The Reform Coalition religion and spirituality

As befits a movement with such a broad range of ideologies, the Reform Coalition is also the most diverse faction in matters of faith.

Many Reformists adhere to the mainstream animist religion, though they tend to be less dogmatic than the nobility and to favour direct dealings with the spirit world. Some are just not particularly devout. Others tend towards mysticism, following unorthodox practices to improve themselves spiritually - they may aim to grant themselves power and influence in the afterlife, or attain a special communion with a particular element or a single powerful spirit.

Reformists vary greatly in their attitudes to priestly orders. Some view them as a model for voluntary association independent of the feudal system; others see them as corrupt supporters of the status quo, or obstacles to the spiritual enlightenment of the common people. Of course the nature of a given order greatly affects how it is viewed - a small charitable order is much more likely to get sympathy than the ultra-royalist Order of Heavenly Radiance. (The Temple of the Fivefold Way is at least tolerated by nearly all Reformists because of its commitment to political neutrality.)

Seekers of the Utmost are disproportionately common in the Coalition for a number of reasons. The open-mindedness of the movement as a whole certainly helps; daring political radicals are far more likely to accept radical religious views than anyone else. The shared interest in foreign ideas is also a contributing factor, and a number of people have converted due to the exotic philosophies of Parmenia. But perhaps the most important reason that Seeking and Reform are so often associated is that they are both rooted in dissatisfaction with the status quo. Just as the Reform Coalition works to replace the feudal order, the Seekers aim to see past the Elements to the deeper reality of the universe, and replace the old order of animism with something new.

Part of a series about the Reform Coalition.

Ideologies - Internal matters - Attitudes to others - Religion and spirituality - Costume - Archetypes

See also: Arginet - Factions - The Noble Houses - The Royal Armies