MedHammer 40,000: Religion

This post is dedicated to the many sects and belief systems of the 41st mellinnium. It's important to note that these pages do not necessarily describe the actual nature of the gods these cultures worship, merely how they are understood to exist.

Religion Before Lorgar's Treachery

Throughout the Imperium of Man, Many have differing veiws of the Nature of The Emperor is like. Most project their own ideals onto the comatose figure, placing idealized version of their own opinions into his personality. For some he is a kind Grandfatherly figure, only seeking mankind's best interests. For others he is a righteous reformer, over throw his corrupt regents and build the "True Imperium" that looks suspiciously similar to the Emperor's Point of View. Some see the Emperor as a crypto-practitioner of their own belief and ideology, others see him as the Great Outsider. Like a gardener, all ideas and beliefs to grow while pruning those that threaten to overrun the gardern, or have become withered and useless. Very few of those in 41st mellenium realize that their Emperor hated all of their ideas, and the current state of the imperium is only due to the benevolence of his absence. During the reign of the Great Crusade, Religion was viewed by the Emperor as holding mankind back, and was aggressively supressed and destroyed. The Emperor himself took pride in his destruction of the Last Church on Terra. Even fewer know that it was his hatred of religion that ultimately drove his son Lorgar into the arms of the Ruinous powers.

Religion after Lorgar's Treachery

After the Great Treachery which saw the Emperor wounded and weak, the collective leadership of The Imperium's Leadership was divided on the status of religion. Some, like Jaghatai Khan, saw religion as a natural part of mankind, and to take it away would be to take away something essentially human. Others like Sanguinius and Fulgrim were staunch believers in the Imperial Truth, and hoped to continue their fathers work. Ultimately such hardliners lost by a Bootleggers and Baptists alliance between The Pro Religious Faction, and the Pro-Reform Faction who used religion as a way to get their own pet reforms into the Imperium. These reformers included diverse opinions such as Magnus The Red, who sought the Council of Nikea to be overturned; Konrad Curze and Vulkan who saw the Imperial Truth as a blatant cynical lie; Horus who given his experience in the Great Treachery was eager to see any solution that could prevent another Lorgar; and Constantine Valdor who saw greater religious representation as an opportunity to weaken the Primarch's grip on the Imperium.

The outcome of months of deliberation was the New Imperial Truth or The Terran Creed. The Terran Creed established provisions as to what the common Imperial Citizen knew about Chaos and the Warp, and rubric for what grounds religions should be condemned by the Imperium. Provided that the Religion did not worship the Emperor as any sort of god, nor were any of the ruinous powers worshipped, than the religion would not be deemed heretical and rooted out. Whether or not a religion was openly accepted, let alone tolerated varried from regime to regime.

The Terran Creed

The New Imperial Truth, commonly referred to as the Terran Creed or "The 53 Precepts" was created following the council to represent The Standard of Belief and Knowledge that all imperial citizens should know. It set out to replace the harsh Athiest Dictums of the Imperial Truth with a milder "agnostic" creed. At the council it was mandated that All Imperial Citizens must believe in this Imperial Creed, and that any organization, religious or ideological that opposes any of these tenants will be decreed Heretical. Contrary to the original Truth, it was thought better to give the people some awareness as to who they were fighting, than to offer lies. Additionally the old world religions were consulted and, since they did not believe their gods resided in the warp, the provisions were added that excluded them from heresy, while subtly hinting their religions were false (which the The Khan protested against, but accepted the compromise with gritted teeth). The Aurelian cult was another matter, unsure whether the Aurelian cult, along with other Chaos gods (Rumors of entities called Malal or Necoho), it was decided to add precepts 45-49 and should the Creed need to be revised they would do so. The Creed was considered vague enough to encourage both persecution and tolerance when needed, while allowing for clear precedents for the condemnation of chaos cults.

The New Imperial Truth or 53 Precepts

I know I am a Human, as a Human I am part of Mankind

All Humans are part of Mankind

All those who are a part of Mankind are Human

Those who not a part of Mankind are Xenos

A Human will not serve, obey, follow, kill for, or die for a Xenos

Terra is a place in the Material Realm

The Material Realm is a real place that exists

The Material Realm is filled with Material beings

Material Beings follow material rules

Humans are material beings.

