<![CDATA[Particracy Forum - Religion]]> https://ptr.zanz2.dev/_forum/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:31:47 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Geraja]]> https://ptr.zanz2.dev/_forum/showthread.php?tid=588 Sun, 08 Feb 2026 06:54:19 +0000 Wu Han]]> https://ptr.zanz2.dev/_forum/showthread.php?tid=588 Quick Facts
  • Founded: Prehistoric (est. 20th-10th century BCE)
  • Founder: none
  • Origin: Vascania
  • Core Beliefs: Dharma, karma, rebirth, interconnectedness, pursuit of spiritual knowledge and liberation, multiplicity of paths to the divine
  • Main Goal: Liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; realization of the unity of the Self with the supreme reality
  • Major Traditions: TBD
  • Scriptures: TBD
  • Global Followers: Approx. 220 million as of 5710 (4th largest religion in the world)
  • Geographic Spread: Vascania, Malivia, Rapa Pile, Temania, Southern Dovani, some Western countries
  • Practices: Meditation, devotional worship, ritual offerings, pilgrimage, chanting, ethical living, festivals, yoga-like disciplines
  • Associated colours: Saffron/orange, yellow/gold, white, blue, red (vary by tradition and context)
  • Symbols: Om / Aum (ॐ), Lotus Flower, Gera River (sacred), Lingam, Conch, Chakra, Trident
Wiki Links
Background

Geraja is an umbrella term for a range of Vascanian religious and spiritual traditions that are unified by adherence to the concept of dharma, understood as a cosmic and social order that governs ethical conduct, ritual obligation, and the proper functioning of society. This order is believed to be sustained through ritual action, devotion to a wide pantheon of deities, and philosophical inquiry into the nature of reality, self, and liberation.]]> Quick Facts
  • Founded: Prehistoric (est. 20th-10th century BCE)
  • Founder: none
  • Origin: Vascania
  • Core Beliefs: Dharma, karma, rebirth, interconnectedness, pursuit of spiritual knowledge and liberation, multiplicity of paths to the divine
  • Main Goal: Liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; realization of the unity of the Self with the supreme reality
  • Major Traditions: TBD
  • Scriptures: TBD
  • Global Followers: Approx. 220 million as of 5710 (4th largest religion in the world)
  • Geographic Spread: Vascania, Malivia, Rapa Pile, Temania, Southern Dovani, some Western countries
  • Practices: Meditation, devotional worship, ritual offerings, pilgrimage, chanting, ethical living, festivals, yoga-like disciplines
  • Associated colours: Saffron/orange, yellow/gold, white, blue, red (vary by tradition and context)
  • Symbols: Om / Aum (ॐ), Lotus Flower, Gera River (sacred), Lingam, Conch, Chakra, Trident
Wiki Links
Background

Geraja is an umbrella term for a range of Vascanian religious and spiritual traditions that are unified by adherence to the concept of dharma, understood as a cosmic and social order that governs ethical conduct, ritual obligation, and the proper functioning of society. This order is believed to be sustained through ritual action, devotion to a wide pantheon of deities, and philosophical inquiry into the nature of reality, self, and liberation.]]> <![CDATA[Daenism]]> https://ptr.zanz2.dev/_forum/showthread.php?tid=586 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:48:55 +0000 Wu Han]]> https://ptr.zanz2.dev/_forum/showthread.php?tid=586 [Image: daenism.png]
Quick Facts
  • Founded: 6th or 5th century BCE
  • Founder: Bidar Vēlasa (the Bodhita)
  • Origin: Northern Vascania
  • Core Beliefs: The Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, impermanence (anicca), non-self (anatta), karma, and rebirth
  • Main Goal: Liberation (nirvana) from the cycle of birth, death, and suffering (samsara)
  • Major Traditions: Maitrayana, Thanaveda, Vasiyana, Gaoic Daenism (Zenshō), Xsampan Daenism
  • Scriptures:
  • Global Followers: Approx. 756 million as of 5710 (3rd largest religion in the world)
  • Geographic Spread: Vascania, Yingdala, Southern Dovani, Northern Dovani, Central Dovani, Temania, some Western countries
  • Practices: Meditation, ethical living, mindfulness, chanting, devotional rituals
  • Associated colours: Saffron, yellow, gold, white, blue (vary by tradition and context)
  • Symbols: Dharma Wheel (☸), Lotus Flower, Bodhi Tree, Endless Knot, Stupa

Wiki Links
Background

Daenism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the Bodhita, a Vascanian religious teacher who lived in the 6th or 5th century BCE. Daenism is the world's third largest religion after Hosianism and Ahmadism, with approximately 756 million followers, known as Daenists, comprising roughly 11% of the global population. It emerged in northern Vascania during a period of profound intellectual, social, and economic change, as well as dissatisfaction with the orthodox Vascanian social, religious, and caste-based order. Soon after the religion's establishment, it spread to Southern Dovani and Yingdala, eventually reaching much of Dovani. Accordingly, Daenism has played a significant role in the development of culture, philosophy, and spirituality throughout Dovani and beyond.

