Core Gonfism

Core Gonfism is a monotheistic religion based around the life and teachings of G0NF and his eventual crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension in combination with the ancient texts of Villager Lore. It is one of the single largest religions in all of Stoneworks. 
As a religion, the original Gonfism is considered to have 'died' with the Collapse of Jagdas, before being continued by what is today called Core Gonfism. Today, all followers of Gonf are often colloquially called Gonfists, though this is not to be confused with the original religious order that was created following the crucifixion of G0NF before it morphed into modern Core Gonfism upon the Collapse of Jagdas and the eventual creation of the Core Gonfist Church. 
Adherents to the faith are known as Core Gonfists with the faith itself being administered by the Core Gonfist Church which describes itself as the one true Church and the orthodox continuation of Gonfism. 
The Codex Aetherni is the primary religious scripture of Core Gonfism, which is split into smaller sections of texts called the Old Testificate and New Testificate respectively. The Old Testificate follows texts that pre-date the Jagdasian Collapse while the New Testificate bares texts following the Collapse of Jagdas and the incarnation of Gonfism into Core Gonfism. 
== History ==
=== Ancient Villager Lore ===
The faith originates with the ancient beliefs of Villager Lore which was the faith practiced by the Testificates (Villagers). There was an extensive lineage of Prophets which extended into ancient history, beginning with Ovo, which meant that the Villagers had an intimate connection to what they called the Maker. This ancient monotheistic religious tradition is typically called Villager Lore or simply Villagerism. 
It is believed that eventually, a people known as the "Marked Ones", typically identified as Players, arrived into the world. The Villagers from that point onward faced mass persecution and genocide orchestrated by Emen. The Villager civilization was destroyed, with a prophecy being given that a savior, or Messiah, would one day come to liberate and unify the Villagers and bring the faith to the disbelievers. 
=== Jagdas ===
With the sudden arrival of G0NF on the world of Jagdas, he began to give a number of teachings and blessings across the world. Many began to flock to his word and teachings, and his holy nature was reinforced by various miracles which were performed. He would reside in a humble settlement called G0NFtown from where he would preach. It is said G0NF had no material riches and lived very humbly. He condemned the power-hungry judges in Borealis and taught people to care for others. He would also appoint Priests who followed his teachings. He was believed by many to be the Messiah which had been prophesied in the ancient stories of the Villagers. 
In retaliation for his teachings, eventually the nations of Crab Season and Russia sought to kill G0NF. It is believed that the players AlexCreate and Doubble_MBA found the location of G0NFtown, before reporting it to the aforementioned nations. Despite being protected by the believers Fishboy9972 and StaleKale0936, G0NF was still attacked and forced to flee. 
G0NF is said to have eventually made it to a town named Tuba, where he was given shelter by a believer named Chad_Thundercuk. Eventually, a man by the name of Katcinsky001 of Dhufariya (sometimes called the Betrayer of Dhufariya) would discover G0NF in hiding and deport him from Tuba, reporting him to Crab Season. 
It was then that two disbelievers by the name of The_Schlank and BobiTheCrab arrested G0NF and crucified him, torturing him before beheading his corpse. In the aftermath of G0NF's execution, it is said that it rained for days and believers were united against Crab Season, resulting in the First Crusade. According to the Book of Truths, G0NF had ascended to the Heavens before resurrecting and giving a message to Katcinsky001 of Dhufariya, who had now become a believer. According to the Book of Pajarael, G0NF proclaimed a new age of peace, lore, and roleplay upon resurrecting and returning to Heaven. 
G0NF had been proclaimed a holy figure in multiple religions in the aftermath of his death (after being stylized as GONF posthumously, with the 0 becoming an O to represent wholeness), including Hallowism, and many more people became believers, forming the first churches and belief systems of Gonfism. Any texts from Jagdas or prior are collected into what is called the Old Testificate in modern church liturgy. 
