Religion Outlawed

[Nullivan]

Breaking News at the Imperial Palace as the Emperor's Chief Advisor Prepares to Announce New Imperial Decree

An Imperial Decree was an extremely uncommon thing in Nullivan. They were the highest laws, imposed by the word of the Emperor himself. The Emperor usually avoided interfering in his many subjects lives, and allowed them to live relatively freely. For this reason, whenever an Imperial Decree was announced, it was the source of much surprise and curiosity to the people of Nullivan and its colonies. Today was no exception, the decree had been announced a week ago, and huge crowds gathered in the Imperial Square outside the Palace, curious, excited to be here at this once in a lifetime event, but above all else, eager to hear the word of their beloved Emperor and to cheer whatever cause he was championing now.

The crowds cheered as the ornate golden gates to the Palace opened, and the Chief Advisor stepped forwards, climbing up the open air podium to look over the crowds.
He waited for the crowd to quiet down before beginning his speech.

"People of Nullivan! Subjects of his glorious highness The Emperor, our nation, nay, our entire Empire, faces a massive barrier." the crowd was almost silent, they had hoped for something slightly more upbeat than this. "Our world is plagued by lying, theiving, foolish, and downright dangerous cults, which hide behind the word 'Religion'. These cults peddle hatred, discrimination, and outright lies which have long been proven wrong by scientific study. The belief in an all powerful deity creating our universe and that a book written by his messengers is the key to how we should live our lives is dangerous and outdated. It defies all scientific studies and stagnates the progress of the human race. Furthermore, it is a traversty that organized religion has fooled so many people into wasting their one and only life in preperation for the non existent 'afterlife'. In a word, these cults can be described as 'Evil.'"

The crowd was quiet as the Advisor produced a long scroll of parchment, and read; "By Decree of His Imperial Majesty Sir Nicholas II, Emperor of the Eternal Empire of Nullivan, saviour of the people, deposer of the tyrant, and Emperor of all he surveys, it is decreed that all cults are outlawed for their dangerous and detrimental effect on society. Any person found to be part of said cults shall be sent to mandatory rehabilitation, and any person known to be leaders of a cult or cults shall be exiled, and should they break their exile, sentenced to hang by the neck until dead.
Furthermore, all those known to be members or leaders of said cults shall, until rehabilitated, have the following rights suspended:

Right to Legal Counsel: Suspended
Right to Habeus Corpus: Suspended
Right to Trial by a jury of peers: Suspended
Right to vote for a regional advisor to the Emperor: Suspended"

The crowd cheered as the Advisor rolled up the scroll, and stepped down from the podium, ignoring the questions from the press, he walked back through the golden gates, which slammed shut behind him.

[Rennebourg]

Message From The Royal Duchy of Rennebourg

To: The Emporer of Nullivan
From: His Majesty Mathieu Orlèmonne IV

I, on behalf of the people and government of Rennebourg, do hereby condemn the actions of your government against those of faith in your country. We stand for the freedom of those in your empiree who are persecuted. You have no right to deny them their freedom to believe what they wish. If these actions do not cease within the next fourty-eight hours and an official apology is not issued, then we will be forced to place sanctions on your country. Que Dieu ait pitié de vos âmes,

Roi et Seigneur de Rennebourg, Mathieu Orlèmonne IV.

[Nullivan]

To: His Majesty Mathieu Orlèmonne IV
From: The Emperor

On behalf of the Empire, I sneer at your threats of sanctions, and utterly reject your calls for an apology. The Empire has taken a great step toward enlightenment and freedom for its people. No longer will they be bound by the shackles formed of the lies of religion.

His Imperial Majesty Sir Nicholas II

[Crystal Spires]

To: the Nation of Nullivan,
From:The Beastling States of Crystal Spires

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Sir Nicholas II,

We of Crystal Spires are appalled by the senseless slaughter of the religious leaders in Nullivan and we find such acts counterproductive to the harmony in your nation. Religious discord is not assuaged by unsolicited state sanctioned murders and we advise that you cease immediately. We ask that you sentence those who are guilty of religious practice to exile to our nation if you must and to other nations who will accept them. We of Crystal Spires would be more than happy to remove these thorns in your side and take away the religious and bring them into Crystal Spires where the High Council will guarantee the promotion of good and the common welfare by affirming the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; which includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. We do this to foster the spread of loving-kindness, compassion, and above all else fairness. We of Crystal Spires have various creeds and religions and are an incredibly harmonious nation. Might I suggest that you instead focus on violence in your nation?

