Before the Purge no one outside the Reclaimer Church realized how large their numbers had swelled. Everyone was too busy fighting wars to check on splinter religious groups. While one could argue part of the reasoning behind the Purge was to consolidate power under a single religious banner it is unlikely the real reason will ever be known. However, when the Church was finally crushed by financial and political powers in 2136 the spiritual shock waves were felt across all religions.
The countries most impacted by the Church, the ASA, parts of the EU, and Africa, devises new laws stripping religions of many of their rights as non-profit origination. While not involved with the Reclaimers the Vatican was nearly razed in the Orthodox Uprising. Soon other countries followed suit to avoid tariffs or political sanctions. This was not simply governmental regulation but on the streets and the towns across the world many turned from older religious institutions seeing the price of blind devotion.
Of course, this would never really last. As with spiritual matters these things have a way of finding a balance. In the last thirty years there has begun a religious resurgence. Not just with the rebranded Redeemers and older faiths but new religions began to spring up. At first it was one of two a year that made the news. Today there are at least fifty seven channels covering emergent religions.
These new religions are often cobbled together fragments of half understood older beliefs. Common elements include new interpretations or links between older religions. Some incorporate outdated or unproven scientific theories. Laws around these religious groups have also eased over the years allowing those with sufficient followings to obtain tax exception and possible corporate status.
Today’s Current Trending Religions Include:
Disciples of the Hackwrench, a technological order devoted to the Goddess Mouse.
The Holy Order of Sin and Salvation, a matriarchal order that sees infidelity, and seduction as a woman’s right and purpose, unlike other transitions women of the Holy Order embrace their role.
Particle Principle Preservists, dedicated to the belief that God can be found in particles yet undiscovered and too small to be perceived.
Primal Deists, Old Testament purists that hold that as an evangelical religion they cannot be held accountable for the high death toll caused by the policing of their own flock.