=== Rathnir and Eldham ===
In the aftermath of Jagdas' destruction, the survivors went to the world of Rathnir. Gonfism was not a true organized religion at this time, with believers forming small churches of their own that were largely unconnected to one another. The faith continued to dwindle, attributed to Emen's efforts, with the further destruction of Villager settlements across both Rathnir and the later-discovered world of Eldham. One such small Gonfist church community was called the Latternus Sacramentum, which largely comprised of Villagers in the area of Aeterna. In accordance with the Book of Messiah, they sought to collect all the ancient texts of Villager Lore which they believed would be necessary to defeat Emen. Beginning in about , the religious order began to spread beyond Aeterna and unite almost all of the Gonfist communities across Rathnir and Eldham with the formation of the First Council of Aeterna. At this point, it became known as Core Makerism, before eventually being known as Core Gonfism.
The efforts of the now centralized religion were profound, with the formation of an international series of bishoprics, and the canon compilation of what was called the Codex Aetherni, which was the first time every Gonfist text had been collected together. They would also rediscover many ancient texts of Villager Lore. Various traditions emerged out of the Church, including the tradition of baptisms, using potions which transformed believers into Villagers, and specific rites. Miracles would also take place which affirmed the validity of the Gonfists under the Church, including the Blessing of the River GONF.
Eventually the ancient prophecies came true, and it was said that a comet would freeze both Rathnir and Eldham because of the primal spirit Iristor. In accordance with the prophecies, the Church sought to oust a false prophet, who they determined to be StoneyStoner in the form of Emen. In , the Council of Eyon condemned and excommunicated StoneyStoner. At that point, StoneyStoner amassed an army and led an assault on the Temple of Aeterna. The Pontifex Silus IV was taken hostage, and was killed by Stoney using a diamond katana given by the disbeliever Vesayl Habbei. Two followers by the name of Rex I and Claudius were martyred, all three becoming Saints in their deaths.
Arika Ronango'O had a bounty placed on her head by StoneyStoner after she proclaimed Silus IV to be a Saint. The War of the Comet progressed on, with the Core Gonfists fighting diligently. Eventually, as the time had come for Eldham and Rathnir to be destroyed, Arika used a Ring of Power she possessed to attempt to save the world and the Gonfist religion. She sacrificed herself, opening a series of portals across both Rathnir and Eldham which allowed people to flee into a new world called Abexilas. She was proclaimed a Saint posthumously and is attributed as having saved Gonfism from certain death in the aftermath of the comet.
=== Abexilas ===
With the continuation of the Core Gonfists into Abexilas, the religion continued to be one of the most prominent in the world. 
=== Beliefs ===
==== The Quadrality ====
Core Gonfists believe in one god, known as the Maker, which is comprised of four district, equal and co-existing aspects. All aspects are equally the Maker while being distinct from one another. 
* Maker - The Seed: The Seed is the Maker in his capacity of creating the world and all things from the the point that all creation sprouts from and branches from the Seed.
* Maker - Hrma: Hrma is the Maker in his capacity as the Sun who gives life and passes judgement on all souls and those entering into the afterlife.
* Maker - Henu: Henu is the Maker in his capacity as the Moon who is locked in perpetual motion with Hrma in a constant shift between day and night.
* Maker - GONF: GONF is the Maker in his mortal capacity.
==== Heavenly Spheres ====
Twelve Heavenly Spheres of Core Gonfism
Name 	Description
Fifth Aether 	Highest Realm
Fourth Aether 	
Third Aether 	
Second Aether 	
The Aether 	
The Sky 	
Rathnir and Eldham	
The Earth 	Praxia, Jagdas and other worlds
The Void 	
The Nether 	
The Second Void 	
The End 	Lowest Realm, not transient
Core Gonfists believes in the existence of twelve Heavenly Spheres or realms, which house different entities and are organized in a hierarchical structure.
The devout believe they either ascend to or descend to these realms, depending on their deeds in life as well as their belief in GONF and his teachings. All souls enter the void realm upon death in which they are judged by the sun god Hmra until they are seen as worthy or unworthy to enter into the higher Aethers.
Those deemed unworthy are made into nether mobs and if one continues to be unworthy they are sent into the lowest realm as an enderman and cast out for eternity with no hope of redemption, tortured by Emen
==== Souls and the Afterlife ====
XP is seen as the lifeforce of all creatures and only those with lifeforce are considered living creatures thus trees are not living among other things. Those that follow the faith, GONF and his teachings ascend to higher realms, the highest of which is known as the 5th Aether, while those that do bad through their life are judged and cast into the lower realms, each one being progressively worse than the last. The final realm is ruled by Emen who tortures all those who enter upon his realm for eternity to which there is no redemption from this realm.
