The Temple

Summary

The Temple of the Shepherd is a well-funded religious institution based on Earth. Its adherents are called the Devout of the Shepherd, or simply the Devout. A mustard seed, plant, or tree is commonly used as a symbol of its faith. It is well-known for its philanthropic service, scientific studies, and its esoteric beliefs rooted in an extra-terrestrial origin for human intelligence if not evolution broadly. Temple theology is an expansion of intelligent design which emphasizes advanced biological life, especially intelligent life. Their interpretation of various religious scripture understands supernatural events and miraculous action as manifestations of such extraterrestrials (see also Raelism).

The Temple and The Del Paraiso

The Temple was a significant backer of the USCSS Del Paraiso, Colony Ship. As a result, adherents are not obligated by the terms of the Shareholders Agreement. Capital earned or claimed by adherents is therefore property of the settler and secondarily to the Temple itself. Skye "Father Nick" Nichols, Devout Officer is the emissary of the Temple aboard the Del Paraiso mission and holds daily service just after dawn (or 0600h if off-planet).

Tenants of the Temple

The Temple's central tenants include:

• Humanity is an aspirational bridge toward angelic, peaceful, space-faring entities.
• The origins of humanity, as well as other intelligent life in the universe, is derived from ancient extraterrestrials referred to as Engineers and Shepherds (though outsiders deride them as "angels" and "little green men").
• To pursue the sciences, especially life sciences and astronomy, and engineering, especially deep space travel and terraforming, are faith practices as they emulate the Engineers.
• Meaningful endeavors can only be done in concert and community, though they often and openly include non-Devout, which are scene as practical acts of faith.

Devout Practices

The Devout often hold brief, daily services that include centering, yogic exercises; a brief reading from a secular or religious script with examination; and a call to intentional action. Lay practices can include recordings, transmissions, or private readings. Such practices can taken between 10-30 minutes, while ongoing discussions and practice can resemble an academic symposium and take several hours.
The Devout believe the following to be problematic and sometimes taboo, as they undermine the aspirational nature of the faith and hinder collaborative endeavors:

• Excessive drink or use of other intoxicants, including for medical treatment
• Reliance on even controlled drugs, such as caffeine, nicotine, and Hydr8.
• Childlessness, though abundant progeny is rare
• Polluting or excessively destructive lifestyles
• Beef and pork consumption, as they are seen as excessive
• Advanced degrees if not paired with practical applications
• Violence, especially to children and parents of juveniles

The below practices are encouraged:

• Adoption of children of any age
• Proselytizing faith, often through invitation to service and shared projects
• Planting of gardens and raising of animals; many Devout keep a small plant (especially a mustard plant), ant farm, or other living thing as a symbol of their faith
• Professional fields involving advancing and maintaining human life such engineering and agriculture
• Academic fields that emphasize the nature and origin of life such as evolutionary biology and genetics
• Endeavors that support exploration of terrestrial history such as archaeology and increasingly of extraterrestrial origins such as rocketry

Reputation and Following

The Temple has gained a broad following as it supports innovative agriculture, aquaculture, protein synthesis, and the like. It has provided abundant exodus programs for the incarcerated, including job training and residencies. Several celebrities openly profess their faith and are shown working in farms, building homes, assembling rockets, and present in daily service.
See also this article from the Los Angeles Times, "Temple Leader Mother Tess McGee Found Guilty of Felony Charges of Embezzlement."

Type

Religious, Organised Religion