Marshism in AHSCA

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Marshism in AHSCA Marshism, the state religion of the Grand Theocracy of the Holy Marsh, has a large and vibrant following in AHSCA. Currently at around 350 million followers, it is the largest faith and the religion most referred to by political organizations.

History First arriving in the early 1930s CE, Marshism found an accepting audience from the Non-Humans of the islands, yet was not considered a factor until the earlier part of the decade. With missionary groups arriving en masse and the Church devoting more resources to conversion, the faith expanded rapidly. Many believe this is due to the strength of local Marshite Churches- having provided for thousands of years food, shelter, and protection to untold billions, they were able to effective ly and rapidly respond to disaster and crisis' in the islands that impacted the Flock. By the year 2011 CE, the Marshite faith became not only the dominant faith of the islands, but a major social force.

Marshism in AHSCA With the many dozens of Shrines of the Marshite faith appealing to almost any sensibility, the unique nature of AHSCA found a home in the Marshite Church. The Non-Human Shrines- which advocate the superiority of Non-Humans- were the first to become dominant forces in local communities. They provided a unique social, cultural, economic, and religious power structure that helped many small communities survive rough times. The Female Shrine, which advocates the superiority of the female gender, finds a receptive audience in a nation that is heavily influenced by feminine thought. The Homosexual Shrine has more followers in AHSCA than in Holy Marsh itself, and many believe that the NLP is considering adopting it as the Party-Religion.

Demographics

350 million followers 200 million Monotheistic Shrine - 30 million Homosexual Shrine members - 125 million Female Shrine members - 15 million Non-Human Shrine members 125 million Pantheistic Shrine Followers - 19 million Homosexual Shrine members - 75 million Female Shrine members - 59 million Non-Human Shrine members 25 million Aspect Shrine Followers - 1 million Homosexual Shrine Members - 2 million female Shrine members - 1 million Non-Human Shrine members

Criticism DEspite the majority of citizens being members of the faith, the support of major political parties, and the impact of its policies on local communities, the Marshite religion has received criticism in AHSCA. Secularists believe that it controls too much of the political process, between is near state-endorsed stance by the NLP and overtly extremely friendly relationship with the NIP as well as the activist within itself nature of the church. Many of the Fringe Groups of the Faith are considered a threat to the stability of the Islands, reminding them of the Knights Templar of Stevid during the occupation.

Those who argue strongly in favor of the Island's complete international indepence also point out that the Marshite Church in AHSCA is under the rule of the Marshite Church back in the Holy Marsh. They fear that over time, AHSCA will fall under the Theocratic Empire's thrall. Religious criticism is directed at the many-tiered aspects of the faith by all religious leaders of opposing religions.