>>25383460Addition to the religion for /who/:
While there is a central religious organisation, the First Temple as it's called, holds no real power over the local temples, even less so the disparate branches of the faith. It serves more as a place for dialogue, debate and cooperation between the different denominations of temples. In a "secular" state, with the Religious mission of maintaining civilisation and spreading progress taken care of by the state, the First Temple also has no political power, its role only ceremonial. In more sinister terms, it's also where the government monitors the religious groups. The First Temple has its own clergy and holds official ceremonies for the state. Each local temple serves as a communal hub for the locals to bond over, but gatherings are not mandatory and very casual. Gatherings are usually held during a set day(usually at the weekend) or a festival. The priests are less moral arbiters like some other countries with strict religious hierarchy, and more the glue and lubricant that helps the community stay together. That role is left to religious scholars, politicians and the citizens themselves. Regarded as a kind of specialist and professional, their role is public and not separated from the ordinary citizens. They may help resolve any small conflicts that are not worth taking to the law, head funerals or organise local festivities(almost always with the help of the local administration).
Like many other nations that worship female deities, female clergy members are highly regarded. Female clergy outnumbers male clergy in the country. Clergy members, much like the casual nature of the worship, also do not wear religious clothing like robes and veils as they are reserved for ceremonial use unless it's a rule for their particular congregation. The organisation and avenues of advancements in the different congregations vary wildly just like their belives and practices, so it's not worth listing them all. But some very small temples without links to any bigger organisations would just take in orphans or willing youth to train them as the next generation of priests.
Prayers are generally done by making a Sign of the Owl and placing it in front of one's chest, the back of the hand facing out. The palms are straightened, fingers slightly spread out and one palm placed in front of the other(based of the front palm should touch the wrist of the backhand). With thumbs bending slightly backwards with the mid sections touching, forming two feathers or horns. It's also used as a formal greeting together with a gentle bow. Another religious hand sign is the "Defensive Mode". The pointer is raised slightly with the base of the thumbs half folded towards the centre of the palm. The hands are formed as a slight cup and then crossed at the wrist with the back of the thumbs facing outward. This hand gesture has many applications. It's used in a wide array of contexts, for example, when one wants to invoke spiritual protection during stressful situations and as sort of a sign of provocation, signalling firm confidence.
Owls are the national symbol and figures of worship. Many scriptures also suggest that the nameless one in fact assumes the form of an owl and watches over the country(but still under fierce debate like many other notions). As such, many laws are in place to protect them. For starters, they are not to be hunted or domesticated. Though owl houses are built in almost every backyard and are encouraged. Sharing stories of their feathery tenents is a favourite pass time of the Republic's citizens. Deforestation and hunting in areas with large owl populations are also restricted and monitored. The conflict between the ceremonial value and sacredness of owls is resolved by adopting injured owls and maintaining a line of domesticated owls that descended from them. They are taken care of by professional caretakers and are kept in spacious enclosures with occasional free flying time outside. These owls are trained to perform ceremonial duties(i.e. standing on a pole and getting fed occasionally) during processions. Outside of this, all attempted domestication is forbidden.
Owl feathers are popular decorative items that are used in lucky charms and wind chimes. In the military, the wearing of owl feathers denotes the rank of officer. All feathers are derived from the domesticated owls and occasional encounters in the wild. Finding one is considered a sign of good luck even more so than spotting a live owl. Feathers are commonly used as a stake during bets or even duels(well or just common bar brawls), with the victor taking them away as trophies. As intentional injury and capture of owls are punishable by boiling tar, none are willing to risk their lives for an otherwise relatively common item.
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Also archive anon you forgot about the addition I made last thread
>>25322767. Pls fix thanc.
