Edicts of the Church of Reality

The definition of the word Edict is, "a decree or proclamation issued by an authority and having the force of law". In the Church of Reality edicts are issued by the First One with the supervision of the Council of Realists. The First One can issue an edict and if it goes unchallenged, it becomes the official declarations of the Church of Reality. If the edict is challenged by any member of the Council then the edict stands only if it is supported by a consensus of the Council. The edicts include a variety of church business. It includes edicts of church law to address issues not specified specifically in doctrine or if there is confusion as to the meaning of church law. The First One can make a declaration to resolve any such issue. Edicts also include appointments of church clergy or other church officials. Edicts can be used to make church declarations relating to current events. Edicts can be used to declare if a war is justified or not. They are used to speak out against things that the church considers wrong or to endorse what the church considers to be good. The edict is the voice of the Church of Reality. It is one of the means by which the church speaks.

 

The Authority of Edicts

Edicts relating to church business are considered to be administrative decisions of the Church. Edicts relating to opinion on issues are to be considered where the Church stands on those issues. Edicts are the voice of the Church and do not necessarily represent the personal views of all members of the Church. Our religion strongly supports Individualism and members are required to think things through for themselves and interpret reality using their own Wisdom. The Church however does not issue edicts lightly and members should give great weight to Church edicts. Likewise, if a Church member needs confirmation of a personal decision that invokes a religious right they can ask the Church for an edict to support their decision adding the support of the Church to their situation. For example. The Church of Reality requires individual Realists to determine if a war is just or not before participating in a military conflict. The Church of Reality from time to time might issue an edict to declare a war just or unjust. If the Church of Reality declares a war to be unjust then that adds the power of Church authority to the decision of the individual to refuse to serve in the military. If the Church issues an edict that a war is just then that provides guidance to members in their decision to participate or not. But it is ultimately up to the individual to decide. The Church of Reality supports members who decide that all war is wrong. Not all Realists agree on this issue and a person's decision to live their life without being required to kill other people falls within the Principle of Freedom. If the Church issues no edict regarding a war then nothing should be inferred from that. It doesn't mean that the Church is neutral or that the Church has affirmatively decided not to act. It could mean that we have yet to decide the issue. If we don't speak, it doesn't mean that we have decided to not speak. Edicts of Doctrine are declarations of Church law for the purpose of resolving issues brought before the Church. If a member is asserting a right to a religious freedom to a governmental body and it is unclear if the right is supported in Church of Reality doctrine, the Church might issue an edict to declare how church doctrine relates to the challenged issue.