Selfism

Selfism is the religion of individuals who harbor exceptional skill in any given category. Contrary to most religions, prayer and worship are outlawed. Due to the nature of the organization, prayer and worship would go against the purpose of achieving the honor of being deemed exceptional in a skill. For a skill should not be perfected for the purpose of being praised. Rather, it should be achieved for self fulfillment and the betterment of everyone who celebrates the religion. Members of Selfism gather at The Bohemian Grove, as it is a haven of exceptional minds, skilled warriors, and unrelenting aficionados in labor. Members of this religion understand that no god has given them their exceptional ability. It is instead themselves who have earned their prowess in their respective field. To credit the achievements of oneself to a god would undermine the hard work and dedication an individual underwent on their journey.

Religion is often in the same conversation as wish fulfillment. Do not leave that in the hands of a god. Instead, leave it in your own hands.

Religious Functions
Selfism primarily serves a sociological function. This religion follows a strong sense of social order and norms such as: rules, laws, traditions, and customs. It follows a vague, yet understandable code of conduct within the holy city of The Bohemian Grove.

Selfism also lends itself to a psychological function. It expresses an idea pertaining to living a successful lifetime through rites of passage and stages that lead to a sense of harmony, order, and comfort.

Selfism, finally, can include a metaphysical function. It teaches us the spirituality (internal or external) in crediting yourself. It exposes the ethical value of each skill, good or bad morally, and how they are all celebrated in different ways. This function, though not the primary function, eases burdens and broadens understanding and serves a very important role.

Selfism never serves a cosmological function. We do not know, nor care, how the world is created. We only know it exists and the rules involved.

Sociological Function
When discussing Selfism's sociological function, it is best to start with societal roles. There are three with varying levels of notoriety. These levels of notoriety are purely based on an individuals prowess in their respective skill.

Mentees:
A mentee is for those who have yet to shine in a certain skill. This is for those looking for a path, but have not found what they were born to do. This role, however, is not a slight at one's character. Instead, it is a phrase to recognize potential. If someone becomes a mentee, that means a Chosen has determined that they do indeed have a path ahead of them. They showcase the temperament and mindset to one day become larger than life in a specific skill. Mentees are expected to reach out to a Mentor to receive guidance and oportunity. A mentee becomes a mentor at the discretion of a Chosen.

Mentors:
Mentors are well on their way to becoming a Chosen. However, it is one thing to become exceptional at a skill, but it is another to be able to lead others to the same result. A mentor is a teacher, ally, and a leader. This is the most important role. It forges the future and guides mentees to their full potential.

Chosen:
Chosen have put in the work and their actions stand alone. They no longer have anything to prove. For they have become one of the best in their respective fields. They determine who becomes a mentee and a mentor. They have the power to make exceptions in the social hierarchy and serve the religion as a whole. They are role models, leaders, and the brightest examples of exemplary skill. The only way to become a chosen, is if multiple chosen agree. If you are a mentor attempting to become a chosen and it does not happen, it is not a reflection of one's skill necessarily. A collection of chosen's attentiveness is also at play.

Societal Role Exceptions
Among the three societal roles, none of them are restricted to the text. Mentees can easily forge their own path. Mentors can easily not teach mentees. But, Chosen must always represent Selfism as leaders in their respective skill. Chosen can promote mentees and mentors as they see fit. Some individuals may have already proven themselves outside of the religion. If that is the case, they may start as a mentor or chosen at the very beginning of their devotion to Selfism.

Social Order and Norms
Below outlines a vague societal balance. Rules and laws are malleable. Traditions and customs revolve around the celebration and collection of the most skilled individuals in the world.

- Never hold a grudge
Grudges are a messy business. If someone wrongs you, learn and move on. Or, talk them about it and find a compromise.

- Lift each other to a higher standard
This depends purely on morals, of which is accepted to any degree. Lift each other to become better in specific skills, with methods either accepted or otherwise.

- Recognize excellence
No matter how well you can do something, be able to recognize when someone has achieved a new milestone. Congratulate and celebrate with them.

- Carry no envy
Envy is ugly. If someone is better than you at a certain skill, do not compare yourself to them. Or, use it as motivation to improve yourself.

- Do not discredit an achievement
Even if someone scams or is a murder hobo. It is what it is and they succeeded. If you do not agree with the morals of an achievement, stay silent and make a note to avoid them if need be.

The Gathering
Members of Selfism gather at The Bohemian Grove every December 10th of the year for a day long celebration. This also serves as a networking event.

Psychological Function
This section adds more detail to the progression through societal roles through rites of passage and how everyone works together. Also, it expands on the perception of skill and how it changes us.

The Mentee:
The mentee is granted access to this religion by a mentor who deems them worthy. What deems an individual worthy? That is through the observation of the mentor. A mentor of the skill of mining, may not understand or appreciate a potential mentee's skill in combat. Not being accepted by one mentor is not a bad thing. It means one of two things. Either you have found the wrong mentor, or you lack the qualities of a good learner. This is often shown through arrogance or false ambition. This rite of passage lacks a foundational ceremony. It's as simple as a mentor notifying a chosen that someone is worthy. Becoming a mentee starts an individual on the path of learning and humility. And yet, accepted by the members of the religion as family.

The Mentor:
A mentee becomes a mentor when a mentor provides a chosen proper evidence that a mentee has excelled in their duties. A mentor's responsibility is to propel their skill to the next level, while teaching mentees their way. To go from mentee to mentor requires higher celebration. Mentor's across the Bohemian Grove gather at the castle's cathedral to accept the mentee's transition into becoming a mentor. Chosen may be in attendance as well.

The Chosen:
The mentor has become an absolute master and therefore must face themselves to become a chosen.

How Exceptional Skill Changes Us
Ego, arrogance, and the stalwart. Exceptional skill is celebrated amongst the ranks of Selfism. But, skill has a way to corrupt. More importantly, what lays in the wake of exceptional skill has a way of corrupting us. A chosen PvPer may rise through the ranks to fight for good, whatever that may be, or they fight for evil, whatever that may be. A chosen diplomat may plant the seeds of everlasting peace, or sow the threads of chaos. A chosen builder may build the most lavish estate for a chosen leader, or build a large phallic object.

It is not how we adapt to achieve our exceptional skill, it is how we adapt to ensure our exceptional skill does not corrupt us.