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Religion in Westarctica (view source)
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==Adoption of Christianity as National Religion== | ==Adoption of Christianity as National Religion== | ||
===Legal basis=== | ===Legal basis=== | ||
In June 2004, the Consul-General underwent a religious conversion and became a born-again Christian as publicly declared in the 13 June 2004 Statement of Faith. As part of a reorganization of the government of the Achaean Territory, all previous legal codes were abolished and the [[Grand Ducal Mandate]] became the new law of the land. At this time, the country changed its name to [[Westarctica]], and adopted a new flag with a cross and crown design. | In June 2004, the Consul-General underwent a religious conversion and became a born-again Christian as publicly declared in the 13 June 2004 Statement of Faith. As part of a reorganization of the government of the Achaean Territory, all previous legal codes were abolished and the [[Grand Ducal Mandate]] became the new [[Laws of Westarctica|law of the land]]. At this time, the country changed its name to [[Westarctica]], and adopted a new flag with a cross and crown design. | ||
[[File:Statement of Faith.jpg|thumb|Statement of Faith as written, signed, and decreed by Grand Duke Travis in 2004]] | [[File:Statement of Faith.jpg|thumb|Statement of Faith as written, signed, and decreed by Grand Duke Travis in 2004]] | ||
Although the Grand Ducal Mandate explicitly guaranteed "freedom of religion to all religions" (in Chapter II, Article 4, Section 2, Subsection H), Chapter VI, dealing with special religious clauses, declared Protestant Christianity to be the state religion of Westarctica and also awarded remuneration and pensions to religious leaders. Article 60 stated: | Although the Grand Ducal Mandate explicitly guaranteed "freedom of religion to all religions" (in Chapter II, Article 4, Section 2, Subsection H), Chapter VI, dealing with special religious clauses, declared Protestant Christianity to be the state religion of Westarctica and also awarded remuneration and pensions to religious leaders. Article 60 stated: | ||
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===The Thurston=== | ===The Thurston=== | ||
In 2007, an announcement was made on Westarctica's official website by the [[Minister of Foreign Affairs|Minister of Affairs]], [[ | In 2007, an announcement was made on Westarctica's official website by the [[Minister of Foreign Affairs|Minister of Affairs]], [[Lady Thurston]] that a new religious enclave would be carved out of [[Thurston Island]], which was ruled over by her daughter, Her Highness, the [[Princess of Thurston]]. Although it was presented with the caveat that the project would not interfere with Westarctica's freedom of religion policy, the core idea was described as: | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
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By the time [[Grand Duke Travis|Travis McHenry]] seized control of the government of [[Westarctica]] again in mid-2010, he had renounced religion entirely and was no longer practicing any form of religious worship and considered himself an atheist. Or, as he once phrased it: "A spiritual atheist. I might believe in ghosts, but not God." | By the time [[Grand Duke Travis|Travis McHenry]] seized control of the government of [[Westarctica]] again in mid-2010, he had renounced religion entirely and was no longer practicing any form of religious worship and considered himself an atheist. Or, as he once phrased it: "A spiritual atheist. I might believe in ghosts, but not God." | ||
To highlight the lack of religious influence in the new government, the flag was changed from the cross and crown to a more republican tricolor. The Prime Minister, the [[Duke of Waesche]], a | To highlight the lack of religious influence in the [[Transitional Government|new government]], the flag was changed from the cross and crown to a more republican tricolor. The Prime Minister, the [[Duke of Waesche]], a Wiccan High Priest, ordained through the Universal Life Church, was the real power in the government and had total authority to create laws, sign treaties, and engage in relations with other countries. | ||
==Religion during the second reign of Grand Duke Travis== | ==Religion during the second reign of Grand Duke Travis== | ||
In November 2014, Travis decided that he | In November 2014, Travis decided that he would once again bear the cloak of royalty and was elevated from being "Protector of Westarctica" to Grand Duke of Westarctica. At this time, he redesigned Westarctica's flag and created a more attractive version of the original cross and crown motif. He also declared "God Save Westarctica" to be the nation anthem again. These very public changes were intended as an overture to citizens who joined during the years when Christianity was the National Religion to let them know their presence was welcome in the nation. | ||
===Current legal status of religion=== | ===Current legal status of religion=== | ||
The Charter of Westarctica guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens. [[Grand Duke Travis]] has stated that in the future, his own personal religious choices shall remain his own and will not permeate the national identity of the government or the country. | The Charter of Westarctica guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens. [[Grand Duke Travis]] has stated that in the future, his own personal religious choices shall remain his own and will not permeate the national identity of the government or the country. | ||
==Ecumenical Church of Westarctica== | |||
On 20 December 2018, Grand Duke Travis informed the [[Royal Council]] that he had approved the creation of a ecumenical church in Westarctica. The idea for a Westarctican church was first proposed by Dr. Hans Kempe, the Duke of [[Mount Howe|Howe]], and Westarctica's Consul-General to the European Union. Since Dr. Kempe had been an ordained Senior Bishop in the Philippine Ecumenical Christian Church since 2005, he was uniquely suited to serve as leader of the new church. | |||
The [[Ecumenical Church of Westarctica]] is not a state church, nor does it represent an official religious position of the nation. It was officially incorporated as a church on 25 December 2018, however no activity has come from the church since its inception. | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||