The Bodhita

The Bodhita (बोधित, "one who has been awakened") was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in northern Vascania sometime between the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Daenism. Born Bidar Vēlasa, he was a nobleman who renounced his wealth and status after observing the suffering inherent in life, death, and rebirth. Seeking to understand the causes of suffering, he pursued a spiritual path that included study under the leading religious teachers of his time, though their teachings left him dissatisfied. A subsequent period of extreme asceticism likewise failed to bring liberation. He ultimately attained enlightenment following a prolonged period of solitary meditation beneath a Bodhi tree. Following his awakening, the Bodhita gathered followers, established a sangha (“monastic order”), and taught the Daena-dharma (“doctrine of insight into suffering”). After his death, his disciples spread these teachings throughout Vascania and Southern Dovani (the historic "Vascosphere"), where, over the final centuries of the first millennium BCE, they developed into multiple Daenist schools with distinct canons and interpretations, most notably Maitrayana, Thanavada, and Vasiyana.

Worldview and beliefs

While interpretations vary across schools and traditions, Daenists generally emphasize compassion, nonviolence, and mindfulness, viewing awakening not as divine salvation but as direct experiential insight into reality. Daenists understand the world as impermanent and conditioned, marked by suffering (dukkha) arising from craving, ignorance, and attachment, and governed by the moral law of karma and rebirth. They hold that no permanent self exists (anatta) and that all phenomena arise dependently, making liberation possible through insight into the true nature of reality. The ultimate aim of Daenist practice is nirvana, the cessation of suffering and release from the cycle of rebirth (samsara), achieved through ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom as articulated in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. While interpretations vary across traditions, Daenists generally emphasize compassion, nonviolence, and mindfulness, viewing awakening not as divine salvation but as direct experiential insight into reality.

Practices

Daenist practice centers on ethical conduct, meditation, and the cultivation of wisdom as the means to overcome suffering and attain liberation. Daenists follow moral precepts that emphasize non-harm, compassion, and mindful living, while meditation practices (ranging from concentration and mindfulness to insight and devotional forms) are used to develop clarity and understanding of the mind. Rituals such as chanting, offerings, and pilgrimage support practice in many traditions, alongside study of authoritative texts and guidance from monastic teachers. Although practices vary across Daenist schools and different cultures, they are generally oriented toward realizing insight into suffering and embodying that understanding in daily life for the benefit of all beings.

Schools of Daenism

The three major schools of Daenism are:
  • Maitrayana – the largest school, centered on the bodhisattva ideal, expanding Daenist practice toward universal compassion and the liberation of all beings.
  • Thanavada – the oldest school, emphasizing individual liberation through monastic discipline and insight, preserving what it regards as the earliest surviving Daenist teachings and practices.
  • Vasiyana – integrates Maitrayana philosophy with esoteric rituals, mantras, and initiations aimed at accelerating enlightenment.
Another common division is cultural-geographical:
  • Gaoic Daenism – a collective term for the schools of Maitrayana Daenism which rely on the Yingdalan Daenist canon. These include various forms of Yingdalan, Kunihito, Sekowan, Kyo, and Kimlienese Daenism. Zenshō Daenism is a large and influential Gaoic Maitrayana school.
  • Southern Daenism – refers to the largely Thanavada traditions of Daenism that were established in Vascania, Rapa Pile, Hanzen, Yerrawa, Kimlien, and the Temanian continent.
  • Xsampan Daenism – a form of Daenism originating in Xsampa which is Maitrayana in its philosophy and goal, though it incorporates Vasiyana techniques and methods to achieve enlightenment more rapidly; this form of Daenism is also popular in Bianjie, and the distinctive Hanzenic Shield cultural framework.
  • Western Daenism – encompasses the knowledge and practice of Daenism in Western societies, which may adhere to a traditional or Western school (whether in origin or practice) such as Secular Daenism and Daenist modernism (or neo-Daenism). Countries with significant numbers of Western Daenists include Kalistan, Rildanor, Kazulia, Lodamun, Mordusia, and Tukarali, largely attributed to factors such as immigration, globalization, and increased interest among Westerners.
A number of New Daenist movements also exist, defying traditional classificaition, including:
  • Sundarata, or Sundarat Dharma – a highly syncretic and polytheistic faith originating in Vascania, in its current form, around ~3000 CE. Sundarata blends traditional Vascanian belief systems and Geraja with (largely Thanavada) Daenism, and has developed a connection with Vascanian nationalism and the identity of the Vascanian people.
  • Tenshism – a syncretic religion that was once the state religion of Hulstria and Gao-Soto, drawing on Hosianism, Daenism and Kamism.

Politics

Daenism has influenced politics in a variety of ways, including:
  • Zenshō socialism – a political ideology originating in Yingdala in the 29th century which combines principles of Zenshō Daenism with communism, socialism and Gao-Showa nationalism.
  • Daenist socialism – a political ideology which advocates socialism based on the principles of Daenism, influential during the Kaiho Undo period in Seko, as well as in Hanzen and Yingdala.
  • Daenist kingship – the beliefs and practices with regard to kings and queens in traditional Daenist societies, most influential in Hanzen, Yerrawa, Vascania and Yingdala.
  • The Kaiho Undo period in Seko – a Daenist Socialist governance system based on the teachings and philosophy of Maitrayana and Zenshō Daenism, and particularly influenced by the teachings of prominent Sekowan Daenist teacher and philosopher Seichō.

