Christianity
This article deals with Christianity as it relates to NationStates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on this subject.
Major Christian alliances and regions in NationStates include The Reich and the Greater Prussian Empire. The Dominion of the Holy Vatican See is accepted by a large number of NS Nations as the location of the Vatican, and as such, as the Pope of the NS Roman Catholic Church although there are many others who also claim this title. Nations which are especially noted for their practicing of Christianity (due to the central role it has in their roleplay) are the Teutonic Empire of Lavenrunz, the Holy and Most August Empire of Pantocratoria, the Republic of Syskeyia, the Great Franglo-Indian Empire of Clandon and the Holy Monastic Republic of the Archregimancy. However many other nations have significant Christian populations and it would go too far to list them all here.
Contents
The role of Christianity in the NS World
Introduction
In the Nationstates game, Christianity plays a somewhat different role in a number of nations than it does it most nations in the real world. While there is a relatively large number of nations where Christianity is somewhat comparable to its RL equivalents, the extreme fundamentalist forms tend to get the greater amount of attention (as the exception tends to be more noticed than the rule). As a consequence, most of the article shall focus on such nations.
Radicalism and Fundamentalism
The more fundamentalist or radical versions of Christianity in NS tend to have quite a few things in common, and although not all of them are equal, a majority of comparable traits can generally be found wherever the more violent forms show up.
- Sexualism, the persecution of people on the basis of sexuality (especially homosexuals) is common in some "fundamentalist" countries.
- Inquisitions exist in quite a few Christian nations, especially Catholic ones. (In RL the Dignitatis Humanae compels Catholics to believe religious freedom to be a human right, but such nations don't acknowledge the existence of this document.)
- Organised Persecution of competing religious groups is common (With exceptions. Most Reich nations tend to consider Muslims as being equal). Genocide is a daily phenomenon.
- Xenophobia, especially fear of different species such as non-humans who are portrayed either as animals or as dangers to the faith. Elves have frequently been the target of persecution.
Nations
There are actually quite a few nations where Christianity is religionwanked in order to be 'evil'. These are merely some examples.
Iesus Christi is possibly one of the best- known examples. It is also one of the more conventional ones. Claiming to be a Roman Catholic nation, it more accurately promotes a Naziesque ideology with a Catholic coating, using Christ, Mary, the Gospels and the saints to promote all kinds of genocide, atrocity and horror.
Endless Crimes is a Reich nation like Iesus Christi, with a most peculiar version of Christianity, featuring genemod angels. It also bans sex and procreation, despite 1 Timothy 4:3's warning against false prophets forbidding people to marry (and, it is implied, procreate).
Infinite Loving is one of the oddest examples. Here, Homosexuality is not illegal, but mandatory, while heterosexuality is frowned upon, and used only for procreational purposes. Women are considered nothing more but wombs.
Furthermore, there are nations where Christianity is wanked in order to be 'good'. While most of the NS community OOCly agrees on what is *bad* (genocide, persecution, etc.), there is no agreement on on what is morally good. For example, some Christian nations display a conservative moral agenda as a sign of being a good country. Examples of this include the Republic of Syskeyia's short-lived Senatus Ultimum Consultum against Tanah Burung society writer John Santyana, an action which some have perceived as a "Catholic fatwah" against overly liberal nations and individuals, ([1]), or severe action taken by said nations (as well as other countries) against anti-Christian religions, such as Satanism. The vehemently anti-Catholic brand of Protestantism professed by Reichskamphen might also be an example.
Stuck in the middle
There remain other 'important' Christian nations, which manage to avoid wanking of Christianity to a greater or lesser extent than the ones mentioned above. Then there are nations that, in trying to play out their Christianity, get stuck in between the "Christian fascists" and their non-Christian opponents. The Republic of Syskeyia is again an example of a nation whose quarrels with the Reich concerning human rights, elves and so forth are well known, but whose orthodox Catholicism threw it in trouble with some of its friends in the now-defunct South Atlantic Treaty Organization, especially Knootoss. Finally, there are some virulently anti-fascist Christian nations who show zero tolerance towards the "Christian fascists", and consider them to be heretics or blasphemers. Constantinopolis is a prime example of such a nation.
Of course, many nations are mainly populated by Christians without holding Christianity as an official religion or having any state church; Indeed, this may be so for the majority of the world's nations, or at least a very large minority.