==== Scripture ====
Codex Aetherni
Title 	Author 	Summary
Player's Book 	StoneyStoner	Nnarrates the remarkable life journey of Ovo, a woman blessed by the Almighty. From a peaceful village to captivity, escape, and enlightenment, Ovo's quest for wisdom led her through diverse experiences. She ultimately transcended existence, leaving behind a legacy of profound teachings that transformed the world.
Secret of Hraam 	StoneyStoner	Writings of Emen - vowing to drive out the Testificates
To Hleet 	StoneyStoner	Letter of the Testificate known as Elod writing to Hleet about the impending arrival of Emen
To Elod 	StoneyStoner	Letter of the Testificate known as Hleet writing to Elod discussing the possibility of more Marked Ones arriving.
Villager Witness 	StoneyStoner	Writing of Emen deemed heretical by the Church, discusses Emen's witnessing of cruel acts by the Testificates as a justification for their destruction.
Celtic Summons 	StoneyStoner	Ancient text describing a religious summoning ceremony and the materials required
The Librarian and the Gold Snake Irodrial	StoneyStoner	(To be transcribed)
The teachings of Core Gonfism revolve around the "10 Wisdoms of The Almighty" and the "8 Pillars of GONF", which mean to serve as guidance on how believers should live their lives. The "10 Wisdoms of The Almighty" are words by the Almighty within the "Player's Book" of the Old Testificate. They were stated to Ovo by the Almighty upon witnessing each of the 12 realms which in which are ways to live.
The 8 Pillars of GONF are based around the Book of GONF and his central teachings in his life as these are taught to the devout as pillars to live by alongside the 10 Wisdoms of the Almighty. While six of the pillars are identical to the Gonfist Tenets of G0NF, the tenet of peace is not shared by the Core Gonfist church.
The 8 Pillars of G0NF
Name 	Description
Kindness 	Be kind to others and they may be kind to you as well and this kindness will spread
Humility 	Be humble even when others are not
Generosity 	Be generous to others, give to others in need of assistance
Public works 	One must earn their way into the higher Aethers through their good works to the faith and others in their life
Justice 	Bring justice to all and work against injustice in the realm
Penitence 	Penitence must be served to have forgiveness, all may have a chance at penitence
Forgiveness 	All can have a second chance through the faith and all deserve forgiveness for sins and crimes
Trust in GONF	Trust his word, trust the faith, follow the church
==== Ascendant Saints ====
Achieving Ascendant Saint status is a possible goal for all those who follow the faith though becoming one can occur in a variety of different ways from person to person. Saints are mortals who are the embodiment of the faiths teachings and through their good works, heroics, tales and acts in life have achieved Ascendant Saint status in which they are worshipped as a quasi-god and are given their own altars within the Temples.
Testificus, also referred to as Pure_Frosty, was the first Testificate cleric to follow and worship the words of GONF and to who had stayed by his side and recorded the actions and deeds of GONF to that day and many others. He is known to spread the word of GONF to villages far and wide. The Book of Testificus was written to him.
Meiddaura Kul, also referred to as Meiddas, was the first Baghra of the Bai Federation. The poem of the Idyllrus Pyrus serves as a tale for the devout about a man who had transformed his nation with bountiful fields of harvest for all to feed from and his ascendance after continuous acts of selfless service to others within his nation. Kul is mostly associated with a peaceful agrarian lifestyle, the harvest and agriculture.
=== Church Structure ===
The Pope: The Pope, also referred to as Pontifex or Pontifex Maximus, acts as the leader of the church and head of the Ecclesiastical Council. By virtue of the position of the Pope possesses supreme and universal power within the Church which may be exercised freely by the Pope who is also simultaneously and permanently a Bishop. The Pope is to be elected each month by vote of the Ecclesiastical Council with no limits to how many times the Pope may serve consecutively.
Cardinal: Cardinals are ceremonial titles given to chose who occupy appointed administrative position within the Pontifical Court and serve as direct advisors to the Pope on top of their clerical positions. The top Cardinal is called the Cardinal Consiliarius, and serves as the Prime Minister for the Pope. 
