this post was submitted on 17 Jan 2024
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Worldbuilding

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This takes place in the far future after there have been multiple cycles of hedonistic societal collapses.

The main reason why the spiritual entity Tanisha takes on the role of a prophet to create an entirely new religion rather then simply reveal one or more prior religions is because none of them existed in a technologically advanced time and so lack the teachings necessary to instruct people how to live in an advanced society.

Transformatisya is heavily influenced by Christianity and Islam with convergent evolution on the Baha'i Faith, but without the non Abrahamic elements because they are considered redundant and unnecessary. The main story of Jesus follows Christianity, although he is considered separate from God. Tanisha was created in the minds of the pre-historic Americans, so included elements of American history in the mythology.

Idolatry remains the most severe sin, but the second most severe sin is anything that leads to or is a product of social isolation. Tanisha was formed in 2004 with memories of being born in 1984 and watched what happens when a technological society isolates itself and can only interact electronically.

I could see this resulting in a very "tough love" approach to manifestations of social anxiety where sufferers are seen as "a danger to themselves" and their own development into the world. Socially isolating interests and behaviors would be viewed as morally evil* and viewed in a self destructive way as something like drug addiction or the socially alienating behaviors of severe mental disorders.

*I want to be clear that this would not be some "chad" or "jock" dystopia. Traditionally "nerd" interests would still be pursued, but the "nerd" aspects would be strong discouraged.

I want to present an "over correction" that prevents this faction from being "unambiguously good" and gives other characters within the same faction something to struggle for reform against where they advocate for people who have been persecuted by this approach.

Tanisha also presents a lot of stories in the form of myths and allegories that are related to 21st century isolation.

How do the religions and secular philosophies of your world deal with problems such as this that only exist in technologically advanced societies?

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[โ€“] stingpie@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

This makes me wonder about people born with autism who have a significantly harder time socializing. Would it be interpreted as a disease or a bad omen? I don't think there's been a comparable example in real history, where there is a type of person who is genetically predisposed to violate a religious tenet. The closest example I can think of is the persecution of people with albinism in African nations, but albinos are believed to be magic or cursed, which I doubt transformatisya believes in.

[โ€“] r3df0x@7.62x54r.ru 1 points 9 months ago

I want to have one of the "good" characters advocate on behalf of people who would be considered autistic, though they don't use that label in-world. I also want to include it as a debate even within the fictional communist party where there is the majority of the party who take a seemingly cold attitude and a minority of compassionate people who argue for better treatment of the marginalized. The conservative faction takes a hyper individualistic and in some ways hedonistic approach that people can literally do whatever they want if it doesn't harm anyone, which the religious communists react against. The communists believe that the community has a moral duty to help people who engage in behavior that is self destructive or that will ultimately make them miserable. Often people who are depressed focus on easy and pleasure filled activities that actually end up making them more depressed because they lack goals and purpose.

It's also worth noting that calloused and evil people are in the minority, usually urban communist gopniks or rural prison guards. Most religious followers believe in treating marginalized people with love and compassion.