Christian Denominations in the NS World
Roman Catholicism
(Main article: Roman Catholicism)
Many NS nations profess the Christian Roman Catholic religion and loyalty to the Holy See. Unlike the real world, however, there is little unity among declared Catholics, usually due to the matter of the Holy See. Some Roman Catholic nations prefer to recognize a pope from within the NationStates community, such as Pope Leo of the Holy Vatican See. Others acknowledge only the real-life Pope, usually Benedict XVI, but sometimes a past, future, or alternative one, in accordance with their roleplayed history line. There is also a Vacant see, where the Conclave is formed, in order to elect the new pontiff. A number of national and variant-rite churches exist. Twentish Catholicism and the Frenzberrian Catholic Church are fully seperate from the Roman Catholic Church.
Eastern Orthodoxy
(Main article: Eastern Orthodoxy)
The Eastern Orthodox Church is a body of Christians who believe their origins extend directly back to Jesus and his Apostles through unbroken Apostolic Succession. The division between Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy had more to do with culture, language, and politics than doctrine, although there are important doctrinal differences, such the West's gradual adoption of the Filioque clause into the Nicene Creed, the permission for parish priests to marry within the Eastern Church, and the different interpretation of the role of the Bishop of Rome (Orthodox collegial versus Catholic monarchical) within the community of bishops. A definitive date for the commencement of schism cannot be given, although conventionally it is often said that the final split between the Churches of Rome and Constantinople occurred in 1054 (often called the Great Schism) when Cardinal Humbert (on behalf of Pope Leo IX) and Patriach Michael Cerularius of Constantinople pronounced anathemas on each other.
Protestantism
(Main Article: Protestantism)
Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. In RL it generally refers to churches which separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the Reformation (but not to Eastern Orthodox denominations). In NS it may also refer to groups which seperated later or other groups which are ideologically or dogmatically close to the groups mentioned before. The primary principle of the Protestant faith is often referred to as "Sola Scriptura", which is the teaching of God's word without any additions or subtractions therefrom, as Protestants see it.
Other denominations
Galactic Church of Pentecost
(Main Article: Galactic Church of Pentecost)
The Galactic Church of Pentecost has a large following in Glasbyd, where the Church has a following of over 75% of the nation. It is a Biblical literalist denomination with an hierarchical episcopacy.
Godwinnian Catholic Church
(Main article: Godwinnian Catholic Church)
This is the main church within the island nation of Godwinnia, where over 90% of the inhabitants are at least nominally amongst its members, and is also influential in most of the former Godwinnian colonies such as St Edmund. It originated when the English refugees who founded 'Godwinnia' shortly after the Normans had conquered England itself in 1066AD decided that a combination of their new homeland's geographical isolation and their anger at the Pope's support of the Normans made a break with Rome necessary. Despite the official name it is no longer truly "Catholic" in its teachings, having adopted a form of the 'Pelagian' heresy (which denies the doctrine of Original Sin) at an early date at least in part as one way of emphasising its separate identity. Its bishops and archbishops are chosen by the King, on the advice of the 'Witan' (parliament), from short-lists drawn up by the relevant diocesan synods.
Virginian Catholicism
Virginian Catholicism is founded on the same beliefs as Catholicism. The religion became popular right before the creation the Holy Republic of Catholic Virginians. The sect does not acknowledge any other popes except their own. The followers of this sect are believed to be very spiritual, perhaps even psychotic in their beliefs. Virginian Catholics are very hostile towards all Protestants and have executed many of them. The current Pope of the Virginian Church is Pope Innocent I.
Christian offshoots
There are some denominations which may classify themselves as Christian, but whose status as Christian denominations is highly controversial due to major differences of fundamental points of doctrine. They are listed here as Christian offshoots, since typically they evolved from Christianity, and many still identify themselves as Christian, despite protestations from other Christians.
Eru-Christianity
Eru-Christianity is perhaps the largest religious grouping in the Federation of Sentient Peoples, which has, in recent times, also gained a minor following in the Iluvauromeni Commonality of Everlasting Light. It modifies primarily Protestant principles and combines them with the religious ideas derived in the 'Tolkienesque' religions. The major changes occur in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, including a different Creation Story (The one included in the Ainulindalë) and an expansion of the role of angels in early religious history, including the roles of the Ainur as described in the Valaquenta, who are portrayed as high level angels. Further, the religion promotes tolerance and understanding of other religions, and encourages scientific discovery and the acquiring of knowledge. While it does not approve of certain lifestyles, it argues for assistance and understanding, not persecution. Unlike some other major Christian sects, it does not rule out the possibility of evolution.
