Great Japittyist Schism
| Great Japittyist Schism and Associated Conflict | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Japittyism | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
Non-standard orthodox denominations:
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Theological Literalists or "Holy-landers":
Theological Expansionists and Reconstructionists:
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Joel Evans (February - September 2021), George Lachman (September 2021 - present) | Nathaniel Parker (de facto) | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
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~12 killed and unknown wounded unknown civilian deaths | |||||||
The Great Japittyist Schism is an ongoing theological dispute within the Badu Parkian religion of Japittyism between the Orthodox Rite with their traditional canon beliefs, and a collection of hardline groups that are emerging as competing denominations. The hardliners consist of two main groups, the literalists, or "holy landers" (who believe every word that religious figure Japitty Cumquat says and have a distinct belief surrounding the concept of the holy land that involves the inclusion of Katoomba as part of the holy land) and the Reconstructionists, who can be broken down into a further two groups, "Expansionists" who accept the Japittyist Trinity, and "mainliners" who reject the notion.
History
Japittyism developed in late 2020, when socialist visionary Joel Evans found the nation of Badu Park, and was immediately captivated by Japitty Cumquat and his teachings. Evans eventually developed a religious attachment to Japitty Cumquat, believing that Japitty Cumquat was a divine prophet sent to Earth to establish a Caliphate in the Holy Land of the Inner West. This is the key Japittyist belief, called the "Holy Land Doctrine" which is the core tenet of Japittyism. The core of Orthodox Japittyism is known as "Temple Japittyism" named after the Temple of Japitty, in which this doctrine was canonised. Temple Japittyism is followed by both Orthodox denominations and Theological Literalists, and it is the belief in the "Descent of Japitty" which is a concept that states that Japitty was brought to Earth by an alien race, led by an alien named Zaeh'an, and Japitty Cumquat is the prophet of this alien race. Joel Evans reportedly discovered this concept after reading a diary entry made by Japitty Cumquat which was referencing a dream he had about being in an alien spacecraft. The development of Temple Japittyism was unopposed by any Japittyist at the time, as the Orthodox Rite was the only denomination.
Development of Ultra-Orthodox Doctrine
Followers who upheld a highly devoted interpretation of Evans' teachings developed into the ultra-orthodox movement, which soon created the religious order known as the Order of the Number Blue. The Order of the Number Blue is an ultra-orthodox Japittyist order that is designed to accomodate intense adherence to the pilgrimage festival called Feastivalo Number Blue. The Order of the Number Blue was first established in mid November of 2020, when ultra-orthodox Japittyists who wished to participate in the entirety of the pilgrimage organised into a club-like structure to help each other prepare for and eventually complete the physically demanding and dangerous pilgrimage. The pilgrims were given permission by Joel Evans to establish the Order of the Number Blue, after he saw their struggle and devotion was within Orthodox doctrine, and was therefore permitted under Japittyist law.
Joel Evans would established the Badu Park University of Theology and Cooking on 29 November 2020, to share his beliefs in an academic setting. One of the first students at the university, Sebastian Carter, created the Society for the Appreciation of Japittyism, which was the second Japittyist organisation outside of the Orthodox Rite. After Carter's graduation, his successor Nathaniel Parker would take position of grandmaster, making several reforms to accomodate his more unquestioning interpretation of Japittyism, developing into the modern day Badu Park Fraternity of Religion.
Theological Literalist Split
The first phase of the schism occurred when the Badu Park Fraternity of Religion (BPFR) developed an extremist interpretation of Japittyism under Nathaniel Parker. The Badu Park Fraternity of Religion is the first Literalist organisation, as it adheres to the concept that absolutely anything Japitty Cumquat says must be taken literally, at face value. This developed into the Holy-Land Doctrine, which is a doctrine that expands the holy land from just the Inner West to also include Katoomba, after Japitty expressed his wishes of invading Katoomba. Nathaniel Parker extended this idea by creating the Katoomba Apocalypse Model, which states that if Japitty Cumquat can bury a grapefruit on the grounds of the Katoomba Police Station while the Badu Park National Anthem is being played, the "apocalypse" will be triggered, leading to a 20% off sale at Annandale IGA. These ideas are not accepted by the Orthodox Rite, who excommunicated the organisation, creating the Orthodox-Literalist Schism.
In response to harsh aggression from the Orthodox Rite, two members of the BPFR joined the Badu Parkian military, where they indoctrinated other soldiers into joining the Dick Smith Holy Warfare Brigade, which is a Literalist militia that opposes the Orthodox Rite, and believes they must wage a "holy war" to take over Katoomba and trigger the apocalypse.