We advise against your actions,

[Nullivan]

To: the Nation of Nullivan,
From:The Beastling States of Crystal Spires

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Sir Nicholas II,

We of Crystal Spires are appalled by the senseless slaughter of the religious leaders in Nullivan and we find such acts counterproductive to the harmony in your nation. Religious discord is not assuaged by unsolicited state sanctioned murders and we advise that you cease immediately. We ask that you sentence those who are guilty of religious practice to exile to our nation if you must and to other nations who will accept them. We of Crystal Spires would be more than happy to remove these thorns in your side and take away the religious and bring them into Crystal Spires where the High Council will guarantee the promotion of good and the common welfare by affirming the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; which includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. We do this to foster the spread of loving-kindness, compassion, and above all else fairness. We of Crystal Spires have various creeds and religions and are an incredibly harmonious nation. Might I suggest that you instead focus on violence in your nation?

We advise against your actions,

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The Empire understands your concerns over the deaths of religious leaders, but must correct you on the term "slaughter", and advise you to re-read the press announcement. Religious leaders shall be exiled, and shall only be sentenced to death should they break their exile and return to Nullivan or any of its colonies or overseas territories, or other areas of jurisdiction, without first seeking special permissions from the Home Office.

[Crystal Spires]

To: the Nation of Nullivan,
From:The Beastling States of Crystal Spires

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Code: None

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Sir Nicholas II,

We of Crystal Spires did read your press announcement and found them to be quite clear, we have not revoked our criticism and nor will we consider state sanctioned murder for religious practice and leadership as anything less than slaughter. We find this proposal to be in poor taste and we of the High Council, and I personally, find it to be rather silly. Execution for religious practice, exile or not. T'is a mark of misunderstanding the purpose of religion I say. Perhaps his Majesty has not truly understood that the purpose of religion socially is to promote a harmonious society, and the purpose of religion individually is to build a transcendent identity? One where a person goes beyond mental limitations and seeks to become a better person? Perish the thought. If we were to make all such things illegal, we'd have to make fiction illegal too, and that would be a worse sort of evil. We decry your attacking of personal beliefs and find it to be far too silly.

Warm Regards,

[Nevennkebla]

General Broadcast
Frequency: 442 MH Sideband

The Federation of Nevennkebla has been observing this diplomatic clash, and has determined that there is decent probability of combat actions. As such, we are prepared to offer our mercenary services to the highest bidder. Please contact us on this frequency to submit a bid.

Marshall Jason Drake, NMC

[Kington Langley]

Official communique from the Grand Duchy of Kington Langley

To: The government of Nullivan
From: The Foreign Office of Kington Langley

We cannot argue with the people of your nation, they appear to support the decision made by your emperor on the matter of outlawing religious practices within your sovereign territory. We personally condemn the action however as this is a breach of basic civil rights and the freedom of choice to the people of your nation. While we are a strongly atheist society ourselves, we do not seek to remove the right to express religion simply because it forms a minority among our population. We are also appauled over the mass restrictions imposed on human rights to people found guilty of following religion such as the removal of right to a fair trial which is a cornerstone of democratic and civilised rule, something the government of Kington Langley feels you nation is losing as a result of recent legislation.

[Karonmo]

While i can not agree to your actions you are free to do whatever you want as a nation. However i ask of you to at least make a list of safe nations to go to. They are still people and they deserve a choice as to where they end up.Also by the words of the Karonmo charter of foreign nations section 5 of our governments policy charter under subsection 5 we are to say that all religions are welcome here to stay under refuge status in transit and as national citizens when they land in our country.