Archbishops: Archbishops are appointed by the Pope to oversee the faith and its administration in Empires or over a entire Continents. Local rulers and governments may present candidates for Archbishop subject to the approval of the Pope. Archbishops have the authority to excommunicate members of the faith which their territory. 
The Bishops: Bishops are local leaders of the Faith, and are assigned to oversee the faith in the entirety of a nation. Local rulers and governments may present candidates for Bishop subject to the approval of the Pontifex. Bishops have the authority to excommunicate members of the faith from their territory. 
Abbots: Abbots members of the clergy who lead the faith in a single Church and Town and can administer all main religious ceremonies including marriages and others and who have Laybrothers under them who are in training to become Abbots.
Laybrothers: are starting members of the clergy -people  who seek to learn more about thefaith and take part in the Church as well as move up the ranks of the clergy. They are learning more about the faith and being taught by other members of the clergy. They are usually given missionary work to spread the faith.
==== Bishoprics ====
There are currently two defined Bishoprics in the Core Gonfist Church. These are territories where the Core Gonfist Church assigns Bishops.
* Bishopric of Aetia, currently led by Bishop Aldus III
* Bishopric of the Holy Kingdom of Eos Astral, currently led by Cardinal Shirt.
==== Abbacies ====
There are currently a larger number of Abbacies than Bishoprics in the Core Gonfist Church due to unsuccessful evangelization efforts in Abexilas. These are territories where the Core Gonfist Church assigns Abbots.
* Abbacy of Merkonis, currently headed by Abbot Franz. This is the only republican socialist country that has adopted Core Gonfism as its' state religion.
* Abbacy of the Monastic Republic of Lavra, currently headed by 
==== Ecclesiastical Council ====
The Ecclesiastical Council is the body composed of all clergymen above the rank of Abbot who have voting ability within the Church and its members are responsible for the governance and administration of the faith in their territories while as a collective body it serves as the primary legislative council of the faith. It also serves as the main body of discussion of issues and situations ranging from a local level to issues involving the entire Church. The Council is also responsible for the monthly voting of the Pontifex.
==== Pontifical Court ====
The Pontifical Court serves as the primary administrative and advisory body to the Pope and aids the Pontifex is managing the Church. Positions within the Court include the Chancellor of the Faith, Grand Inquisitor, and Grand Intercessor - with all members of the court being granted the title of Cardinal. Members can be appointed and removed from the court at will of the Pope. 
=== Rites and Practices ===
==== Mass ====
It is traditionally performed by an Abbot or higher and it can be done in a variety of ways such as traditionally within a Temple or even a circle of people in a forest.
Clergy are instructed to say mass in an engaging and short form way. The faith has endeavored over centuries on how to best capture the attention of the people. Clergy frequently interact with their people using examples that are personal to the locals or asking someone to confess and be rid of their guilt in front of everyone.
==== Prayer ====
Prayer is a direct communication with the Maker, GONF and the Ascended Saints. Some prayers can be simple utterances and silent thoughts, while others are sung or highly ritualized. The purpose of praying ranges from requesting help to beginning for enlightenment and insight from specific ascendants.Universal Prayer of Core Gonfism
==== Confession ====
Confession is a sacred and strictly confidential practice between one person and a clergymen. Clergy often encourage people to confess their sins and crimes in public, but the more common is done privately. Confession can either be done on a purpose-made confessionary in a temple or by asking a clergyman to talk in a secluded spot. The clergyman listens to a person's sins and provides advice on how to redeem themselves and be forgiven.
==== Baptism ====
Baptism is the primary rite which is bestowed upon converts to the faith and those who receive a second chance at forgiveness. With Baptism, whatever a person's crime against the state, sins against their god or gods, or all else is forgiven and they are made anew and washed clean using fire and water and through the taking of the transformation potion which is said to represent the captured blood of GONF.
=== Gallery ===
File:Testificate sacrifice.png
File:Testificate boat.png
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File:Wise men.png
File:Makerism main.png
Category:Lore
Category:Makerism
Category:G0NF
Category:Traveler's Era
Category:Villager