Angaism
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| Angaism | |
|---|---|
| Lam Angai | |
 Cilevi Emmeu, one of the earliest Angaist cilevim. | |
| Classification | Elisian |
| Scripture | Faraña, Yahangsa[a] |
| Theology | Eclectic, pantheistic |
| Region | Widespread across the world as minorities |
| Language | Liturgical Aneic |
| Founder | Raçime Angaiu |
| Origin | 670 CE Cilevi Akhna, Elisia |
| Separated from | Elisian faiths |
| Number of followers | c. |
| Ministers | Assrelem, Angoldrim |
| Church buildings | Cilevim, Rafohem |
Angaism is an eclectic syncretic religion and philosophical tradition centred on the teachings of Raçime Angaiu, outlined in the Faraña. Adherents to the religion are called Angais or Angaists, and the numbers of these across the world vary by definition, with many Angais also claiming membership of other religions, and some who decline fellowship with religious Angaism, instead adhering to 'philosophical Angaism', sometimes known as Reñat.
Angais believe that the teachings of Raçime Angaiu were revealed to him by the angel Hingras, and as such, they believe that the Faraña is fagrah, the 'highest word', and the most complete guide to human action, thought and being. Angais also believe that revelation of the divine nature of the universe was granted to Raçime Angaiu by a high god, and believe this information to be located in a book entitled the Yahangsa, though this book was lost shortly after the death of Raçime Angaiu, and only his closest followers, named the Efielim, beheld any of this second divine revelation before his death. Angaist beliefs are based on the veneration of the human soul (heyl) and the world around (hayngra), and they believe in a perfect afterlife (chi'et) which can be attained by any who act in selfless devotion to humankind, whereas those who are selfish, greedy or malicious are doomed to extermination of the soul (akh'ir). There are five central tenets of Angaism which govern the actions of Angais both in community and individually; sustenance (i'angi), service (late), self-awareness (açli), progress (keie) and teaching (angold). Angaist law (aiue) covers almost all aspects of life, including meditation practices, times for prayer and specific vows of charity and types of fellowship within Angaist priesthood (Assrelem). Angaism maintains a number of ritual celebrations, with perhaps the most important one being Ser Nu, a celebration which occurs every 1,000 days, with a lesser celebration, Ikvet Nu, occurring every 333 days, amounting to just over once per year between Ser Nu celebrations. Angais also strongly reject the establishment of holy sites or places of pilgrimage, with the tenet of keie teaching that Angais take their holy places with them wherever they go, and share the light of their souls with all they meet.
Angaism began in around 670 CE, with Angais believing that this was the time in which Raçime Angaiu wrote down his first revelation in the Faraña. Angaism has never been a majority in its place of origin, with Raçime Angaiu remaining a somewhat detached mystic during his lifetime, though his 22 most loyal followers, the Efielim, copied out the Faraña so that they could take it with them wherever they travelled. While they stayed with Raçime Angaiu, he revealed parts of his second revelation, the Yahangsa, with each of them, though shortly after his death, the Yahangsa became lost. The Efielim travelled far and wide, teaching the words of the Faraña to all who would listen and performing charity and miracles. By the start of the 2nd Millennium, small communities of Angais, known as Rafohem, existed throughout the Old World, and in the Age of Discovery, Angais engaged in missionary work in the New World. Angais became associated with trade, justice and the spread of ideas across the world, with the discovery of new cultures and practices being shared between Rafohem very quickly. Many Angaist philosophers became known for the support of liberal and progressive ideas, with the idea of punishing 'harmless acts' (n'asakh) being antithetical to Angaist thought. As such, Angais have long been supporters of initially fringe social movements before they became mainstream.
While Reñat Angaism, that being the viewing of Angaism as a philosophy rather than a religion, remains a common view among Angais, the two main branches of religious Angaism are Egevi Angaism (90–95%) and Akhnaci Angaism (5–10%). The main disagreement between the groups is over the tenet of angold, with Egevis believing that knowledge of the Yahangsa passed down through the Efielic Lineages is not central to the faith, while Akhnacis believe that the Yahangsa can be found by those who are chosen (amielim). Angaism is growing internationally, with many Rafohem being founded each year.