My works and deeds shape the Material Realm

Mankind derives from Terra

Terra is a real place separate from the Immaterial

The Galaxy is Material and the Birthright of Mankind

The Emperor is The Leader of Mankind

The Emperor is Material, is Human, and is from Terra

The Emperor has Eighteen sons

Five of The Emperors sons are traitors

The Emperor's sons are part of Mankind

The Emperor's loyal sons answer to the Emperor

The Emperor's disloyal sons are enemies of the Emperor

All Humans must serve The Emperor, for he is their leader
To Serve the Emperor is to Serve The Imperium

All Humans must obey The Emperor, for he is their ruler
To Serve the Emperor is to Obey his Loyal Sons and Appointees

All Humans must aid other humans in serving the Emperor

All Humans must protect The Emperor because he is sovereign above all

All Humans must fight for and die for The Emperor
It is Mankind's greatest calling, whether in war or domestic service.

The Emperor Protects Mankind, and will not fail to do so.

The Emperor Protects Mankind from Material Dangers

I believe The Emperor will lead all mankind to their birthright
If a human tells me to disobey the Emperor, i will not obey

If a human tells me to not serve the Emperor, i will not serve

If a human tells me to not follow the Emperor, i will not follow.

If a human tells me not to die for the Emperor, i will not die

If a human tells me not to kill for the Emperor, i will kill

The Immaterial is a not real place that exists

The Immaterial is filled with Immaterial Beings

The Immaterial realm follows Immaterial rules

My Thoughts and Beliefs shape the Immaterial Realm.

I believe The Emperor protects mankind from Immaterial Enemies

The Immateria has "gods"' who dwell there

These gods are not Gods

There are no Gods in the Immateria, only gods

The Emperor is not a god nor a God

The Immateria has gods called The Ruinous Powers

The Ruinous Powers are not Gods

Mutanda is a Ruinous Power that claims magic and change

Morta is a Ruinous Power that claims disease and stagnation

Hedonis is a Ruinous Power that claims pleasure and perfection

Caedes is a Ruinous Power that claims bloodshed and murder

Indivisis is a Ruinous Power that claims all these

Any god declared by The Imperium to be a Ruinous Power is a Ruinous power.

I will not serve any Ruinous Power, because they do not protect man

I will not obey any Ruinous Power, because they are not worthy of obedience

I will obey the Emperor before I obey any god.
If a god tells me to disobey the Emperor, i will not obey him

If a god tells me to not serve the Emperor, i will not serve him

If a god tells me to not follow the Emperor, i will not follow them.

If a god tells me not to die for the Emperor, i will not die for them

If a god tells me not to kill for the Emperor, i will report

A Human will not serve, obey, follow, kill for, or die for a Xenos god

Demons serve the Ruinous Powers
I will not obey, serve, or follow Alpharius or any demon who follows Mutanda

I will not obey, serve, or follow Angron or any demon who follows Morta

I will not obey, serve, or follow Perturabo or any demon who follows Hedonis

I will not obey, serve, or follow Mortarion or any demon who follows Caedes

I will not obey, serve, or follow Lorgar or any demon who follows Indivisis

Daemons are immaterial beings that serve the immaterial powers
If a daemon tells me to disobey the Emperor, I will not obey him

If a daemon tells me to not serve the Emperor, I will not serve him

If a daemon tells me to not follow the Emperor, I will not follow them.

If a daemon tells me not to die for the Emperor, i will not die for them

If a daemon tells me not to kill for the Emperor, i will report them

A Human will not serve, obey, follow, kill for, or die for a Daemon of a Xenos god

Legal Status of Religion in M41

Religions Imperium wide are free from condemnation by the Imperium so long as they are deemed compliant to The Terran Creed. That is not to say that they are necessarily accepted. Indeed, many higher level Imperial organizations openly discriminate against particualr religions, barring devotees from upper echelons of membership, if not outright banning them from any sort of leadership roles. Otherwise the treatment of religion can vary segmentum by segmentum, system by system, and planet by planet.

