The Faith

The Faith, the one Faith, Monotheism or Crença, represents the unified monotheistic belief system that arose from Earth's diverse religions, adapted and reshaped over millennia. It emerged as a necessity for survival during humanity’s first steps into the stars, following the discovery of sentient alien life and the catastrophic demise of Earth. As societies fractured and civilization teetered on the brink, the Faith was born out of the collective understanding that humanity needed a shared belief in divinity to transcend divisions and strengthen its unity. Over time, this belief system became deeply ingrained, forming the bedrock of Human identity for over half of its population across The Last Hand.

Central to the Faith is the belief in an omnipotent, singular being that transcends all human understanding. This divine figure is accepted to have countless names, forms, and aspects, surpassing any limitations of human language, gender, or perception which is a evidence of its godhood. It is seen as the creator of humanity, having shaped mankind in its image and created demigods, servants, prophets, angels, and minor gods to help guide its will.

Core Tenets:

• Unity in Diversity: The Faith acknowledges that while humanity's perceptions of the divine may differ due to cultural and historical influences, all these interpretations are viewed as paths leading to the same truth. Disagreements are natural but are ultimately considered variations on a single, sacred foundation.
• The Divine Plan: Followers believe that humanity is part of a grand, divinely orchestrated scheme. Life’s hardships, including the trials brought by the discovery of alien civilizations and the loss of Earth, are seen as part of this test, a path towards understanding the divine and fulfilling humanity’s purpose in the universe.
• Sacred Legacy: The Faith holds that the teachings of past religious texts, philosophers, and scholars from Earth’s history form an eternal guide to understanding one’s relationship with the divine. Texts from the Abrahamic, Hindu, Greek, and other traditions are studied, leading to a broad and inclusive interpretation of holy scripture.

Core Disagreements:

One of the most contentious issues within the Faith is the nature of the soul, the afterlife and extra-terrestrial alien life and artificial intelligence:

• Divine Tests: Some sects believe that aliens and AI were created by the divine as beings meant to challenge humanity or guide it through different phases of evolution. These beings are seen as adapted forms of life, either as allies or rivals, all part of the divine plan, if they too have souls are up to debate.
• Evil Spirits and Demons: Conversely, other sects interpret aliens and AI as demonic forces or evil spirits, agents that have historically brought harm to humanity, corrupting its ideals and sowing chaos across the galaxy. The loss of Earth, is seen as a punishment for humanity’s flaws and hubris, attributed by these groups to these dark entities, often linked to the alien threats and AI that have outlasted human empires. Some sects directly blame various alien factions for their manipulation of early human history or even the destruction of Earth, The Ringed Host is perhaps the most controversial of these alien factions.
• The Afterlife: The Fate of the soul after death is a question still shrouded in mystery and debate. The Faith posits several interpretations, ranging from eternal peace in the divine’s presence to cycles of rebirth and spiritual tests. Some sects, influenced by pre-End religious traditions, believe in a paradise or divine judgement, while others see life and death as a continuous journey of the soul toward divine perfection.