Orthodox Denominations
Orthodox Japittyism refers to any Japittyist denomination that accepts the scriptural canon as dictated by the Orthodox Rite, however interpretations can vary. While the Orthodox Rite is the main religious organisation, it does recognise other groups as being affiliated with it, due to their adherence of orthodox Japittyism. There are also orthodox denominations that are not recognised by the Orthodox Rite that still adhere to the requirements of being orthodox. The criteria to be considered an orthodox denomination is the acceptance of the holy land as being only the Inner West, the belief that Japitty's word is the holy word, the belief that a proclamation of faith is the only requirement to become a Japittyist, the use of a standard format of the Japittyist Municipal People's Calendar of Badu Park (including Classical Trendy Format, the Number Blue Edition, and Traditional Format), the belief in Temple Japittyism and the Descent of Japitty, the rejection of the Katoomba Apocalypse model, and the rejection of the Japittyist Trinity. If all criteria are satisfied, the denomination is considered Orthodox.
Orthodox Rite
The Orthodox Rite is the main denomination of Japittyism and is the oldest and largest Japittyist denomination. Highly hierarchical in nature, the Orthodox Rite maintains strict control over the ordination or priests, conduct of rituals and the canonisation of religious concepts. The key cause of the schism was the loose adherence to doctrine and general corruption perceived to be within the Orthodox Rite. The Orthodox Rite teaches that it is the only true Church of Japitty, and all other denominations are heretical in nature, spreading heresy and diluting the religion based on incorrect interpretations. The Orthodox Rite recognises no denominations that fall outside of the criteria to be considered orthodox.
Order of the Number Blue and Ultra-orthodoxy
The Order of the Number Blue is an ultra-orthodox religious order that is recognised by the Orthodox Rite as being of the Church of Japitty. The Order of the Number Blue was originally founded to accomodate members of the Orthodox Rite who wished to complete the entire pilgrimage route during Feastivalo Number Blue, as most followers only complete part of the pilgrimage. This belief stems from ultra-orthodoxy, which is classified as completely adhering to the religion's every tenet, as a pose to using the tenets as guidance. This includes the complete participation in all events and celebrations, and the attendance to every service and ritual, among other elements. The Order of the Number Blue is where Ja-Japitty first developed.
Non-Standard Orthodox Denominations
Non-standard orthodox denominations are any Japittyist denomination that can be considered orthodox, yet is not affiliated with the Orthodox Rite. Most non-standard denominations are anti-lachman, and they adhere to the orthodox religion and its tenets before George Lachman took office as leader.
Traditionalists
Traditionalists are the major non-standard orthodox denomination. It developed as an offshoot after the ordination of George Lachman as leader of the Orthodox Rite. Traditionalists oppose some of the reforms George Lachman made, including initiatives such as Badu Park II, which is seen as shortcutting theology, by claiming the Caliphate was established in an area that was not the holy land. Traditionalists also use the Traditional Format of the calendar. Traditionalists follow the reasoning of theologian Rupert Franklin of the Traditionalist Japittyist association. He posited that the reforms made by George Lachman drifted the religion away from its original intent, and the Orthodox Rite is no longer the one true Church of Japitty like was originally claimed. Traditionalists still oppose reconstructionism and theological literalism. Traditionalists no longer follow the Orthodox Rite, and so they attend congregational style churches that operate in a low-church style. The largest Traditionalist church is the Continuation Church of Japitty.
Purists
Purists are the main ultra-orthodox non-standard denomination. Purists oppose every reform made after the passing of Joel Evans, and do not compromise ever. Like Traditionalists, they do not accept George Lachman as the leader of the One True Church of Japitty, however unlike the Traditionalists they completely oppose all reforms made by George Lachman, whereas the Traditionalists had a compromise. The Purists also accept every tenet given to the church by Joel Evans before his passing, and like the Order of the Number Blue, are ultra-orthodox. They partake in the entirety of every Feastivalo Number Blue, and attend every service. Purists are followers of the Church of Japitty of the Former Command, and they have ordained a seperate leader who they see as the true continued leader of the Orthodox Rite. The current leader of the CJFC is Joe Duran.
Theological Literalists
Theological Literalism is a set of beliefs that encompasses any literal or uncompromising interpretation of Japittyism. Theological Literalists are still Temple Japittyists, as Corey Abbott's 12.5 Theses were not developed yet. Generally, Literalists subscribe to the notion that every word of Japitty Cumquat, or in the case of Translationists, Dick Smith, is holy instruction and must be taken literally. Most literalists are "holy-landers" who believe in the Holy-Land Doctrine. The Holy-Land Doctrine is the idea that the holy land is not limited to the Inner West, as the holy land also includes Katoomba. This idea lead to the creation of the Katoomba Apocalypse Model, which is a religious idea that posits Japitty Cumquat must bury a grapefruit on the grounds of the Katoomba Police Station while the Badu Park National Anthem is being played. This will trigger the apocalypse, which is a 20% sale at Annandale IGA.
