The Illustrated Catalogue of Religion, created in 2142 by the Terran Organisation for Religion, is dedicated to cataloguing a wide variety of information about major religious faiths and institutions throughout the world.
Qedarite religions
The Qedarite religions are a group of religions born within a Qedarite (OOC: Semitic) cultural and linguistic context, characterized by ethical text-based monotheism and the worship of Elyon as sole divinity. Hosianism and Ahmadism are by far the largest Qedarite religions, and together they comprise a majority of Terra's population.
Symbol | Faith | Year & Place of Foundation | Holy Book(s) | Overview of Beliefs |
Yeudism | 500 BCE, Cildania. | Katub | The traditional religion of the Yeudi people, Yeudism is considered one of the oldest monotheistic religions. | |
Hosianism | 1 CE, Beiteynu | Katub, Annunciation | A religion based on the reformist movement within Yeudism created by Eliyahu, who is believed to have never died, but living in Hiding in Heaven, and will return at the end of Terra. Split between numerous churches, Hosianism is the dominant Terran faith. | |
Oseism | 890, Beiteynu | Katub, Annunciation | A syncretic Yeudi-Hosian sect, Oseism is often considered a Hosian Church, but is largely restricted to ethnic Yeudis and considers the Katub law to still be relevant. Its beliefs are thought to have influenced Ahmadism. | |
Ahmadism | 1186, Barmenistan | Katub, Annunciation, Book of Bliss | Ahmadis believe their religion to be a return to the original monotheism of Yeudi and Hosian prophets, and they consider Ahmad's ministry to be the fulfillment of Eliyahu's prophecy. Strictly monotheistic with Akim as God. | |
Ruhi Faith | 4276, Barmenistan | Book of Knowledge, Spiritual Covenant, Epistle to the World Congress, Epistles of the Messiah | A new religion born in Barmenistan in the context of religious conflicts between Ahmadism, Hosianism, and Felinism, founded by Ismail Rabban. The Faith is characterized by the belief in the fundamental truth of all major religions and the unity of humanity. |
Hosian churches
Hosianism is a religion based on the teachings of Elijah of Yishelem, a first century Yeudish Great Priest. Hosian denominations consider Elijah to be the Spirit of God and the saviour of mankind.
Symbol | Church | Patriarch | Duration | Overview & Notes |
Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra | Arch-Patriarch of the HAHCoT | 533 - 1819 | First international Hosian Church founded in Terra, created in 533 as a result of the Council of Auroria. |
Patriarchal branches
Patriarchal Churches are led by a Patriarch and some by an Arch-Patriarch. Beside the Katub and the Annunciation, these churches also consider church tradition to be sacred and infallible.
Western Patriarchal churches
These Churches all originate from the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra, and they all accept the Council of Auroria and the Aurorian Creed. For this reason, they are sometimes referred to as "Aurorian Churches"
Symbol | Church | Patriarch(s) | Year & Place of Foundation | Overview & Notes |
Aurorian Patriarchal Church | Arch-Patriarch of the Aurorian Patriarchal Church | 3876, Auroria, Selucia | The Aurorian Patriarchal Church was founded in 3876 as a result of the Second Council of Auroria, restoring communion between the Selucian Patriarchal Church (founded in 2385) and the Theognosian Church (formed after the Patriarchal Schism of 2154), thus essentially restoring the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra. The Aurorian Patriarchal Church uses a large number of Rites, predominantly the Selucian and Theognosian Rites. Number of believers: 800 million. | |
Augustan Church | Exarchs of the national autocephalous churches | 5419, Deltaria | The Augustan Church is the new name taken by the Deltarian-based Terran Patriarchal Church in 5419. It is distinguished by its polytheism, with the incorporation of the ancient Tokundian pantheon into its worship. Number of believers: 330 million |
Eastern Patriarchal churches
These churches originate from the rejection of the Council of Auroria, and are characterized by the lack of a single Arch-Patriarch over the entire church. They are sometimes described as "non-Aurorian Churches".
Symbol | Church | Leadership | Year & Place of Foundation | Overview & Notes |
Apostolic Church of the East | Holy Synod | 3412, Aldegaria, Aldegar | The Church was founded following the Synod of Aldegaria, which reunited the Hobrazian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchal Church (Eastern Rite) after centuries of division. |
Abjurant branches
In the 16th century, many groups began to resent the power and abuses of the various patriarchs, and, when their initial attempts to reform the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra were rejected, they created their own churches, independent of patriarchal authority. The Abjurant Churches were founded by John Martyn in the 16th century Holy Luthorian Empire, who rebelled against the rule and abuses of the Aurorian Church.
