Chidaoism

Chidaoism is a Jingdaoese theological movement that rose to prominence in the late 1670's. There are different branches of the movement, but they all state that the Chidao Emperor is the supreme god of Micras. He is said to be either an incarnation or avatar of the supreme god in Catologism, Cato, or even a greater supreme god. The idea emerged when unlike his direct predecessors, the Chidao Emperor remained on the throne for a very long time and the empire experienced a long period of peace and prosperity. Chidaoism is closely related to the Tianchaodao which has been the Jingdaoese state religion since 1642. In contrast to the Tianchaodao where the Heavenly Light acts as a mediator between the people and the gods, in Chidaoism the Chidao Emperor stands above the other gods. In the Tianchaodao the emperor is worshipped and obeyed in order to please the gods, in Chidaoism the emperor is worshipped because he is the supreme god of all creation.

Controversy

While the worship of the Heavenly Light was as much part of the life of a Jingdaoese as breathing the air around them, the rise of different branches of Chidaoism led to controversy. Both among the peasantry, Church officials and Imperial Court, opponents and proponents strove to receive wider recognition of their own branch. Especially the Eschatological Chidaoists, whom gained a strong supporter base within the Armed Forces, used (or abused) their religious views to push for aggressive policies.

"As the world will end when our Divine Heavenly Light leaves us, there is no doubt that we have only a limited number of daors to gain control over this rotten world. We need to purge, purge and purge it from evil, as if there is no tomorrow. This is a race against the clock, which requires us to purify the Empire and planet for when the End Times start. That moment, we shall show our Emperor that we finished our duty faithfully and receive a place in Heavens, alongside Him."

- Twan Howui, Paizhang of the 302th Platoon.

The clergy has shown doubt of taking a position in the discussion, as the Imperial Court remained ambivalent regarding its own position. Nonetheless, the theological debate doesn't only live within the Army or among clergymen: those returning home from military schools bring with them their own views. Reports about unrest between one half of farming village and another one, with opposing views, have become more frequently throughout 1678 AN.

Different branches of Chidaoism

Eschatological Chidaoism

This branch of Chidaoism states that the ascension of the Chidao Emperor marked the beginning of the end times of Micras. Upon the death of the Chidao Emperor, all of creation will be lost with him.

Eigthth Day Chidaoism

This branch of Chidaoism states that with the ascension of the Chidao Emperor, the end times which were heralded in with the Jexit Kingdom have ended and the Chidao Emperor who is the incarnation of Cato will rule over a prosperous Jingdao for all eternity.

Zurvanite Chidaoism

A Euran heresy propagated by the intermingling of Zurvanite folk belief with the residual vestiges of Emperor worship brought to the irradiated wastes of southern Eura by the survivors of the Jingdaoese expeditionary force banished into the desert after the Euran War. Holds that the outcome of that conflict will be avenged by the Chidao Emperor's conquest of the entire continent. Contains aspects of Eschatological Chidaoism and cargo cults - bands of the descendants of the exiles have been observed constructing "aerodromes" with control towers made out of salvaged scrap in an attempt to "summon" reinforcements.

Golden Age Chidaoism

A moderate form of Chidaoism which states that while the Chidao Emperor is the supreme god, his reign will one day end and he will return to the Heavens. After his reign an, inevitably, lesser Heavenly Light will take the throne and rule Jingdao. The peace and prosperity that the empire knows during the reign of the Chidao Emperor will crumble and hunger and war will again be the order of the day. Teaches that the population of Micras needs to be as loyal and devotional towards the Chidao Emperor as possible, so he may be persuaded to stay on Micras as long as possible.

Immaterial Chidaoism

The belief that the Chidao Emperor is not physically present on Micras in the common sense. He is present in the imperial palace as an avatar of Cato and perhaps not even all of the time.