Organizations


Important or historical Daenist sites
  • Shengo Rock, Shu Province, Yingdala – an ancient rock fortress located south-east of the city of Xiangao in the Shu Province, Indrala, notable for its extensive and well-preserved Daenist frescos.
  • Temple of Ten Thousand Bodhitas, Han Province, Yingdala – an ancient Daenist temple located near the city of Shencheng in Han Province, Yingdala, completed in 1364 during the Gudian Gudai period. The most distinguishing feature of the temple are its nearly 13,000 Bodhita statues. The Temple was most famous for its role as an unofficial headquarters of the Zenshō Socialist movement in Yingdala.
  • Wat Sophrut, Udon Nakhon, Hanzen
  • Wat Pracha, Udon Nakhon, Hanzen – an important pillgrimage site for Hanzenese Daenists, famous for its enormous golden statue of the Bodhita, who is depicted laying down.

Daenist texts
  • Satori (4754) by Seichō – a series of essays compiled in a book by Sekowan Daenist priestess and later president, Seichō, which details the nexus between socialism and Daenism.
]]> [Image: daenism.png]
Quick Facts
  • Founded: 6th or 5th century BCE
  • Founder: Bidar Vēlasa (the Bodhita)
  • Origin: Northern Vascania
  • Core Beliefs: The Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, impermanence (anicca), non-self (anatta), karma, and rebirth
  • Main Goal: Liberation (nirvana) from the cycle of birth, death, and suffering (samsara)
  • Major Traditions: Maitrayana, Thanaveda, Vasiyana, Gaoic Daenism (Zenshō), Xsampan Daenism
  • Scriptures:
  • Global Followers: Approx. 756 million as of 5710 (3rd largest religion in the world)
  • Geographic Spread: Vascania, Yingdala, Southern Dovani, Northern Dovani, Central Dovani, Temania, some Western countries
  • Practices: Meditation, ethical living, mindfulness, chanting, devotional rituals
  • Associated colours: Saffron, yellow, gold, white, blue (vary by tradition and context)
  • Symbols: Dharma Wheel (☸), Lotus Flower, Bodhi Tree, Endless Knot, Stupa

Wiki Links
Background

Daenism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the Bodhita, a Vascanian religious teacher who lived in the 6th or 5th century BCE. Daenism is the world's third largest religion after Hosianism and Ahmadism, with approximately 756 million followers, known as Daenists, comprising roughly 11% of the global population. It emerged in northern Vascania during a period of profound intellectual, social, and economic change, as well as dissatisfaction with the orthodox Vascanian social, religious, and caste-based order. Soon after the religion's establishment, it spread to Southern Dovani and Yingdala, eventually reaching much of Dovani. Accordingly, Daenism has played a significant role in the development of culture, philosophy, and spirituality throughout Dovani and beyond.

The Bodhita

The Bodhita (बोधित, "one who has been awakened") was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in northern Vascania sometime between the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Daenism. Born Bidar Vēlasa, he was a nobleman who renounced his wealth and status after observing the suffering inherent in life, death, and rebirth. Seeking to understand the causes of suffering, he pursued a spiritual path that included study under the leading religious teachers of his time, though their teachings left him dissatisfied. A subsequent period of extreme asceticism likewise failed to bring liberation. He ultimately attained enlightenment following a prolonged period of solitary meditation beneath a Bodhi tree. Following his awakening, the Bodhita gathered followers, established a sangha (“monastic order”), and taught the Daena-dharma (“doctrine of insight into suffering”). After his death, his disciples spread these teachings throughout Vascania and Southern Dovani (the historic "Vascosphere"), where, over the final centuries of the first millennium BCE, they developed into multiple Daenist schools with distinct canons and interpretations, most notably Maitrayana, Thanavada, and Vasiyana.

Worldview and beliefs

While interpretations vary across schools and traditions, Daenists generally emphasize compassion, nonviolence, and mindfulness, viewing awakening not as divine salvation but as direct experiential insight into reality. Daenists understand the world as impermanent and conditioned, marked by suffering (dukkha) arising from craving, ignorance, and attachment, and governed by the moral law of karma and rebirth. They hold that no permanent self exists (anatta) and that all phenomena arise dependently, making liberation possible through insight into the true nature of reality. The ultimate aim of Daenist practice is nirvana, the cessation of suffering and release from the cycle of rebirth (samsara), achieved through ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom as articulated in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. While interpretations vary across traditions, Daenists generally emphasize compassion, nonviolence, and mindfulness, viewing awakening not as divine salvation but as direct experiential insight into reality.

Practices

Daenist practice centers on ethical conduct, meditation, and the cultivation of wisdom as the means to overcome suffering and attain liberation. Daenists follow moral precepts that emphasize non-harm, compassion, and mindful living, while meditation practices (ranging from concentration and mindfulness to insight and devotional forms) are used to develop clarity and understanding of the mind. Rituals such as chanting, offerings, and pilgrimage support practice in many traditions, alongside study of authoritative texts and guidance from monastic teachers. Although practices vary across Daenist schools and different cultures, they are generally oriented toward realizing insight into suffering and embodying that understanding in daily life for the benefit of all beings.

