Religion - Universalists

​Existing almost as a pure opposite in terms of doctrine to the Ascensionists are the Disciples of the Universal God. Rather than viewing God as a separate, all-powerful entity, the Universalists believe the universe itself and God are one in the same, a cosmic entity of impossible complexity experiencing itself. As such, there are far fewer traditions and rules to the Universalist faith, the bulk of its guidances merely being against excess, rather than outright forbidding anything. Only the more extreme acts are declared forbidden, such as murder. Life is to be embraced and experienced, not sequestered away in endless prayer.
 
Sufficed to say, the more open-ended nature of Universalism causes it to have strong appeal in many regions of Terranis, particularly in large cities where vices might be easier to fulfill. Which is not to say all practitioners of the faith are looser with their morals than more tradition-oriented religions, of course, simply one's day-to-day activities are not dictated by the Church.
 
Universalist temples can be found all over Terranis, although they take numerous forms. The exact nature of services provided also vary wildly. Some temples’ services may simply be communal meditation sessions, others may rival the Ascensionists in complexity and ritual. Physical stretching exercises are popular in some communities as well as a means of coping with the stresses of the day, and meditation rituals are extremely popular among Universalists.
 
As for the Great Enemy, they are seen as a disruptive influence, a sickness in the body of the Universe. Although most Universalists have no issue with the idea of battling the Great Enemy directly, many have trouble foregoing their otherwise pacifistic nature to actually do something about it. An obvious geopolitical reflection of this could be found in Saernis, whose population are primarily Universalists, and having the smallest military of the Five Powers.

The holy symbol of the Universalists is the double-infinity, representing the infinite diversity and wonder of the universe and God experiencing itself in infinite possibilities. While there is no formal uniform to priests of the Church, all still wear a stole which bears this symbol upon it when conducting services.

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