Spirituality in Azania

## Background

As the Formation ecosystems grew, the leaders were mindful that any meaningful and sustainable development of the continent would only be achieved by a change in mindset, undergirded by genuine spiritual transformation. As such, they acknowledged early on, the important role that spiritual leaders would have to play - but were also aware of the deep divisions between different faiths and religious expressions.  So, on the back of the credibility and respect they had already earned amongst the people, they engaged firstly the Ngala Priesthood of Lalibela, Ethiopia - which then led to an appeal to religious leaders to come together and find common ground upon which the progress of the continent could be rooted and sustained.

Despite their doubts about the prospect of lasting unity, the renewed hope and genuine progress sweeping across the continent awakened the leaders to the looming threat of Western idolatry and licentiousness, which gave them the impetus required to at least attempt this seemingly impossible feat.  And so, over a period of six months in 2050/51, The Formation sponsored three summits where religious leaders from all the major faiths gathered with the purpose of setting out core tenets of belief around which they could all unite, and by which the spiritual trajectory of the continent could be set. At the conclusion of the third and final summit in Abuja, the leaders submitted their combined statement of belief, outlining the four distinct pillars of Azanian spirituality:

### Common beliefs:

1. There is a Creator who is personal and loving
2. He guides those who seek him by his Spirit
3. He has entrusted to humanity the custodianship of the natural world.

### Moral Principles

These are based on a shared understanding of The Creator’s (Mungu) nature and attributes; their purpose being to promote the welfare of those who obey. They include a love and reverence for Mungu and the sanctity of human life.

### Civil Ordinances

These are essentially the practical outworking of the Moral Principles in day-to-day life, and form the basis of Azania’s judicial system. They deal with matters of civic duty, conflict, restitution, and penalty.

### Ceremonial Observances

These are unique to each faith, and while the Lebone have a working knowledge of all of them, they are not the custodians of such observances - as they deal with specific matters of ritual.

### Spiritual Custodians

It was agreed by all that Maafu Lebone would be entrusted with safeguarding and propagating these four pillars, without proselytizing seekers of truth. This handover concluded the work of the council of religious leaders, which was thereafter dissolved. The role of Maafu Lebone would be to reinforce the core tenets and answer general questions pertaining to matters of faith. The word Ubuntu, was used to describe the fusion of these tenets with the traditional African values of respect, compassion, kindness, and community.

It took several years to establish the principles and practice of Ubuntu - especially within the education system, but by 2035, there was a marked turnaround in the moral fibre of the continent. Many had learned to see themselves and their newfound prosperity through the lens of Mungu’s Great Plan for the world, and increasingly gave themselves to the upliftment of others. By 2070, Azania had been completely transformed and its citizens were working harmoniously for the prosperity of all as they wholeheartedly embraced the greeting, “Aman Azansu!” – let Azania be, grow, and flourish!

However, a small band of religious renegades, who prior to The Great Council had used religion as a means to deceive the masses for the sake of personal gain, continued in their efforts to sabotage the efforts of Lebone.