Schools of Daenism

The three major schools of Daenism are:
  • Maitrayana – the largest school, centered on the bodhisattva ideal, expanding Daenist practice toward universal compassion and the liberation of all beings.
  • Thanavada – the oldest school, emphasizing individual liberation through monastic discipline and insight, preserving what it regards as the earliest surviving Daenist teachings and practices.
  • Vasiyana – integrates Maitrayana philosophy with esoteric rituals, mantras, and initiations aimed at accelerating enlightenment.
Another common division is cultural-geographical:
  • Gaoic Daenism – a collective term for the schools of Maitrayana Daenism which rely on the Yingdalan Daenist canon. These include various forms of Yingdalan, Kunihito, Sekowan, Kyo, and Kimlienese Daenism. Zenshō Daenism is a large and influential Gaoic Maitrayana school.
  • Southern Daenism – refers to the largely Thanavada traditions of Daenism that were established in Vascania, Rapa Pile, Hanzen, Yerrawa, Kimlien, and the Temanian continent.
  • Xsampan Daenism – a form of Daenism originating in Xsampa which is Maitrayana in its philosophy and goal, though it incorporates Vasiyana techniques and methods to achieve enlightenment more rapidly; this form of Daenism is also popular in Bianjie, and the distinctive Hanzenic Shield cultural framework.
  • Western Daenism – encompasses the knowledge and practice of Daenism in Western societies, which may adhere to a traditional or Western school (whether in origin or practice) such as Secular Daenism and Daenist modernism (or neo-Daenism). Countries with significant numbers of Western Daenists include Kalistan, Rildanor, Kazulia, Lodamun, Mordusia, and Tukarali, largely attributed to factors such as immigration, globalization, and increased interest among Westerners.
A number of New Daenist movements also exist, defying traditional classificaition, including:
  • Sundarata, or Sundarat Dharma – a highly syncretic and polytheistic faith originating in Vascania, in its current form, around ~3000 CE. Sundarata blends traditional Vascanian belief systems and Geraja with (largely Thanavada) Daenism, and has developed a connection with Vascanian nationalism and the identity of the Vascanian people.
  • Tenshism – a syncretic religion that was once the state religion of Hulstria and Gao-Soto, drawing on Hosianism, Daenism and Kamism.

Politics

Daenism has influenced politics in a variety of ways, including:
  • Zenshō socialism – a political ideology originating in Yingdala in the 29th century which combines principles of Zenshō Daenism with communism, socialism and Gao-Showa nationalism.
  • Daenist socialism – a political ideology which advocates socialism based on the principles of Daenism, influential during the Kaiho Undo period in Seko, as well as in Hanzen and Yingdala.
  • Daenist kingship – the beliefs and practices with regard to kings and queens in traditional Daenist societies, most influential in Hanzen, Yerrawa, Vascania and Yingdala.
  • The Kaiho Undo period in Seko – a Daenist Socialist governance system based on the teachings and philosophy of Maitrayana and Zenshō Daenism, and particularly influenced by the teachings of prominent Sekowan Daenist teacher and philosopher Seichō.

Organizations


Important or historical Daenist sites
  • Shengo Rock, Shu Province, Yingdala – an ancient rock fortress located south-east of the city of Xiangao in the Shu Province, Indrala, notable for its extensive and well-preserved Daenist frescos.
  • Temple of Ten Thousand Bodhitas, Han Province, Yingdala – an ancient Daenist temple located near the city of Shencheng in Han Province, Yingdala, completed in 1364 during the Gudian Gudai period. The most distinguishing feature of the temple are its nearly 13,000 Bodhita statues. The Temple was most famous for its role as an unofficial headquarters of the Zenshō Socialist movement in Yingdala.
  • Wat Sophrut, Udon Nakhon, Hanzen
  • Wat Pracha, Udon Nakhon, Hanzen – an important pillgrimage site for Hanzenese Daenists, famous for its enormous golden statue of the Bodhita, who is depicted laying down.

Daenist texts
  • Satori (4754) by Seichō – a series of essays compiled in a book by Sekowan Daenist priestess and later president, Seichō, which details the nexus between socialism and Daenism.
]]> <![CDATA[Ahmadism]]> https://ptr.zanz2.dev/_forum/showthread.php?tid=238 Thu, 02 Jan 2025 14:15:43 +0000 SolentiaAhmadi]]> https://ptr.zanz2.dev/_forum/showthread.php?tid=238
[Image: Ahmadi.png]

Background

Ahmadism (Classical Brmek: احمديه‎ âħmadiya, Majatran: أحمدية‎ aḥmadiyyah) is a monotheistic and Qedarite religion founded by Prophet Ahmad in 1186 C.E., the beliefs of which are articulated in the Book of Bliss, and worshiping Akim (God) as the sole divinity. An adherent of Ahmadism is called an Ahmadi or (archaically and slightly more offensively) an Ahmadite. Most Ahmadis belong to two denominations, Israism and Abadism, while smaller numbers adhere to Halawism, Zahirism, and several other denominations. The vast majority of Ahmadis resides in Majatra, while the religion also has a large presence in Dovani (particularly in Talmoria and Medina).

