Editing EternalEmpire:Theology (section)

=== Overview ===

	Chingolun refers to the great body of the dominant Arqi faith, including the scriptures, liturgy, organizational hierarchy, and supporting myth. It comes from the word Chingol, meaning “a manifestation of divinity.” 

	The origins of the modern Chingolun are not entirely clear and subject to considerable dispute on account of the wide assimilation of Chingol doctrine. Linguistic and historical observations have led most scholars to declare that Chingolun theology first appeared in northwestern Provendo about 2,700 years ago among the Ganno-speaking Wondoz and Sireed in what is today the province of Renoga. This is not entirely true, as many of the precepts, stories, and deities of the early Chingolun predated the Great Ruin and this accounts for the presence of similar religions in other parts of the world. It was only in Provendo, however, that it came to prominence and much of the Provendo-specific beliefs form the core of the modern faith.
 
There is strong evidence that Chingolun was a Mystery Religion for the first several hundred years of its history, and it was not until approximately –400 AGA that it achieved popular notice under the influence of the Ostran philosopher-king Analector “Owlwise.”  Over the next several centuries, the religion became more widespread with small communities known throughout western and northern Provendo, Quavaña, and in Siobia. Even so, it was not until the tail end of the Dandreen Empire, about –180 to –72 AGA, that the populations of these communities became significantly large and influential. It would still take many more years of war and cultural exchange for the Chingolun to become the dominant belief of the southern hemisphere.

	Chingolun theology is extremely complex and is multifarious in its expression. Mainstream Chingolun is technically henotheistic, meaning the belief in and worship of multiple deities, one of whom is supreme. This transcendent, supreme god (“God-Most-High,” or in Arqi, “''Zactoborion''” – the Hyper-Divinity) exists independent of the universe, although He is not generally viewed as its creator. The Hyper-Divinity gave order and structure, providing the natural laws that govern all that exist, and created all forms of life. The Zactoborion is perfect in the most fundamental sense of the word, and all attempts to discuss His qualities and motives fail, since no entity in the imperfect universe can rightfully comprehend that perfection. Within the broad spectrum of Chingolun belief, opinions differ as to how often, if ever, the Zactoborion has directly intervened in the affairs of men, how likely He is to do so, or even if such an action is possible. Although He is professed to be unknowable and beyond human reckoning, many believe that the Hyper-Divinity has a definite and knowable plan for his creations; the nuances and implications of such a belief are the subject of considerable theological inquiry. 

	Beneath the Zactoborion exist many intermediate-level deities that express a far greater interest in the affairs of man. Consequently, they are thought to intervene in the physical world far more often and usually manifest in anthropomorphic forms. Beneath the level of divine, the Chingolun also recognizes the existence of, and occasionally venerates minor supernatural entities (collectively called “Ecrobori”) including demons (Arqi “Crindi”), spirits of the deceased (Arqi “Silpari”), and particularly holy humans (Arqi “Eñulari” – the Exemplars).