Makerism

Makerism is a monotheistic religion based around the life and teachings of G0NF and his eventual crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension in combination with the ancient texts of Villager Lore. A server-wide census in 290 TE indicated that Makerism was the sixth largest religion on Stoneworks.

As a religion, the original Gonfism is considered to have 'died' with the Collapse of Jagdas, before being continued by what is today called Makerism. Today, all followers of Gonf are often colloquially called Gonfists, though this is not to be confused with the original religious order that was created followed the crucifixion of G0NF before it morphed into modern Makerism upon the Collapse of Jagdas and the eventual creation of the Core Makerist Church.

Adherents to the faith are known as Makerists with the faith itself being administered by the Core Makerist Church which describes itself as the one true Church and the orthodox continuation of Gonfism. The leader of the clergy in the Core Makerist Church is known as the Pontifex - with regional duties being appointed to Archbishops, and city-wide or very small jurisdictions falling to Bishops.

The Codex Aetherni is the primary religious scripture of Makerism, which is split into smaller sections of texts called the Old Testificate and New Testificate respectively. The Old Testificate follows texts that pre-date the Jagdasian Collapse while the New Testificate bares texts following the Collapse and the incarnation of Gonfism into Makerism.

History
The faith originates with the ancient beliefs of Villager Lore which was the faith practiced by the Testificates (Villagers) pre-dating the arrival of the "Marked Ones" which is the term used by the Testificates to denote those who contain markings above their heads. Following the arrival of the Marked Ones the faith faced broad persecution led by the one known as "Emen" who brought widespread destruction to Testificate civilization with the widespread belief that a messiah-like figure would appear to unify and save the remaining Testificates.

The sudden arrival of G0NF on the world of Jagdas brought many Testificates and Marked Ones into the belief that he was a deity which was reinforced by various miracles in which he preformed alongside his teachings of peace, kindness and generosity to which he was crucified and, as witnessed by those in attendance, ascended into the heavens. However, this event led to widespread conflict on Jagdas through an event known as the First Crusade in which followers of GONF took action against those that had executed GONF. Following the destruction of Jagdas and the mass migration to Rathnir the faith began to dwindle due to continued persecutions at the hands of Emen with the destruction of Hraam and the appearance of many new faiths brought by the marked ones. Through efforts of the Church, the faith had begun to once again grow in Eldham with the rediscovery of further lost ancient texts of Villager Lore alongside divine insight from GONF which led to the First Council of Aeterna. This council was a gathering of all followers and clergy in which resulted in a uniform Makerist doctrine and theology.

The Quadrality
Makerists believe in one god, known as the Maker, which is comprised of four district, equal and co-existing aspects. All aspects are equally the Maker while being distinct from one another.


 * Maker - The Seed: The Seed is the Maker in his capacity of creating the world and all things from the the point that all creation sprouts from and branches from the Seed.
 * Maker - Hrma: Hrma is the Maker in his capacity as the Sun who gives life and passes judgement on all souls and those entering into the afterlife.
 * Maker - Henu: Henu is the Maker in his capacity as the Moon who is locked in perpetual motion with Hrma in a constant shift between day and night.
 * Maker - GONF: GONF is the Maker in his mortal capacity.

Heavenly Spheres
The devout believe they either ascend to or descend to these realms, depending on their deeds in life as well as their belief in GONF and his teachings. All souls enter the void realm upon death in which they are judged by the sun god Hmra until they are seen as worthy or unworthy to enter into the higher Aethers.

Those deemed unworthy are made into nether mobs and if one continues to be unworthy they are sent into the lowest realm as an enderman and cast out for eternity with no hope of redemption, tortured by Emen

Souls and the Afterlife
XP is seen as the lifeforce of all creatures and only those with lifeforce are considered living creatures thus trees are not living among other things. Those that follow the faith, GONF and his teachings ascend to higher realms, the highest of which is known as the 5th Aether, while those that do bad through their life are judged and cast into the lower realms, each one being progressively worse than the last. The final realm is ruled by Emen who tortures all those who enter upon his realm for eternity to which there is no redemption from this realm.

Scripture
The teachings of Makerism revolve around the "10 Wisdoms of The Almighty" and the "8 Pillars of GONF", which mean to serve as guidance on how believers should live their lives. The "10 Wisdoms of The Almighty" are words by the Almighty within the "Player's Book" of the Old Testificate. They were stated to Ovo by the Almighty upon witnessing each of the 12 realms which in which are ways to live.

The 8 Pillars of GONF are based around the Book of GONF and his central teachings in his life as these are taught to the devout as pillars to live by alongside the 10 Wisdoms of the Almighty. While six of the pillars are identical to the Gonfist Tenets of G0NF, the tenet of peace is not shared by the Core Makerist church.