Particracy Wikia Links

[Image: Ahmad.jpg]

The Prophet Ahmad

Variants of Ahmadism
  • Israeism - dominant variant of Ahmadism (ooc: Sunni Islam)
  • Abadism - offshoot of Ahmadism, dominant in Kafuristan (ooc: Shia Islam)
  • Halawism - Syncretic branch of Ahmadism with signficiant overlaps with Hosianism (ooc: Alawitism)
  • Zahirism - offshoot of Abadism (ooc: Ismailism)

Party Organisations
]]>
[Image: Ahmadi.png]

Background

Ahmadism (Classical Brmek: احمديه‎ âħmadiya, Majatran: أحمدية‎ aḥmadiyyah) is a monotheistic and Qedarite religion founded by Prophet Ahmad in 1186 C.E., the beliefs of which are articulated in the Book of Bliss, and worshiping Akim (God) as the sole divinity. An adherent of Ahmadism is called an Ahmadi or (archaically and slightly more offensively) an Ahmadite. Most Ahmadis belong to two denominations, Israism and Abadism, while smaller numbers adhere to Halawism, Zahirism, and several other denominations. The vast majority of Ahmadis resides in Majatra, while the religion also has a large presence in Dovani (particularly in Talmoria and Medina).

Particracy Wikia Links

[Image: Ahmad.jpg]

The Prophet Ahmad

Variants of Ahmadism
  • Israeism - dominant variant of Ahmadism (ooc: Sunni Islam)
  • Abadism - offshoot of Ahmadism, dominant in Kafuristan (ooc: Shia Islam)
  • Halawism - Syncretic branch of Ahmadism with signficiant overlaps with Hosianism (ooc: Alawitism)
  • Zahirism - offshoot of Abadism (ooc: Ismailism)

Party Organisations
]]> <![CDATA[Brethrenism]]> https://ptr.zanz2.dev/_forum/showthread.php?tid=232 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 02:45:22 +0000 Doc]]> https://ptr.zanz2.dev/_forum/showthread.php?tid=232
First International Meeting of the Society of Brethren begins in Eveari
Brethren from over 20 countries to Join Kalistani-led "Brethren General Council"
Eveari, Ananto
June 4, 2930

Major Conference of International Brethren Opened by Big Names in Kalistani Government

A major international conference of representatives of the Society of the Brethren began this week in the resort town of Eveari, on the Island of Ananto.  The two week conference is aimed at the establishment of connection between all Brethren worldwide and the Kalistani National Meeting, as it is now called.  Brethren also seek to compose, using the ancient method of discernment known as "Brethren Practice", a new code of worship and ethics for the member of the Society of Brethren.  Due to concerted effort within Kalistan, Kalistani Brethren number more than 200,000, with an additional monthly meeting beginning across Kalistan every third month, on average.  Kalistan now holds the greatest concentration of organized Brethren of any country on Terra, due largely to parallel membership and recruiting among Socialists in Kalistan and meeting building by committed Brethren.  Consequently, it is Kalistani Brethren who represent the most dynamic force in the world Brethren movement, and it has therefore been incumbent upon Kalistani Brethrento bring other members together.

[Image: GYOn38B.png]
Jonas Bennots-Plum, New General Clerk of the Brethren General Council (BGC)

The Meeting began with invited Speeches.  Former Socialist Party Leader Jonas Bennots-Plum and former Kalistani President Delia Smith-Phillips opened the Conference with speeches of welcome to delegations from more than 20 countries with Brethren Populations.  Bennots-Plum emphasized the importance of organizing locally-  Most participants were not members of organized Monthly Meetings.  But Smith-Phillips underscored the importance in the study groups which met occasionally in homes across the world, and pointed out that these Study Groups were the precursors to Monthly Meetings.  Both speakers offered words of encouragement to isolated Brethren.

[Image: liq0KsC.png]
Former President Smith and Foreign Minister Suarez at Bretheren Conference

The Next Invited Speakers were the current head of the Socialist Party, Hillary Clark, and the Kalistani Foreign Minister, Milena Suarez.  Neither speaker is a member of the Society of Bretheren, but have worked close with Bretheren in the ranks of SPoK.  Clark stressed the importance of the alliance between the Socialist Party of Kalistan and the Society of the Brethren.  She attributed the decision to end the Embargo and stand down from belligerence to Bretheren pressure within the Party organization.  While noting that the two organizations remain separate groups, functionally, the two seem to be natural allies, due to the stress toward social justice, equality, feminism, environmentalism, human rights, and liberty held by both organizations.  She stopped short of offering her Party's resources to promotion of the Society worldwide, and underscored the point with a reminder that the SP is a secular, non-religious Party, and Kalistan is a secular state, but her words of encouragement demonstrate that Kalistan will remain a fertile ground for the development of the Society of Brethren in peace and safety for the foreseeable future.  Suarez reiterated the Opposition Leader's statements on the parallel missions of both the SP and the Bretheren, and publicly committed to the peaceful resolution of Kalistan's outstanding foreign relations matters.  She also pledged Kalistani aid for all Brethren in foreign Nations who sought to relocate to Kalistan as religious refugees.

