Cult of the Perfect Man

> *"If not for me, then toil for Him."*
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The Cult of the Perfect Man is the Solarian Empire's main, recognised religious body. Spearheaded by Markus Leonhardt, the Cult of the Perfect Man is overseen by an assembly of prominent believers known as The Twelve. The Cult's object of worship is none other than the Perfect Man Himself, who is revered as a humanoid, faceless, gnostic deity imbedded within the consciousness of every human being.

## Teachings

### Overflowing Fountain:

The teaching of the Overflowing Fountain is one of the fundamental aspects of Solarian theology. The Cult of the Perfect Man teaches that the path to perfection is akin to the filling of a fountain. Once Man finally reaches the apotheosis of his potential, his metaphoric fountain would have filled to the brim and began overflowing, thereby allowing its blessed contents spillage into the fountain of others. The teaching of the Overflowing Fountain therefore promotes apprenticeship in matters of faith; the mystical relation with the Perfect Man, whilst entirely personal, can also result in the influencing of others. All Men have a fountain to fill, and they may not necessarily do so entirely alone.

### Freeform Worship:

There is no official manner with which to worship the Perfect Man. Given that He is part of every human being, Man may choose to worship the Divine in a manner seen personally fit. Of course, the extent of such freedom is restricted through Solaria's very code of law, as complete freedom has been known to drive man backwards, rather than forwards. The Cult of the Perfect Man nonetheless stresses that the relationship with the Perfect Man Himself is fully personal. The most widespread manner of worship is the close following of the Code of Law, alongside a life's worth of dedicated toiling for the sake of the Solarian Empire.

### The Divine Child:

The Cult of the Perfect Man teaches that the Perfect Man Himself is a creation of another, higher being, which itself is a creation of another, and so on. As such, Humankind is seen as simply a part of this cycle; much like the Perfect Man, Humanity is Divine in its own manner, and is believed to, one day, form its own "Divine Child" who will look up to Humanity in the same manner Humanity does to the Perfect Man. It is unknown as to when will this Divine Child appear, but when it eventually does, Solarian theology teaches that Humanity would have finally, and fully ascended to Godhood.

### Afterlife:

The Afterlife is fully metaphysical in nature. Unlike previous religions, the Cult of the Perfect Man does not believe in any, parallel, or material universe in which will the souls of the dead reside after passing. The Afterlife is instead thought of as a metaphysical presence within the already existing world. Much like the Perfect Man, who is mystically present within every Man, the souls of the departed also reside within those close to them, thereby imbuing them with their grace and zeal. The revering of ancestors is, as such, rather popular in the Solarian Empire. To ask of a statue of an olden hero strength, for example, is to literally connect oneself with the mystical presence of said hero.

### Cybernetical Enhancements:

Considered in major part heretical, cybernetical enhancements are seen as an affront to the manner in which the Perfect Man birthed Humanity. As such, these are exclusively used for medical purposes. Cybernetical Enhancements are also closely linked to the Age of Hedonism. In order to cope with the lack of enhancements, Solarian society is instead heavily reliant on robotics in order to make ends meet. Androids, on the other hand, share the fate of the Cybernetical Enhancements. While also linked to the Age of Hedonism, in which did Androids see considerable use, some heretical elements of the Cult of the Perfect Man enounce the idea that Androids are, in fact, the promised Divine Children of Humankind.

## The Twelve

While the Cult of the Perfect Man espouses no formal hierarchy, the Council of the Twelve is still considered the Cult's main representing and leading body. Formed out of the twelve most influential worshippers of the Perfect Man across the Solar System, the Council oversees matters of faith, settles disputes, establishes new doctrines and caters to the safeguarding of Leonhardt's intent. Addendums to the Faith can only be approved following a positive vote of ten or more of the twelve, and vice versa. The Emperor directly oversees the Council, and is responsible for settling debates must they arise, and is oftentimes used as the final, indisputable judge in matters the Council is split upon.