

Islam- Islam has a vitrolic history with Tenjri Christianity, if namely for the various battles in wars over in Central Asia. While Islam initially maintained the advantage and dominance, the Tenjri Christian resgurence of the 1700s (as a result of the rising influence of Muscovy) led to them being pushed back out. and Tenjri Christianity regaining dominance in Central Asia though the biggest surprise was in Iran, where Tenjri Christians found an odd ally on Zoroastrian practioners and indeed, various Tenjri Christian mercenaries would fight alongside them which would result in the Iranian Schism.

Other Religions- Besides the aforementioned Zoroastrian alliance, another religion Tenjri Christians get along with were the Sikhs due to being formed from the meeting of different faiths as well as their historical connections and rather relaxed stance on practices. Also on being able to boast having the greatest number of female warriors compared to most other religions. In contrast, Tenjri Christianity has a complicated relationship with the Indian sub-continent. While there is positives, such as their mutual history against Islam, the Tenjri Christian's rejection of the caste system was a provoking point for many conservative Hindis. Buddhists and Taoists have positive relations with the Tenjri Christians though.

Major & Minor Nations

The following nations have a majority of Tenjri Christians and historical ties and influence in their population:

• The Khaganate of Mongolia
• The Kingdom of Manchuria
• The Khaganate of Buryatia
• The Siberian Federation
• The Kazan Khanate
• The Electoral Khanate of the Balkans
  
• The Alyeskan Republic
• The Khanate of Tatarstan

The following nations have a minority of Tenjri Christians, but said minority are a significiant one in terms of population and cultural/historical influence:

• The Commonwealth of Rus
  
• The Kingdom of New Iran
• The Republic of China
• The Maharajdom of Khalistan
• The Maharajdom of Bharat

 

[ArchimedesCircle]

Adamism

History
Adamism, also known as Primordialism, Antediluvianism, Noachism emerged during the enlightenment as a reaction to the growing questioning of Christianity's beliefs and tenets. The faith was originally proposed by the philosopher Benedict Drachmann, in his book Musing on the Natures of our Forefathers. in which he called for people to return to the religion practiced by the antediluvian patriarchs, claiming it to be 'most natural and instinctual of faiths'. For the next several decades the faith remained small, practiced mostly by elite philosophers and scholars. It was not until the Westphalian Revolution in 1786 that the faith began to truly spread. One of the architects of the revolution was the philosopher Johan Diedrich, a student of. Benedict Drachmann. Diedrich utilized the anti-clerical feelings that had permeated Westphalian society in decades since the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire to spread the gospel of Adamism throughout the arch-bishopric turned revolutionary republic. Many of the burghers allied with Diedrich in his anti-Christian crusade and used Adamism as a pretense to seize the church property. As the revolution began to run out of steam and lose to the counterattacks from France and Denmark, many of the wealthier followers of Adamism, including Diedrich himself, fled Westphalia to continue preaching in England or the Americas. After the revolution's failure Adamism was somewhat discredited. Though it is still practiced by hundreds of thousands of people today, it was never again seen as a serious threat to Christianity, and the stain of the revolution has yet to be forgotten.

Beliefs
At its heart the idea of Adamism is a rejection of the tenets of Judaism and Christianity in favor of living simply by the Seven Laws of Noah. The faith incorporates some aspects of deism, believing that God only interfered majorly on earth twice- once to create it and once to cause the flood. Adamists believe that God's only covenant was with Noah, not with Abraham. After the discovery of the dead sea scrolls, certain aspects of said scrolls were incorporated into the religion. The religion's holy text is The Book of Adam, which incorporates the pre-Abrahamic portions of Genesis, as well as the Book of Enoch and fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls. The holiest day in the religion is September 1st, which is held to be the date the world was created.

 

[CountPeter]

Druidic Christianity

With the collapse of roman authority to keep the church united, the Irish Celtic Church gained prominence across the British Islands. The Book of Invasions, a somewhat popular but apocryphal book within the Celtic church would begin to work its way into the canon, eventually forming a dualistic (but non oppositional) Christianity that retained much of the pre-christian elements of Irish religion.

 

[Augenis]

A man's attempt at a "reformed" Baltic religion surviving to present day.

Dievturyba (lit. "Dievas-having") is an ancient, polytheistic religion prevalent in the Eastern Baltic Region which traces its roots to the ancient Baltic polytheistic faith. It encompasses the religion, philosophy and culture of the Baltic people, and is the official religion in the country of Lietuva. Dievturyba encompasses a wide variety of texts (most notable of them being the Codes of Romuva, dating from the 14th century), oral and written mythos, traditions, practices and a pantheon of gods, centered around the supreme god Dievas (Andajus) and the trinity of Perkūnas, Žemyna and Velinas. With between 16 to 18 million adherents worldwide, Dievturyba is the tenth largest religion in the world.

