RELIGION & Philosophy
Meditation and martial arts training makes up a large part of any Ith's life though any particular Ith will go about these practices differently depending on what philosophy or religion they follow. Kiith social structure, their hierarchy, and their society in general puts great value in the physical and mental aptitude of its citizens.
An Conair'The Way' or 'The Path' is a unique philosophy similar in some ways to Zen Buddhism. An Conair is by far the most popular and widespread Ith doctrine. At its core the doctrine centers around a belief that every sentient and self aware being are actually the same omniversal omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient entity.
Practitioners believe they give up access to the aspects of the whole to live a single life. Regardless of what transpired during an individual's life they will live infinite number of different lives ceaselessly, experiencing anew with each new life without the lense of experience earned during past lives. They believe that once they die they will experience a new and different individual life. In reference this means that individuals practicing this philosophy believe that others they meet, regardless of sex or race are themselves. By this philosophy and the associated logic it would make no sense to take hostile action against another self aware being. It also makes no logical sense for a practitioner of An Conair to fear death or experience xenophobia. Many negative emotional states are dulled as a consequence. Heavy value is placed on culture and the needs of the many over the few. Martyrdom and self sacrifice is not uncommon by practitioners. Practitioners are not pacifists as there is an understanding that immoral actions negatively affect the experience of life for everyone. ATHEISMAtheism is not a religious belief. It is a lack of belief in anything requiring faith.
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chailísChailís is the religious worship of three divine entities some Ith believe created existence through their dance and song. These three supreme deities are worshiped under the names of Arden, Eluv, and Olc.
Chailís was the primary religion of the Ith people until approximately one century ago. Over the last hundred standard years Chailís has given way to An Conair as the predominate doctrine of the Ith people. Evil or immoral forces are thought to be universal invaders influenced by unfathomable, ancient, and terrible entities. These entities were entreated by Olc. Arden is commonly represented as a male and is described as the being that brought time and space into being. Time had no meaning other than to be observed by the three and space was completely empty. It was Eluv, represented as a female who created all the things that occupied it. She created the energy and matter while Arden and Olc worked with her to establish underlying rules to govern what had been created. It was then Olc who influenced the creation, often represented as a male and would govern destruction. Without destruction, creation would have no meaning. Without death, life would have no meaning. Without Olc all would be still and static. Nothing would ever change and life would cease to be an experience. In the end the story tells that Arden and Eluv fell in love, provoking Olc's jealousy. So it was that Olc entreated with extra-universal entities to bring true evil into our existence. While Olc did engage in this evil act the figure is not reviled nor is he considered evil. |