Fletcherism
(Main article: Fletcherism)
Fletcherism is a branch of Christianity which believes that John Fletcher talked to God. Its status as a Christian denomination is controversial, because Fletcherism contradicts the doctrine of the Resurrection of Jesus. The basic tenant of Fletcherism is that John Fletcher spoke to God, and was told information about the world, Jesus, and theology, along with other things. It is the largest single religion in Kedalfax.
Makaarian National Church
The Makaarian National Church was once the largest religious group in Makaar, with almost the entire population worshipping in it. However, the government became atheist, and the people followed, reducing the church's power. Originally a Protestant sect, the church began to integrate several different gods into its teachings. While Yaweh remained the main god, people began to believe in six other gods. While some Makaarian people still believe and worship in the church, most are atheist, and the government has declared itself completely atheist.
Theillardism
Theillardism is a relatively new mystical Christian current, influenced by the French mystic priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Teilhard de Chardin reconciled Christianity with evolution in mid-twentieth century in a unique fashion. For him, the "plan of God" for humanity is a progressive virtuous dual spiral of love and evolution. Then the second coming of Jesus is a metaphor of this spiral. Theillardists don't refer to many traditional dogmas. Some call themselves as Christian transhumanists. This religious group was also influenced by the German Catholic theologian Eugen Drewermann whose teachings can be summarized by the following: "the reality of the message of love of Jesus is a reality superior to the reality of his status as God son and even superior to the reality of God as a Supreme Being or a being".
Theillardism is the main religion in Love and esterel. Many Christian celebrations in Love and esterel are inter-religious, to which believers from other main religion and others faith are invited to attend and contribute. Theillardists also attend celebrations of other religions regularly.
Non-Denominational Christianity
The church of Christ: Why not just be a Christian?
INTRODUCTION After more than sixteen years of research, J. Gordon Melton discovered that there are more than 1,200 different religious sects in America, ranging from major, well-established denominations to bizarre cults specializing in all sorts of strange and outrageous beliefs. In other parts of the world, many hundreds more varieties of religious faith can be identified.
Confronted by so many conflicting religious doctrines, many people don't know what to believe. "Which church is right?” they wonder. "Is one just as good as another?~ Hearing so many conflicting voices claiming to speak for God, many are turned off Christianity all together. The power of Christianity and its influence for good in the world have been tragically diminished by the divisions which exist.
The cost of religious division is staggeringly high: It is paid in the duplication of facilities and overlapping of effort; It is paid in the jealousy, suspicion, and competition between rival groups; It is paid in the unbelief of those driven away from Christianity by the scandal of denominational division. This prompts a question which many have probably never seriously considered: “Why nor be just a Christian?” That is, why not simply be followers of Christ without bogging down in the narrow confines of denominational loyalty? Why not, instead of being hyphenated Christians, be just plain Christians - Christians only?
I believe the time has come to take a long searching look at the division which exists in the religious world and ask, "Why are we so badly divided? Is this really what God wants? Is there any way for all followers of Christ to be united?" I believe the answer is Undenominational Christianity - the commitment to be and do in the 21st Century just what Christians were and did in the 1st Century! I am convinced that we have come to the point where we can only go forward by going back - back to New Testament Christianity! Why not be just Christians? IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES THERE WAS ONLY ONE CHURCH In describing the New Testament situation, Paul wrote, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in you all." (Ephesians 4.4-6.) The one body Paul had in mind was the church! (Ephesians 1.22-23.) Members of that one body were referred to simply as "Christians" in New Testament times! (Acts 11.26.) It was the desire of Jesus that His people be united. When He spoke of building His church, He promised only one. (Matthew 16.I8.) He prayed fervently for the unity of His followers: "That they may be one; even as thou, Father art in me, and I in thee..” (John 17.21.) Ephesians 2.13-16 notes that Christ reconciles men unto God through the one body which is the church! The inspired writers of the New Testament condemned division in the strongest possible terms! Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1.10, "I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." The Word of God condemns division as a work of the flesh in Galatians 5.20, and speaks of the "sects of perdition" in 2 Peter 2.4.
