Difference between revisions of "Solism (Democratic Union)"

Revision as of 15:24, 21 June 2006

The Solist symbol, a depiction of the sun's rays. It is also the flag of Solray.

Solism is a monotheistic religion focused around the teachings of Iosif Ustarema of Solray. It is one of the oldest and most influential religions in the Democratic Union, with followers in almost every nation.

Origins

The exact origins of Solism are unknown, but its writings are considered by the majority of the scientific community to be the oldest known written records in the world. Until recently, Solism was contained entirely within the borders of Solray due to the government's policy of isolationism. As a result of the isolation, followers consider the religion to have remained true to its origins and escaped the corrupting influences of the outside world.

In recent years, an era of expansion began with hundreds of missionaries being sent throughout the region. While at first resisted by the people, the Solist teachings slowly became more and more accepted until several nations declared it the official religion.

Beliefs

Self-Improvement

The basis of Solist beliefs is in the self. By improving oneself mentally and spiritually, a Solist helps to improve the condition of the world. Continued self-improvement provides an example for those around him to follow. Through this process Solism hopes to improve the entire world, uniting all peoples under a banner of self-improvement. This unity would eventually bring about an end to crime, poverty, and injustice.

Tradition

Solists are compelled to follow many ancient traditions. These traditions strengthen their faith as well as their unity, and typically enhance their spiritual connections. While there are many smaller traditions, only the most important 5 Traditions are required:

1. Pray at dawn and mourn the setting of the sun
2. Celebrate the rising of the sun and mark it by eating a ceremonial meal
3. Carry red, orange, and yellow beads upon shoulder (used to pray and tell the time of day)
4. Never eat swine or raw meat
5. Have at least one sunflower in garden or home (to help show the path of light)

Light and Dark

Solism is heavily focused on the conflict between light and dark, and believes that each is necessary for the continued existence of the other. The Ustarema is the godly figure of light, and his antithetical figure is the Imoy Ikust, figure of darkness. Rather than having laws set in stone, the words of the Ustarema are considered to have total legitimacy over everything else. Likewise, the words of the Imoy Ikust are considered the ultimate path towards evil and should therefore be avoided.

Internationally

League of Red

Many nations dedicatedly follow the teachings of the Ustarema. As required by Solism, all nations with significant Solist populations are members of the League of Red, a loose organization. In accordance with Solist dogma regarding free will, members of the League are not required, but encouraged, to aid each other when necessary. After proving their dedication strongly enough, members may be given an Angel, a spiritual leader on the national level. Angels are usually natives of their country, and are chosen for their potential in the eyes of the Ustarema rather than any tangible quality.

Abascalania

The first Solists to arrive in Abascalania were not missionaries, but rather soldiers sent as a response to the nation's invasion of chucknorrisville. After a convoluted series of events, Solray withdrew its forces, but not before introducing a biological strand of assorted pathogens into Abascalania's ecosystem. These pathogens quickly spread throughout the nation and contaminated the population. In response, Abascalania was forced to declare a quarantine and cut off all trade. This devastated the economy and led to widespread civil unrest.

Solray repeatedly offered to cure the disease if the government accepted Solism, but the price was considered too high. Finally, the military junta of Gen. Chuck Norris Jr. was deposed and Rujclef Wisesman, a Solist supporter, took control of the government. Within days all of Abascalania's citizens had been cured by Solist missionaries. Since then, Abascalania has fully embraced the Solist faith and joined the League of Red, with over 67% of the population regularly performing the traditions. This method of converting a nation remains highly controversial, and Solray has since vowed to only convert through peaceful ways.

CN

EE

Eyygui

The Glorious Empire

In The Glorious Empire, Solism has been repressed. Manily Because, In the eyes of all Solists, The Satanists are viewed as followers of the Imoy-Ikust, mainly due to the fact that the God of TGE Satanism, George Pita is married to The Imoy-Ikust. Solists and Satanists have often been at odds with each other, Killings of Solists are often government Sponsored, and Solists where dubbed "The Beast of the North" by The National-Capitalists and Much of Satanic Thought is Based on these Ideals. Thus Solists are considered inferior to Satanists, and in General All of the TGE Peoples, They are at the Bottem of the "Hierachy of Faiths" and are considered Sub-Human (To TGE People, Humans are low, as they believe that they have evolved beyound that stage of existence, so Sub-humans are subjected to even more pain and suffering than Humans are)

George Pita Husband of the Imoy-Ikust and The unoffical Satan of Solism

Hutten

MM

Spooty

Thespesia

Solist-Floydist Conflict

The Floydian Church has always had an unspoken rivalry with Solism. Unlike Solists, Floydists do not feel the need to convert others. Because of this decision they have not achieved the same level of population penetration. In many nations, Solists and Floydists live in very close proximity to each other. This, combined with both religious groups' tendencies to openly practice their faith, has led to severe tensions which have many times escalated into violence.

In early May 2006, violent riots broke out in Spootopolis after Solist and Floydist gang rivalries erupted. The Floydist Philanchez ordered the Madcap Brigade to aid the Floydians in what was perceived as a "struggle for freedom". The violence continued for months before the Spootish government was able to re-establish order in the capital.

More recently, Solists have met Floydists on the battlefield in the Crusade of the Glorious Empire. The Ustarema declared that Philanchez started the crusade as a ploy to conquer the entire region, and that the Floydist attempts at imperialism must be stopped. However, several Solist nations have disagreed with the idea of supporting The Glorious Empire and chosen not to aid in the defense. The loose affiliation of the League of Red permits such actions to be taken, and the Solists are expected to be united again after the end of the war.

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