Bezism
Bezism is the worship of the first emperor of Imperial Truidence Bez as a god emperor. The worship of Bez was also practiced before his ascension to heaven, though more as duty to the Truidencian state rather than the more mystic devotion it has formed into in the present.
History
Founding
The faith of Bezism and the reverence of Bez has existed on CivClassics ever since 2019, with the creation of Imperial Truidence and the empowerment of Bez. The first use of the term 'Bezism' can be traced to when Obtainable Spatula first mentioned the term in 2019 when explaining the fact that Imperial Truidence is a solely Bezist nation, with other faiths not to be given tolerance. As of Bez's ascension from mortal form in late 2020, Bezism has been led by Pontifex GenericLaqey.
The Schism of Retardation
The Schism of the Lady of the Lake
The second schism of Bezism occured at an unknown period of time when the Ginger Scroll was revealed to Emperor Zeldronix I after he was made emperor of the Holy Truidencian Empire. It relates to the Ginger Scroll's place in Bezist worship and was between the Orthodox Bezists, who believed that the Ginger Scroll was Bez's true word and that Bez was always a mortal elevated to godhood by the Lady of the Lake and the Immutat Bezists who anxiously awaited Bez's new teachings to be passed down, the so called "Ginger Scroll 2: The New Testament". The current emperor of Truidencia, Zeldronix I, was an Orthodox Bezist, while the at the time pontifex of Bezism, GenericLaqey, was Immutat.
The Rediscovery of the Ginger Scroll
The True Ginger Scroll was discovered by the pontifex of Bezism, GenericLaqey, was searching through archives in the Holy Mountain north of Nidaros. She discovered an ancient writing from one of her ancestors detailing how Bez created the world, which followed the Old Ginger Scroll but differed in many places. It unknown how the truth of creation was lost originally. Upon reaching this revelation, the pontifex proclaimed a new Galactic Church of Bezism, unifying the Orthodox and the Immutat Bezists.
Belief
Bezism is most concerned with the belief in the one god, Bez and this monotheistic principle demands that no other gods exist besides Bez. Bez is also seen as being everything, with all things in existence being some small fraction of the whole of Bez. By this definition, all is the will of Bez and the flow of history is his divine mandate.
Orthodox Bezists believe that Bez was truly a mortal before the Lady of the Lake of Milk gave him godhood through a scimitar. Immutat Bezists believe that Bez was merely in an avatar resembling a mortal. Regardless, such authority would carry the fledgling state to new heights, controlling a significant amount of territory around Nexus. Eventually, such an avatar would be shed and Bez would go to his godly form, with the imperial authority and divine right being passed unto the lineage of Truidencian Emperors.
Scripture
Bezist scripture exists between the Ginger Scroll, followed only by the Orthodox Bezists, and the 3 tenants of Bezism passed down to the pontifex in a dream. Besides the Ginger Scroll and the tenants of Bezism, several religious texts have been written by Bezist scholars on the matter of their faith, though the legitimacy of such texts is debated.
The Ginger Scroll
The Ginger Scroll, holds the truth to Orthodox Bezism and all it's tenants. Only the highest figures in the Bezist Church are allowed access to this scripture, and are a tense by which the Bezist populous is given information concerning their faith. The information contained within the Ginger Scroll was made more public after the Schism of the Lady of the Lake, but the exact text is still only known to few.
The Tenets of Bezism
Are as follows, exactly as told by Bez:
Faith: Bez is the master of the world, and we are his children. Every block and every civva is part of his design. Faith in his wisdom, guidance, knowledge and power is the only path.
Order: The civvas were created to bring order to an unstable world. Distruptions of this is in violation of his design.
Freedom: Each civva was created as indenpendent beings, it is an affront to Bez to reduce them to anything less.
Schismaticism
Schismaticism is a school of thought based around the Schism of Retardation, formed long after the schism had ended. It is primarily concerned the the true extent of what it could mean that Bez is everything. Questions like is Bez evil, or is Bez not all powerful are frequently asked. Primary critics say that mortals inability to understand the nature of the divine make these questions irrelevant.
Organization
The official Bezist faith as defined by the Holy Truidencian Empire is governed by the Pontifex (GenericLaqey). The Pontifex reigns spiritually from Nidaros, with their decrees of the faith being transcribed as holy truth from Bez himself. Within the nation of the Holy Truidencian Empire, it is expected of lords and other political authorities to be patrons of the Bezist faith, building temples and contributing to the Bezist cultural heritage.
Iconography
The Bezist faith holds several important symbols, with all in some form connecting to the legacy of Bez.
| Name | Icon | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Rune of Bez | 
|
Denotes the authority of Bez |
| Milk | 
|
|
| Orange | Symbolizes the tenet of Faith | |
| Purple | Symbolizes the tenet of Order | |
| Black | Symbolizes the tenet of Freedom |
Ritual
Worship
The worship of Bez often includes attendance at a Bezist temple, or church. Once in the establishment, the usual set of actions would be to say one's prayers to Bez. In this belief, it ensures good luck and the favor of Bez with further prayer and devotion strengthening such. The regular attendance of Bezist religious establishments is mandated by the faith, with even religious pilgrimages being undertaken by the Bezist faithful.
Sacrament
Offerings and deeds done in the honor of Bez are often celebrated by the Bezist religious establishment. Offerings including milk, precious metals and other fine goods are often given to show devotion. In some instances of extreme devotion, a Bezist may commit human sacrifice, dying in the honor of Bez and being reborn in his grace.
Some more information on Bez can be found on the Imperial Truidence page.
Architecture
Bezist architecture varies greatly depending on the architect and place. From the European style churches of Nidarosdomen and the Anburon cathedral, to the eastern onion domed temples of Inis Moin, and even as far back as the ancient Generico-Classical temples in the Holy Mountain north of Nidaros. A list of Bezist structures is compiled here.
- The St. Bez Cathedral in Anburon, never given a proper name, it was primarily designed and constructed by ObtainableSpatula, with the roof and posterior tower being completed by GenericLaqey on the 19th of July in 2020.
- The diagonal church in Anburon
- The church north of Anburon
- The church in Downer Astonia built by Discozoa
- The church in FE_Flags' village
- The Erdem Monastery. Located southeast of Nidaros this incomplete monastery was designed by Hylian_Cellist and is being constructed by many people.
- Nidarosdomen. The largest Bezist place of worship ever planned. It was designed by Hylian_Cellist and based on the real life cathedral Nidarosdomen in Trondheim. It was completed on the 2nd of May in 2023 and primarily built by GenericLaqey.
- The Old Temple in the Holy Mountain, this decaying temple appears to have been made hundreds of years ago. In fact it was designed by GenericLaqey and completed on the 6th of August in 2022.
- The Galacton, also in the Holy Mountain, is in a similar style to the Old Temple. Made for milk rituals, this temple was also designed by GenericLaqey and was completed on the 16th of December in 2022.