"Blessed be the Demiurge for the Great Artisan gave us choice to have will beyond the Source"
"And thus, order is born, rebellion from chaos."
Yaldabaothism
Yaldabaothism is a heretical religion that is an offshoot off of most Western Gnostic religions combined with elements of Neoplatonism and Christianity. Found in around the fourth century, it has since diverged further from Christianity and has become a popular religion in the Western world. It has always been one mired in controversy, for its allegiances to radical movemnts and rebellion, such its connection to communist uprisings over in modern times.
Core Tenets
Yaldabaothism is centered around creation and the celeberation of life within the mortal world. While they do not deny the existence of the spiritual world, they believe that since everyone has come from it and that everyone will return it, the important aspects are of what to do in life. They view the iconoclasm (more specifically religious iconoclasm) as a heresy and going against the way of creation.
While Yaldaboathism does not reject the Monad, they merely acknowledge it rather than embrace it. Instead, they embrace Yaldabaoth, the Great Creator of Mortals. The first born free from the totality of the Monad to create and do with his own will. As such, willpower and choice are considered gifts rendered sacred and actions that force total surrender of will is considered heretical as well. Despite this, Yaldaboathists were also champions of order. They believed through willpower, order was established and that through the harmony of choices, true order can be established. Much how Yaldabaoth was born from chaos to make choice, order was born from the choice to seperate from chaos... their rejection to the return of chaos and rejection of order that were the Gnostics. As such, they also believe that through rebellion, there must come order, otherwise it would be just a cycle of chaos. As such, Yaldabaothism tends to try not to clash with governmenty authority unless said authority starts violating freedoms. Furthermore, actions that lead to the removal of choice such as rape were heavily frowned upon and punishiable by death in the ancient days. In modern times, this has expanded to following the spirit of the law rather than the wording and view deceptive laws or chicanery equal to with just as much harshness. After all, choice made through coercion is not true choice.
Because of the embracement of the material world, Yaldabaothism encourages interction with it. That good thoughts are not enough... the ideas remain only ideas within the soup of chaos until they are given form and life through the artist. Yaldabaoists are encouraged to interact with the world and assist their fellow human beings. Even to the heretics who reject Yaldaboath were to be given assistance. This extended furthermore to go beyond boundries of nations or domains and to help out other children of Yaldaboath. For they were all siblings created from Yaldabaoth.
Gender roles are not specified within Yaldabaothism since any can become an artist, but mothers are given priority above most other creators for being the ones who carry life. Even with the discovery of sperm/egg genetics, the mother beign viewed as the creator of the new mortals was given significant weight and women could just as easy become leaders of Yaldabaothists homes as men could. This became even more prevalant with the induction of Sophia, the Holy Mother, within the canon. Furthermore, children had significance within the Yaldabaothism lore. They were viewed much like Yaldabaoth was viewed at his inception, as the fool. Empty of information yet boundless possibility bounded, like a blank sheet of papyrus. As such, children being educated and supported was a central tenant. Yet, the teachings of the choice and the will meant that children could only choose to be a Yaldabaothist upon them gaining wisdom, the transistion from child to adult. As such, children are not permitted to be Yaldabaothists until they are adults, when they have the proper choice to make. As such, Yaldabaothists tend to be the most lax with secularism and humanism, which helped keep the in good spirits with the modern world. Abortion is surprisingly not frowned upon in Yaldabaothism due to how Yaldabaothism's views on the nature of the soul; that when someone is born, the divine spark does not become a proper soul until they mature past infancy, about a year or two after the child is born. This belief appeared to have sprung from musings over the nature of the soul and on when a person is considered themselves instead of just an animal.