[Image: 51T14oA.png]
Speaker for the Opposition Clark, SPoK, Speaking at conference, stops short
of declaring full alliance between SP and Brethren, though highlights parallel mission

Once opening speeches ended, the delegates got down to business.  Their primary task is to write a new Faith and Practice, but before doing so, the gathered Bretheren declared the foundation of a new "Brethren General Council (BGC)" as the international Meeting for Brethren world-wide.  The Brethren General Council supersedes the ancient and defunct "Friends General Council" from which Bennots-Plum drew inspiration when working to found the movement in Kalistan fifteen years ago.  The BGC was immediately offered offices in the KYM building in downtown Kaliburg, and has named Bennots-Plum the first General Clerk of the BGC, Dian Hoffs as the Recording Clerk for the BGC, Delia Smith as the Staff Clerk, and Thomas G. Boxer as the General Treasurer.  Bennots-Plum expressed his gratitude at the appointment, and will clerk the rest of the conference.

New Faith and Practice

Before committees broke out of General Session, Bennots-Plum explained the purpose of the Faith and Practice.  The Faith and Practice for the Bretheren General Council will be a set of statements and Quieries on Brethren faith and practice.  Not a book of rules or a bible, instead, it is meant to provide guidance for Brethren when attempting to address an issue that may rise in meeting.  It is meant, Bennots stated, as a living document, to be amended and aggrandized by Yearly meetings across Terra, with new changes being considered at each subsequent BGC conference, which will be held once every 4 years.

Initial Items to be found in the Faith and Practice include:
Brethren Testimonies-  Brethren hold the following five article of practice-  Integrity and Honesty, Simplicity, Peace, Equality and Social Justice and Stewardship and Community.  Each testimony should also contain Queries meant to invite Brethren to challenge their own commitment to these testimonies.

Meetings-  Brethren Monthly Meetings for Worship are conducted in silence, though Brethren are invited to "Speak out of the silence" if they are led to do so.  Meetings are called to silence and risen from the silence by the Clerk or some other senior member who has the respect of the meeting.  Meetings for Worship, with attention to Business are conducted in much the same way as a regular meeting, however, the Clerk presents a business agenda for the reflection of the community, and minutes are recorded only after discerning the sense of the meeting.  Other meetings (such as meeting for worship with attention to marriage) are conducted in similar fashion.

Brethren Practice-  All Brethren Meetings will be conducted according to Brethren Process, which is a method of discernment of the Truth by the entire meeting.  The Clerk will ensure that all who wish to speak on a topic have the opportunity to speak before anyone who has spoken can speak again.  All decisions will be made by every person present in the Meeting (whether a Member of the Society or not at the time) by allowing anyone with significant objection to a proposed course of action to "stand in the way" of the decision, thereby giving the Meeting cause to pause.  Only those questions which have properly seasoned should be considered, and if there is significant disagreement as to a course of action for the meeting, the meeting will postpone a decision and allow the question to season more.  There should be no voting.

Oaths- Brethren should not swear any oaths, nor are they required to violate their consciences to do their duty to any state.  Nor should they use titles oher than Brother and Sister among equals  (family titles may continue as before), pay tithes, or observe any sort of arbitrary privilege.  All are equal, and should let their yea be their yea and their nay be their nay, without needing to make an additional oath as to the fact.

The Inner Light-  All humans have an inner light which is the still small voice of God talking to them.  People will hear it if they listen for it.  Others can help them hear it by listening to their own light and sharing the message with the friend.  A group of people gathered together may discern the Truth of some matter easier than a single person, though a Truth discerned in private and tested is no less true.  We are all equals in this regard-  we all have that measure of the truth within us, and no person is more important than any other.

The Book-  The Hosian Bible is a book, and where the Bible conflicts the Truth, the Truth must win.  The Truth is more holy than the Book is.  Brethren may use any religious text for discernment that they feel they can derive Truth from, because all holy writers themselves had an equal measure of the Truth in them, and wrote it as they saw it in their holy books.

Hosianism-  While the Brethren were initially convinced that Eliyahu was the son of God, Modern Brethren do not necessarily need to subscribe to the religion of the followers of Eliyahu.  Bretheren believe that Eliyahu, were he alive today, would be a person of considerable virtue, and in that his example is worthy of observation.  But there is no article for salvation among the Brethren, most especially belief in Eliyahu, and certainly not the dogma built after his death in his name.  Whatever individual Brethren think of Eliyahu, the dogma of Hosianism stands between individuals and the Truth, and therefore, Brethren are explicitly non-Hosianism, though they may still follow the moral examples of Eliyahu.  Just as Eliyahu had the spirit of God in him, so too does each other person alive today. 

