Wayism
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The People of the Way, commonly called Wayism, is a fictional religion from the Andromeda universe.
Wayism was founded by the Anointed, a Magog prophet who amalgamated a number of Human philosophies and religions after spending time talking with a human holy man he had just infested with his larva. Consequently, Wayists refer to "Saint Jesus", "Saint Buddha", etc.
Wayists are led by the successors to the Anointed, an office called the "Keeper of the Way".
The Wayist clergy is divided into several 'orders':
- Merciful Breath - charity workers
- Order of Unity - administrators
- Society of Wisdom - active proselytes and educators
- Whisperers of Truth - contemplators
There also appear to be certain 'paths' of Wayism; one of those referred to is the 'Mountain Path', which features a person enduring the hardships the universe offers without the aid of artificial methods such as medical technology to cure illnesses.
Rev Bem, a recurring character, is a Wayist.
As the Tao means the Way, the Chinese religion and philosophy called Taoism in English could be translated as Wayism, though it should be noted that the Chinese term has a far more abstracted and philosophical meaning than the English one.
