Seholism

Seholism (/ˈsəhʌˌlɪzəm/) is a ŋorld religion with origins in Anaqw. Broadly, it is a variety of related religious traditions concerned with Sehol, variously described as a god, a spiritual force, a metaphysical connection between all things, the universe itself, or a moral concept. The largest Seholist institution is the Church of Sehol, and the largest population of Seholists is in Anaqw.

Sehol

Sehol (/səˈhʌl/, Old Guazas /seˈhol/) is the core concept within the Seholist religion.

Name in other languages:

• Adirni: Sehol ['sˠɛxɔlˠ] and/or Azditi [ɑzˠ'dˠɪtɪ]
• Araçanic: Seholi ['se.ho.li]
• Bisuan: Sihū [si.hu:]
• German: Siihul /ziːˈʔiː.hʊl/
• Hajdossa: sexol [se.xol], [se.hol]
• Kośtsiśtsi: Sóxel [ˈsoxəl]
• Kygami: Sioa [ˈsjo.ə, ˈʃo-]
• Occitan: Sïol /si.ul/
• Oge: Sykyfúlu /ˌsʝ̩.kʰʝ̩.ˈhʷu.lu/
• Rokadong:  Séhol [ˈse᷇ː.ōl] and/or  Arlikazda [àrīˈkázdɐ̂]
• Śácamþaśá: lwUisi Siiwyw /'sii̯β̞ʷɵβ̞ʷ/ or (mu( Miŋe /'ⁿbiŋɪ/
• Taqồpaq: Sol [sol]
• Tikkan: Sihun
• T'ansholubi: სიი'იიჰულ [si.ʔi.hʊl]
• Turis: Sóuel ['sowel]
• Xindvâ: Xuô [ɕuə̯]
• Vietnamese++: (đạo) Xê-hồ /sɛ.ho˨˩/??
• Þaj: Sxhal /sɤʔ.hal/

Beliefs

Seholism is a religion with beliefs.

Alakowris

The Alakowris is the core belief that often is posited as the most basic definition of the Seholist religion. The term Alakowris roughly translates to "the one truth", and is first found in Ŋafuan texts dating to the late primitive period. While the Alakowris has taken on various forms throughout the centuries, an English translation of the most popular form reads:

All of our worldly suffering is felt in full by Sehol as Her own divine suffering, and all of our worldly pleasure is felt in full by Sehol as Her own divine pleasure.
—Seholte Hatxe, chapter III, verse 1

When discussing the Alakowris, it is sometimes customary to refer to it as consisting of two portions—a "first portion" about Emot or suffering, and a "second portion" about Comu or pleasure.

Emot

Emot is a concept in Seholism that roughly translates to "suffering". It is broadly extrapolated from the first portion of the Alakowris, and defined as any state that causes emotional distress or physical pain. Emot is often described as something that is inflicted, that is, there must be an agent that enables Emot. According to Seholist tradition, the natural state of the world completely lacks Emot, and the natural course of the world is to return to a state without any Emot.

Many Seholists maintain a distinction between mere pain and Emot. According to these traditions, pain entered willingly or consensually without deception or coercion is not considered Emot, only pain imposed by unconsensually or by circumstance is Emot. For example, a Xoma who has taken on a vow of poverty and lives with few personal possessions is not experiencing Emot, but someone who is impoverished and does not wish to be impoverished is experiencing Emot.

A core practice of Seholism is Emozte Mawat, where Seholists are called to actively rid the world of Emot, and avoid participating in actions that perpetuate Emot.

Comu

Comu is a concept in Seholism that roughly translates to "pleasure" or "joy". It is broadly extrapolated from the second portion of the Alakowris, and is generally considered to be the opposite of Emot.

A core practice of Seholism is seeking Comu and spreading Comu to others.

Practices

Seholist practice varies wildly throughout the Seholist world. Most of the practices of lay Seholist (that is, those who are not members of the Priesthood or are otherwise highly devout) stem from the Alakowris, the central dogma of the entire religion.

Emozte Mawat

Emozte Mawat, variably translated "suffering avoidance", or "suffering prevention" is a core practice of Seholism that is centered around the concept of Emot, or suffering. Based on the first portion of the Alakowris, the practice generally entails staying out of conflict, intervening in the event that someone or something is about to be harmed, and avoiding being the beneficiary of the suffering or Emot of another being. Most often this manifests in practitioners as avoiding the consumption of meat as well as any animal products obtained via unethical means, as well as a general tendency towards nonviolence.

