Ānism

Ānism
The Āni, a symbol representing God
Classification	Visalian
Theology	Monotheism
Region	Worldwide
Language	TBD
Founder	Pum of Walambi
Origin	3rd century BCE TBD
Separated from	PREDECESSOR MONOTHEISTIC RELIGION
Number of followers	TBD (Ānists)

Ānism, also known as Āni or the One Faith, is a religion based on the dogma of absolute monotheism, which originates in the Fumbas. Followers of Ānism consider the word of God to be revealed in the 3rd century BCE in Visala to Pum of Walambi, who is regarded by these same followers as the messenger of God.

In 2440, the number of Ānists worldwide was estimated at ~1.1 billion, representing a quarter of the population on Basis, making Ānism the second largest religion on Basis after Sunneism.

Beliefs

God

Ānism reveres God as the supreme Authority through the interpretation and observance of His Law, the Fumbas, revealed to the prophet Pum of Walambi. God is the Creator who created all living beings, including humans. U/C

Image of God

The "image of God" is a foundational aspect of Ānist belief with regard to the fundamental understanding of mankind's nature. It was first mentioned in the Fumbas, which reads: "Tall and lean compared to his other creations, God created man in his own image; male and female he created them."

The One Orthodox Church argues that it refers to mankind as a whole in contrast to other animals, regardless of actual physical appearance, while the One Church of Man believes the description should be taken literally in that tall and lean means a person is closer to God than people who are not.

Holy war

A holy war is a war or struggle waged for the defense or propagation of Ānism. According to the Fumbas, Ānism recognizes four types of holy wars: holy war of the heart against one's own ego, holy war of the tongue against hypocrisy, holy war of the hand against animal impulses, and holy war of the sword against non-believers in God. Holy war of the heart calls upon Ānists to "fight in order to improve themselves or to improve society", encouraging humility and selflessness. A "holy war" can thus be interpreted as a "spiritual struggle". Conversely, a holy war of the sword has served as an argument for various Ānist groups throughout history to promote military actions against non-Ānists or even other Ānist groups considered to be opponents and rebels.

Throughout history, there have been numerous holy wars of the sword sanctioned by the One Orthodox Church and the One Church of Man, often against each other, but also against Sunneists, Manigists, Scildists and THYO-RIVER. The most recent holy war sanctioned by both churches against non-Ānists was the Austral War.

Practices

Places of worship

Places of worship for Orthodox and Mannish denominations are called churches. The primary role of a church is to facilitate the gathering of an Ānist community. Its construction is commissioned by the clergy, financed by lay donations, and carried out by artists and craftsmen. Its architectural design has evolved over the centuries according to its importance and function. Its upkeep is the responsibility of religious authorities or public authorities, depending on the country, and the preservation of the most remarkable examples is ensured under various cultural heritage protection policies.

Rites

The six holy rites of Ānism are:

• Naming, a rite of introduction and presentation to God;
• Manifestation, the indelible outpouring of one's faith in God that increases an Ānist's connection with Him;
• Divulgence, where an Ānist faithful acknowledges their wrongdoings before a priest who leads them to a path of repentance in the name of God;
• Benevolence, where an Ānist faithful helps their community and ease their suffering;
• Marriage, which unites husband and wife in honor of God the Creator;
• Conferment, by which God's message entrusted to Pum of Walambi continues to be spread in the Church and beyond by men who have received an ordination (priests and bishops) and who can confer certain rites: naming, manifestation, divulgence and marriage (priests and bishops), and conferment (bishops).

We distinguish between:

• rites of initiation: Naming and Manifestation;
• rites of healing: Divulgence and Benevolence;
• rites of service: Marriage and Conferment.

Pilgrimages

In Ānism, the pilgrimage is in principle made to the three great holy sites: Walambi (COUNTRY1) and the Church of Walambi, Xolant (COUNTRY2) and the Church of the Messenger, and Wamping (Methelor) and the Church of Mirrors. In addition to those three sites, the followers of the One Church of Man also consider the Church of the Red Crocodile in Nilâm, Geno, as a holy site.

Funerals

To the Ānists, a corpse must be treated with utmost respect to not insult God who created humans in his own image. Consequently, specific funeral rites are to be followed, but only for faithful Ānists as this requirement is not extended to those who do not follow the Fumbas. The corpse must first be bathed, completely nude, followed by embalming and prayer. The corpse is then enshrouded and buried in a cemetery. The corpse must face upward, towards the sky and God, and burying a corpse with its face towards the ground is deemed a great insult.

Ablations and body modifications

For Ānists, the Fumbas dictates that Ānist men must undergo four traditional ablations:

• cutting their hair;
• clipping of nails;
• trimming or shaving of facial hair;
• trimming or shaving of pubic and underarm hair.

Meanwhile, Ānist women must undergo four similar traditional ablations:

• style their hair in accordance with their age and marital status;
• ear piercings;
• clipping of nails;
• shaving or epilation of body hair.

Additionally, Ānists are forbidden from undergoing certain body modifications:

• genital modification;
• tattooing;
• body piercings;
• subdermal implants.

Scriptures

The Fumbas is the holy scripture of Ānism. It was predominantly written by Pum of Walambi.

See also

• Ānism and violence