Cult of Justice

The Cult of Justice (Breheimian: Rettferdigdomskulten, Kulten av Rettferdigdom) was a belief system with religious overtones established in the Free Democracy of Storøy-Østøy between 1791 and 1797.

Origins

Opposition to the established religions of the Kingdom of Breheim, particularly the clergy of both the Lutheran Church and the Norse Pagan Goder/Gydjer, was a vital component to Republican fervor following the Republican Revolution. The clergy of both state-sanctioned religions were seen as little more than royalist lackeys, and frequently not only tolerated, but participated in, the system of chattel slavery that grew during the course of the 18th century. Anti-clericalism was therefore both widespread and in places, universal, among the population. While some religions were spared, such as the minor Cult of Kvitekrist and the Alfartruar Faith, many former adherents of Christianity and Norse Paganism looked to new religious beliefs. The most popular was the Cult of Justice, a heterodox amalgation of beliefs championed by several leader figures in the revolution, among them Arne Torsteinsøn.

Philosophy and Beliefs

The Cult of Justice was, at its core, what its name implies; an almost fanatical worship of the concept of Justice. However, what this entailed varied over time and between areas. In places, an almost theistic approach emerged worshipping the 'Goddess of Justice' directly. In places, the Cult of Justice was explicitly anthropocentric and non-theistic, being a cult dedicated around humanity's ability to carry out justice. In some pagan areas, outright sacrifices were made to Justice.

The most developed, and overtly religious, variety emerged in the city of Dramre in Fjordland. The 'Codex of Justice', penned by the revolutionary Harald Sigvardsen, detailed a pantheon of all the positive human ideals and emotions as actual, conscious, entities. Justice, Vengeance, Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood, Happiness and Endurance acted in a pantheon guiding humanity, opposed by the negative ideals of Privilege, Mercy, Melancholy, Corruption, Apathy, Sadism and Slavery. Rituals, stories of aforementioned entities and more were included in the Codex that served as the basis of the western polytheistic cult.

In the larger Storvik area, another theistic cult based around Justice emerged, based around the monotheistic worship of the Goddess of Justice (also referred to as Madame Guillotine). This never received a codified text, and little is known about the exact workings of the cult in the modern day, or even if it was an actual religious cult.

Largely, however, the Cult of Justice was atheistic and clerical. Justice, the highest of ideals, was spawned of man and to serve man, rather than a supernatural entity to be worshiped. The antithesis of justice was not considered to be injustice, but rather mercy, with the Cult of Justice serving as a vehicle for harsher punishments against the former aristocracy, slave traders, royalty and clergy. The Cult of Justice became especially wide-spread in the cities, favoured by the radical revolutionary wing led by Arne Torsteinsøn (in both its theistic and atheistic variants).

Rise and Decline

While no census were ever undertaken during the Free Democracy, the Cult of Justice was wide-spread, particularly in Taranger. Churches and pagan temples were converted into Temples of Justice, and in places almost church-like organizations developed. By 1796, the Cult of Justice as a whole could be considered the majority belief system in urban areas, although reportedly held little sway in rural areas (who, at the time, were the majority of the population). Its sharp rise in popularity, if the Cult itself was incredibly diverse in beliefs, did prove to be short-lived however.

Following the end of the Free Democracy with Johannes Sjøfarer's military coup/revolution (what it was is still disputed by historians), the Cult of Justice was outlawed. While neither Christianity nor Norse Paganism had been made illegal, the majority of clergy of both faiths had been killed during the Free Democracy, and in areas the Church and the Norse Pagans had been prevented organized worship. Sjøfarer supported both religions in re-establishing themselves, while at the same time brutally suppressing the Cult. But the early 19th century, the Cult of Justice was all but extinct in the Republic of Breheim. While legalized once more in 1844, the Cult never managed to regain its former strength.

In Modern Breheim

While the Cult of Justice barely exists as a belief system (per the 2012 census, only 23,432 Breheimians noted their religious belief as the Cult of Justice, or 0.1% of the population), many beliefs of the Cult of Justice have become common in Breheim itself. Justice is considered the highest ideal by many, and mercy is frowned upon in many respects. The Breheimian Justice System favors strict punishments, with little room for mercy, and Madame Guillotine is an anthropomorphized figure in much popular art.