Tao Encyclopedia/Religion

Tao Encyclopedia

Religion

Religion is an uncommon topic of discussion, as the difference between Pokemon that practice a religion and Pokemon that do not is quite large. Pokemon that are not religious are often distinct in behaviour from Pokemon that are, although the groups can coexist. Most religions incorporate one of deity worship, moral codification or metaphysical belief, where Pokemon are capable of living an entire lifetime without making these topics a significant part of their life. Deity worship is the worship of other Pokemon, generally of much greater power than any individual worshipper. A Pokemon that is the subject of deity worship is a "god". Some deity worshipping religions propose the existence of a creator or godhead that is beyond normal Pokemon, or that is not a Pokemon. Moral codification is the adherence of a religious group to specific moral ccodes based upon belief. A religious group might believe that impurity of the body leads to impurity of the soul, and encourage daily religious bathing. Another religious group might forswear violence and killing, stating that each Pokemon's life is a single, blessed event, and to end it is unholy. Metaphysical belief is belief in principles that have not been proven or that are not self-evident. That Pokemon are capable of creating flame or vines is self-evident, and that the air contains oxygen is proven. Metaphysical belief might state that all Pokemon share the latent ability to warp reality or that Pokemon go to a heavenly real after death, but these ideas are not self-evident or proven. The Order of the Sun in Tao is an example of a religion that worships a creator deity (deity worship), states that there is a recurring battle between light and darkness, waged by individuals and measured in sin (moral codification), and that each Pokemon is a reincarnation of a previously-living Pokemon (metaphysical belief). Many other religions exist in Tao and elsewhere, such as monastic orders to the north. Most religions are not expansionist in the way that a civilization might be expansionist. Smaller cult religions in tribal villages will rarely spread beyond a village's borders, and many religions restrict priesthood to select individuals, so it is rare that common Pokemon of those religions will "convert" other Pokemon to their cause. Religions that primarily feature moral codification, as opposed to focusing on deity worship or metaphysical belief, are likely to be the most common type of religion and often attract a larger number of followers. Whether this is because they are typically more open or because the average Pokemon does not participate in deity worship is unclear.