Symbol | Denomination | Major churches | Origin | Overview |
Confessionalism | Luthori Communion, Independent Confessional Church of Dorvik Independent Confessing Church of Kizenia |
Founded in 1519 in Luthori. | Focus on the doctrine of salvation "through faith alone" in opposition to the dominant Patriarchal churches at the time of its origin. Unlike other Abjurant churches, retains significant portions of the Aurorian liturgical tradition. | |
Amelioratism | Restored Ameliorate Church of Saridan Confessional Ameliorate Church of Dundorf Ameliorate Church of Kuzaki |
First Ameliorate church founded in Dundorf in 1523 and officially established in 1570. | Focus on the God's Word as the manner in which he reveals himself and emphasis on the covenants between man and God, distinguished by opposition to True Revelation. | |
Charismism | Reformed Hosian Church International Fellowship of Disciples Charismic Churches in Baltusia |
North Seleya in the 34th century | Places a particular focus on the manner in which baptism and faith in Eliyahu allows an individual to utilise "spiritual gifts" including speaking in tongues and divine healing. |
Bishopal branches
The question often arises whether the Bishopal Communion should be identified as a Abjurant or Patriarchal church, or perhaps a distinct branch of Hosianism altogether. However, tradition implies that it is "Abjurant, yet Patriarchal." Follows standard Hosian doctrine, however details differ from nation to nation, as Bishopal Churches are indeed national Churches. The Luthori Church, considering itself Orange Patriarchal, defines itself as Abjurant but can also be classified as Bishopal. The Bishopal Churches, although in full communion, belong to two major organisations: the Union of Nordland of Ancient Bishopal Churches and the Luthori Communion.
Symbol | Denomination | Major Churches | Year & Place of Foundation | Overview & Notes |
Union of Nordland | Bishopal Church of Egelion, Alorian Hosian Church, Bishopal Church of Kalistan, Kundrati Bishopal Church, Église de Lourenne, Mordusian Bishopal Church, Zardic Bishopal Church, Bishopal Church of Hulstria | 19th century. | The Union of Nordland is the main representative of Septentrine ecclesiology, and views itself as a union of autocephalous national churches continuing the restored ecclesiastical tradition of the early Holy Apostolic Hosian Church. | |
Luthori Communion | Holy Luthori Church, Church of Alduria, Bishopal Church of Ikradon, Luthoran Church of Hulstria, Church of Luthori in Hutori, Bishopal Church of Baltusia,
Bishopal Church of Kirlawa, Bishopal Church of Klavia, Bishopal Church of Likatonia, Dorvish Bishopal Church, Reformed Kalistani Church, Church of Muzalkaz, Voronan Church (not in communion due to perceived heresy) |
Originated in the 2100s, as Patriarchal groups rejected the Terran Arch-Patriarchy and began to cooperate with Abjurant groups to form national Broad Churches. | The Luthorian Communion emerged from the High Church adherents of the Abjuration, and thus characterises itself as "Patriarchal and Reformed". The membership of the Luthorian Communion overlaps to a great extent with the Confessional Churches. |
Universalist
A number of liberal forms of Hosianism, originating in modern times, have diverged significantly from traditional dogmatic Hosianism, to the extent that many of their adherents do not consider themselves Hosians. These groups collectively carry the label "Universalist", referring to their lack of a central creed or defined dogma, believing instead in a shared free search for truth and meaning.
