Terraism
From Gineipaedia, the Legend of Galactic Heroes wiki
The Terraist Church (Japanese: 地球教教団), more commonly referred to as Terraism (Japanese: 地球教), was an extra-national religious organisation, operated like a cult, which advocated the re-establishment of the planet Terra as the centre of human civilisation.
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History
Little is known about the history of Terraism, although it could be inferred that it was established after the Earth–Sirius War, when Terra gradually became forgotten.
Politics
The Terraist Church was a secret society which advocated the re-establishment of the planet Terra as the centre of human civilisation. Whilst their capital and holiest temple was on Terra beneath the rubble of Mt Kangchenjunga, they had many churches around the galaxy — from the Free Planets Alliance's capital, Heinessen, to the former capital of the Galactic Empire, Odin. They additionally had a strong presence in the new Imperial capital of Fezzan, having held great influence over the former Fezzani government before its overthrow and re-annexation by the Empire.
Methodology
Terraism a powerful movement with followers all across the Galaxy. On the surface, they were mostly benign, chiefly concerned with missionary activities. Secretly, however, the Church routinely used acts of terrorism to accomplish their goals: The Terraists were behind many assassination attempts, successful and unsuccessful, on both powerful heads of states and high-ranking military officers, including Yang Wen-li, Reinhard von Lohengramm, and August Samuel Wahlen. Their covert sponsorship and funding of the establishment of the Dominion of Fezzan was aimed originally at establishing a third power to keep the war going between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance until the mutual exhaustion and collapse of both, allowing the Church to establish a new theocratic state uniting humanity once again under the rule of Terra.
The Church also routinely used brain-washing drugs to maintain control over their 'followers', enabling them to convert even mild believers into suicidally devoted fanatics.
Appendices
Name variations
- Terraism (LD/DVD/BD subtitles)
- Terraist Church (Translation of Japanese, derived from LD/DVD subtitles)
- 地球教 (LD/DVD subtitles — Japanese)
- 地球教教団 (LD/DVD subtitles — Japanese)
- Earth Church (English fan sources)
- Earth Cult (English fan sources)
Background information
Terraism is the only known organised religion in Legend of Galactic Heroes. However, characters in the series, especially those from the Empire, have been shown occasionally to invoke the names of gods, such as the common by the great god Odin, and the concept of Valhalla.
