Asteria: Difference between revisions
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===Religion=== | ===Religion=== | ||
Asterians are a deeply religious peoples | Asterians are a deeply religious peoples, with the vast majority of parishioners belong to the [[Episcopal Church of Asteria]], a particular church within the [[Chantry of Alstin]]<nowiki/>that consists of 65.2% of the population. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church membership sits at 20.7% while Collegiate parishes make up 5.1% of the population. Atemeran native folk religion sits at 4.9% the smallest of the four denominations. Other faiths make up the remainder 4.1%. As the Asterian census has no questions related to non-religious affiliation, most who choose "Other" are typically irreligious. Based on church attendance records, it is believed that up to 17.3% of the population, mostly Asterian and some Catholic, are irreligious or agnostic. Although Asteria has no official state religion, churches provide for the social backbone of most communities. {{Pie chart | ||
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Food and drinks are an important part of Asterian life and culture. Most of Asterian diet involves what some food historians have called the "Meat and Potatoes" culture. Most dishes involve some type of beef product, whether beef stock, different parts of the cow for meat, burgers, steak, ground beef, and more. Products such as potatoes are a staple in most dishes, whether mashed, baked, au gratin, or in various different styles. [[Shepherd's Pie]] was named the national dish by the Concordia Gazette in 1936 during the centennial celebrations, while other dishes like steak, hamburgers, and frankfurters were common. The [[Sweet-Salty Line]] is a particular dividing point in Asteria. Northern cuisine tends to be hardier, while Southern cuisine in the Lower Counties tends to be sweeter. [[Lower County Soul]] is one group of foods that have grown in popularity over time. Cornbread, collard greens, fried chicken, fried fish, offal, and sweet fruits like oranges or peaches. Rice is also common in Lower Country Soul, as it is one of the primary agricultural products of the region. | Food and drinks are an important part of Asterian life and culture. Most of Asterian diet involves what some food historians have called the "Meat and Potatoes" culture. Most dishes involve some type of beef product, whether beef stock, different parts of the cow for meat, burgers, steak, ground beef, and more. Products such as potatoes are a staple in most dishes, whether mashed, baked, au gratin, or in various different styles. [[Shepherd's Pie]] was named the national dish by the Concordia Gazette in 1936 during the centennial celebrations, while other dishes like steak, hamburgers, and frankfurters were common. The [[Sweet-Salty Line]] is a particular dividing point in Asteria. Northern cuisine tends to be hardier, while Southern cuisine in the Lower Counties tends to be sweeter. [[Lower County Soul]] is one group of foods that have grown in popularity over time. Cornbread, collard greens, fried chicken, fried fish, offal, and sweet fruits like oranges or peaches. Rice is also common in Lower Country Soul, as it is one of the primary agricultural products of the region. | ||
===Religion=== | ===Religion=== | ||
Faith is an integral part of Asteria. The | Faith is an integral part of Asteria. The Episcopal Church is seen as the bedrock of national existence, and according to its own policies, it sees itself as one of the successors to Ænglish Church. John Harrison, a petty noble and historian who survived the Nordmontaine War and the destruction of his faith, and later created the Midlands Company that created Asteria itself, wrote the [[Book of Common Prayer of 1627]] on his final journey to Milsboro. A contemporary of Alstanus Ryefield, he held significant theological differences with him, in particular the role of the monarchy. Harrison intended to found his own church, but died only hours from arriving in Milsboro Colony. Instead, the disorganized Ænglish Rite dominated early Asteria. The Episcopal Church of Asteria was itself founded April 15, 1827, on Easter Sunday. With the Asterian Revolution in full swing, Ænglish Rite priests gathered together for the [[Council of Milsboro]] to forge a new unified national church in communion with the Chantry of Alstin. The [[Presiding Bishop of Asteria]] was elected to lead for life. Almost every town has an episcopal church, some more than one. Nearly two-thirds of the population belongs to the Episcopal Church, most regular churchgoers. The priest or reverend of an episcopal church is regarded as a pillar of the community in their towns, and are often present at civic events to better represent their community. The Episcopal Church is divided into three factions, the modern [[New Asterian Community|New Rite]], the traditional [[Asterian Rite|Milsboro Rite]], and a much deeper conservative [[Asterian Catholic Rite]]. | ||
Despite the influence of the Church | Despite the influence of the Episcopal Church in day-to-day life, it is not the official church of the nation. The Constitution dictates that no faiths are dominant, although it does reserve the right to ban cults. During the years preceding the Final War of the Deluge, multiple Varshan cults active in some urban areas were banned or declared terrorist groups. The Catholic Church, while only representing a tenth of the population, also has a significant influence in urban areas like Yarmouth. The [[Diocese of West Asteria|Diocese of Asteria]] is based out of that city and represents everything north and west of the Yare River. Meanwhile, the [[Diocese of the Southern Counties|Diocese of the Lower Counties]] represents Catholics in the southern rural areas. The original Catholic settlers of Asteria were Gaelic, primarily from Faneria, who settled in the nation's urban areas, as well as the area around Concordia. Many Gaelic laborers helped build Concordia, and the first church built in the future capital was [[Saint Thomas Cathedral]]. With the growing Catholic population and the Asterian Catholic Rite increasingly considering breaking with the Church of Asteria, the Diocese of Asteria is considering relocating to Concordia. | ||
Meanwhile, the [[College of Levantine Churches]] was a popular alternative to those Protestants who opposed Harrison's Ænglish Rite. Although the actual organization was not founded until 1954, many non Ænglish churches developed in Crona. The [[Methodists of the West|Methodists of West Asteria]] serving as one of the largest groups. Many more liberal Asterians who belonged to the Church of Asteria have been joining this group, which has doubled its congregants in the last fifty years. However, with the Asterian Church planning on making much-needed reforms, many Collegiate leaders fear this will stymy their growth. This group especially grew in the 1990s when the [[Manhasset Crisis]] of the 1990s saw the Church of Asteria's actions towards the Atemeraw brought to full light, including residency schools on the Northern Plateau. | Meanwhile, the [[College of Levantine Churches]] was a popular alternative to those Protestants who opposed Harrison's Ænglish Rite. Although the actual organization was not founded until 1954, many non Ænglish churches developed in Crona. The [[Methodists of the West|Methodists of West Asteria]] serving as one of the largest groups. Many more liberal Asterians who belonged to the Church of Asteria have been joining this group, which has doubled its congregants in the last fifty years. However, with the Asterian Church planning on making much-needed reforms, many Collegiate leaders fear this will stymy their growth. This group especially grew in the 1990s when the [[Manhasset Crisis]] of the 1990s saw the Church of Asteria's actions towards the Atemeraw brought to full light, including residency schools on the Northern Plateau. | ||