Non-Hierarchy-  Similarly, there is no hierarchy over any member of the Society of the Brethren, anywhere, which should stand between that Brethren and the Truth.  The BGC is non-hierarchical, and exists specifically to assist individual yearly and monthly meetings as they need assistance, either through sufferings funds for Brethren in need, or counseling or organization services.  Brethren are guided by the Truth, discerned in silence and with the help of other Brethren or other people.  No meeting exerts any more authority over the moral life of any person than he or she exerts over him or herself.  The Meeting may only expel those from the meeting who the meeting deems to be dangerous to the community, and yet, as long as those people seek it, the Meeting still holds even expelled Brethren in their care.

Instruction for Brethren Under Nineteen (BUN)-  Brethren Meetings may establish specific non-religious education opportunities as they are able.  Brethren institutions will adhere to all National curriculum.  Additionally, BUN education may also occur at Meetings, and that education, open and free to all, will be specifically related to Brethren Testimonies and Queries.

Queries-  The Majority of the Faith and Practice will be made up primarily of Queries, designed to give advice on specific topics likely to be encountered by Brethren on a day to day basis.  The focus of these general Queries will be on the testimonies, but all meetings should feel free to add other topics of investigation.

The Conference will provide the initial steps toward a complete Faith and Practice.  Bennots-Plum stated that a final edition will be completed within two years and will be made available across the world for consideration and discernment by Brethren across the world.]]>
First International Meeting of the Society of Brethren begins in Eveari
Brethren from over 20 countries to Join Kalistani-led "Brethren General Council"
Eveari, Ananto
June 4, 2930

Major Conference of International Brethren Opened by Big Names in Kalistani Government

A major international conference of representatives of the Society of the Brethren began this week in the resort town of Eveari, on the Island of Ananto.  The two week conference is aimed at the establishment of connection between all Brethren worldwide and the Kalistani National Meeting, as it is now called.  Brethren also seek to compose, using the ancient method of discernment known as "Brethren Practice", a new code of worship and ethics for the member of the Society of Brethren.  Due to concerted effort within Kalistan, Kalistani Brethren number more than 200,000, with an additional monthly meeting beginning across Kalistan every third month, on average.  Kalistan now holds the greatest concentration of organized Brethren of any country on Terra, due largely to parallel membership and recruiting among Socialists in Kalistan and meeting building by committed Brethren.  Consequently, it is Kalistani Brethren who represent the most dynamic force in the world Brethren movement, and it has therefore been incumbent upon Kalistani Brethrento bring other members together.

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Jonas Bennots-Plum, New General Clerk of the Brethren General Council (BGC)

The Meeting began with invited Speeches.  Former Socialist Party Leader Jonas Bennots-Plum and former Kalistani President Delia Smith-Phillips opened the Conference with speeches of welcome to delegations from more than 20 countries with Brethren Populations.  Bennots-Plum emphasized the importance of organizing locally-  Most participants were not members of organized Monthly Meetings.  But Smith-Phillips underscored the importance in the study groups which met occasionally in homes across the world, and pointed out that these Study Groups were the precursors to Monthly Meetings.  Both speakers offered words of encouragement to isolated Brethren.

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Former President Smith and Foreign Minister Suarez at Bretheren Conference

The Next Invited Speakers were the current head of the Socialist Party, Hillary Clark, and the Kalistani Foreign Minister, Milena Suarez.  Neither speaker is a member of the Society of Bretheren, but have worked close with Bretheren in the ranks of SPoK.  Clark stressed the importance of the alliance between the Socialist Party of Kalistan and the Society of the Brethren.  She attributed the decision to end the Embargo and stand down from belligerence to Bretheren pressure within the Party organization.  While noting that the two organizations remain separate groups, functionally, the two seem to be natural allies, due to the stress toward social justice, equality, feminism, environmentalism, human rights, and liberty held by both organizations.  She stopped short of offering her Party's resources to promotion of the Society worldwide, and underscored the point with a reminder that the SP is a secular, non-religious Party, and Kalistan is a secular state, but her words of encouragement demonstrate that Kalistan will remain a fertile ground for the development of the Society of Brethren in peace and safety for the foreseeable future.  Suarez reiterated the Opposition Leader's statements on the parallel missions of both the SP and the Bretheren, and publicly committed to the peaceful resolution of Kalistan's outstanding foreign relations matters.  She also pledged Kalistani aid for all Brethren in foreign Nations who sought to relocate to Kalistan as religious refugees.

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Speaker for the Opposition Clark, SPoK, Speaking at conference, stops short
of declaring full alliance between SP and Brethren, though highlights parallel mission

Once opening speeches ended, the delegates got down to business.  Their primary task is to write a new Faith and Practice, but before doing so, the gathered Bretheren declared the foundation of a new "Brethren General Council (BGC)" as the international Meeting for Brethren world-wide.  The Brethren General Council supersedes the ancient and defunct "Friends General Council" from which Bennots-Plum drew inspiration when working to found the movement in Kalistan fifteen years ago.  The BGC was immediately offered offices in the KYM building in downtown Kaliburg, and has named Bennots-Plum the first General Clerk of the BGC, Dian Hoffs as the Recording Clerk for the BGC, Delia Smith as the Staff Clerk, and Thomas G. Boxer as the General Treasurer.  Bennots-Plum expressed his gratitude at the appointment, and will clerk the rest of the conference.

