Children of Atom

The Children of Atom are a religious cult built around the worship of Radiation and nuclear annihilation as vehicles of creation and life. To them, radiation and all things that use it are part of a being called 'Atom'. According to them, dwelling in radioactive locations and dying in a nuclear explosion, also referred to as Division, is how they become one with this 'Atom'. They believe the Great War was a righteous judgment day where pre-war humanity got what they deserved for their hubris.
The Children emphasize asceticism and abolition of the self, as the mortal shell is seen as merely the means for creating new life. However, the Children are not pacifists. Territory affected by radiation is considered Atom's holy domain, wreathed in his Glow. The Children are compelled by their religion to protect their path to salvation, through any means necessary. As a result, any attempts to interfere with the spread of radiation are considered blasphemous. However, reason does temper the religious zeal somewhat. For instance, anti-radiation medication is accepted, as it seen as a way for those denied radiation immunity (seen as a special kind of Atom's blessing) to serve Atom. In fact, it seen as a form of penitence, scouring oneself to embrace the Glow anew.
The founding Children all exhibited congenital immunity to radiation, but as their faith expanded, they realized how rare this was throughout the wastes. Now they accept all converts as long as their faith is true. Potential converts are typically inducted by drinking irradiated water, provided by the confessor. Naturally, this weeds out the weak and infirm, as well as identifying immune persons who are fit to take on more dangerous tasks in service of Atom.
Revelation is a crucial aspect of the Children of Atom's beliefs. Atom's revelations are imparted to its faithful through a variety of omens, visions, dreams, or hallucinations. This belief in individual revelation also means that the precise tenets of the Children of Atom are constantly in flux and sufficiently charismatic Confessors can radically alter the course their community takes, from peaceful coexistence to militant expansion and vice-versa. This also means that public opinion of the church depends highly on the behavior of the nearest sect. They can be regarded as anything from valuable community members to raving lunatics depending on their leadership. In places where they are looked down upon, people often call them pejorative names like 'Rad Eaters'.
The Children have a loosely hierarchical structure, centered around spiritual leaders. Called either confessors or mothers, they hold absolute authority and can issue commandments at will. The Children of Atom are all sworn to follow them or suffer the consequences. To eliminate dissent, inquisitors of Atom can be designated by the leader at their own discretion.
The militant arm of the Children are known as zealots, sworn to defend the faith and guard its followers and their shrines. Zealots are typically former mercenaries or raiders who converted to the faith and operate under the command of a grand zealot. The grand zealot typically designates a deputy, tasked with ensuring the fitness of other zealots.
The Children of Atom attach little importance to worldly possessions and so they care little for the quality of their equipment. They tend to dress in rags decorated with electrical wiring and salvaged metal items representing the atom's nucleus. For protection, they employ cobbled-together guns or scavenged weaponry, relying on the strength of their faith, the magic it summons, and the intensity of local radiation for protection.
This religion doesn't worship magic directly, but they do see it as a gift from Atom, like they do all the other side effects of nuclear bombs. Magical aptitude is something that confessors look for in acolytes as a sign that they have been blessed by Atom. Rare acolytes like this are usually fast-tracked into becoming a zealot or trained to eventually take over as confessor or mother.