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ORIGIN

Origin

Origin is the religion passed down by the Ori to the next evolution of humans they created. Because the Ori draw their power from the worship of those in the lower planes, the religion is designed to channel the energy of unquestioning devotion in order to empower the Ori. Origin teaches that all men and women have free will, and that by following the path to enlightenment, one will achieve ascension and understand the knowledge of the universe. However, the central promise of the religion, and everything Origin's followers devote themselves to, is a lie. Instead, Origin demands unwavering devotion, its followers do not ascend, and those who stray from the path are destroyed.

The religion is centered at Celestis, the City of the Gods in the Ori galaxy. There the Ori themselves reside in the form of fire in the Flames of Enlightenment. There also human monks are trained to become Priors, humans who have been granted special powers by the Ori. Using the secrets of the universe, the Priors act as missionaries, not only spreading the word of the Ori's godliness, but seeking out and destroying all those who have strayed from the path. The leader of the Priors is the Doci, into whom the Flames of Enlightenment may enter, allowing him to speak the word of the Ori. Origin is represented symbolically by a staff supporting a vertical oval, open at its top, which may embrace a red oval at its center. The teachings of Origin are found in its holy text, the Book of Origin, which weaves religious doctrine into simple, fable-like narratives and teaches that meditation on one's worth and significance is the path of righteousness toward a state of higher being. Meditation includes prostration, regular periods of kneeling and prayer that may last hours at a time. The central icon of the religion is fire, a symbol of light, energy, and warmth, and also of the Ori themselves. Fire is also a means of cleansing and purification, and unbelievers may be delivered for divine judgment in a trial of fire at the Ara, an altar where the evil are burned alive.

Origin teaches that "It is the will of the Ori that we should spread Origin to all those blessed by their creation. All will find the path to enlightenment. The power and the greatness of the Ori cannot be denied. Those who reject the path to enlightenment must be destroyed." Upon learning of the existence of the Milky Way Galaxy, the Doci declared the beginning of a holy crusade: "Great holy armies shall be gathered and trained to fight all those who embrace evil. In the name of the gods, ships shall be built to carry our warriors out amongst the stars, and we will spread Origin to all the unbelievers. The power of the Ori will be felt far and wide and the wicked shall be vanquished." Priors were sent as missionaries to convert new worlds in the Milky Way. Vast ships followed, with human warriors by the tens of thousands led by Adria, the Orici, a human who carries the knowledge of the Ori in her genetic makeup. Their goal was not to kill, but to convert new followers, whose devotion would empower the Ori and enable them at last to destroy the Ancients.

Long ago, the Ancients had recognized the abusive corruption that could result from the temptation to manipulate and align lower life forms for one's own purposes, and it is for this very reason that they believe absolutely in free will and noninterference with the lower planes. However, Origin teaches that it is the Ancients who are evil because they have selfishly shielded humans and do not share the secrets of the universe with those beneath. As Adria explained, "Origin is designed to channel the energy of its followers to the Ori. It's that unselfish act of giving that leads one's soul to salvation and ultimately to ascension. This is no great secret, for the Book of Origin says, 'Make yourself one with the path, and the journey will lead you to eternity.' Were it not for the power the Ori draw from our belief, the Ancients would have wiped them out long ago, because they would not tolerate anyone who does not follow their collective rules of noninterference. They use their power to hoard their knowledge and prevent those beneath them from reaching their level. The Ancients have lied to you. They are the ones who long ago tried to destroy the Ori for their beliefs. Only the Ori share all they learn. The Ancients have hidden the basic truths of your existence from you, but the Ori ascend their followers. The Ancients are the ones sapping energy from humans in this galaxy to empower themselves. That is why they created humans, to give them the strength to destroy the Ori once and for all. That is why all those who cannot be made to see the true path must be destroyed, or all will be lost to evil. The truth will see the Ori to victory."

Cross Reference: Adria, Ara, Ascension, Book of Origin, Celestis, Doci, Flames of Enlightenment, Ori, Orici, Prior, Prostration

Episode Reference: Avalon, Origin, The Powers That Be, Beachhead, The Fourth Horseman, Crusade, Flesh And Blood, The Shroud