New Faith and Practice

Before committees broke out of General Session, Bennots-Plum explained the purpose of the Faith and Practice.  The Faith and Practice for the Bretheren General Council will be a set of statements and Quieries on Brethren faith and practice.  Not a book of rules or a bible, instead, it is meant to provide guidance for Brethren when attempting to address an issue that may rise in meeting.  It is meant, Bennots stated, as a living document, to be amended and aggrandized by Yearly meetings across Terra, with new changes being considered at each subsequent BGC conference, which will be held once every 4 years.

Initial Items to be found in the Faith and Practice include:
Brethren Testimonies-  Brethren hold the following five article of practice-  Integrity and Honesty, Simplicity, Peace, Equality and Social Justice and Stewardship and Community.  Each testimony should also contain Queries meant to invite Brethren to challenge their own commitment to these testimonies.

Meetings-  Brethren Monthly Meetings for Worship are conducted in silence, though Brethren are invited to "Speak out of the silence" if they are led to do so.  Meetings are called to silence and risen from the silence by the Clerk or some other senior member who has the respect of the meeting.  Meetings for Worship, with attention to Business are conducted in much the same way as a regular meeting, however, the Clerk presents a business agenda for the reflection of the community, and minutes are recorded only after discerning the sense of the meeting.  Other meetings (such as meeting for worship with attention to marriage) are conducted in similar fashion.

Brethren Practice-  All Brethren Meetings will be conducted according to Brethren Process, which is a method of discernment of the Truth by the entire meeting.  The Clerk will ensure that all who wish to speak on a topic have the opportunity to speak before anyone who has spoken can speak again.  All decisions will be made by every person present in the Meeting (whether a Member of the Society or not at the time) by allowing anyone with significant objection to a proposed course of action to "stand in the way" of the decision, thereby giving the Meeting cause to pause.  Only those questions which have properly seasoned should be considered, and if there is significant disagreement as to a course of action for the meeting, the meeting will postpone a decision and allow the question to season more.  There should be no voting.

Oaths- Brethren should not swear any oaths, nor are they required to violate their consciences to do their duty to any state.  Nor should they use titles oher than Brother and Sister among equals  (family titles may continue as before), pay tithes, or observe any sort of arbitrary privilege.  All are equal, and should let their yea be their yea and their nay be their nay, without needing to make an additional oath as to the fact.

The Inner Light-  All humans have an inner light which is the still small voice of God talking to them.  People will hear it if they listen for it.  Others can help them hear it by listening to their own light and sharing the message with the friend.  A group of people gathered together may discern the Truth of some matter easier than a single person, though a Truth discerned in private and tested is no less true.  We are all equals in this regard-  we all have that measure of the truth within us, and no person is more important than any other.

The Book-  The Hosian Bible is a book, and where the Bible conflicts the Truth, the Truth must win.  The Truth is more holy than the Book is.  Brethren may use any religious text for discernment that they feel they can derive Truth from, because all holy writers themselves had an equal measure of the Truth in them, and wrote it as they saw it in their holy books.

Hosianism-  While the Brethren were initially convinced that Eliyahu was the son of God, Modern Brethren do not necessarily need to subscribe to the religion of the followers of Eliyahu.  Bretheren believe that Eliyahu, were he alive today, would be a person of considerable virtue, and in that his example is worthy of observation.  But there is no article for salvation among the Brethren, most especially belief in Eliyahu, and certainly not the dogma built after his death in his name.  Whatever individual Brethren think of Eliyahu, the dogma of Hosianism stands between individuals and the Truth, and therefore, Brethren are explicitly non-Hosianism, though they may still follow the moral examples of Eliyahu.  Just as Eliyahu had the spirit of God in him, so too does each other person alive today. 

Non-Hierarchy-  Similarly, there is no hierarchy over any member of the Society of the Brethren, anywhere, which should stand between that Brethren and the Truth.  The BGC is non-hierarchical, and exists specifically to assist individual yearly and monthly meetings as they need assistance, either through sufferings funds for Brethren in need, or counseling or organization services.  Brethren are guided by the Truth, discerned in silence and with the help of other Brethren or other people.  No meeting exerts any more authority over the moral life of any person than he or she exerts over him or herself.  The Meeting may only expel those from the meeting who the meeting deems to be dangerous to the community, and yet, as long as those people seek it, the Meeting still holds even expelled Brethren in their care.

Instruction for Brethren Under Nineteen (BUN)-  Brethren Meetings may establish specific non-religious education opportunities as they are able.  Brethren institutions will adhere to all National curriculum.  Additionally, BUN education may also occur at Meetings, and that education, open and free to all, will be specifically related to Brethren Testimonies and Queries.

Queries-  The Majority of the Faith and Practice will be made up primarily of Queries, designed to give advice on specific topics likely to be encountered by Brethren on a day to day basis.  The focus of these general Queries will be on the testimonies, but all meetings should feel free to add other topics of investigation.

The Conference will provide the initial steps toward a complete Faith and Practice.  Bennots-Plum stated that a final edition will be completed within two years and will be made available across the world for consideration and discernment by Brethren across the world.]]>