Symbol | Denomination | Governance | Year & Place of Foundation | Overview & Notes |
Society of Bretheren-"Old Branch" (Defunct) | Democratically run by the Bretheren General Conference of Terra | Founded by Benjamin Llewellyn in 1900, in Aloria | Believes that God exists in everyone. Old-Branch Brethrenism officially went extinct in most places in the world by 3500, though small communities of Old-Branch Brethren still exist in a few isolated locations with at least one significant population in Kirlawa. | |
Society of Brethren- "New Branch" | Democratically run by the All- Terra Conference, Society of Brethren | (Re-)Founded by Jonas Bennots-Plum in 3918, in Kalistan | The "New-Branch" Society of Brethren holds five main testimonies: Integrity, Simplicity, Peace, Equality of all, and Stewardship. These testimonies lead Brethren to assert that there is little difference between their inward life and their outward behavior. Some, but not a majority, identify as followers of Eliyahu, and the New-Branch Brethrenist faith is explicitly non-Hosian. The Brethren say "The Truth is more Holy than the Book" and therefore eschew religious trappings and dogma. | |
Hunticism | Run by the Huntic Arch-Patriarch of Selucia | 3923, Selucia | The Huntic church is a recent form of Hosianism, started by Hunticus in the 40th century. The Church believes that the texts of the Hosian Bible are to be taken metaphorically, interpreting God and the Devil as scientific forces of good and evil. Hunticism has around five million followers, most of them located in Selucia. | |
Evangelical Brethren | Run by the Evangelical Brethren Conference | 4254, Aloria | The Evangelical Brethren are a branch of the Society of Brethren that profess Hosian beliefs, proclaiming Eliyahu as their personal lord and savior and placing a strong emphasis on the authority of Hosian scriptures. |
Other
Symbol | Denomination | Governance | Year & Place of Foundation | Overview & Notes |
Ordism | Reformed Hosian Church of Dorvik | Established in the 7th Century in Dorvik, a branch of Hosianism. | A heretical branch of Hosian beliefs which began when Ordius traveled to Dorvik and begun preaching a hierarchical order of God, Eliyahu and the Holy Spirit. This belief was later dismissed by the Holy Apostolic Hosian Church of Terra and declared heretical at the Council of Auroria. The church is currently headed by an elected Exarch. | |
Hosian Holiness Church | Founded by Robert Lang in 2165 in the Valruzian state of Tirkalara. | Emphasizes a life of Nonviolent Holiness by individual and by congregation. | ||
Children of the Spirit | Ran by the Schwartz Family of Largonia. | 4279, Dorvik | Built around Indra, a Dorvish prophet who claimed to be the sister of Eliyahu. Believes that Indra's ministry marked the half-way-point between Eliyahu's disappearance and his reappearance. Highly conservative socially, known for charismatic proselytising and an authoritative structure of beliefs. | |
Latter Day Hosianism (LDH) | Restorationist Church of Eliyahu and Latter Day Hosians | Founded by Absalom Wilson in the 4730's in Baltusia following a visitation by the Angel Zophiel | In addition to the Hosian Bible the LDH use the Book of Zophiel, which discusses Eliyahu visiting Seleya after His death and resurrection. The LDH is noted for its social conservativism and widespread practice of polygamy. Many Hosians do not regard LDH as a Hosian denomination, although the LDH claim to be Hosian in their worship of Elyon and Eliyahu. |
Ahmadi Denominations
Ahmadism is divided into several different branches and schools of thought. The main split, into Israism and Abadism, was mainly political at first but eventually acquired theological dimensions. Most of the smaller Ahmadi sects derive from either of the two main denominations of the religion, and often the smaller sects see themselves as members of the larger branch.
Symbol | Denomination | Year & Place of Foundation | Overview & Notes |
Israism | 1234, Barmenistan | The mainstream and "orthodox" denomination of Ahmadism, Israism places most emphasis on monotheism and the unitary nature of God. Israism is strongly centred on sunnah, the normative way of life derived from the practices and sayings of Prophet Ahmad. | |
Abadism | 1234, Kafuristan | A denomination of Ahmadism, Abadism believes the Holy Spirits (Angels) to be manifestations of the uncreated Light of God and thus they are the center of much reverence. | |
Sahabism | 15th century, Barmenistan | An esoteric, spiritual form of Ahmadism, with a secular and often peaceful nature, and organized into distinct Orders. Largely derived from Israism, although there are also Abadi Orders. | |
Halawism | 16th century, Deltaria | A small religious group of Abadi origin, mixing Hosian and Ahmadi elements, characterized by panentheism and a rejection of many aspects of mainstream Abadism. | |
Zahirism | ca. 3600, Wantuni | A heterodox offshoot of Abadism believing in a hidden Imam (lit. "Leader") and in reincarnation. |
Aldegarian Religions
These are religions born in the cultural background of ancient Aldegar, which later spread throughout Terra. Aldegarian religions place much emphasis on duality, generally good vs. evil, but also spiritual vs. material, enlightened vs. unenlightened.