Toxa

Toxa, variably translated as "charity" or "service" is a core practice of Seholism. In some texts, it is said to be the purest expression of both sides of the Alakowris, inspiring pleasure and relieving suffering. Seholists are often encouraged to live their lives in a constant state of toxa in regards to their local community, though specific practices are sometimes legislated. For example, Seholists are frequently encouraged to participate in local volunteer work at homeless shelters or food banks. Sometimes, community leaders such as Xoma or the local Priesthood will organize the local Seholist community to take part in one large act of toxa, often running soup kitchens or community-building efforts.

However, toxa is more broad in concept than charity. Many Seholists view toxa as a call to live one's life in good will with other people. Friendly interactions and polite gestures are sometimes viewed as acts of toxa. Furthermore, acts of toxa are often said to include almost all acts of public service. Farming, cleaning city streets, translating literature, and even scientific research have all been referred to as "acts of toxa" by Seholist scholars and officials time and time again. Rosi Mar̃ʉʉ of the Kozdenen Temple described acts of toxa as "any act which brings pleasure to [Sehol]".

Flower Burning

A common sacrificial ritual among Seholists is a ritual known as "flower burning". In the ritual, flowers of particular quality are carefully harvested and dried. After drying, a small, self-contained fire is lit, and a prayer is said over the flowers to bless them. The exact prayer depends on the tradition, with improvisational prayers being common in some folk traditions. After the flowers have been blessed, they are placed into the fire with words of adoration or affection. After the fire extinguishes itself, the ashes are collected, mixed with water, and spread over the flower bed the burnt flowers had been gathered from.

Texts

Seholism is a religion with texts that are considered scripture.

The Comaian Canon

The Comaian Canon is a group of scriptures used primarily in the traditional Comai religion of Anaqw, and are widely rejected by Seholists as non-authoritative. However, some Comaian texts have seen use within Seholist communities in the past and, in some cases, Seholist versions of Comaian texts are considered scriptural and even authoritative.

Institutions and Organizations

Seholism is a religion with organizations that have considerable influence over the religion.

Church of Sehol

Main article: Church of Sehol

The Church of Sehol is the most influential and important institution for most Seholists.

History

Seholism is a religion with history.

In Other Countries

Seholism is a religion that is also practiced outside of Anaqw.

Aylongam

In Aylongam, Sehol is interpreted as a trinity of three native deities: Xuôm, the sea goddess; Khaim, the sun goddess; and Nuyxo, the moon goddess, stemming partly from an early confusion in the region. Liyuri people first learned of Sehol through trade conducted along the River Khepra/Amu. Due to phonetic similarity, they initially presumed that "Siyoa" was simply the Anakuan name for their own sea goddess Xuôm (despite the fact that Anaqw is landlocked). The Alakowris was readily accepted by the fishers and sailors, who already thought of the sea as the origin of all. From the river basin, this idea then spread along the coast and across the Sea of Fortune to the Viren Islands. When it was clarified that Sehol was a fire goddess, the Liyuri interpreted this as a connection to the sun, and later the moon.

In Liyuri interpretation, the burning of both flowers and the deceased is seen as a way to truly return them to the sea, as opposed to sinking them, which is considered cruel, and lengthens the time it takes for things to return to Sehol.

Keltechra

In Keltechra, Seholism is not commonly practiced as a standalone religion, except by immigrants from other nations. Rather, Seholist traditions have influenced the local beliefs in the southern part of the country. Sehol - or, more commonly, Azditi - is generally revered as a hero and a teacher, and is commonly associated with the sun and bonfires. The Alakowris was altered significantly in this cultural intermixing to fit the highly communitarian beliefs: "the suffering of the individual and the suffering of the community are one and the same, and the pleasure of the individual and the pleasure of the community are one and the same". Further north, the Seholist influence is nearly absent.

While the concept of Emotze Mawat remains present in some form, meat is not seen as strictly forbidden in this interpretation, and is permitted so long as the animal was killed ethically. Meat is still avoided around Seholists from other countries, out of respect for their beliefs.

As is tradition for all Adirni, the deceased, as well as all offerings to gods, are burned and the ashes scattered in a sacred forest. Flower burning is common but typically also includes other objects, such as small slips of paper with intricate inscriptions.

Rauratoshan

In the Rauratoshan Kingdom, Sehol is associated with several native deities, most notably Korakazda the goddess of the sea and Arejakar the god of fire and volcanoes. Sehol, also referred to in the region as Arlikazda, is generally seen as Arejakar's consort, and supposedly parented dragons and the god and goddess Rafitayu and Nahotayu.

Yukacan is very syncretist, so Rauratoshanians who believe in Sehol generally still consider themselves Yukacan followers, just ones who prioritize following the practices of Arlikazda. These believers, much like Aylongami Seholites, have spoken out fervently against the tradition of burial at sea, and generally will cremate the body on land and bury the ashes, so as to return the ashes to the "furnace of the earth" for recycling.