Religion in West Phoenicia

Ministry of Faith

Agency overview
Formed	1950
Jurisdiction	Empire of West Phoenicia
Headquarters	Agape, West Phoenicia
Employees	120,000
Annual budget	Not disclosed
Ministers responsible	Deputy Pontifex Jim Wacco, Minister of  Faith Deputy High Priest August Moon, Minister of Pagan Faiths
Agency executive	Rev. Joyce Graham, President

The Ministry of Faith is a religious agency established by the West Phoenician government that is regulated by The State Church and United Pagan Faiths.

Other religions not banned have representatives and departments within the ministry.

The Ministry of Faith has offices located in all 53 city-states. The main headquarters is in Agape, West Phoenicia.

The Ministry of Faith's role is to ensure correct religious teaching is happening, promote proper teaching of religion and worship, care for the needs of religious citizens, investigate claims of heresy and banned religious teachings in West Phoenicia and oversee The Inquisition Tribunal; a court system designed to punish those who practise heresy and the authority to exile those practising banned religions.

The Ministry of Faith employs 6,000 Faith Keeper. Faith Keepers responsibility is to enforce accurate religious teachings and laws of each religious group and to investigate crimes against religion; which include hate crimes, discrimination and proselytizing abanned religions to members of the public.

Faith Keepers have the power to arrest and detain suspected individuals and issues summons to appear before the Ministry of Faith or the Inquisition Tribunal.

History

True Path Faith

The 2019 census showed 70 to 80% of citizens, identified as followers of the True Path faith.

The True Path Faith is a syncretistic unification of Catholicism, Protestantism, Eastern Orthodox and Mormonism.

Adherents of the True Path Faith worship in Mega Worship Centres throughout the Empire.

While the True Path Faith is the biggest Christian body; there are a number of Catholic and Protestant churches operating under their own banner not affiliated with the True Path.

Former Clergy of the State Church of West Phoenicia

• 2013- Pontifex Angelika I Deo Deuotus
• 2010 to 2013: Most High Reverend Darius Mckay
• 2001 to 2010: Pontifex Mary Macedonia
• 1983 to 2001: Most High Reverend Darius Mckay
• 1981-1983: Archbishop Dave McCross
• 1960- 1981: Holy Mother Cherice Liverpool
• 1951- 1960: Pontifex Michael Vessel
• 1946- 1951: Pontifex Peter Humility
• 1941-1946: Pontifex Samuel Pascoe
• 1940-1941: Archbishop Robert Swanston
• 1938-1940: Most High Sister Christine Kenya
• 1930-1938: Most High Brother Kevin Kenya
• 1900-1930: Pontifex Nigel the Healer

The Supreme Head of the State Church in West Phoenicia is Pontifex Angelika I Deo Deuotus. Whose palatial residence is in Agape.

Paganism

Paganism is the second major faith in the Confederate Empire of West Phoenicia,

The city-states of Baal Territory, Ptolemaic Haven, Mythologica, Yule Island, Druidia, New Egypt, Bast County, Selene Valley, New Rome, Polytheisa Heaven and Helios Region boasts the largest numbers of pagan adherents where the old pagan ways flourish.

Asherah Grove, the capital city of Baal Territory holds the residence of High Priestess Margie Brixton; the head of the pagan faiths which united to form a United Pagan Council representing all recognised pagan and Wiccan faiths.

These city-states are lined with temples dedicated to a pantheon of gods, goddesses and animal deities deemed for suitable worship by the United Pagan council. There are countless shops and markets dedicated to witchcraft, charms, potions, mediums, temple prostitutes and fortune-tellers which help boost the West Phoenician economy.

Clergy of the United Pagan Faiths of West Phoenicia

• 2010- High Priestess Margie Brixton

Other Faiths

• Judaism has a strong number of adherents and synagogues in the City-states of Herodian Valley and New Egypt

• Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Shintoism have a number of temples and adherents in Polytheisa Heaven, Titania and the Scarlett Orient Isles.

• Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism have small communities of followers and a scattering of worship centres in Deception Bay, Acapella and Fort Blackfoot.

Banned Religions

The practice of Religion is overseen by the Ministry of Faith. The ministry follows strict guidelines to determine which religious groups are suitable and which are a danger to the citizens and need to be banned. The following are banned religions.

• Islam
• Atheism
• Jehovah Witnesses
• Scientology
• Gnosticism
• Satanism
• Quakers

Current Statistics

Current Religious Statistics of West Phoenicia

The Inquisition Tribunal

Inquisition Tribunal
Established	1950 (by Act of the Senate) 1950 (effective)
Location	Blessed City, Agape
Composition method	Appointed by the Monarchy with Senate confirmation and Religious Clergy appointment.
Authorized by	Pontifex of the State Faith and Pagan Faiths
Judge term length	Life term
Number of positions	12
Chief Justice
Currently	Cheryl Swann
Since	4 February 2010

The Inquisition Tribunal is the highest religious court in West Phoenicia. Its primary cases are against heretics, religious hate groups and prothelyziers.

The Inquisition Tribunal has several different usages;

An ecclesiastical Tribunal the institution of the Ministry of Faith uses to combat heresy Trial of an individual accused of heresy or religious hate crime

The Inquisition Tribunal has jurisdiction over all citizens except for permanent residents or visitors. The overwhelming majority of sentences consist of penances like attending religious classes, going on pilgrimages etc.

When a suspect is convicted of unrepentant heresy, intolerance or hate the Inquisition tribunal has the power and authority to impose harsher sentences of prison terms, the most extreme being burning at the stake.

The main Inquisition Tribunals courts are located in Agape and Selene Valley.