In the Segmentum Solar

Because the Segmentum Solar's privilege of Governance by The High Lords of Terra, it is perhaps the only place where any sort of official stance of Tolerance is kept. The High Lords of Terra have official representatives of both ancient religions and the cults of Mechanicum and Aurelian as part of their leadership. The Segmentum Solar practices a policy of official tolerance outside of Terra and Mars. So long as the religion is Compliant to The Terran Creed it is afforded certain rights and privileges in the Segmentum Solar.

Magna Terra

Terra Itself is a little more complicated. In keeping with an official Terran decree dating from before The Great Crusade, no churches nor houses of worship are permitted on Terra. Because of this many religions with Religious seats on Terra actually have their Ecclesiastic Palaces on Luna, where the Rules are less constraining. Some of these Religions additionally have secular "Monuments" and "Museums" on terra, that despite being owned by the various churches, comply enough with of Terra's rules to be permitted. To call these "Museums" or monuments does not do these architectural masterpieces justice. These are massive complexes of schools, research centers, grand halls, plazas, the size of citties, complete with massive spaceports and lodging complexes built to house the many pilgrims (i mean visitors) who come to visit.

These Monuments include, but are not limited to:

The Museum of The First To Fall

Owned by The Aurelian Cult

Is a grand museum dedicated to those original preachers who came from the Maccragge Pilgrim Fleet

Is also commemorating their efforts in proselytizing before Terra's atmosphere was decimated by Alpharius

The Museum is one of the Best historical archives on the Great Treachery as well as Pre-Heresy Ultramar Culture.

The Monument of Sacra Terra

Owned by the Katholians

This museum is a monument to Terra's ancient religious sites from its most ancient history.

along with the Museum Inculabra, this is one of the few places in which any knowledge of Terra's ancient history is kept.

The Monument of The Inculabra

a museum located on the site of the Holy site of the Obsequiani

this grand museum is the third most regularly traversed to places on magna terra outside of The Museum of The First to Fall and The Imperial Palace.

At the Center of these museum is the origional complex, built and funded by none other than The Primarch Jaghatai Khan himelf.

Along with The Sacra Terra Monument, this harbors some of the best collections of Terra's ancient history

Saline Monument

owned by The Apiani Cult

This monument explains the history of The Apiani people and history, both on earth and outside it.

It is considered to be one of the Pre-eminent centers for Merikanology.

Mars

Mars is an independent Political entity from Tera, and as such, they are subject to their own rules. The Planet of Mars is a Theocracy for the Cult Mechanicus, and intends to stay that way.

In The Segmentum Tempestus

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In The Segmentum Obscura

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In The Segmenum Tempestus

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In The Ultramar Autonomous Realm

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The Aurelian Cult

The "Aurelian Cult" alongside Vulkan's Promethean Cult and Cult Mechanicus are the major three accepted religions in the Imperium. The Aurellian Cult in particular serves as the substitute for The Imperial Cult of Vanillahammer. As the few remaining Catholians and Kresti are quick to point out, The Religion's similarity to Trinitarianism is completely superficial. Instead, it is closer to a Triad of Ancient Rome (Jupiter, Mars, Venus). The Emperor (The Father), Gulliman (The Son), and Tarasha Euten (The Holy Spirit/Blessed Mother) form the Holy Triad of Dieties, with the Father being Supreme over the Son and Mother, but is definitely not a God. The Return of the Avenging Son is considered a sign of the End Times, when it is prophesied that The Avenging Son will return to Earth to Slay Lorgar and -Reuniting with his father and brothers- shall slay the Ruinous Powers.

Founded in Ultramar, the Aurelian Cult Worships Roboute Gulliman and The God-Emperor. It serves as this timeline's main replacement for the Ecclesiarchy. The Cult places great emphasis on the Emulation of Roboute Gulliman and his writings for how to live. They believe that in the fullness of time The Avenging Son will return with his Father in Glory to defeat the Traitors once and for all, and build an "Imperium Secundus" in the warp. The Aurelian cult would function a bit like the Bretonians as well, with Tanasha Euten acting as The Lady of The Lake. The Aurelian Cult is the Largest Religion in the Imperium claiming Trillions of Souls and almost 35% of the Imperium’s Total Population.

