Minkowski Transcendentalism

Central Dogma

The world is tainted by the Adversary.

The taint affects the soul and traps it in the Adversary's orbit.

By purifying ourselves we can escape the Adversary's clutches.

The marks of the taint of the Adversary are malice, greed and pride.

Gravity is the manifestation of the Adversary's own malice, greed and pride.

History

Minkowski Transcendentalism, or Cavorism, was founded by the futurist/engineer/mystic Dr. Evan Cavor in the 2130s.

Beliefs

In the beginning, the Creator generated the Universe and all the things within it. One among them was malevolent, and sought to gather all the others to himself and consume them. His untoward influence affects a part of Creation, which is the part we live in today.

Cosmology

0

The Singularity. Absolute worthlessness and infinite bloat. The Adversary, who seeks to consume the rest of creation.

1

The First World. Dominated by the struggle against physical gravity. This world can only be transcended by those who escape it and maintain purer lives in flat Minkowski space.

2

The Second World. Dominated by the struggle against malice. This world can only be transcended by those who abandon their desire to harm others.

3

The Third World. Dominated by the struggle against greed. This world can only be transcended by those who abandon their desire to consume and control.

4

The Fourth World. Dominated by the struggle against pride. This world can only be transcended by those who, despite transcending the first three worlds, can recognise that they remain flawed beings.

∞

True, untainted creation.

Hierarchy

Aphelion

The Space Pope.

Apogees

The council of Apogees is an exclusive, predominantly self-selected group consisting of the high administrators of the priesthood, senior theological scholars and a number of special positions. It elects the Aphelion from among its number.

First Priests

First Priests have authority over multiple Second Priests and tens or even hundreds of thousands of people. They officiate at ceremonies in the grand cathedrals.

Second Priests

Second Priests minister to congregations of thousands.

Third Priests

Third Priests are the lowest level of clergy permitted to hold services. They attend to small groups of people or assist the Second Priests.

Special Orders

Parallel to the standard priesthood are the Special Orders, whose members hold equivalent rank but do not perform services for the general public. Special Orders include the Society of Cavor (intellectual), the Military Order (military chaplains) and the Order of Ether (missionary). The heads of each order sit on the council of Apogees.