The Soran Order

## Overview

The Soran Order is a religious organization deeply rooted in the beliefs and culture of the Sora people. The Order upholds the principle that each planet and species has its own unique religion, which is true for that world. Governed by a strict hierarchy and led by the Council of Elders, the Soran Order seeks to identify and promote the "correct" religion for every uplifted species within Mission space. Although the majority of Sora are members of the Order, various other faith traditions also exist among the Sora and other species in Mission space. While more than half of all Sora are members of the Order, many Sora follow different faith traditions, with Created being the foremost among them.

## History

Although the Mission was founded in approximately -2160C (starting with the assimilation of the Xian), the Soran Order was not officially organized and ratified until the year -2049C. Before the Order's founding, the Mission struggled to nail down exactly what its expectations were for assimilated species. It wasn't until later, starting around the year -1900C that Created began to gain popularity in Mission space.

## Chosen Religions

Created is not an accepted religion for any species according to the Soran Order. The Order recognizes the following religions as the correct beliefs for their respective species:

* The Xian: Hivism
* The Sora: Revism
* The Bendonites: Servism
* The Gyarah: Insectism
* The Callaxians: Stratism\*
* The Perdian: Razoni
* The Haplings: Whisprism
* The Feneran: Tokenism
* The Eva: Arborism

\*It may at first seem counter-intuitive that the Soran Order would pick Stratism as the chosen religion for the Callaxians, since the Mission is bent on abolishing the practice. However, the Mission has no laws regarding beliefs, and the aspect of the Stratum that they seek to abolish is it being enforced against individuals' wills. Segregationist *laws* are not allowed in Mission territories, but religious *beliefs* are a different matter, as seen by the restrictive breeding rules of Hivism. If, for example, someone wants to play the Zed to someone else's Gahl, the Mission won't stop them.

## Beliefs and Principles

The core belief of the Soran Order is that each planet and species has its own unique religion that is true for that species. The Council of Elders, the leading body of the Order, is responsible for studying every uplifted species in Mission space to determine which native religion is the right one for that planet. Consequently, any religion for a given world that isn't the chosen one according to the Council is officially rejected.

According to the Council of Elders, Revism is the correct belief for Sorall and subsequently for all Sora. The Soran Order encourages other species to follow the correct religion for their respective worlds, including attempting to convert fellow Sora to Revism.

## Political and Social Motivations

While many members of various species adhere to the religions chosen by the Soran Order out of genuine belief, there are those who participate in the chosen religion primarily for political and social reasons. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent among the Xian, who often feel it is in their best interest politically and socially to follow Hivism, the chosen religion for their species.

Critics of the Soran Order argue that this tendency to prioritize political and social motivations over personal belief dilutes the sincerity and integrity of religious practice. They contend that the Soran Order's insistence on promoting specific religions for each species inadvertently encourages superficial adherence to these faiths, rather than fostering genuine spiritual growth and understanding.

Despite these criticisms, it is important to note that there are still many true believers who follow the religions chosen by the Soran Order out of genuine faith and devotion.

## Hierarchy and Leadership

The Soran Order has a strict hierarchical structure, with priests and priestesses holding positions of authority within the faith. The Council of Elders is the governing body of the Order and is entrusted with the responsibility of determining the correct religion for each uplifted species in Mission space.

## Relations with Other Religions

Although the Soran Order does not proselytize in the traditional sense, they are not entirely accepting of other beliefs. Nonetheless, it is not illegal on Sorall or anywhere in Mission space to follow a different faith or be an atheist or agnostic, and members of the Soran Order must coexist with those who do not share their beliefs.

Some critics of the Order have called the religion anti-Created. This has long been a source of contention in the Mission, and particularly among the Sora.

## Reva's Connection to the Soran Order

In Revism, Reva is said to have taught that every sentient species has its own religion, and that she is only the god of the Sora. This teaching eventually led to creation of the Soran Order.

## The MCAA

The Mission Committee on Arts, Culture, and Achievements (MCAA) operates under the oversight of the Soran Order, causing controversy within the Mission. This body identifies and ratifies "exceptionals", unique achievements or creations within civilizations that have been uplifted by the Mission. Critics within the Mission argue that the Soran Order's religious influence may bias the recognition of exceptionals and that a secular group would be better suited to this task. Indeed, in the Red Mission, the RMCAA is an independent, nonreligious organization. Despite the criticism, the Soran Order, adhering to its belief in the uniqueness of each planet's culture and religion, oversees the process with an assertion of impartiality. The formal ratification of exceptionals typically takes place post-conflict, conditional on a Mission victory.