The history of Dievturyba spans over 3000 years, and the religion traces its roots from ancient Proto-Indo-European religious practices - however, with millennia of reforms and religious centralization, especially during the 13th and 14th centuries, where it coincided with the centralization of the state of Lietuva and the initative of the House of Gediminas to codify the faith, it has undergone major changes in comparison to the reconstructed ancient Baltic mythology. The relative isolation of the Baltic peoples throughout most of European history as well as the very limited influence other religions have had on the region has led many researchers to classify Lietuvans as an ethnoreligious group. Dievturyba has played and still plays an important part in Lietuvan ethnic identity. Roughly 87% of the world's Dievturi reside in Lietuva, with the rest scattered across the rest of the world in Europe, Asia and North America.

Pantheon

Much of the Dievturi pantheon hails directly from inherited Proto-Indo-European traditions, however, religious reforms have led to the simplification of the pantheon. Deities of various household activities or minor jobs, such as Bibčių Bobelis (ancient god of gardens), Bubilas (god of bees), Javinė (goddess of grain storing) and others have either been removed from canon or reduced to non-divine beings.

Dievas (referred to in his primordial form as Andajus) is the supreme deity of the Dievturi pantheon and the creator of the world, mentioned in written sources since the 12th century and confirmed as the supreme deity by the Codes of Romuva. Similarly to other creation myths, Andajus, back then a primordial, conceptual being, formed the world from an endless ocean, at the same time creating Velinas from a spark of flint as well as setting the fate of the world. Predetermined fate, created by Andajus and later weaved by Laima, the goddess of fate, for every newborn, is a major theme in Dievturi mythology. In the form of Dievas, a travelling wise man, Andajus continues affecting the world to this day, and his blessing is gained though complex sacrifices during the summer solstice, in the day known as Rasos.

Perkūnas is the god of thunder, war, justice and fertility, and plays a very important role in Dievturi mythology, to the point where the 15th century nearly saw a creation of Baltic monotheism with him as the primary god. Perkūnas represents order, and much of the mythology where he plays a role involves clashes with Velinas, who is considered to be a representation of chaos. It is believed that he controls the weather, the rain and the thunder, to fertilize the land for agriculture. His symbol is the handaxe, and he is often represented with a chariot and a red, copper beard. Sacrifice and prayer to Perkūnas takes place in the early spring, and is usually held in the Temple of Perkūnas in Kernavė.

Velinas is the god of the underworld, Dausos, and reigns over the dead, underground treasure, magic, herbalism and knowledge. He is considered to be a representation of chaos and is frequently described as clashing with Perkūnas, who represents order. While his description in Dievturi mythology is generally negative, it is also understood that both order and chaos are necessary for the continuation of the world, and as such, neither Perkūnas nor Velinas prevail over each other. Velinas employs various mythological creatures - kaukai, household spirits; barstukai, underground creatures who lend money; laumės, witch-like anthropomorphic beings; and Giltinė, the goddess of death - to test the faith of humans. Usually, in mythos, Velinas appears in various zoomorphic forms - as a crow, duck, cat, fox, snake or grass snake (žaltys, a divine creature in Dievturi religion).

Žemyna is the wife of Perkūnas and the embodiment of the earth. The importance of Žemyna varies from myth to myth - sometimes, she is described as a being more powerful than all of the other gods, while in others, her role is reduced to that of a mere goddess of the earth. The cult of Žemyna is especially important for farmers, and sacrifices to gain her blessing are usually done before every major agricultural work.

Teliavelis is the god of crafting and known most notably as the crafter of the Sun, which is described as being pulled across the sky by two Sun twins.

Many other deities also exist throughot the Dievturi pantheon with various degrees of importance and impact.

 

[XFE]

The Church of the Heavenly Emperor​

The Great Seige of Tianjing, 1865​

By right of heaven, the Imperial edict decrees: The Council of Tianjing has made it so that the many beliefs of Huaxia shall be made one, and the revelation bequeathed to the Elder Son, the Lord of Nine Thousand Years put to pen. To vanquish heresy across the great and glorious realm of Yehehua’s chosen nation, the Holy Order of the Silk-Clad Inquisition is bequeathed the power to purify the corruption that has befallen the nation. Treat your parents with piety; respect your elders and superiors; live at peace in your villages; instruct your children and grandchildren; make your living peacefully; commit no wrong. Live in accordance with the Testament of the Great Peace and heresy shall not befall you.