Ascendant Saints
Achieving Ascendant Saint status is a possible goal for all those who follow the faith though becoming one can occur in a variety of different ways from person to person. Saints are mortals who are the embodiment of the faiths teachings and through their good works, heroics, tales and acts in life have achieved Ascendant Saint status in which they are worshipped as a quasi-god and are given their own altars within the Temples. There are two Ascendant Saints in current day Aetherianity.

Testificus, also referred to as Pure_Frosty, was the first Testificate cleric to follow and worship the words of GONF and to who had stayed by his side and recorded the actions and deeds of GONF to that day and many others. He is known to spread the word of GONF to villages far and wide. The Book of Testificus was written to him.

Meiddaura Kul, also referred to as Meiddas, was the first Baghra of the Bai Federation. The poem of the Idyllrus Pyrus serves as a tale for the devout about a man who had transformed his nation with bountiful fields of harvest for all to feed from and his ascendance after continuous acts of selfless service to others within his nation. Kul is mostly associated with a peaceful agrarian lifestyle, the harvest and agriculture.

Church Structure
The Pontifex: The Pontifex acts as the leader of the church and head of the Ecclesiastical Council. By virtue of the position of the Pontifex possesses supreme and universal power within the Church which may be exercised freely by the Pontifex who is also simultaneously and permanently the Bishop of Aeterna. The Pontifex is to be elected each month by vote of the Ecclesiastical Council with no limits to how many times the Pontifex may serve consecutively.

Cardinal: Cardinals are ceremonial titles given to chose who occupy appointed administrative position within the Pontifical Court and serve as direct advisors to the Pontifex on top of their clerical positions.

Archbishops: Archbishops are appointed by the Pontifex to oversee the faith and its administration in Empires or over a region of multiple-nations. Local rulers and governments may present candidates for Archbishop subject to the approval of the Pontifex. Archbishops have the authority to excommunicate members of the faith which their territory.

The Bishops: Bishops are local leaders of the Faith, and are assigned to oversee the faith in the entirety of a nation. Local rulers and governments may present candidates for Bishop subject to the approval of the Pontifex. Bishops have the authority to excommunicate members of the faith from their territory.

Abbots: Abbots members of the clergy who lead the faith in a single Church and Town and can administer all main religious ceremonies including marriages and others and who have Laybrothers under them who are in training to become Abbots.

Laybrothers: are starting members of the clergy -people  who seek to learn more about thefaith and take part in the Church as well as move up the ranks of the clergy. They are learning more about the faith and being taught by other members of the clergy. They are usually given missionary work to spread the faith.

Bishoprics
There are currently two defined Bishoprics in the Core Makerist Church. These are territories where the Core Makerist Church assigns Bishops.


 * Bishopric of Veskalide, currently led by Bishop Silus II
 * Bishoprich of the United Socialist States of Eldham, currently led by Bishop Arika Ronango'O.

Ecclesiastical Council
The Ecclesiastical Council is the body composed of all clergymen above the rank of Abbot who have voting ability within the Church and its members are responsible for the governance and administration of the faith in their territories while as a collective body it serves as the primary legislative council of the faith. It also serves as the main body of discussion of issues and situations ranging from a local level to issues involving the entire Church. The Council is also responsible for the monthly voting of the Pontifex.

Pontifical Court
The Pontifical Court serves as the primary administrative and advisory body to the Pontifex and aids the Pontifex is managing the Church. Positions within the Court include the Chancellor of the Faith, Grand Inquisitor, and Grand Intercessor - with all members of the court being granted the title of Cardinal. Members can be appointed and removed from the court at will of the Pontifex.

Mass
It is traditionally performed by an Abbot or higher and it can be done in a variety of ways such as traditionally within a Temple or even a circle of people in a forest.

Clergy are instructed to say mass in an engaging and short form way. The faith has endeavored over centuries on how to best capture the attention of the people. Clergy frequently interact with their people using examples that are personal to the locals or asking someone to confess and be rid of their guilt in front of everyone.

Prayer
Prayer is a direct communication with the Gods, GONF and the Ascended Saints. Some prayers can be simple utterances and silent thoughts, while others are sung or highly ritualized. The purpose of praying ranges from requesting help to beginning for enlightenment and insight from specific ascendants. Universal Prayer of Makerism "The faith grants me the power to pass Justice,

Through Justice comes Penitence,

From Penitence comes Forgiveness,

Through Forgiveness may I rest peacefully in the Realms,

From I, your faithful servant"

Confession
Confession is a sacred and strictly confidential practice between one person and a clergymen. Clergy often encourage people to confess their sins and crimes in public, but the more common is done privately. Confession can either be done on a purpose-made confessionary in a temple or by asking a clergyman to talk in a secluded spot. The clergyman listens to a person's sins and provides advice on how to redeem themselves and be forgiven.

Baptism
Baptism is the primary rite which is bestowed upon converts to the faith and those who receive a second chance at forgiveness. With Baptism, whatever a person's crime against the state, sins against their god or gods, or all else is forgiven and they are made anew and washed clean using fire and water and through the taking of the transformation potion which is said to represent the captured blood of GONF.