Aradian Temple

The Aradian Temple is a religious organization dedicated to the worship of the oceanic deity Aradia, acknowledging the goddess as the Supreme Being and creator of the material world.
It is the predominant religion of the Aradian isles in 1014AE with the highest population of practicing believers out of all major religious organizations. It's predominant status has granted the institution and extremely high level of political and social influence. It's leader, the High Priest (occasionally called the Archcanon or Archprimate), is a highly prestigious position in Aradian society. The church has its own military order, the Seraphs, who enforce the Temple's agenda.
In 1015AE, the reign of the secular Blackthorne Monarchy caused a stripping-back of the Church's assets, including a disarmament of its military. This caused a gradual waning of its influence and an increasing secularization of society as a whole. As of 1086AE its number of practicing believers is at an all time low.
The current High Priestess of the Temple in 1086AE is Mother-Superior Eldafire.
== Beliefs ==
The doctrines of the central clergy can be summarized thusly;
* That Aradia is the supreme being, the creator of all life and the natural world. She lives still, is actively benevolent and loving to her "children" all the sentient races of Terros, and will actively intervene to aid in the lives of her subjects.
* That Demons are a fell reflection of her creation who seek to undermine her, they have no part in the creation mythos and are a purely malevolent and destructive force.
* Her believers will ascend to heaven, her "oasis," upon their death if they lead good and virtuous lives.
Its priests espouse a philosophy of peace and altruism that is vague in its language, designed to be fitted personally with any individual's value system, with a heavy usage of aquatic metaphors and similes.
== History ==
== Organization ==
The Church's leader, headquartered in Bastion City, is given the title of Mother or Father depending upon their gender. The High Priest is elected from among the clergy following the death or resigning of the previous incumbent. Common members of the clergy use the name Brother or Sister. There is little hierarchical structure within the Temple especially after the dissolution of the Seraphs.
== Known Members ==
The vast majority of Aradian society are members of the Temple in some way, most often baptized in birth out of tradition, though as of 1086AE many do not directly engage in worship and choose instead either secularism or an abstract form of personal self-centred spiritualism.
=== Leadership ===
* Mother-Superior Eldafire (1086AE-present)
* Father Stellios (1077AE-1086AE)
* Father Eustace (1015AE-1075AE)
* Father Langsom (1015AE)
== Trivia ==
Heavily based on irl Protestantism and the Church of Andraste from the Dragon Age franchise.