Difference between revisions of "Omnianism"

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Note: This entry deals with the religion Omnianism as adapted to NationStates, see Omnia for details on its origin in the Discworld universe.

Introduction

Omnianism is the religion of choice (insofar as you can choose to be tied to a rack and tortured before converting) for the peoples of Omnia, a large desert nation in southern Europe. As far as comparisons go, Omnianism has been compared to medieval Twentish Catholicism. It is based around the worship of the Great God Om and the various Prophets that He has spoken to over the millennia. Understanding of this religion is essential if one is looking for an insight into Omnian society and people, each of whom must live their daily lives according to the Commandments handed down by the Prophets. Despite the rigidity and responsibilities of the lifestyle; the rabid evangelicalism of the Church, coupled with its opposition to contraception, has ensured that Omnianism is one of the fastest growing religions in Europe and it is expected to begin to challenge the current ascendancy of Twentish Catholicism in the coming years.

The core teaching of Omnianism, as contained in the Book of Om, is that there is only one god, the Great God Om, and that He is responsible for the creation of both Heaven and Earth. This mortal life is but an illusion, a test before Om. After death the soul must walk the lonely desert before being judged by the Great God. Those who have lived their lives according to the Commandments and the Church will be rewarded with a mere millennium or two in one of Om’s countless hells before a place in Paradise. Sinners, unbelievers, infidels, heretics, atheists and those who fidget in sermon will be consigned to a hell of Om’s choosing until the end of time. This threat of never-ending heavenly fire, and the rather more imminent threat of earthly fire, tends to give the Church the upper hand in any religious debate.

This leads on to the ever controversial, outside Omnia at least, Church practice of subjecting the heretical, sinful and plain unlucky to torture and flames in the cellars of the Quisition. This was first practiced (and they’ve been practicing so long they’re pretty good at it now) after the Prophet Wallspur declared “Let the holy fire destroy utterly the unbeliever”. Today this sentiment is often expressed as “Give the body hell to send the soul to heaven”.

History

This is the most current form of the official Church history. See below for information on the relationship between the Church and science.

To those of Omnian faith Om has always existed. Even before the likes of both space and time came into being, He was, and is, the one great constant in the multiverse. He has been responsible for the Big Bang, the formation of the stars and the miracle that is life. For an untold time, when years meant nothing, He was content to observe his creation. After countless aeons He, in His infallible wisdom, chose to create mankind and bestow the the blessing of free will upon them. However for many years man was unwilling to embrace the love of Om and instead sinned and worshiped false gods. Finally, around 400AD in the year of the infidels, the Great God spoke to a shepherd in a pillar of flame and revealed the truth of the universe. The young shepherd would go onto become the Prophet Ossory who, after surviving the desert and overthrowing the followers of the false god Ur-Gilash, would found the Omnian Church.

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Statue of the Prophet Ossory

Since then there have been a further seven Prophets – the Prophet Ceno, the Prophet Dhblah, the Prophet Wallspur, the Prophet Hashimi, the Prophet Abraxas, the Prophet Abbys and the Prophet Brutha. Om has sent each of his messengers at intervals of approximately 200 years meaning that the next Prophet is due by the end of the decade. Each Prophet has brought a new direction and teachings to the Church and its flock. Their combined teachings can be found in the Septateuch, the most important section of the Book of Om.

For the history of the Church itself, see Omnia

Commandments

In order to follow a good Omnian life, and therefore minimise time spent in the hells, it is essential to study and follow the Commandments issued by the Prophets. These are treated as direct instructions from Om and play a central role in everyday life for all followers of the Great God. There are currently 284 Commandments, undoubtedly the next Prophet will add to them, and they are embossed on the great golden doors to the Temple of Om in the Citadel. These cover every aspect of Omnian life from alchohol –The fruits of fermentation mock the minds of man (Ossory)- to swearing – Woe onto he who defiles his mouth with curses for his words will be as dust (Abbys). Other notable Commandments forbid the use of mirrors, women being ordained as priests and art (unless glorifying Om or his Prophets). The Commandments form the basis of Omnia’s code of laws (such as it is). Apart from a few added centuries in hell, breaking a Commandment will draw the attentions of the Quisition, a much more immediate punishment.

Rituals

Among the corridors of the Citadel, its not uncommon to hear the phrase “Om holds the world up, prayers make it go round”. This should give some perspective on the important of mass and prayers within Omnian society. Mass is compulsory at least once a week, but the average Omnian prefers to hedge their bets and attend at least twice. Even small chapels fill up on a daily basis and thousands of pilgrims throng the Citadel for the Cenobiarch’s morning mass. In addition to mass there are eight compulsory prayers a day. These prayers have set times at which the entire population stops work to give thanks to Om.

Omnianism and Science

Despite its strict Commandments and suspicious Hierarchy, the Church has a relatively cooperative attitude to those who delve into the workings of the world. This is often seen as a price the Church has been willing to pay so that the Word of Om may be spread more rapidly, either by the guns of the Divine Legion or new media. In order to skirt some of the more restrictive Commandments, certain interpretations have been put forwards. For example, while mirrors are forbidden throughout the country (for they encourage vanity), an exception is made for those engaged in optical or particle research as well as the military. The same applies to art; it is forbidden to draw bodies, unless glorifying the Prophets or for medical purposes. By the same token the history of the church is being constantly updated – six hundred years ago the world was 4,400 years old, today it is counted in millions.

Reasons for this odd, or at least out of character, outlook at religion’s traditional enemy are many but most observers attribute some of it to the initial vagueness of the Prophets. Ossory merely said that the world was created by Om without going into any real detail. As such the Church is happy to allow scientists to probe the material world, confident in the knowledge that, no matter how complex it may be, the universe was created by Om. This approach is all the better if it allows the Church to keep abreast of its rivals’ militaries. Naturally the Quisition keeps a close eye on all developments in case some researcher decides to adopt the same approach to Church doctrine.