Faiths of Tirenia: Salvationism
Salvationism is the belief in the teachings of La Salvatrice, as expressed in the holy book, the Storia. It is the most common religion in Tirenia, with almost everyone paying at least lip service to it.
Salvationism teaches that there is one God, who is nameless. Il Divino created the impermanent material world and the immortal spiritual world. Every human's soul is immortal, and will be reborn after the death of the body. Certain behaviours, the seven virtues, can refine and purify the soul; on the other hand, the seven sins will corrupt it. Over multiple lifetimes, the virtuous soul will eventually be reborn as an angel in heaven. Those with pure souls are often able to manifest miraculous powers, such as healing magic. On the other hand, a soul that is burdened with too much sin will go to the Inferno, to be tortured by demons for eternity.
Devotees of the Auromian Church go to church on Sunday for a mass prayer session and sermon, which everyone attends. The faithful may go more regularly for private prayer or to confess their sins. Prayers are often aimed at Saints, who are humans who have already ascended to heaven, as they are seen as more 'approachable.' There are hundreds of saints, each of which has different concerns. The Church is also responsible for defending mankind against supernatural evils, such as dragons, demons and fairies.
There is considerable concern about the direction that the modern Church has taken. Many priests have become venal, corrupt and self-serving. Donations to the church have always been encouraged, but simony, the selling of spiritual pardons, has become more wide-spread. Dragons, the traditional enemy of the church, are now in league with the church leaders. The High Ordinarch has also moved away from his traditional seat at Auromia, and the holy city is almost an uninhabited ruin. This spiritual malaise is reflected in the clergy's inability to perform holy miracles. So far, calls for reform have gone unanswered.
Salvationism teaches that there is one God, who is nameless. Il Divino created the impermanent material world and the immortal spiritual world. Every human's soul is immortal, and will be reborn after the death of the body. Certain behaviours, the seven virtues, can refine and purify the soul; on the other hand, the seven sins will corrupt it. Over multiple lifetimes, the virtuous soul will eventually be reborn as an angel in heaven. Those with pure souls are often able to manifest miraculous powers, such as healing magic. On the other hand, a soul that is burdened with too much sin will go to the Inferno, to be tortured by demons for eternity.
Devotees of the Auromian Church go to church on Sunday for a mass prayer session and sermon, which everyone attends. The faithful may go more regularly for private prayer or to confess their sins. Prayers are often aimed at Saints, who are humans who have already ascended to heaven, as they are seen as more 'approachable.' There are hundreds of saints, each of which has different concerns. The Church is also responsible for defending mankind against supernatural evils, such as dragons, demons and fairies.
There is considerable concern about the direction that the modern Church has taken. Many priests have become venal, corrupt and self-serving. Donations to the church have always been encouraged, but simony, the selling of spiritual pardons, has become more wide-spread. Dragons, the traditional enemy of the church, are now in league with the church leaders. The High Ordinarch has also moved away from his traditional seat at Auromia, and the holy city is almost an uninhabited ruin. This spiritual malaise is reflected in the clergy's inability to perform holy miracles. So far, calls for reform have gone unanswered.
Art: Detail from 'The Lamentation of Christ.' Giotto, c. 1305.
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