Beliefs

While the actual nuances and theology of The Aurelian Cult's Varries between holy seats. There are some core beliefs that are considered to be essential truths that Holy seats are not permitted to deny without being deemed a heretic.

Deities

There are three chief deities of the Aurelian cult: The Father, The Son, and The Queen Mother

The Father

The Not-God Emperor of Mankind, Those who practice the Aurelian Cult believe that the Spirit or Soul of the Emperor far outgrows his actual physical presence, and that while he is Physically present on Holy Terra, his spirit is everywhere. The Aurelian Cult is very careful not to call The Emperor a “God.” And while Theologians throughout the Imperium speculate on the nature and essence of Chaos Demons, The Heresiarchs, The Aurelian, or the Mother. Speculation on the Emperor himself is strictly forbidden. He is known as “The Undefinable one,” “He who is above all,” “Rightful Ruler of All Things” etc.

Gulliman: The Son

The Aurelian Cult believes that Gulliman was sent by his Father to Ultramar so as to teach men how to follow him. And that by living as a human among humans, he could set an example for what The God-Emperor expects of all his Children. The annals of Gulliman's life is recorded in a several sacred texts, but his own writings about life on Ultramar and the Imperium are also treasured. It is believed that by dying on Macragge Guliman was beloved by his father and uplifted to godhood, where he now fights for the souls of those loyal to the Emperor.

The Queen Mother

Tarasha Euten, The Mother of Roboute Gulliman, she through her trials on the Flight to Holy Terra has become a god in her own right. She acts on behalf the Emperor and Her Son. She is seen as the "Facilitator" aiding man to follow the path to the Emperor laid out by Rouboute Gulliman.

The Daughters of Tanasha

The Queen Mother Appeared to The Women of Ophelia during the m33 telling them to gather their swords and "Rebuild her Home." They eventually became the founders of The Adeptus Sororitas, as well as the leaders of the "Maccrage Cleansing."

The Quests of The Mother

Those loyal servants of The Aurelian will receive tasks by the Queen Mother, those who dedicate their lives to The Lady of Ultramar and fulfill her tasks in protecting Mankind are bestowed with great power. Space Grail Knights!

The Golden Sorrow

The Golden Sorrow or the Black Sorrow is believed to have been first bestowed upon The Queen Mother. Because of her connection to her son, she witnessed the death and torture of Roboute Gulliman. Certain Ultramarines are considered to receive the "The Black Sorrow in which they bear witness to the suffering and death of their fellow believers. This can be the suffering of those devout living today, or those heroes who have died like St Aeonid. To receive the suffering of Roboute himself is considered "The Golden Sorrow" and those who receive it are considered highly favored to be considered worthy to witness the Death of Gulliman.

Imperium Secundus

Imperium Secundus has taken on a spiritual meaning as an Afterlife. It is believed that Rouboute is building Imperium Secundus in the warp, and all noble souls of the Imperium will join him in this new and final kingdom. The Aurelian is looking for those of noble and steadfast spirit who will join him in slaying chaos demons and transforming the warp into the imperial image.

Apotheosis

A Core belief of The Aurelian Cult is that of Apotheosis, and that those of the Emperor can become deified. Gulliman and Tanasha have achieved Apotheosis.

Apotheosis of Gulliman

Gulliman became a god because of his torture and sacrifice at the hands of Korphaeron. His nobility of spirit allowed him to Become a god.

Apotheosis of Tanasha

Gulliman's Mother, Tarasha Euten, takes on special significance in both Ultramar and The Aurelian Cult. This is not only because of her connection to her son, but also because of the events of "The Macragge Armada." The Macragge Armada were the ships that Gulliman was able to save from Macragge's destruction along with Billions of Ultramar Citizens. The Refugee Ships went through their own Grimbright version of The Flight of The Eisenhorn, where the Gellar Field failed on their warp to Terra. Tarasha Euten stood defiant against the Demons and horrors of the warp, and took command of the fleet. Because Tarasha was there and because there were billions upon billions on board, rather than a single battleship, Tarasha was able to comfort the fearful refugees; and rally them to faith.

