Daanism

Daanism, also called the Faith of Daana or the Church of Daana, is a religion believed to originate from the ancient human culture that inhabited planets like Athea and Cirelia millennia ago. The religion itself holds the belief that there is a supreme power/deity called Daana that is the embodiment and driving force of the universe.

The religion is often Henotheistic, with the faith not denying the existence of other deities or forces nor discrediting other religious practices. This has made the religion highly syncretic with other cultures and spiritual practices, especially if they already share traits.

There is no official hierarchy of Daanist religious leaders, but typically there will be those who take on leadership roles in the spiritual community and have heavy influence. Those who take on these leadership responsibilities are often those who have committed to living an Ethical life and helping others do so as well. Many of those seen as official religious leaders have trained or lived a hermetic or monastic lifestyle

Beliefs

Afterlife

Daanists believe that after death the essence of the deceased becomes one with the universe, and therefore one with Daana. They believe that death is another life stage, like going through puberty or menopause, and that it is just the final stage of life where one becomes one with the universe and Daana.

Ethical Living

One of the key Daanist practices is the belief in a way of ethical living where one does good deeds, keeps good company, and abstains from harming others. The specifics of what counts as ethical living, varies from community to community and planet to planet.

It is believed that by living this ethical lifestyle, good things will be put out into the universe and good things will come back in return. This belief can be very relaxed and loose, focusing more on intention, or be taken very seriously and to the extreme, with people being careful of what they say and think.

Practices

Asceticism & Seclusion

The religious leaders of Daanism are typically those who live an ethical life and commit themselves to assisting others do so as well. Many of these who are seen as official religious leaders are those who have spent time one religious study and live an ascetic lifestyle, sometimes being secluded as a hermit or part of a monastic group. 

In certain sects, seclusion, hermeticism, and monasticism may be more common -as seen on Cirelia with the Cirelian sisterhood- and in others religious leaders focus more on the simple and ethical living while still living among the community.