User:Godley/Deference Doctrines

Summary/Background

The Doctrines of Deference are a new image of the Ten Commandments, made to fit the Church's agenda and the age of cruciforms. These doctrines are de jure, what is followed by Christians to the best of their ability. Leeway is given based on circumstances and reasoning, allowing for a cascade of different punishments. If the Christian is an ex-addict, they will be punished less than a non-addict Christian that intentionally takes drugs.

The doctrines are heavily enforced for common Christians and battle troops, but in its own secret hypocrisy- high-ranking officials can easily put aside breaches of the doctrines, disguised as "Orders From the Lord."

Incase you found this too cumbersome to read, the short explanation is really just "Don't abuse immortality, try to spread the faith, listen to the church and god, fuck changelings"

The First, "God is real, and He Watches for Judgement"

A simple spin on the First Commandment. This doctrine is based on the fact that Judgement Day is coming and the Lord is watching to see who deserves his gifts. Adherents are expected to showcase the Seven Virtues as much as possible to prove that they deserve the gifts of God.

It is hard to break this doctrine as a Christian unless they renounce their faith and attempt to reject everything. For such, the typical punishment is straight death through ritual Deprivation.

The Second, "There is no God that is not the Lord"

Exactly the same as the Second Commandment. This doctrine rejects a single idea that the Lord is lesser in any way because of other 'gods' by proclaiming the Lord is the only real god. Similarly to the first, it's hard to break this doctrine as a Christian. Sometimes, but not all the time, this doctrine is lightly subverted for the act of converting those with differing beliefs.

The Third, "Do Not Desecrate That Which is Holy and Perfect"

The third doctrine implies holiness is perfection in all ways and commands that Christians leave things that are already holy and sacred alone, as those are already perfect in every way. In all cases, this boils down to church property and images of God and Jesus. Besides the church, it also refers to the body itself- which is seen as holy and perfect until it is mutated or given a prosthetic/augment.

Why do we gag at the sight of augments? Why do we reject them so? I find it a ridiculous question, because we all already know the answer. The Soul Holders in our chests are great gifts from the Lord Himself- it lets us resurrect, and it gives us access to the reality-warping power of Him. With something so strong- why bother adding anything else? Only to ugly ourselves, when such augments are only tedious once resurrected. We have no need for anything that is not our cruciform, for that single gift is enough itself. That single gift is powerful by itself.

-A well-known sermon about how non-cruciform augments taints the body

The Fourth, "A cathedral is not needed for worship, only the soul and faith"

This doctrine is fulfilled very simply from Christians praying, however its existence is there for those with busy jobs- usually Christians in work of the Guild where they are given less breaks for their religion. The doctrine is meant to be a beacon for those busy Christians to look to and realize their prayers in small corners and such count just as much.

The Fifth, "One may not Murder a Soul of Innocence"

A simple doctrine. It notes that Christians should not murder, only exorcise and euthanize. Exorcisms happen for those overrun with sin, at a point where the Lord would never want that. Euthanasia is when Christians kill those in great suffering and pain. High-ranking officials often refer to this doctrine when giving controversial orders to the troops, disguising them as either mass exorcisms or euthanasia.

The Sixth, "Do Not Waste Time When There is a Demon About, For That Only Lets it Spread Sin"

This doctrine is aimed at inspiring all Christians to be ready to defend their grounds and assist in exorcising demons (Changelings and mutants). It's a call for all adherents to know that no matter what job or position they have, they are capable of assisting in keeping such a horrible threat away and far from the Church.

The Seventh, "One May Not Thieve Selfishly, Only Restore Selflessly"

The second part of this doctrine is the most interesting as it allows restoration through, what would normally be thieving, if the act is for the betterment of others and from a greedy individual. Christians often point to this, the Eighth, and the Third Doctrine as excuses for intruding into places to retrieve stolen cruciforms.

The Eighth, "Do As the Lord and His Messengers Instruct, for There is Nothing More Absolute"

The most vague doctrine, however it is a reinforcement of the idea that listening to the Church is following God's own orders. Often used as the excuse for a multitude of things from higher-ranking officials. Lower-ranking Christians often use this as an excuse for numerous small, non-doctrine-intruding things.

The Ninth, "Enlighten Those Disadvantaged, of the Lord and Shine His Light Into Their Lives"

This doctrine encourages Christians to attempt to coerce the less-fortunate into the faith. This is an autonomous form of spreading Church propaganda, and those coming from poor or slave pasts are often inducted into the Church. The success stories of these Christians are usually whispered to potential converts to convince them into becoming baptized

The Tenth, "One Must Not Abuse the Lord's Gifts"

An important doctrine. It tells Christians not to abuse their cruciforms or resurrection. The doctrine is meant to remind people that immortality is a reward of the faithful and such a thing must be kept. The simple text preaches against becoming complacent with the privileges of a Christian, and encourages proving they deserve it with work and faith. This doctrine is often cited and used whenever someone is thought to be becoming overly complacent with their privileges.