Symbol | Faith | Year & Place of Foundation | Overview & Notes |
Yazdism | 710 BCE, Aldegar. | Yazdism is a native Aldegarian religion based on the teachings of prophet Shapur in which Good and Evil have two distinct and independent origins, Yazdân and Duzakh. | |
Zamanism | 1st century CE, Aldegar. | Zamanism is a dualistic faith born out of Yazdism that believes that Yazdân and Duzakh are twin brothers born out of the impersonal Time. Zamanism believes that all of creation is the result of the conflict and mixing between Light and Darkness and that the human soul is formed of fragments of Light trapped in the material world. | |
Daenism | 1st century CE, Aldegar. | Daenism is a philosophy and religion dedicated to the ending of human suffering and escaping the cycle of death and rebirth, through the elimination of attachment, aversion, and ignorance. Divided into three main sects, Upayanâ, Mazdâyanâ, and Zenshō, the latter two born within the context of Gao-Showan religions (see below). | |
Agathism | 11th century, Selucia. | Agathism is a syncretic belief, combining elements of Yazdism and Hosianism, and practiced in Majatra. Agathism believes in two gods, the benevolent God of the Heavens who created and rules the spiritual world, and the evil God of the Earth, creator and ruler of the physical world. | |
Rowshanism | 3736, Aldegar. | Rowshanism is a new religion founded on the belief that Mihryazd is the Mihr. Rowshanism is distinguished by its radical egalitarianism and altruistic hedonism. |
Gao-Showan Religions
The traditional religions of the Gao-Showa people are a distinct grouping of Terran religions, sharing numerous elements of beliefs and practices. These are, however, difficult to classify strictly as religions, as most of them could be better understood as philosophies. Gao-Showan religions could be best defined as animalistic and animatistic, but henotheistic, monotheistic, pantheistic, panentheistic and agnostic views exist. These religions are highly syncretic, often making it difficult to recognize individual faiths. In addition to the native philosophies and religions of the Gao-Showa peoples, two branches of Daenism, namely Mazdâyanâ and Zenshō, were heavily influenced by Gao-Showan culture and in turn influenced the Gao-Showan religions. Although Kyo people are genetically distinct from Gao-Showan ethnicities, they are classified here under the Gao-Shwowan cultural sphere.
Symbol | Faith | Year & Place of Foundation | Overview & Notes |
Guidao | Indrala, date unknown. | The traditional religion of the Indralan people, Guidao is a spirit-based religion that believes that all things have their own spirit. | |
Kamism | Western Dovani, date unknown. | The native religion of the Kunihito and Sekowan peoples. Kamism has few set dogma or beliefs but is rather a collection of similar animist beliefs and a general philosophy held by most Kunihito. It worships in independent monasteries and temples. | |
Jienism | 8th century, Gao-Soto. | Rather an ethical philosophy than a religion, Jienism is a complex combination of moral, social, political and religious beliefs, centred on self-cultivation through education, ritual, and filial piety. | |
Kanzo | 3024, Tukarali | Monotheistic and syncretistic religion, incorporating elements from all Gao-Showan religions and several Western ones. Originally created by Great Dictator Shuya Nakagawa as a way to promote Tukarese culture and reduce the strong influence of foreign culture on Tukarali | |
Kutkil | Dan Peninsula, date unknown | Also known as Kyo Shamanism, Musok, or Muism. Overarching term for a diverse set of traditional practices and beliefs based on individual shamanist rituals. Typically worship a supreme deity known as Haneulnim, with many local deities and ancestors honored as well. | |
Tenshism | 3789, Mikuni-Harusutoria | Syncretic religion combining elements of Hosianism and Gao-Showan religions. Also known as the Imperial Cult, Tenshism is the imperial state religion of Mikuni Harusutoria. | |
Seodongyo | 3870, Dankuk | Henotheistic and syncretic religion incorporating elements of Kamism (Sindo), Daenism, and Hosianism. Also significantly influenced by Jienism, Kanzo, and possibly Tenshism. |
Indigenous Religions
This category groups together traditional indigenous ethnic religions. These religions are most often polytheistic, and, with a few notable exceptions, are now marginalized by the major organized faiths.
