The World of Samoth
Religions - AEtonism
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Message Boards		 The Mythic History of the AEtonist Faith: 2
Characteristics of the Gods: What are their intentions toward the world?
AEton is believed to be extremely interested in the well-being of his flock.  Members of the faith follow the codes and scriptures of the religion (said to be dictated to the Prophet Dorren, the "founder" of the faith, by AEton himself).  AEton is seen as both a kindly and gentle deity, desiring peace and prosperity for his followers, and also an angry and vengeful deity ready to send his faithful flock out to wreak havoc on the unbelievers. 
Does anything inhibit them?
Members of the faith often disagree on this point, but for the most part they believe that AEton is inhibited only by his disappointment in the mortal beings of the world.  The followers of the religion truly believe that if AEton cared to do things for them, he would.  Since many times he does not appear to take an active role in carrying out his followers' wishes, they believe that he is unpleased with them and they therefore strive to do better in their day-to-day living. 
Are they immortal or indestructible?  What is the pantheon? 
As far as AEtonism is concerned, there is only one god, the Immortal AEton. He is not a "person" but more of a force and he cannot be harmed or killed.

AEtonists also pay homage to a host of "Patrons and Matrons" who are typically thought to be spirits of the early converts of the faith who have some influence of the daily lives of the faithful.  Each member of the AEtonist faith goes through a ceremony shortly after birth where he or she is "assigned" a Patron or a Matron (depending on the particular date of birth of the worshipper).  There is a group of 336 Patrons and Matrons (one for each day of the year) as well as the "Hallowed Sixteen" (sometimes called the Enlightened Sixteen) who are the most powerful of the divine prophets of the faith.  The days of the Hallowed Sixteen correspond to the four great festivals that mark the change in seasons.  Anyone born on one of the "Hallowed Days" or on "Hallowed Eve" is said to have incurred special blessings from Aeton and will be able to call upon his Hallowed Prophet for special favors.  All of the Patrons and Matrons are typically invoked for different things, from the fantastic (help in defeating evil spirits) to the mundane (assistance in being able to pay the tax man). 

It is important here to distinguish between Universal AEtonism and Eastern AEtonism.  The Eastern AEtonists do not honor the Patrons and Matrons in the same way as their Western counterparts, as they see the veneration of beings other than AEton to be contrary to the guiding principals of their faith.  In fact, it was precisely for this reason, as well as the Eastern AEtonist belief that the religion existed long before it was claimed to be "founded" by Dorren, that caused the initial split in the two faiths centuries ago.
The Challenge & The Tenets: What is the afterlife believed to be like, and how does one get there?
One can achieve enlightenment by following the Five Pillars of Faith (or the Four Pillars of Eastern AEtonism):

1.  AEton is the only god.
2.  AEton reveals himself through the Holy Canon (the religious text of AEtonism).
3.  AEton will judge all mortals on the Last Day.  Those who have reached enlightenment will be judged worthy and will enter the Spiritual Paradise of AEton and no longer be bound to the physical world.  Those who have not reached enlightenment will be sent back to the mortal plane in an endless cycle of birth, suffering, and death (if they are good) or eternal torture (if they are evil or non-believers). 
4.  The primary interest of AEton is ethnical conduct in this world as a means to enlightenment.  All men deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.
5.  There is a host of Patrons, Matrons, and Hallowed Prophets who assist AEton (Universal AEtonism only).
AEtonism Page 1
AEtonism Page 2
AEtonism Page 3
AEtonism Page 4
AEtonist Priests: Page 1
AEtonist Priests: Page 2
AEtonist Priests: Page 3
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