The Church of the Heavenly Emperor, also known as the God Worshipper’s Society in her earlier days is the dominant Chinese Christian order. With 560 Million adherents in China as well as in Han communities across the Pacific Rim and Southeast Asia, it is the second largest Christian denomination in the world behind the Latin Church of Rome, and the largest in East Asia.


History
Founded in the wake of the Elder Son Hong Xiuquan’s Taiping Revolution, the Cult of the God Worshippers is the state religion of the Motherland, the Heavenly Kingdom of the Great Peace, sole inheritor to Christianity as it was first conceived. [FN1]

The Testament of the Great Peace writes that after failure in the imperial exams of the corrupt Manchu Empire, the Elder Son would fall grievously ill, coming to the brink of death in bouts of fever. A poor scholar from far-off Canton, the Son could not afford a doctor, with the only console he had being quotes from scriptures obtained from Western Missionaries proselytizing in the province. Falling into a coma for a week, the Son awoke refreshed.

The Elder Son proclaimed a vision from the Heavenly Emperor Yahweh, where an elderly, bearded man, flanked by a white skinned youth with flowing hair offered him the Sword of the State, a symbol of his holy mandate to reclaim China from the corruption of false idols. Naming him his lost elder son, the bearded man would then show him great and unimaginable visions, which the Elder Son would pen into the Testament of the Great Peace.

By rallying the support of an oft disillusioned populace, the Church would emerge as a serious rebellion against the Qing Government in 1865. As the bloodiest conflict of the 19th Century, the Taiping Revolution saw a once-mighty China plunged into chaos and anarchy, and an imperial government thought invincible but 30 years ago brought to her very knees. The Revolution was however stopped in its tracks at the gates of Peking by the Great Flood of 1873, with the Yellow River flooding much of Northern China, cutting off supplies and entrapping the vast majority of the expedition’s forces.

It would come to light following the retreat and consolidation of revolutionary forces that in the midst of the expedition, the North King, defacto commander of the armed forces and Custodian of the Holy Realm had amassed a great deal of power, losing sight of the cause and letting himself be lost to the forces of corruption, even seeking to proclaim himself emperor by taking control of the Elder Son’s rightful powers as Emperor. Hence, in the 26th Year of the Second Revelation, Crown Prince Hong Tianguifu would launch a coup against the North King, securing the prosperity and purity of our Great Empire.

It would come to pass that in the 34th Year of the Second Revelation, in the midst of an invasion by the vile forces of the Manchu heathens and their misguided minions that the Elder Son would join the side of the Heavenly Emperor and the Latter Son. After 3 months of national mourning, the Crown Prince would take the throne as King Yongsheng, appointed of the Heavenly Emperor himself.

Following his ascension, King Yongsheng would convene the Council of Tianjing, ordering the clergy of the realm—then numbering no more than 200 holy men—to review texts penned by prophets within and without China. From the Prophet Muhemode to Elayah and Yesu, the false and corrupt was separated from the true and pure, creating the Church as we know it today.


Basic Tenants
The Church preaches the great truth as it was revealed to prophets across the world since ancient times. It is the belief of the Church that its mission was spawned from the failure of the prophets of the East during the time of the Warring States even before the time of the Latter Son.

The Eastern prophets had been the chosen to spread the word amongst the Asians, but failed before the vile Confucius and doomed millions to disbelief and damnation. It is said that Confucius stole and warped the works of the Eastern Prophets for himself, including ancient and old concepts of the Mandate of Heaven [FN2], the cyclic nature of mankind, the duality of sin and good, and the existence of a heavenly deity, known to Chinese tradition as “Tian”, or “Heaven”.

As the final prophet to come before Armageddon, the Elder Son has put an end to the cycle of rise and fall within mankind, and the very last King of the Heavenly Kingdom is destined to open the gates to judgment once the peoples of the world have been converted to the one true faith.


The Heavenly Powers
The Heavenly Emperor, Yehehua, Pangu, Lord of Ten Thousand Years: As creator of the world, Yehehua, known in the Dukedom of Pingnanguo as “Allah” is a being of unparalleled power. Once known as the giant Pangu, he created all that there is from his form, ending Pangu’s soul and forging countless others. He rules over the Empire of the Heavens, and has watched over the world for time immemorial, intervening sparingly only when satanic forces corrupt the hearts of men. Pangu created the heavens from his mortal body, the Heavenly spirit from his heart and his two sons from his two eyes, as such he is often depicted as a blind man upon a throne of clouds. On the Day of Judgement, his many forms will reunite into the ancient form of Pangu and rule over all his creations.