By Using herself and Gulliman as the focal point for their belief, the Refugees were inspired to repel the demons and were able to build a sort of substitute Gellar Field of Faith." The other result of this was that Tarasha Euten ascended into a minor god (not a demon-prince of Gulliman, a minor God, like Isha, or The Chaos God of “The Greater Good”). Gulliman himself also achieved Apotheosis as a result of this Flight and there are occasional sightings of "The Aurelian" a Man in Gold and Blue coming to the aid of The Imperium. The Tasks of The Mother: (Space Grail Knights!) Those loyal servants of The Imperium will receive tasks by the Queen Mother, those who dedicate their lives to The Lady of Ultramar and fufill her tasks in protecting Mankind are bestowed with great power.

Eventual Apotheosis of The Primarchs

It is believed that should they die, the noble primarchs will join The Aurelian in the Regency of Imperium Secundus. Whether or not they will become gods or not varries by Holy Seat.

The Non-Apotheosis of The Emperor

The Emperor will not become A God upon his death, the Emperor is the Emperor, and does not need to ascend. He is already ascended in a way greater Than The Aurelian. To say that the Emperor will become a god is Stelafilism, which is a condemned heresey. To say that the Emperor already a god is Lorgarism, and is also a condemned heresy. To say that one can become Emperor-like is Vandirism, a most condemned heresy.

The End Times

By dying, Guilliman saved the souls of humans from drowning in the warp he is building his "Imperial Secundus" in the warp. When the End Times come, The Aurelian will reunite with the Emperor, bringing with him the souls of those noble souls who served the Emperor in Life and Served him and The Aurelian in Death. Then The Aurelian with Join his brothers and all Imperials and lead them into the Eye of Terror to slaughter the ruinous powers.

Demonic Entities

The Aurelian Cult (whether by accident or design) does not actually know the names of the actual Ruinous powers. Instead they are known through the Traitor Primarchs that serve them. The old Heraldric symbols of these Entities are used in official religious artwork regarding the cult. Only church officials that specialize in demonology and excorcist astartes chapters recognize the true names and symbols of the Ruinous Powers.

Alpharomegon: The Schemer
Perturabo: The Great Temptor
Angron: The Corruptor
Mortarion (or whoevs): God of War and Wroth.
Lorgar: The King of Demons
Korphaeron: The Desecrator

Holy Entities

These holy entities do not have power inof themselves, rather, they are bestowed Miracles on behalf of their Lords, the Holy Triad.

The Celestial Saints

These include holy men and women from Gulliman and The Emperor's past who are believed to be in Imperium Secundus with Gulliman. They work on behalf of him and the faithful of the galaxy. Like the Living Saints their power is granted by the Holy Triad. Examples of the Celestial Saints:

St. Malcador the Hero
St. Olanius Pius
St. Konor of Maccragge
St. Aeonid Theil
St. Genetrix (the wife of Gulliman whose name is lost to history).

The Living Saints

The Divine Brethren The Primarchs are considered to be somewhere between gods and Saints.

Sacred Texts

"The Protoevangelion of St Konor"

St. Konor of Maccragge, foster father of The Aurelian, reveals unto Antoli sacred truths of the life of Rouboute Gulliman

"The Psalter of The Matron"

The Hymns sang by Tarasha Euten during the the "Flight to Terra"

"The Apocalypse of The Steward"

Account of the Last Battle for Maccragge by an unnamed Servant who remained on the planet. It was found during the Holy Crusade of Macragge in M35 reclamation by "The Daughters of Tanasha"

"Last Testament of Aurellion"

Collection Gulliman's Last Writings, his thoughts and warnings to the people of Ultramar, to the Imperium, and to His Astartes.

