Fiction:Cult of Jura

The Cult of Jura is a cult dedicated to the Fire Dragon God Jura that got it's start in the former, now the {{Fiction:United Persan Descendants]]. While the origins of the cult are completely unknown they have since spread to various different nations such as the {{Fiction|Mendel Pact}} and the {{Fiction|Waptoria Alliance of Species}}, really having spread all throughout the {{Fiction|Unified Alliance of Enlightenment}} and possibly even further. Fearsome warriors they believe that the mark of true honor is fighting for those weaker then oneself and highly emphasis the inner heroism of the individual. They have heavy association with symbols of fire, dragons, and surprisingly shepherding.

Origins
The Cult of Jura has been in existence for at least as long as the Vanara Empire has existed, having existed since before recorded history. They themselves claim to be the the second religious Vanara cult to have formed after the Cult of Ava though whether this is true is anyone's guess. Regardless they have been a highly influential factor in the Vanara Empire since their history has been record and continue to be so now after they have reformed into the United Persan Descendants.

Joining the UAE
After the Vanara Empire joined the Unified Alliance of Enlightenment the Cult of Jura became very keen on expanding their influence into the other nations in the alliance. This was received with mixed results. While those like the Waptoria(who invited the Vanara to join in the first place) received the cult well and many joined as followers, those like the Mendel Pact, who distrusted the Vanara, the integration was met with much resistance. However as relationships began to improve, partially through the cult's efforts, they gained wider acceptance and eventually became a major part of Pact religious belief.

Beliefs and Teachings
The Cult of Jura teaches that dedication to their god is not done through prayer and sacrifice, but through protecting the innocent and those weaker then oneself. They are fierce warriors as well as peaceful teachers, teaching their followers to always fallow their voice of inner heroism and to act as a guiding light for the lost and alone. They also idolize the ideals of self control and knowledge practicing various martial arts to train their members in this.

One of the cult's major tenets is acceptance, this goes from other religions to physical and mental differences. They accept all sorts of religions as long as said religions are not intolerant and do not harm their followers and others. They also accept those if any race, political affiliation, or sexuality as long as they are willing to work hard and accept others as well.

They have a rather Existential view on life. To them the universe truly is a meaningless, amoral, cold, empty, apathetic, cruel place. Bad things happen and there is no reason for it, there is no great destiny to guide them, no greater purpose to strive for, or overarching morally to tell them whats right and whats wrong. Life exists for no reason and has no point. But that's why you do heroic things. Because the universe is a terrible, dark place you fight for what you love and to make things better(or at least keep more damage from being done) because if you don't things will only get worse, people will only get hurt more, and nothing will ever have the slightest chance of getting better. Even if you fail you at least tried. Basically they believe the true definition of a hero is not fighting for whats right because its worth it, but because its not and you do it anyway.

Rituals
When worshiping (a massive ceremony performed on the Vanara's Festival of the Red Life) Jura the cult members and others gathers around a fire pit in the shape of the beast. The crowd than adds sacrificial offerings to a massive pile of wood siting in the pit which is than lit a blaze and the crowd chants a prayer to the fire dragon. Than a large effigy of Jura's enemy beast Githra is thrown into the fire as well as other representations of the void horror created by the people gathered there. Afterword the fire is left to burn down to a pile of coals and lanterns are strung up and a celebration begins that involves eating spicy foods, fire walking on the bed of coals, fire eating, fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays.

The other ceremony is the Right of Jura which is had when an individual dies. When this happens a wooden effigy of Jura is made which the dead persons body is placed in and burned with a prayer being offered to Jura to maintain the individuals integrity and protect them from Thanatos as they cross it to Eros. The ashes of the dead person are then consumed by the dead persons family so that part of the will always be preserved even if they do fall to Thanatos and that if they do that when a member of their family dies thay may find their loved one and free them from Thanatos's grasp.

They also have their members shepherd different forms of lives stock from many different worlds. This is because they believe that shepherding teaches their followers how to look after others and true meaning of responsibility.

Quotes From Others

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