The Elder Son, Lord of Nine Thousand Years, King Gaozu: The Heavenly Emperor’s last and greatest messenger, he was sent to the realm of mortals ignorant, only to emerge all-knowing when his time came. Intelligent, powerful and just, he is the epitome of man but slightly inferior to the Latter Son in godlike awe. He heads the Eastern Prophets in their mission to spread the word amongst the realms of Hindustan, Cathay and Tartary. He is often depicted as a stern, Mongoloid man seated upon a throne of dragons, bearing with him the Sword of the State. According to the followers of the Bishopric of Wuhan, His other incarnations include the Yellow Emperor, Guan Yu and Yue Fei.

The Latter Son, Lord Yesu: The Heavenly Emperor’s younger son, he was sent to the realm of mortals all-knowing, dying for the sins of man. Unfortunately, the peoples of the West strayed from His teachings of compassion and love, devolving into cruelty and vileness. He is equally man and equally God, perfect in both. He heads the Western prophets in their mission to spread the word amongst the realms of Persia, Ruthenia and Daqin. He is often depicted as a youthful, white robed man with a crown of thorns and a throne of wood. He is symbolized by Sichuanese sects with the Yin-Yang Duality.

Heaven, Spirit of the Spring and Autumn: A creation borne from Pangu’s heart, he is represented in nature and the elements, all present and all seeing. Often misinterpreted by pagans as animistic deities, he has a great many names in cultures far and wide, from Tengri to Nahuatl, and from Neptune to Ahura Mazda. He is the most active of the Gods, manifesting to the simple mortal should they be just and virtuous, yet never proclaiming his existence with extravagant displays like the Emperor and his sons. He is last in line for worship, and is served only in the annual prayers for harvest by the Appointed Emperor of the Heavenly Kingdom.


Mortal Beings
The Appointed Emperor, Lord of Ten Thousand Years, King Shengli: The incarnation of God’s will in the mortal realm, there have been 6 Kings in the history of the Heavenly Kingdom. Each rules according to the will of heaven, and is God’s prime agent upon Earth. He leads the Church and State as undisputed ruler, and determines the fate of millions by each of his decrees as was originally intended by God through the appointing of Popes in the West, further contrasting the purity of the Church’s teachings against the deviancy of the Western devils. As each Emperor passes, his spirit ascends to the heaven and joins the ranks of the Eastern prophets.

The Eastern Prophets: Spreaders of God’s will in the East, there are 12 of them in total, their names unknown for they were forced into exile and silence after the failure of their mission. They are commemorated in the Hall of Saints within the Forbidden City of Tianjing.

The Western Prophets: Spreaders of God’s will in the West, they are holy men, many deemed saints for their virtue and martyrdom; and others considered angels by even the heretical Latin Church of Rome. Their teachings would however be warped along the centuries, shattering the unity of the Abrahamic faiths.

Earthly Beings
The Earthly Emperor, Yamarajah-Satan: Once an equal to Yehehua and his great creations, he was banished from the heavens for defying God’s will. He is an evil force who has behind every defeat of faith against unbelief and heresy, having been responsible for the failure of the mission of Prophets both East and West. Through his puppets the Manchu Emperor, he came very close to destroying the Elder Son’s spirit, though good would ultimately triumph. He is often depicted as a beast clad from head to toe in gold, riding a black ox.



Holy Sites
Tianjing: formerly known as Nanjing, it is the capital of God’s kingdom on earth and home to the faithful. Only the most zealous of the Church can live within the vicinity of the imperial palace, uniting the city in praise of the most high.

The Cathedral of King Shuntian: the most magnificent and largest church in the world, it is located in Hangzhou, built by his majesty the 4th Appointed Emperor, Lord of Ten Thousand Years, King Shuntian of the Heavenly Kingdom. Built in a mixture of Chinese, Islamic and Western styles, it is a center of worship, attracting millions of the faithful from across the world each year.

Jintian, Guangxi Hakka Autonomous Governate: Where it all started. The Eldest Son received his revelation in this humble Chinese village, and where his hut was now lies the Cathedral of the Sword, which commemorates the Sword of State gifted to him by the heavenly father.


[FN1]: Unreliable Narrator reporting in.
[FN2]: to justify the inclusion of traditional Chinese beliefs, the Church adopts the belief that traditional Chinese within Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism were in fact Christian in nature.

Comment and criticism very welcome!