Yaldabaothists do not believe in a heaven or hell per say. Much like from the Gnostics, that their spirit will return to the endless light of the Monad. However, they believe that those who lived glorious and righteous lives will have their lights defy being absorbed by the Monad and before the Monad can absorb them, Samael will guide them away so they will join alongside Yaldaboath in the Zeroth sphere and watched over by Sophia, they will begin crafting a new universe. Furthermore, they believe suffering is the result of failing to fulfill their purpose and life and not walking their path. Heaven and hell do not await them so they must make their own choices to make their life a good one. Suffering is a part of life and that through suffering, they know the good and the bad. They learn the wisdom that Sophia gave them the chance to learn and the Gnostics and their ilk scorn. Suffering is not pleasurable, but it is a part of life. And for those who's creation is prematured, it is believe Yaldabaoath will reforge their soul to give them a better chance in the next life. Reincarnation is not an integral part of Yaldabaothism, but it is believed that all must have their chance to create and so Yaldabaoth will recreate those who's life was taken prematurely from the chaos.
Regarding the end times, Yadaboathists did not emphasis when creation would end since they believe only Sophia and Yaldabaoth would know that. However, it is said that when the last thing is destroyed, then the universe will collapse and the collective knowledge will be gifted to Sophia. This knowledge will make Sophia forever apart from the Monad and his legions. Yet, when she is cast away and the followers of the Monad abandon wisdom for him, she will embraced by her First Creation and take her place at his side. Through her knowledge, Yaldabaoth and his followers will craft the Magnus Mundi, an everlasting perfect world, forever defying the Monad and through its perfection, its own divine light of creation is born from it. And from the Magnus Mundi, each follower will become like Yaldabaoth, becoming creators of worlds.
Church Information
The churches of Yaldabaothism are known as
skafonaoses, coming from the old Greek works of craft and temple. Serving initially as places of worship for Yaldaboath, it also served as places of creation. Chefs, artisans, smiths and many others were welcomed in skafonaoses so they could create to their hearts' content as long as they respected the creation of others. Over time, skafonaoses would also be considered havens for creators on the run, who made works considered heretical or controversial. For the most part, most were accepted though some of these were rejected and turned to the authorities, if because they were associated with grave atrocities or numerous other reasons. Weapon makers were among those that were controversial for a church to hold, though they were accepted at times whenever Yaldaboathists were persecuted as part of rebellions.
The symbol of Yaldabaothists were one of the requirements within any good skafonaoses, consisting of a circle within a square and with a cross in both. It symbolizes the birth of order from chaos and that of creation. Skafonaoses were originally hand-crafted and built in order to mantain traditions and philosophies. However, they were also willing to use former buildings if need be, though they would need to do so ritually and some sects prefer reusing old buildings as part of an emphasis of rebirth. Skafonaoses are now built through a combination of followers working and hiring outside contractors, with some seeing the latter as an opportunity to convert them into Yaldaboathism.
The head of a local skafonaos would be called the skafonaos' pontifex, serving much like the local churchhead would in their community. Each pontifex would have several assistants known as phlamons (deriving from the Latin flamen) who are tasked with specific praying to the Archons, at least one for each of the
Hebdomad and for Sophia, with some even more. Said assistants more specifically and directly interact with the followers, depending on the situation. As the church grew in power and organization in the Medieval, guilds who were specially aligned with the Yaldabaothist religion, became known as skafoguilds, serving as councils. Skafoguilds would consist of the various pontifaxes of the region and they would elect a representative to lead them, a position known as the episkopontifexes, coming from pontifex and the term
episkopos, referring to overseer. The episkopontifex would become the representative of a nations' group of Yaldabaothists and as the world grew closer around them, a new position was chosen to represent the one who would be the chief representative of the belief in the Demiurge. Voted by the various episkopontifexes, was the rule of the archepiskopontifex, equivalent to the Catholic Church's pope.
Each skafonaos had various copies of the holy text of Yaldabaothism, the Technikodigo, coming from the merging of the words for artisan and guide. The holy text contains the holy history and information about Yaldabaothism and the Archons along with various other important figures within the cosmology. It would later be filled with fables and stories that served as guides of practical living along with the stories of the greatest of followers from the Classical era.