[Quadosh]

Lord of Nullivan,

I bid you greetings from Quadosh. As Supreme Benevolent Leader of a nation I understand your concerns for taking such drastic measures. I myself instituted policies that at the time I didn't understand would be harmful to my people. I have initiated changing such policies and intend to ensure the protection of my citizens within my borders. I know you have made this decision based upon advice by others, and I am sure many people quietly disagree with this policy but are afraid that there may be retaliation if they voice or show disaproval.
I hope you will seek out the council of other leaders such as myself and perhaps there could be a coalition of leaders who communicate with each other and compare notes on certain events. In doing this we will not only foster goodwill between our countries, but also have the advantage opinions from the point of view of other leaders and not subordinates who try to gain favor and power by pushing their own agendas.
I hope you and many will agree with this option, but if not, I wish you well.



Regards,



Lord Gnaunuri

[Central and Eastern Visayas]

WHEREAS, there exists a nation that seeks to outlaw all religions in her borders;
WHEREAS, as a result, people of every creed are being subject to what can be called ethnic cleansing and, if reports are verified, murder in Nullivan even as we speak;
WHEREAS, while the government is secular in character, it cannot abide those governments that sanction genocide and/or its prelude, ethnic cleansing, on religious grounds, especially if mere creed is cause for such an act of barbarism;
WE, the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Central and Eastern Visayas, voting 16-2 in the Upper House and 54-10 in the Lower House, hereby condemn the act of Nullivan, and, voting 14-4 UH and 49-15 LH, will open the borders of CEV to any Nullivanian religious seeking to escape this pogrom in accordance with the Valderama Doctrine.


Dr. Rogelio Cañada, D.B.A.
Prime Minister
Government of the Federal Republic of Central and Eastern Visayas


Dr. Isidro del Monte, M.D., D.C.E.V.B.C.
Deputy Prime Minister
Government of the Federal Republic of Central and Eastern Visayas


Dr. Ricardo Osmeña, Ph.D.
Foreign Minister
Government of the Federal Republic of Central and Eastern Visayas

[Nullivan]

The condemnations of other nations have been noted, and duly ignored.
The Emperor's word is law, and the Empire shall not stray from its path. Thousands have already been rounded up and sent to rehabilitation, and hundreds of priests, imams, kohens, and other religious leaders have been exiled from Nullivan.

[Central and Eastern Visayas]

What you are doing is no different from ethnic cleansing, a crime against humanity. For your sake, please cease and desist from this action, lest you wish to be considered hostis humani generis--an enemy of mankind.

If you took the time to read our previous resolution, we opened our borders to religious of all creeds who seek to flee. This still stands, and will remain standing until your pogrom ceases to be, and you be made responsible for crimes against humanity.

Sic semper tyrannis.


Dr. Rogelio Cañada, D.B.A.
Prime Minister
Government of the Federal Republic of Central and Eastern Visayas


Dr. Isidro del Monte, M.D., D.C.E.V.B.C.
Deputy Prime Minister
Government of the Federal Republic of Central and Eastern Visayas


Dr. Ricardo Osmeña, Ph.D.
Foreign Minister
Government of the Federal Republic of Central and Eastern Visayas

[Dartia]

PUBLIC STATEMENT

From: Office of the Press Secretary, Republic of Dartia
Re: Religion in The Empire of Nullivan

The Republic of Dartia has little interest in debating the merits of religion or trying to dictate the internal policies of The Empire of Nullivan. Our principle concern is how the Nullivan Emperor intends to enforce this policy on foreign nationals.

This new anti-religion policy was put into effect with no prior warning to the outside world. We wish to know if visiting foreign nationals (tourists, businessmen, students, and the like) will be given the opportunity to leave Nullivan, or will they be subjected to immediate reeducation?

As it stands, a class three travel advisory has been issued for the Empire of Nullivan. If we find that any of our citizens have already been taken into custody, further sanctions may be considered.

[Nullivan]

Foreign nationals who follow a religion are permitted within Nullivan, so long as they do not publicly preach their beliefs or attempt to convert Nullivan citizens.
As for countries openeing their borders to exiles: Thats very good of you, but it really is of no concern or interest to us. Once a citizen is exiled they are given two months to leave Nullivan. Where they go is of no interest or concern to us, so long as they are no longer our problem.