Religion (Guardians)

Religion has played a major role in the history of the world and the lives of its inhabitants. Used as a means to explain the unexplainable, establish the proper way to live one's life, and define an individual's place in the world, religion has commanded substantial power throughout the world. To this day, religion rivals the power of the state in some areas and has been a principal cause for acts of violence and crimes against Humanity. It has also been responsible for some of Humanity's greatest works of art and charities for others less fortunate.

Christianity
All Christian denominations view Jerusalem as a holy place, and the city functions as a formal (if sometimes ineffective) neutral territory between the different doctrines.

Catholic
The Catholic doctrine derives its authority from the Apostle Saint Peter and his successors, the Bishops of Rome, often referred to as the Pope. Rome is the primary center of Catholic Christianity and the faith covers most of Western, Central, and Northern Europe. The Catholic denomination is the largest denomination of all, with adherents all over the world. The Catholic church claims to be the original church of Christianity, but formally came into being with the Council of Constantinople in 1054 A.D.

Orthodox
The Orthodox church claims to be closer to the original Christianity than the Catholic church and also gained much of its authority through close relation with Imperial Roman governments. Constantinople is the capital of the Orthodox church, which serves as the dominant denomination in much of Eastern Europe and Anatolia. The Orthodox church claims to be the original church of Christianity, but formally came into being with the Council of Constantinople in 1054 A.D.

Miaphysite
The Miaphysite denomination governs out of Alexandria in Egypt and counts much of Egypt and East Africa amongst its territories. While the differences between the Catholic and Orthodox churches are more about authority and more minor religious differences such as the Filioque, they do agree that Christ had two natures, one Human and one Divine, that act in unison together. The Miaphysites, on the other hand, believe Christ to have a single nature composed of united Human and Divine components. The Miaphysite church came into being after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D.

Dyophysite
The Dyophysites are even further removed from the three branches mentioned thus far. While the previous denominations differed on how the Human and Divine components within Christ interacted, the Dyophysites argued that Christ's two natures were separate and distinct from each other. The primary city of the Dyophysites is Buchephala and their primary regions are the Levant, Mesopotamia, and Arabia, with small groups of converts in Persia and Turkestan. The Dyophysite church came into being after the Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D.

Messalian
Effectively a combination of the OTL Monothelite doctrine of Christ having two natures but only one will and the Donatist beliefs of rites being carried out perfectly by "saints" and not "sinners." While the smallest of the Pentarchy this church has survived because of its difficult position in North and West Africa and is perhaps the most "Western" of the churches after the Catholic Church. The central city of Messalian Christianity is Carthage. The Messalian church came into being after the Council of Antioch in 681 A.D.

Buddhism
All members of the Buddhist faith revere the city of Pataliputra as the main religious shrine for their faith. Other holy sites do exist but again are not as prominent. There may be another denomination included here as my knowledge of Buddhism grows over time.

Mahayana
Mahayana Buddhism was developed as Buddhism spread to more populated areas outside of India, namely the areas of the Silk Road and China. Today it is the most practiced form of Buddhism in the world, with heavy populations in China, Korea, Jurchenia, and Japan. Within Mahayana anyone can obtain enlightenment regardless of whether they are a monk or not, perhaps even rising to the same level as the Buddha himself.

Theravada
Theravada is considered to be the first Buddhist denomination to exist, at least amongst the doctrines that are still practiced today. Theravada places heavy emphasis on a monastic lifestyle and religious rules in order to reach enlightenment over the course of several lifetimes. Theravada is widely practiced in northeastern India, southeast Asia, and Indochina.

Vajrayana
The smallest Buddhist branch and the most recent to emerge, Vajrayana Buddhism is practiced in Tibet and areas of Siberia and China. In Vajrayana enlightenment can be obtained, possibly even within a single lifetime, through the use of specialized techniques and practices taught by a teacher.

Zoroastrianism
All Zoroastrians view the city of Balkh, the city where Zoroaster lived and practiced, to be the main holy city. While there are other holy sites, there are none nearly as prominent.

Mazdaism
Mazdaism represents the first and largest denomination of Zoroastrianism. Within this branch, Ahura Mazda is the primordial spirit and all-powerful, which created the world and all the good within. The evil but lesser spirit of Angra Mainyu exists to torment and corrupt Ahura Mazda's creations, but will inevitably fail. Mazdaism stresses good moral character and adherence to rites and rituals to practice the religious tradition. Purity is valued within Mazdaism and fire is seen by all Zoroastrians as the most pure symbol in this world. Mazdaism is prominent in Persia, Turkestan, and some areas of Asia.

Zurvanism
Zurvanism was established in the 3rd century A.D. as an alterior explanation of Mazdaism's theology. In this, Zurvan is a primordial spirit that created the twin beings of Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu, who then began their cosmic struggle for dominance. While he was not the founder, Zurvanist priest Mazdak was influential in shaping the future of Zurvanism, adding in elements of community service and responsibility. Followers of Mazdaism reject Zurvanism, claiming it to be a polythiestic abberation of proper Zorostrianism. Zurvanism is dominant in eastern Arabia and parts of Africa and Asia.

Khurramitism
This branch was initially founded by the Zoroastrian priest Sunpadh and expanded by Al-Muqanna and his general Papak Khorram-Dinan. Khurramitism was developed from the Zurvanist belief of Zoroastrianism that Mazdak had created and expounded upon those values. It also holds true to Mazdak's ideals of community service and social responsibilities. Furthermore, it had a heavy emphasis on happiness and pleasure; indeed its name is derived from the Persian Khorrām-Dīnān, or "those of the joyful religion". It is prominent in northwestern India.

Qizilbash
The Qizilbashi are a more extremist development of Khurramitism that emerged in northwestern India in the 1500s and 1600s. They believe much the same as the Khurramites do but believe that happiness and purity can only come about by living according to the religious laws and limiting contact with those of other religions. Though historically extremist and violent, members of the Qizilbash have become more moderated in the comtemporary era. The Qizilbash are mostly located in northwestern India and are the smallest Zoroastrian denomination by far.