Symbol | Faith | Year & Place of Foundation | Overview & Notes |
Geraja | Malivia | The native religion of Malivia, it is polytheistic and pagan. Followers believe in many gods that represent the various aspects of human society. | |
Sundarata | Vascania | The native religion of Vascania, it is polytheistic and highly syncretic with aspects of Geraja and Daenism. It reveres many deities, is centred around popular piety and prescribes a life of fidelity and loyalty. | |
Religio Seluciana | Selucia | The Selucian Religion, also known as Selucian Paganism, has 27 main gods and lots of minor gods and spirits - collectively known as the Divine Pantheon. Religio was once the dominant faith of Selucia, and has recently grown following the incorporation of Felinism. | |
Felinism | 3200s, Barmenia | Felinism is a religion that believes that cats comprise the Godhead or Feline Divinity and that serving cats is the moral purpose humans are created for. | |
Orinco Polytheism | Sekowo, Orinco people | The native polytheistic religion of the Orincos, worshiping a large number of gods, demigods, and heroes. Strong ethical emphasis on sacrifice and inter-human relations. | |
The Sacred Order of the Tears of Termani | Likatonia | Believes that all men are doomed to eternal hell, but that by self mortification and torture, one can draw Termani's sympathy and She will lessen the eternal suffering. | |
Hobaism | Hobrazia | Hobaism is an ancient native Hobrazian religion based around the belief in the Lord Hoba and the Spirits of the Land. | |
Tritism | Kafuristan, 375 AD, created by Muhammed Akbar | A tritheistic religion of three gods, the Creator, the Observer, and the Destroyer. Some non-Tritists firmly believe all Tritists are insane for believing in Tritism, while many Tritists think all non-Tristists are insane for not believing in Tritism. | |
Thartitism | Valruzia, Zuman people | The native religion of the Zuman people. Thartitists believe in about 23 different animal gods, whose leader and creator is Thartiti, the snake-like singer of the worlds. | |
Siedism | Trigunia, Sullestian people | The main religion of the Sullestians. It includes the belief in spirits and worship of seids (places of worship in the mountains, tundra, taiga, &c.) | |
Vardic paganism | Kazulia, Davostag, Davograd | Vardic paganism, or Vardatro ("Vardic faith"), is an ancient polytheistic religion that holds the existence of a multitude of various gods and goddesses living in an upper realm with influence on the human world. It believes that the god Dion, the All-father, created the world and gave life to the first humans. The highest virtue of Vardatro is to die for one's clan in glorious battle. Cowardice, pacifism, and deception are frowned upon. | |
Bogism | Aloria | 12% of Alorians are Bogists, and Aloria's state religion for a time was Ceremonial Bogism. Alorian Bogism is headed from the High Temple of Bog in the city of Ultran. Bog worship involves chants to Bog Almighty. The most zealous adherents wear traditional goat leggings on Bogist holy days. | |
Inkolo Esintsundu Sizwe Syncretism | Ibutho | Inkolo Esinsundu Sizwe Syncretism (IESS) is a syncretic and monotheistic religion, reformed in 3643 as the universal religion for all Ezinsundu. IESS was the state religion of Ibutho izulu. | |
Satanilism | Davostag, Selucia | Satanilism is a religion based on the teachings of Medivh Evil, whom many Satanilists consider the incarnation of Satanil, the evil being in Hosianism. Satanilists are divided between theistic Satanilists, who worship Satanil and the demons of Hosian and other mythologies, and non-theistic Satanilists, for whom Satanil is a symbol of rebellion against an unjust God, but not a real being. As Satanilism venerates demons as deities it is considered a polytheistic religion. |
New religions
Various new religions have emerged in the modern era.
Symbol | Faith | Year & Place of Foundation | Overview & Notes |
Thetanism | 2183, Dranland. | Thetanism is an applied religious philosophy. It's basic assumption is that life is a creative force beyond and within all things and that each living being is, fundamentally, a spiritual identity involved in a game of survival within the universe. | |
Seldonism | 2288, Dankuk. | Seldonism, which can also be counted as a political religion, is a religious philosophy based on psychiatric ethics, which believes that in order for people to have Happiness they must be willing to give up their freedom to be Unhappy. | |
Order of Light | 2400s, Dranland. | The Order of Light is a mystery religion centered around the worship of a deity referred to as God. It is believed that the universe was created by the physical and spiritual sacrifice of God for a purpose that has yet to be revealed. | |
Universal Church of Terra | 2840, in Dranland. | The UCT firmly believes in the Eternal and Omnipotent Light of the Universe, the One, the Creator of All and Everything. For decades now, this Faith has been on the rise in Drania and has gotten ever more important in all aspects of life. At present, the majority of the Dranians are loyal and devoted Followers of the Light and Members of the Church. It is the religious duty of the Church and all of its Members, to spread the Light and the Faith. | |
Panterranism | mid 23rd century , Solentia | Panterranism is a Utopian radical ideology in which totalitarianism, the integration of the person into the state, and the use of statolatry is utilized to produce complete stability and civil tranquility. Panterranism is so named because it is intended as a unifying ideology that operates separate of race, ethnicity, or nationality. | |
2269, Solentia | This radical movement believes that the State supersedes all religion and should in itself be worshipped - in accordance with Nuncirist beliefs of omnipotent state. | ||
Seldonism | 2288, Dranland. | Seldonism is a religious philosophy based on psychiatric ethics, which believes that in order for people to have Happiness they must be willing to give up their freedom to be Unhappy. | |
Aretism | 2367, Solentia | Aretism is a synthetic ideology that incorporates elements of spiritualism, fundamentalist religion, and totalitarianism. | |
Solduni | 3377, Egelion | Solduni is a political religion with totalitarian tendencies that believes solidarity is the highest virtue. | |
Lodamese Nationalism | 3515, Lodamun | Lodamese Nationalism is a state atheist religion centred around patriotism and loyalty to Lodamun. |