This New Testament concept of the oneness of the church has far reaching implications: If there is only one church, modern denominationalism stands condemned!
If there is only one church, then it is most emphatically NOT true that "one church is as good as another."
If there is only one church, then those who had advised that everyone should attend the "church of his choice" are either terribly misguided or deliberately defying the will of God.
If there is only one church, then any other religious body is merely a counterfeit of that one true church.
If there is only one church, then it is essential for men and women to be members of it!
Without malice or bitterness, and in a spirit of love and concern, we need to stress the Biblical picture of the church as an undenominational, Christ-centered body of men and women fully committed to doing the will of God! THE DEVELOPMENT OF DENOMINATIONALISM Present day religious division is rooted in a period in history known as the Great Apostasy or "falling away." Even during New Testament times some were trying to divide the church. The apostles and other inspired writers warned that there were some who would seek to “pervert the Gospel" and would bring "damnable heresies into the church." (Galatians 1.6-9; 2 Peter 2.1.) In 2 Thessalonians 2.3, the apostle Paul warned that after the days of the apostles there would come a departure from New Testament Christianity as men drifted from the truths which they had received. He calls this departure the "falling away." The Greek word apostasia means a decline, "defection, apostasy." Paul warned the New Testament congregation at Ephesus, "I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20.20-30.) This period of decline and digression resulted in a gradual loss of the emphasis of the New Testament over a period of two centuries from about 100 A.D. to approximately 300 A.D. During this period, in one area after another, changes were made from the New Testament pattern.
Changes occurred in church government as the independent congregations of New Testament times were gradually replaced by a centralized religious hierarchy of bishops, archbishops, and from the 7th century onward, the papacy.
Changes occurred in doctrine as human traditions were exalted over the Word of God.
Changes took place in worship when the simple and devout services of New Testament times gave way to Involved Liturgy, Mass in Latin, the veneration of Images, and instrumental music.
Changes also took place in the terms of membership in the church with the introduction of infant baptism and the adoption of sprinkling and pouring for baptism. The steps of apostasy can be traced in a series of significant dates:
150 A.D. The rise of the Monarchal Bishop.
251 A.D. The first substitution of pouring for immersion.
405 A.D. The introduction of Images to worship.
607 A.D. The first real pope.
666 A.D. The first instance of instrumental music in the church.
800 A.D. The unification of church and state by Charlemagne.
1054 A.D. The division of the Greek and Roman churches.
With the passing centuries, departure became so complete and the pattern of digression so fixed, that Christianity was buried under a virtual avalanche of apostasy, worldliness, and corruption. In the 16th century the attempt to correct these abuses led to the Reformation! Men like John Wycliffe, John Huss, and Jerome Savanorola paved the way for this attempt to get back to the New Testament ideal. They gave their lives in order to say, “The church is corrupt." It is truly inspiring to think of these men standing almost alone against the religious and political powers of their day to say, "We've drifted far from the original pattern." In later generations came Martin Luther, who insisted on the right of every individual to read and study the scriptures for himself without going through any ecclesiastical authority. Others like Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, and John Knox followed in his wake and carried on the work of digging the church out from under the centuries of digression and innovation which had swept over it. Still later, John Wesley attempted to breathe the life which characterized New Testament Christianity into the lifeless forms and rituals which men were observing. These were great men; we owe them a great debt; they set a light shining which helped to dispel a great deal of the darkness of apostasy. But the tragedy is that they did not go far enough! And in the end they set loose the seeds of denominationalism. None of these men started out with the intention of starting new churches. It was never their intention to contribute to religious division. Unfortunately, their followers rallied around them instead of focusing upon Christ. From their time until this day, one denomination has followed another and Christianity has become ever more fragmented. The teachings of Luther were crystallized into the Lutheran Church; the writings of Calvin became the basis for Baptist beliefs; John Knox established the Presbyterian Church; the work of John Wesley led to the formation of the Methodist Church; the Reformation in England produced the Episcopal or Anglican Church. As the years have passed, these denominations have divided and subdivided until today more than 1,200 different churches are to be found in America! The Reformation failed because it stopped too soon!
THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT
Near the beginning of the last century, a great movement began to gain momentum in the United States. It was born out of the sense of disillusion and disappointment which had been created by denominationalism with its legacy of factionalism, strife, and bitterness. It sprung from the recognition that the answer was not the creation of another denomination, but the rejection of denominationalism altogether in favor of a return to New Testament Christianity! It had as its aim the complete restoration of the 1st century church in all its original glory and purity. The movement spread like a prairie fire in the frontier American states of Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
The movement drew its leaders from many different religious backgrounds. Men, who had come from Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Episcopalian churches, united in an attempt to erase denominational differences in the restoration of New Testament Christianity.
One of the First leaders in the movement was James O'Kelly, a Methodist preacher from North Carolina who separated from the Methodist Church in 1793 to work for New Testament Christianity. Over 5,000 others united with him in pleading for the use of the name "Christianity" as the only name for believers, and the Bible as the only creed for the church.
Up in New England, two Baptist preachers, Elias Smith and Abner Jones, became disturbed over "sectarian names and creeds" and left them to begin working for New Testament Christianity beginning about 1801.
In Kentucky, a Presbyterian preacher, Barton W. Stone, withdrew from the Springfield Presbytery along with half a dozen other Presbyterian preachers in order to take the Bible as their only creed and to wear the name of Christian only. They published a famous document entitled, "The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbyter" in which they said, "We will that this body die, be dissolved, and sink into union with the body of Christ at large; for there is but one body, and one Spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling... We will, that the people henceforth take the Bible as the only sure guide to heaven; and as many as are offended with other books, which stand in competition with it, may cast them into the fire if they choose; for it is better into life having one book, than having many be cast into hell." Soon Barton Stone had influenced thousands to renounce denominational ties to become Christians only.
Two of the most influential leaders in the Restoration Movement were Thomas and Alexander Campbell, father and son, who migrated to America from Ireland in 1807 and 1809 respectively. The elder Campbell a Presbyterian minister, delivered the "Declaration and Address" in 1809 which ended with the famous words: '~Where the Bible speaks we sneak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent." He and his son Alexander withdrew from the Presbyterian Church, first to work within the Baptist Church, and later, after further study, to plead for New Testament Christianity. Alexander Campbell achieved world-wide fame through his writing and debating, and through his influence, tens of thousands joined the movement to become Christians only.
Beginning about the year 1832, these various movements which had arisen without knowledge of one another and were led by men of widely different religious backgrounds, joined forces in preaching for the same great principles which have become known as "The Restoration Plea."
They urged the unity of all believers in Christ on the basis of the Bible alone. (1 Peter4.11.)
They urged the rejection of all man-made creeds. Because of the divisive influence of creeds, they determined to take the Bible only as their authority in religion.
They urged the use of only scriptural names in referring to God's people. They refused to call themselves hyphenated Christians. They were Christians only. They determined to honor only Christ in their name.
They urged the recognition of the independence and autonomy of each local congregation of the church.
They urged a return to the worship and terms of membership practiced by the New Testament Church. Believing that the church of the New Testament provided a continuing pattern for the church, they called for a careful reproduction of all the particulars of New Testament Christianity. They were convinced that the only way to go forward was to go backward by restoring the church as it was in the beginning. Now this "Restoration" movement has gone around the world. In Africa, India, the Philippines, Central and South America, Europe, the Far East and elsewhere thousands have taken up the cry, "Why not be just Christians?” CONCLUSION Today we continue to cherish the hope that we may be Christians only. In humility we continue to plead for the unity of a divided religious world on the basis of the Bible alone. In pursuit of that objective, we urge with all the power we possess that men and women of all religious persuasions re-examine their beliefs and practices with the sincere intention of "Speaking where the Bible speaks and remaining silent where the Bible is silent!" We do not ask that you go back to Alexander Campbell or Barton Stone, or John Wesley, or Martin Luther, or John Calvin, or any other man. We plead instead for all men to go back to Christ! Back to the Bible! Back to the church of the New Testament! It is our prayer that we may be undenominational in our faith and in our practices.
This is the only real hope for unity in our religious world; it has worked before, it can work again! Our only hope is for all believers in Christ to walk faithfully in the Old Paths, following in the steps of the Lord. We can be in the 20th century just what Christians were in the 1st century if we will believe what they believed, obey what they obeyed, and observe what they observed! We must go back in order to go forward! Why not be just a Christian???
See also
- Category:Christians, for a list of Christians.
