Archive:Kilez

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Kilez (Settian Creole IPA: /kiˈlez/, Northern Settian IPA: /kʲəˈlez/) is a monotheistic religion teaching the oneness of humanity through one deity known as Usi. It is practiced mainly in Settia and was founded during the Slave Rebellions. Followers of Kilez are referred to as Kileznu.

Concepts

Kilez

Kilez (from the Middle Settian word for "path" or "way") is the righteous path that Kileznu devote themselves to taking, in order to become close with Usi. This is thought to be influenced by the Tanhunga concept of the Hunga, though without the idea of Kalkatur.

Usi

Kileznu believe in one deity known as Usi. They consider Usi to be sexless and to have no human form. The name Usi derives from Proto-Settian *æse, which originally meant "hand" but went on to mean "guidance, assistance". When the Kilez religion was founded, this went on to refer almost exclusively to its deity, with the original meaning of "guidance" only being an archaicism.

Usi is believed by the Kileznu to be omnipresent, being manifested to represent various qualities in every single object in the universe. Humans are a manifestation of Usi representing love and creativity, non-human animals represent care and nature, plants represent bounty and beauty, man-made inanimate objects represent intelligence and craftsmanship, and other inanimate objects represent beauty and nature. The manifestation of Usi in everything is thought to be greatly influenced by Niofean animism, whereas the idea of him being omnipresent and without form is thought to be influenced by Xhiuism.

Uze

Kileznu believe that every human and animal has a soul (Settian Creole and [[Northern Settian language|Northern Settian]: Uze) and that humans may not harm a being with a soul in any way. This is thought to derive from the Tanhunga core belief of not harming living things, though its implementation is extended as most Kileznu take it as definitive guidance to not eat meat. This fits in with the cultural practices at the time of the Settian slaves, as the slave owners would have more meat-heavy diets, whereas slaves would eat a cheaper and more plant-based diet.

The obligation to not harm another soul extends to smaller ideas of harm such as theft and fraud. This also explains the widespread abstinence of the Kileznu from consuming dairy produce, as this is considered by many to be a form of theft from animals. There are, however, many Kileznu who do consume dairy produce.

Practices

Daily Prayer

Kileznu are exhorted to practice daily prayer at least twice a day. Many Kileznu pray more often than this but most practice the daily prayer in the form of morning and evening prayer. Each obligatory prayer may be as long or as short as is deemed necessary by the individual, provided that they recite the following at some point in their prayer:

“My Usi, I testify to Thy glory and to the beauty of Thy strength, which guides me to where I need to be. I pray that I may continue on Thy path and on Thy path alone.”