Badu Park Fraternity of Religion
The Badu Park Fraternity of Religion is a religious organisation that adheres to a version of Japittyism that promotes both the unquestioning adherence to Japitty Cumquat and his every word, as well as the incorporation of Katoomba into the holy land, which according to Orthodox tradition, violates doctrine and is not canon. The adoption of this belief was made because of a comment Japitty made about wishing to invade Katoomba, which was taken as evidence that Katoomba must become part of the holy land. The Badu Park Fraternity of Religion also adheres to the Rejected Form of the Japittyist Calendar, which rejects several months of the calendar that it believes to be illegitimate as they were added by George Lachman.
Dick Smith Holy Warfare Brigade
The Dick Smith Holy Warfare Brigade is a fanatical religious militia associated with the Badu Park Fraternity of Religion. Members of the brigade are very strict adherents to Nathanial Parker's doctrines and are some of the most fanatical hardliners of the religion. The brigade has been in constant conflict with the orthodox Provisional Japittyist Army, the militia maintained by the Orthodox Rite. Clashes between them are known to be exceedingly violent, and have led to the combined deaths of seven fighters from both sides.
Translationists
Translationists are a subset of Literalists who reject the Holy-Land Doctrine of including Katoomba into the holy land, as instead of taking the direct word of Japitty Cumquat as literal instruction, they take Translator Dick Smith's interpretation of Japitty's words as literal instruction, as they believe only Dick Smith is capable of understanding direct instruction from such a holy human being. Because of this rejection of Japitty's word, they are not considered orthodox and were excommunicated.
Mesnagists
Mesnagists are hardliners that believe you must be born into the faith for Japitty's word to be true for you, unlike all other denominations, who accept a proclamation of faith as sufficient to join their respective denomination. Mesnagists believe that each follower is part of a holy dynasty with holy blood given to them by Japitty Cumquat, and therefore you cannot be a Japittyist if you are of a tainted bloodline. They perform a ritual to purify the bloodline and begin a dynasty, called mesnagising a bloodline, which involves being washed of sin in Johnston's Creek. This exclusion of followers led to increasing isolation from other Japittyists, and eventually the Mesnagists created a religious order to facilitate their religious ideals called the "Pure Order of Japittyist Bloodlines" which has since been excommunicated from the Orthodox Rite. Mesnagists have no official position on the Holy-Land Doctrine, and have a combination of holy-landers and believers in the orthodox Holy-Land model.
Reconstructionists and Expansionists
Reconstructionist Japittyism is a religious movement within Japittyism that is similar to Christian Protestantism. Reconstructionist Japittyism developed through it's own schism from the Orthodox Rite, in which theologian Corey Abbott disagreed with the idea of the "Descent of Japitty" and its associated theology, providing the Orthodox Rite with twelve and a half theses as to why the concept is incorrect. Abbott's theses were rejected and he was ridiculed as a heretic. His concept laid the groundwork for the Laconites to develop, incorporating their belief that the holy land must be exclusive to Badu Park Chair, or as it is religiously referred to as, Lacon, as it is the place given to the people by Japitty Cumquat, and it must be settled and protected. These ideas became known as "non-temple Japittyism" as it rejects the concept of the Temple of Japitty being a holy place, instead believing the only holy building is a church that will be built upon the city of Lacon. Reconstructionist denominations that create new doctrine based upon non-temple interpretations are considered theological expansionists as they add doctrine to the religion, and therefore create new religious concepts that are not based in canon. Expansionists are considered heretical as most Japittyists see them as creating a "new, unholy religion" and they believe Cheezit McDaniels is corrupting the Japittyists who believe in expansionist ideas.
Laconites
Laconites are former Orthodox Rite members that believe in the holy land exclusivity, however they take this doctrine to extremes, as they consider the holy land to be entirely limited to the City of Lacon, which is the religious name for Badu Park Chair. This extreme reduction of the holy land led the Laconites to be excommunicated. They also subscribe to the mainline reconstructionist policy of non-temple Japittyism whereby the Descent of Japitty is rejected, Zaeh'an and his alien race is not considered to exist, and it is instead posited that Japitty Cumquat is a primordial god, and has existed since the dawn of time.
