Servism

## Overview

Servism is a monotheistic religion that emerged among the Bendonites as one of hundreds of small faiths that delveloped on Bendon. It centers around the worship of a single deity, known as the Benevolent Guide. Servism emphasizes subservience, humility, and the importance of serving others, particularly those in positions of authority.

The Soran Order's choice of Servism as the official religion for the Bendonites has faced criticism due to the perception that it was a strategic maneuver to promote subservience and obedience, rather than a sincere attempt to choose the best religion in a spiritual sense.

## History

Servism originated hundreds of years before the Bendonites had first contact with the Mission. It was endemic to a small region on the planet Bendon thanks to the efforts of a king there who saw it as a way to establish dominance in his kingdom by "converting" first the elites and nobles and then the masses. This king claimed to have seen a series of visions while on a long solitary hunt. From there, it gradually spread to surrounding areas as other leaders began to see its value as a tool of law. There were of course some true believers as well. The religion remained relatively obscure until the Soran Order selected it as the "true" faith for the Bendonites during their integration into the Mission in the year -1999C. This choice was a shock that few anticipated. The choice of Servism as the official religion was met with resistance from Bendonites who adhered to other faiths, and it took considerable time and effort for the Soran Order to establish its dominance, especially since there is no formal law dictating a person's faith in the Mission.

## Adherence

Although many Bendonites are Servist, it is difficult to find a truly devout member of the religion. Some enjoy the cultural aspects and continuity being part of a relgion gives them, and some argue it is one of the only things that is unique to the Bendonite species and as such should be clung to. It's common to find a Servist who attends a religious service a couple of times a year and then gives the religion no further thought.

In the Red Mission, Servism has been rejected by Bendonites there and is considered extinct. There are also of course Bendonites in both governments who follow the popular galactic religion of Created and those Bendonites who are openly atheist/agnostic as well.

## Tenets

The core tenets of Servism revolve around the principles of obedience, devotion, and service. Followers are encouraged to put the needs of others, especially leaders, before their own and to dedicate their lives to the so-called greater good. Adherents are taught that through unwavering loyalty and humble service to those in power, they can achieve spiritual fulfillment and ultimately attain a higher plane of existence.

## Criticism

The selection of Servism by the Soran Order has been criticized as a strategic move to maintain control over the Bendonites. Critics argue that the faith's emphasis on subservience and obedience was deliberately chosen to ensure that the Bendonites would be more easily integrated into the Mission and kept under the Soran Order's authority. By promoting a religion that prioritizes compliance and submission to those in power, the Soran Order effectively attempted to shape the Bendonites into a more docile and manageable population.