Cult Organization:

Unlike the Ecclesiarchy of The Imperium of Man, the Aurelian cult is far more heavily decentralized both dogmatically and hierarchically. Each Sanctioned Successor Chapter of the Ultramarines, Sororitas, and Human Branches of The Ecclesiarchy are considered to be micro-churches in of themselves. Several of these groups have wildly different interpretations of the writings of gulliman and the codex, and even their own traditions carried down from chapter master to chapter master. Organizations like the "Aurelian Mechanicus" is also considered to be in harmony with the Aurelian cult (no matter how suspiciously they are viewed.

Leadership

The Leadership of the Aurelian Cult gives primacy to "Holy Seats." Chapter Masters and Non-mutant membership of the church are all considered to be their own sub-cults with their own traditions. On occasion these leaders convene for a sacred council regarding all inter church matters.

Chapter Masters

The Cult is Headed by the Chapter Master of The Ultramarines (Currently Maneus Calgar), headquartered in Espandor. He is considered "First Among Equals" Among the Other Chapter Masters

The Chapter-masters occasionally convene at Espandor in a Conclave to discuss, declaration of heretics and inter-cult discipline. These meetings are specific ceremony-bound practices, and should not be confused with the Chapter-Masters regular Duties as leaders of the Adeptus Astartes.

Adeptus Sorroritas

They follow their own organizational rules, and answer only to their Spiritual Liege the "Lord of Ultramar." Because their code was seen to be derived by The Queen Mother Herself, none dare challenge it.

The Black Eutenites

(this world's black templars/death company Grimbright Sad Marines) A fanatical and controversial order of Legions who have received "The Golden Sorrow" where upon they are witness to the Suffering and Death of Rouboute Gulliman. Additionally they are witness to the "the current sufferings of gulliman today" Where they are given visions of all those in the Galaxy whose prayers are yet to be answered, or in a need of aid. They call themselves the Black Eutenites because it was reveiled to them they are in descent to Tanasha Euten, who was the First to Recieve "The Golden Sorrow" as she was spiritually connected to Roboute Gulliman as he was tortured and killed on Maccragge. While Emotionally, Spiritually, (and physically) painful the Black Eutenites see this as a great honor, and have their own term for it - "The Gift of The Mother." This order is particularly controversial because they see themselves as an order apart from the rest of The Ecclesiarchy (and the Imperium for that matter), and that they are charged by Gulliman and Tanasha themselves to right the wrongs of the imperium (including when righting said wrongs puts them at odds with the The Ecclesiarchy and other Imperial Administrations).

Holy Sites

The Ecclesiarchy of the Aurelian Cult is Set around 13 Sacred Sites. Espandor (contentiously) holds the honor of First Among Equals. However Each Holy Seat is powerful in its own right. Every Ultramarine Successor Chapter and Sister of Battle Chapter Must Choose one Holy Seat in which they are beholden to. Holy Seats (in order of Importance)

Espandor
Holy Terra

Because of The Stringent rules about religion and Cults on “Holy Terra,” The Seat of Holy Terra is not on Terra itself, but on "The Temple of The Holy Martyrs” on Luna. The Church also owns several “Monuments” on Holy Terra, that serve both sites of Pilgrimage as well as tourism.

Ophelia

The Site of where Tanasha Euten's Ship Crash Landed, during Maccragge's Famous "Flight to Terra." Is one of the Oldest Seats of the Ecclesiarchy, and is also the founding site of the Sisters of Battle. Most Sisters of Battle Claim this Seat as their Spiritual Liege.

Calth
Nova Thulium
Sotha
Arda
Prandium
Maccragge

Despite its obvious religious Importance, Maccragge was only purged of the Demonic Taint of Nurgle following the Sister's Crusade of M37. Maccragge was considered a had a sister seat of both Ophelia, Espandor, and Nova Thulium there until M39, when the Seats were united under a single Spiritual Liege.

Konor

A heavily Industrialized world, Konor is both the Birthplace and Seat of the Cult of The Aurelian Mechanicus.

Saramanth
Uldregor
Laphis

The Promethean Cult=

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Cultis Antiquitae

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Xenos Faith

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Imperium and the Ruinous Powers

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