Farhan Bauer and the Book of Lacon
Farhan Bauer is a Badu Parkian theologian who subscribes to the mainline reconstructionist views of holy land reductionism and non-temple Japittyism, however his non-temple beliefs extend to the promotion of the Japittyist Trinity, whereby Egg Man is elevated from an irrelevant theological being to the primordial being representative of time, Big Lizard is elevated to the primordial being that represents physical space, and Japitty is the being that gives life. They are each considered seperate, yet all elements that constitute the universe as we know it. All three are distinct, yet they are all the universe. Farhan Bauer has developed a following of Laconites who believe in the Japittyist Trinity, yet the mainline Laconites reject the trinity and do not recognise Farhan, his work, or his followers. Laconites reject Bauer's notion of the trinity as they believe Japitty is the only primordial being, and does not need assistance to create life or the universe, and the suggestion of a trinity is an insult to Japitty, as you are now questioning his divinity. As such, Bauer and his followers are not considered mainline reconstructionists, and are definitive expansionists.
Bauer tried canonising these beliefs when he wrote a book called the "Book of Lacon" in which he dictates both mainline reconstructionist beliefs and his own doctrines of the trinity. Bauer considers the book to be an amendment to the Holy Codex of Japitty, and believes it to be a holy text. After the book's completion, Bauer attempted to get the book ordained as official canon by Japitty Cumquat, but failed due to Japitty's opposition to the religion. As a result, Bauer passed off the book as legitimate, however all other sects and denominations of the religion do not recognise the book as scripture, and believe Farhan Bauer is a conman using their religion to trick people into following him. In response, Bauer bought a house in Annandale and built himself a compound in which him and his followers reside. Bauer has attempted to justify his book by proclaiming himself a prophet of the trinity. This had the opposite effect of what was intended, as nobody outside of his follower group believed his claim to divinity, and it only strengthened the belief that he is a scam artist piggybacking off of the religion for financial benefit and notoriety. To this day he maintains an isolated and increasingly militant sect within his compound, and has had several incidences with law enforcement.
Ja-Japitty & Alluja Japittyism
Ja-Japitty is a terrorist group associated with hardline Japittyism. Founded by Brothan Alluja, Ja-Japitty split from the Order of the Number Blue, which is a religious order within the Orthodox Rite, and as such, Ja-Japitty holds beliefs associated with the Order of the Number Blue, and participates in Feastivalo Number Blue. While they began as a standard hardline group, they drifted towards a new ideology. Alluja Japittyism is an ideology exclusive to Ja-Japitty, which mixes the Ulrta-Orthodox ideas of the Order of the Number Blue with the concept of the "Eternal Badu Park". Eternal Badu Park is a religious conspiracy which posits that Japitty Cumquat must establish a global caliphate which will maintain Badu Park as a worldwide regime. However, according to Alluja, the Orthodox Rite and the Badu Park Fraternity of Religion have banded together in a coalition to ensure this ideological goal is not achieved, with this coalition receiving support from Western nations, including the United States of America. This claim has been dismissed as a conspiracy theory, as the Orthodox Rite and Badu Park Fraternity of Religion are in a strict dispute, and have not formed a coalition. Alluja Japittyism is considered a theologically expansionist denomination as it adds upon the scripture in ways that are not accepted by any Orthodox or Literalist denominations, and therefore it is no longer an accepted canon.
Church of the Geocyclistic Moon God
Founded by John Cornelius Travelator, the Church of the Geocylcistic Moon God is an attempt at completely reforming the Japittyist religion as a whole. With a total of one adherent, being John Cornelius Travelator, the denomination is ridiculed even by other Japittyists for being clearly unrelated to any Japittyist doctrine. The core tenets of the CGMG are that Japitty Cumquat is a god of the moon, who controls the movements of tectonic plates here on earth, and does nothing else. His only role is to prevent a worldwide earthquake. To keep him doing his job, believers must pray facing west at 3:15 pm every day. No matter what they are doing they must stop, drop all objects they're holding, and pray. A person prays by placing their hands in their pockets, closing their eyes, and saying the phrase "you're doing such a good job, Japitty, you're really cool" before falling face first to the floor without catching themselves. Adherents are not allowed to move objects out of the way, and are not allowed to reposition to make the fall safer, and as a result, John has hit his face on surfaces ranging from concrete to his kitchen bench, and has knocked out his two front teeth because of it. The denomination completely rejects the Holy Codex of Japitty Cumquat and all tenets and beliefs of any other Japittyist denomination. Because the CGMG doesn't adhere to any key Japittyist belief or principle, and is not recognised as a Japittyist denomination by any other group. John Travelator believes his denomination will save the world from an impending earthquake, and preaches about his beliefs in public because of it. He has been arrested three times for aggressively yelling at people to join his religion.