There is much posted on Gal-net about the Amarr religions, and the vast majority of it is wrong.
Let us start with the erroneous idea about “original sin”, which some critics of Amarr religion believe is a thing, due to the mentions in Scripture where it is described that alone of all the bloodlines in New Eden, the True Amarr did not turn away from God.
The critics would say that the True Amarr are “guaranteed” entry to Paradise, while all other bloodlines are not, due to the other bloodlines having the “stain of original sin” on them.
This is a false assumption.
While it is true that the True Amarr did not turn away from God, this does not guarantee entry to Paradise. Indeed, because the True Amarr did not turn away from God in ancient times, it is actually harder for them to enter Paradise, because they are held to a higher standard.
For a non-Amarr, such as an Udorian, or Ni-Kunni, or Khanid, then, they may enter Paradise by devoutly following the teachings of Scripture.
But for a True Amarr, merely following Scripture is not enough.
Consider the words of the Prophet Anoyia, wherein it is Written:
“Chosen, you are the first before God.
You are the True and the Faithful.
But in such a state must you hold yourselves high above all.
And constantly prove yourself worthy of Gods Love.”
Therefore, we see that it is not enough to simply follow Scripture, that entry to Paradise for a True Amarr requires proving oneself worthy. Which means a life of quiet righteousness that would be enough for an Udorian, is not enough for a True Amarr. The True Amarr cannot simply follow Scripture, they must advance it in some way. Through building churches and cathedrals, educating others, missionary work, charitable works, and so on and so forth.
Therefore we can dismiss the idea of “original sin”, as the construct of close-minded critics who have not properly interpreted the Scriptures.
Let us then move on to the ideas of individual salvation. Now, there is considerable difference in the Amarr religions on this topic, this is true.
Some critics would claim that individuals, particularly those of non-True Amarr ancestry, cannot achieve salvation, though their descendants may be eligible. They may cite the example of the 9th Generation Minmatar slaves, or the passages of Scripture that refer to “cultivation of the spirit of Man”. This is not quite true.
Any individual may achieve Salvation, though the degree to which the different Amarr religions accept this varies considerably.
In Amarr Orthodoxy, if we examine the words of the Amarr Askura, where it is Written:
“For whosoever shall lay his life down for his Lord
He shall be taken into the arms of God
And forever consecrated will he be”
Then we can see that even in Amarr Orthodoxy, the strictest of the Amarr religions when it comes to individual salvation, then it is possible, through such acts as being killed in action in a Crusade.
In contrast, the Sani Sabik, the most liberal of the Amarr religions, decrees that all are equally able to become one of the Chosen, and achieve salvation.
Indeed, the Question of who is, and who is not, a Chosen, is one that critics sometimes stumble over.
The conventional interpretation, is that “The Chosen” and “True Amarr” are one and the same, and that non-Amarr, such as Udorians, can never be members of “The Chosen”. Perversely, this is the same argument as made by the Purity of the Throne movement. And it also asserts that Her Majesty Catiz 1, is not one of “The Chosen”, because of her Udorian ancestry.
But, if we were to examine that interpretation, then it becomes clear that were it true, it would mean that The Reclaiming does not work. To say that HM Catiz 1 is ineligible to be Empress, is to assert that Reclaiming does not work, is not possible, because only True Amarr can be Chosen.
Which is False.
While the True Amarr are “The Chosen” bloodline, the ranks of God’s Chosen, are not solely filled by True Amarr. Again, Amarr Orthodoxy is the strictest on who can become Chosen, but given the status of Empress Catiz 1, then we can clearly see that True Amarr ancestry is not the barrier that some critics claim it is. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Sani Sabik asserts that any and all persons may become a Chosen, by acting Righteously.
Thus, we can see that several of the most common assertions made about the Amarr religions are faulty, and easily countered by a proper interpretation of what The Scriptures actually say.
It is Written.
