SWN - Quick Heresies

1

Defrocked clergy: founded by a cleric outcast from the faith.

2

Frustrated layman: founded by a layman frustrated with the faith’s decadence, rigidity, or lack of authenticity.

3

Renegade prophet: founded by a revered holy figure who broke with the faith.

4

High prelate: founded by an important and powerful cleric to convey his or her beliefs.

5

Dissatisfied minor clergy: founded by a minor cleric frustrated with the faith’s current condition.

6

Outsider: founded by a member of another faith deeply influenced by the parent religion.

7

Academic: founded by a professor or theologian on intellectual grounds.

8

Accidental; the founder never meant their works to be taken that way.

1

Manichaeanism: the sect believes in harsh austerities and rejection of matter as something profane and evil

2

Donatism: the sect believes that clergy must be personally pure and holy in order to be legitimate

3

Supercessionism: the sect believes the founder or some other source supercedes former scripture or tradition

4

Antinomianism: the sect believes that their holy persons are above any law and may do as they will

5

Universal priesthood: the sect believes that there is no distinction between clergy and layman and that all functions of the faith may be performed by all members

6

Conciliarism: the sect believes that the consensus of believers may correct or command even the clerical leadership of the faith

7

Ethnocentrism: the sect believes that only a particular ethnicity or nationality can truly belong to the faith

8

Separatism: the sect believes members should shun involvement with the secular world

9

Stringency: the sect believes that even minor sins should be punished, and major sins should be capital crimes

10

Syncretism: the sect has added elements of another native faith to their beliefs

11

Primitivism: the sect tries to recreate what they imagine was the original community of faith

12

Conversion by the sword: unbelievers must be brought to obedience to the sect or be granted death

1

Filial: the sect honors and respects the orthodox faith, but feels it is substantially in error

2

Anathematic: the orthodox are spiritually worse than infidels, and their ways must be avoided at all costs

3

Evangelical: the sect feels compelled to teach the orthodox the better truth of their ways

4

Contemptuous: the orthodox are spiritually lost and ignoble

5

Aversion: the sect wishes to shun and avoid the orthodox

6

Hatred: the sect wishes the death or conversion of the orthodox

7

Indifference: the sect has no particular animus or love for the orthodox

8

Obedience: the sect feels obligated to obey the orthodox hierarchy in all matters not related to their specific faith

9

Legitimist: the sect views itself as the “true” orthodox faith and the present orthodox hierarchy as pretenders to their office

10

Purificationist: the sect’s austerities, sufferings, and asceticism are necessary to purify the orthodox

1

Clergy of only one gender

2

Dietary prohibitions

3

Characteristic item of clothing or jewelry

4

Public prayer at set times or places

5

Forbidden to do something commonly done

6

Anti-intellectual, deploring secular learning

7

Mystical, seeking union with God through meditation

8

Lives in visibly distinct houses or districts

9

Has a language specific to the sect

10

Greatly respects learning and education

11

Favors specific colors or symbols

12

Has unique purification rituals

13

Always armed

14

Forbids marriage or romance outside the sect

15

Will not eat with people outside the sect

16

Must donate labor or tithe money to the sect

17

Special friendliness toward another faith or ethnicity

18

Favors certain professions for their membership

19

Vigorous charity work among unbelievers

20

Forbidden the use of certain technology