Church and State 102

A Clerical Education

As we all know, education is a church monopoly. Primary education is controlled by the official state church. Every village has a chapel that provides basic teachings to the children, with the focus on; history, theology, morals, law, math, reading & writing. For most people this is the extent of their formal education. As a teenager they follow their family trade or seek an apprentice position with a friend of the family. Higher education is uncommon, except for the nobility. The only way a commoner can gain it is by joining the church.

A person, male or female, can join any chapel as an apprentice. They will learn more about theology and various basic subjects, while working hard to help around the chapel. Once they reach journeyman status, they are considered clerics, but not priests. At this point they are expected, but not required, to pick a patron god. They also have two career paths open to them. 

The Priesthood – this branch of the church is concerned with being an intermediary between mortals and the gods. Thus the focus of education is on skills of communication with the divine. To a lesser degree priests are concerned with the management of chapels, which includes general care of a community’s spiritual life. The priests are the elite of the church and hold all the ruling offices with in it. They also find roles as advisors to kings and powerful nobles.

The clerical crafters – this branch is divided according to the various patron-gods, there is no generic form, as there is with the Priesthood. Each cleric learns about the specific area of interest that his god is concerned with. For example; the school of Ballsoner Prince of order teaches law and to a lesser degree good organizational skills. Of course not all gods have schools. A clerical crafter is valued because of his high degree of knowledge and specialized skills. They are often appointed to offices in towns or under high nobles.

To enter the Priesthood the church insists that you have been an apprentice and passed the tests. To enter the clerical crafters school you must simply have a devotion to the patron-god and make a sizable donation to the school. Thus wealthy commoners and minor nobles often send a son into the church this way. They will earn the title cleric even though their focus has been on a craft rather than theology. 

The Monastic Tradition

A chapel by its nature serves the community it is located in. It is closely connected with all aspects of local life. A monastery on the other hand is set apart from the general population, usually as a medium size estate itself. In most cases only members of the monastery live on the estate, the monks do all that is necessary for survival, including farming. Visitors are welcome but not encouraged.

The functions of a monastery are; self sufficiency often including the production of some items for market, education of Priests and Clerical crafters, and the refreshment of overworked churchmen from towns.

In most nations the following pattern of monasteries has been established.  

Ballsoner – law school and library, located near the capital.

Addella – school of good citizenship, also near the capital.

Goldoner – general school of perfection, located in a remote area.

Marzur – school for warriors, located near the king’s castle.

Dunabur – industrial complex, located near major mining town.

Fremelur – a similar industrial complex, located near stone quarry.

Jasoma – a hospital and medical school, located in a tranquil area.

Alaphra – school or arts, located near major trade center.

Allegga – pleasure dome, located in the most beautiful countryside.

            Although monasteries are segregated from general life, they are not intended to be isolated and removed from all worldly activity, focused only on the spiritual. That description fits a hermitage, which may be located in a corner of the monastic estate. The actual function of the monks is rather more important to the nation. They educate those who will form the civil service and hold positions of power with in the government.

Religious Discrimination

The term is not derogatory in this context but is used in its pure form. Discriminating is the process of making a choice between alternatives, in this case based on religious aspects. It is thought sensible to make the appointment of people to public offices, based on the patron-god a person follows.

It is sometimes assumed, but often incorrectly so, that a ruler will appoint clerics of the official patron-god to all important offices. However many nobles who hold Daconer Prince of Power as their patron know that having people who follow the same philosophy (that the end justifies the means) are dangerous to have as around. By the same logic, no one wants a follower of Ammirra Princess of unpredictability working as a state official, unless perhaps as spy master or jester.

According to classic Pininthian public office organization:

Office of Records – clerics of Ballsoner Prince of order or Fremelur Lord of the city  

Office of Revenue – clerics of Ballsoner Prince of order or Addella Princess of duty or sometimes Daconer Prince of Power are given this post.

Office of Justice – clerics of Ballsoner Prince of order of Addella Princess of duty or Goldoner Prince of Perfection are given this post.

Office of Guardsmen – clerics of Marzur Lord of Warriors or Addella Princess of duty

Office of Public works – clerics of Fremelur Lord of the city almost always hold this post, but it may also be given to Addella Princess of duty or Apahpa Lady of Artists.

Office of Market place – clerics of Ballsoner Prince of order or Ratarelus Lord of Merchants or Addella Princess of duty usually hold this post.

Office of Education – clerics of the official state patron-god will always hold it.

Office of Espionage – clerics of Ammirra Princess of unpredictability or Daconer Prince of Power usally hold this post.

Office of Auditor – clerics of Ballsoner Prince of order or Addella Princess of duty or Goldoner Prince of Perfection are given this post.

Not every nation has these exact public positions of authority, but most have similar offices. Taking a look at the classic list presented here, it seems clear that some gods are in highly suitable and others are not. Most of the Occara gods are never mentioned, while followers of Ballsoner and Addella are wanted in almost every office.