The Blueprint of Religions (With And Without Gods) | Worldbuilding

World Building Religions: Fundamentals and Practices

Introduction to World Building Religions

• The video introduces the topic of world building religions, focusing on core beliefs, mythologies, rituals, and the nature of gods.

• Matthew presents himself as the host and outlines that this is part of a series on science-adjacent world building processes.

Core Beliefs and Religious Philosophy

• Religion combines beliefs and practices that influence individual behaviors; it may involve deities but can exist without them.

• A religious philosophy underpins how followers perceive life, death, the afterlife, and existence itself.

• Religious philosophies are categorized into intuitive (easily understood concepts like afterlife beliefs) and reflective (more abstract ideas needing teaching).

Development of Mythology

• Philosophies develop through stories known as mythology; their truthfulness is less important than their meaning.

• An example from Christian mythology illustrates how stories convey both intuitive values (like generosity) and reflective philosophies.

Virtues, Sins, and Codification

• Religious philosophies can be framed positively (virtues) or negatively (sins), often codified into laws for societal order.

• The Code of Hammurabi serves as an early example of laws influenced by religious beliefs.

The Role of Deities in Religion

• Many religions include divine beings that address philosophical questions about existence; however, inhabitants may not know these truths.

• Cultures often form diverse beliefs regardless of actual gods' existence or involvement in their lives.

Types of Religions: Monotheism vs. Polytheism vs. Non-theism

• Religions can be monotheistic (one deity), polytheistic (multiple deities), or non-theistic (no deities).

• Historical trends show monotheistic religions often emphasize strict behavioral control with little tolerance for differing beliefs.

Internal Conflicts within Monotheism

• Monotheistic faiths may experience internal disputes over interpretations leading to violence; heresy is a significant concept here.

Understanding the Dynamics of Polytheism, Monotheism, and Non-Theistic Religions

The Nature of Polytheism

• Polytheistic religions provide unifying ideals across empires, allowing followers to choose deities that resonate with their values.

• Tolerance levels in polytheistic religions are generally higher than in monotheistic ones, promoting diversity and acceptance among different beliefs.

• Internal conflicts can arise within polytheistic systems regarding which deities receive attention and cultural favor, impacting political dynamics.

Challenges of Polytheism

• The diversity inherent in polytheism complicates the maintenance of large empires due to conflicting ideals among various groups.

Characteristics of Non-Theistic Religions

• Non-theistic religions emphasize self-improvement and inward virtues like honesty and temperance, often leading to non-aggressive behaviors among followers.

• Examples such as Buddhism illustrate how non-theistic religions coexist peacefully with others but may be vulnerable to more militarized belief systems.

World-Building Through Religion

• The discussion shifts towards applying these religious concepts in world-building projects using a fictional map called Locus.

Cultural Responses to Death

• Early human cultures grappled with death's implications, leading them to develop varied beliefs about what happens after death.

• Different cultures on Locus have distinct practices regarding the treatment of corpses: preservation, destruction, or recycling.

Case Study: Lindale's Toranism

• In equatorial rainforests where reanimation threats exist (e.g., from a parasitic fungus), cremation becomes vital for preventing zombie-like occurrences.

• The mythological narrative surrounding Iris illustrates cultural beliefs about death; it emphasizes fire as divine while warning against necromancy.

Deities in Lindale's Religion

• Flameria is revered as the goddess of fire in Toranism, while Scorus oversees the dead ensuring permanence after death.

• Handling corpses improperly is considered sinful; thus, all forms of necromancy are viewed negatively within this belief system.

Case Study: Urakhan Cannibalism

• In contrast to Lindale’s practices, the bear-like Urakhan culture engages in cannibalism as a resource strategy due to their subarctic environment.

What Happens When We Die? Exploring Alwa and Dugato Religions

The Concept of Life After Death in Alwa

• The belief that the deceased spirit continues to exist within those who consume their body leads to the establishment of a non-theistic ancestor worship religion called Alwa.

• A notable mythological story features Brakka, a wise chieftainess who sacrifices herself for her village, teaching virtues of bravery and loyalty while condemning cowardice and greed.

• Over time, Alwa emphasizes the significance of ingested substances on the body, with feasts becoming culturally important events.

Magic System in Alwa

• Magic is primarily accessed through flora that can be consumed for its associated magical powers, deeply integrating magic into the practices of Alwa.

• Practitioners known as Zoduru are among the most diverse and knowledgeable magicians on the planet.

The Dugato Religion and Its Beliefs

• In Thirtus, the primary Eastern Solaran settlement reveres Gudijo (the red moon), forming the basis for Dugato, a monotheistic religion emphasizing "the path."

• Degathian mythology tells of Ethusa and Hosika's tale where gluttony leads to tragedy; thus, virtues like temperance are upheld while sins such as wrath are condemned.

Views on Death in Dugato

• According to Degathian beliefs, spirits ascend to Gudijo after death, which is viewed both as a deity and a concept of Heaven.

• This belief system anticipates an apocalypse-like event where all spirits return to their bodies, leading to ornate burial practices reminiscent of Egyptian tombs.

Summary of Religious Philosophies

• Core beliefs in religions revolve around philosophies categorized into virtues and sins passed down through mythology.

• Religions differ based on their deities' nature (monotheism vs. polytheism vs. non-theism), tolerance levels towards non-believers, militarization tendencies, and cultural origins centered around death or other principles.

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