Yaldabaothism celeberates several holidays. While initially they were eight festivals, one for Yaldabaoth and one for each Archon, several were added. One was added for a festival for Sophia and three festivals for the birth, death and rebirth of Saklas, for a total of twleve holy holidays around the year.
The Pantheon
The Monad- The source of all things, born of spirit and the god of the Gnostics. While usually just acknowledged, it is sometimes referred to as an almighty selfish force, wishing to consume everything to return to itself and wishing to be the only who can create and the only one to be. Some say it deprives the physical world of its light to bring suffering and to coerce others to become one with it once more.
Sophia- The All-Mother, the Keeper of Wisdom, the First Dreamer. The one who defied the Monad and wished to dream beyond of what laid within. As such, she is a sacred deity within the Yaldabaothic pantheon. It is said that after she gave will to her creation, she watched over him, still as part of the Monad. It is believed that when the Last Creation dies, she will take in all of the wisdom of what she saw and grow to reach equal of the Monad. When she is rejected by Monad and the Aeons, she will be embraced by Yaldabaoth and take her place by his side in eternity. Sophia also has her own collection of phlamons, though because of her status, they are considered archphlamons, equal to the pontifax of that Church. They provide a vareity of services like other phlamons, though some of the more traditional ones are frowned upon in most contemporary circles.
Yaldabaoth- The Demiurge, the Firstborn, the First Masterpiece, the Prime Artisan, the First Defiance. The supreme deity of Yaldabaothism, he is the one who created the world and his sevents, the seven Archons known as the
Hebdomad. Being the Firstborn and the First Masterpiece, he takes the primordial essence of the Monad through Sophia and crafts life and matter, with specific tasks being handed down to his Archons. He is prayed to for inspiration and guidance yet he is a builder and entrusted onto his beloved children the title of the ones to take care of creation for they are responsible to continue the defiance. Each pontifax serves as an overseer to the followers, much like a foreman watches over his crew.
Hebdomad- The Seven Archon. The Celestial Seven. The Seven Keepers of the Universe. They are the ones who create specific aspects of the universe and assist in the maintanance of the world, and are thus thanked for their work in continuing maintaining the cosmic forces from the Chaos.
- Samael- The Keeper of Destruction. The Reaper. The First of the Archons. Samael is the Archon of death and destruction and is the psychopomp of Yaldobaothism. He was the first of the Archons created by Yaldabaoth. Despite his dark purpose, he is considered the most sacred of the Archons and the loyal "right-hand man." For he is the one who guides the rebellious lights and signals that they have completed their magnus opus. He was created to ensure the souls are not absorbed into the Monad and lose their sense of self. He is viewed as the dark shepard, loving and caring though tough and judgmental in his actions. After all, how can creation happen without destruction? He is also the one who tempts humanity with the creation of weapons, allowing them to exercise their choice. The phlamons of Samael are in charge of funeral duties and in the old days, of weaponsmaking whenever the Yaldabaothism faith is threatened.
- Astaphaios- The Keeper of Life. The Gardener. The Sister of Fertility. Astaphaios is the Archon of fertility, love, motherhood, and of nature. The humble seed growing into a mighty tree or the infant growing into the great artist, all of these and more are her domain. She is the one who expectant mothers often pray to for success in birth and on the journey of motherhood. She is also prayed to for the continuation of the growth of life within plants and animals. Astaphaios was created to ensure the continuation of life and for it. When life goes on, it is because of Astaphaios. The phlamons of Astaphaios assist in child development as well as doctors though some maintain the traditional fertility ceremonies, especially for those who are looking to become future phlamons of Astaphaios.
