1 | ''This is the analysis page for the trope named "TheChurch" (not the film or the band by the same name).'' |
2 | |
3 | !! Position in the setting |
4 | !!! Morality scale |
5 | The Church of Fiction as a whole may fall pretty much anywhere on the morality scale: |
6 | |
7 | # SaintlyChurch: All LawfulGood. |
8 | # CorruptChurch: [[HanlonsRazor Not so much evil as incompetent]] and [[AHouseDivided consumed by internal power struggles]]. |
9 | # ScamReligion: Most of its members are good people but its leaders and founder(s) are evil manipulators. |
10 | # PathOfInspiration: Benign on the surface but thoroughly evil to the core. |
11 | # ReligionOfEvil: Openly propagates evil. |
12 | |
13 | Types 2 through 5 are often part of an AncientConspiracy or ten (types 1 and 2, on the other hand, are often an AncientTradition). Off this scale lies the BlueAndOrangeMorality-type ScaryAmoralReligion. |
14 | |
15 | !!! Schisms |
16 | As the Church of Fiction grows older, schisms in it are likely to emerge, usually over [[SeriousBusiness wordings in the canon doctrine and creed]]. For [[UrExample some reason]], such schisms always occur similarly to the [[UsefulNotes/{{Christianity}} East-West split of the Christian Church]]: the church enjoys a OneTrueFaith status, then regional differences emerge and escalate; the respective factions' leaders claim UsefulNotes/ThePope's title and excommunicate each other; the bigger faction calls for a [[UsefulNotes/TheCrusades Crusade]], which fails; in the end, both are forced to coexist peacefully again, now very SeparateButIdentical. |
17 | |
18 | !!! Religion and Magic |
19 | The relationship between the Church of Fiction and [[SquishyWizard magic practitioners]] is often rocky, at best, and ranges from an averse realization that ReligionIsMagic to an absolute BanOnMagic followed by ThePurge. In a mixed form, the Church will be the AntimagicalFaction opposed to the MagicalSociety and train {{Mage Killer}}s, just in case. |
20 | |
21 | !! Hierarchy |
22 | The Church is commonly among the most rigidly hierarchical organizations of the setting, and its members will be often defined by their rank and position within it. |
23 | |
24 | !!! The Holy City |
25 | Despite ostensibly worshiping a CrystalDragonJesus, not only is the Church of Fiction always [[ChristianityIsCatholic Catholic Christian]], but it's also ''Roman'' Catholic. As such, expect there to be a HolyCity, which serves as the seat of UsefulNotes/ThePope (or a HighPriest by any other name), his PraetorianGuard, and his closest advisers (often called "cardinals"), who range from TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness to NotSoOmniscientCouncilOfBickering. |
26 | |
27 | The [[SecretGovernmentWarehouse vaults]] of the HolyCity is also where all the {{Ancient Artifact}}s pertaining to faith (and more or less accurately corresponding to Judeo-Christian {{Public Domain Artifact}}s) will be stored. |
28 | |
29 | !!! Militant Orders |
30 | The Church of Fiction usually has a [[TheOrder knightly order]] or three to keep a steady supply of {{Church Militant}}s (who aren't regular {{Badass Preacher}}s). Depending on the morality and outward enlightenment of the Church, their existence and real purpose will be well-known or [[TheMasquerade top-secret]]. Regardless of their mission, they always have a tendency to go KnightTemplar about it. Popular jobs for militant orders include: |
31 | |
32 | * DemonSlaying (when HollywoodExorcism just isn't enough) |
33 | * [[VampireHunter Vampire slaying]] |
34 | * [[MageKiller Wizard slaying]] (see above) |
35 | * [[UsefulNotes/TheCrusades Crusading]] against [[TheHeretic heretics]], {{cult}}s, and competing churches |
36 | * Generally [[KillItWithFire killing things with fire]] |
37 | |
38 | A special mention goes to the [[UsefulNotes/TheSpanishInquisition Inquisition]] (which nobody, ''ever'' [[Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus expects to encounter]]). Its role varies from the ChurchPolice to UsefulNotes/ThePope's personal InternalAffairs and [[TheSpymaster Intelligence Agency]]. |
39 | |
40 | !!! Monasteries |
41 | Another source of ass-kickers for the Lord are the monasteries. Male-only ones exist solely to produce [[BareFistedMonk Bare-fisted]] {{Warrior Monk}}s because AllMonksKnowKungFu without exception. They may occasionally be drunkards... but only of the DrunkenMaster variety. Female monasteries (often called "convents") are a bit more varied, populated by [[NunsAreFunny funny]], [[NunsAreMikos badass]], [[NunsAreSpooky spooky]], or [[NaughtyNuns naughty]] nuns. Sometimes [[NunTooHoly all at once]]. |
42 | |
43 | The monasteries, however, also have a shadier side, as the authorities would often want to use them to [[LockedAwayInAMonastery dump any undesirables too valuable]] to [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim just shoot them]]. |
44 | |
45 | !!! Churches and Cathedrals |
46 | The most commonly seen aspect of the Church of Fiction are the local houses of God, properly known as "churches" (with a lower-case "c"). Particularly big specimen will be called "Cathedrals" and inevitably contain an OminousPipeOrgan; these are usually located in major cities and serve as seats of power of the bishops. All churches will feature [[TheMiddleAges Gothic architecture]], which some people find [[CreepyCathedral particularly creepy]], and OminousLatinChanting will play in the background at all times. It should come to no surprise that they are also a popular [[BloodStainedGlassWindows meeting spot for local badasses to duke it out]]. |
47 | |
48 | The person in charge of a church will be the PreacherMan (preacher women are rare). Regardless of the alignment of his Church at large, he may be a GoodShepherd or a SinisterMinister (particularly evil ones will be [[PedophilePriest pedophiles]]), though major differences in morality will always cause a [[TurbulentPriest turbulent relationship with his superiors]]. No matter their morality, priests tend to be [[SexyPriest sexy]], [[BadassPreacher badass]], or both, often invoking an [[HotForPreacher improper amount of attention]] from the opposite sex. Alternatively, he will be TheVicar. Often [[IrishPriest Irish]]. |
49 | |
50 | Good-aligned churches will always give shelter to those SeekingSanctuary. |
51 | |
52 | !!! Parochial Schools |
53 | In addition to producing authority figures and badasses, the Church is always a source of education, chiefly through {{One Gender School}}s under its auspices. In all-girls schools, expect to see [[CatholicSchoolGirlsRule uniforms way too sexy for their own good]] and lots of SitchSexuality and HoYay. |
54 | |
55 | !!! Outcasts and Others |
56 | Members of the Church (usually renegade priests, see above) who get cast out of the hierarchy will be branded [[TheHeretic heretics]]. Often, they would go on to [[StartMyOwn start their own]] {{Cult}}s and find themselves under scrutiny of the Inquisition and the Militant Orders. |
57 | |
58 | Last but not least, we have the [[TheMissionary missionaries]], priests or monks who venture far beyond the Church's area of influence in hopes of converting the heathens. |
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