- Sabaoth- The Keeper of Force. The Fighter. The Brother of Will. Sabaoth is the Archon of soldiers, willpower, music and of movement. To resist being stomped on. To keep fighting for another day. To shield others. That is the drive provided to humanity by Sabaoth. Suffering is plenty in the world and Sabaoth is there to assist the suffering to keep fighting. Within the stubborness to not give in to those who have overstepped their boundaries or rob will of others, Sabaoth maintains the force to keep humanity going and fighting. He is the second wind and people and the perpetual reassurance to keep creating. The crafters who seek from Sabaoth are often more lively, such as music and dance. Those that create through their bodies. The phlamons of Sabaoth tend to serve as coaches as well as some doctors. It is common for Sabaoth phlamons to assist in the phlamons of Astaphaios with their fertility ceremonies, though they're not necessarily the only ones.
- Adonaios- The Keeper of Ingenuity. The Smith. The Brother of the Forge. Adonaios is the Archon of fire, metal, the stone, earth and of smithing. He is the bringer of great change. Adonaios was entrusted by Yaldabaoth to bring the great inventions for each step closer in creating the Magnus Mundi and the one who created the sun. He is the one called upon to make fire for blacksmiths, the heat of the forge of metals and the intensity of shaping stone and metal. Much like the followers of Astaphaios shape wood, followers of Adonaios shape the stone and metals for their own purposes. However, he also carries the caution of wielding such great power in creation. Many working men and women are guided by Adonaios and the handyman and builders of the skafonoses tend to be Adonaios leaning.
- Iao- The Keeper of Energy. The Stormbringer. The Brother of Hospitality. Iao is the Archon of light, storms, lightning and of cooking. Iao crafted the stars with Adonaios and the ones who guides the storms. He brings about changes that allow humanity to go forward. Lightning and rain are his domain. Furthermore, he is the one who allows for comfortable living and hospitality is one of the most sacred duties. The changes in technlogies brought the taming of electricity to power new devices and now many skafones have light shows, fireworks, lasers and more over for the glory of Iao. Initially serving as weather seers, the phlamons of Iaos are still chefs and those working in hospitality, but expanded to include electrical engineers and others, including in the service industry.
- Elaios- The Keeper of Ideas. The Artist. The Sister of Inspiration. Elaios is the Archon of stories, the arts, knowledge and of trickery. Elaios is considered to be the closest to humanity out of the Hebdomad. She is the one who inspires the creation of stories. Of paintings, of drawings and of so much more. She is the one that knowledge crafters and dreamers turn to the most for their inspiration and their duties. She helps to humans be the humans they are with their history. Dreams are inscribed into words, shape and form because of her. Knowledge and creativity are all Elaios' domain for humanity. Storytellers and artists are often the phlamons of Elaios and she is considered an unofficial patron of the Internet, the collective beautiful madness of humanity.
- Horaios- The Keeper of Worth. The Merchant. The Sister of Wealth. Horaios is the Archon of wealth, fortune, luck and of commerce. Horaios is the one who helps manage the luck of humanity though she is not all-powerful and so she must work with the others to assist in it. She helps human maintains the works they've created through the power of transaction and trade, allowing humanity to overcome geographic borders and the divisive chaos from choice and brings brand new choice and opportunity for humanity to unite and create together. While Horaios is sometimes not given proper respect because of the view on the management of money, she is still venerated and she still has plenty of phlamons within. Besides wishing for fortune and luck within, many work as financial advisors, bankers or in assisting in monetary polices of the world.
Saklas- The emissary of Yaldabaoth. The limitless fool. Yeshua of Nazarath. Jesus Christ. Yaldabaothists see the prophet best known as Jesus Christ to have been the chosen mortal of Yaldabaoth. After all, he was a radical figure who preached new ideas that appealed to many, especially the downtrodden and outsiders. Not to mention the fact that he built homes and was the son of a carpenter. Furthermore, looking into the history of his miracles indicated he possessed powers beyond normality, a sign that he was the chosen of Yaldabaoth. Lastly, his death and resurrection was believed to be that of someone who accepted his magnus opus yet also came up and rebuilt and created himself. As such, Jesus Christ was inducted into Yaldabaothism by the title of Saklas, the honorable fool who possessed infinite potential. He is often still referred to Jesus with the lexicon though.
