Greetings from the Xyphokonic Order and Ordinance. We have entered Lord Pharuuii’s first Period of Augrussé, and this Period we shall cover a wide variety of topics centering around various parts of Xyphoist Philosophy and perhaps even taking time to answer some questions as well. Today we introduce the topic of religious or ideological extremism and why the Xyphoist Philosophy is excellently-crafted by the Order to prevent it.

As we take a cursory examination of other divergencies in ideology, there are ample examples of extremism existing in various sects, religious movements, cults, and secular or political ideologies. Certainly, in a world with very few absolutes, it is entirely possible for those to abuse the words of Xyphoist Philosophy and use it to conduct extremist actions as well; however, the use of Xyphoist Philosophy to conduct extremist actions is in itself immoral and antithetical to Xyphoist Philosophy itself. In many ways, the most “fundamental” of Xyphoites will be effectively the least extreme of people.

So how could this be? What parts of the philosophy suggest or point to this deterrence from extremism? We can immediately point to the Immoral Acts laid out by the Lords. The Sin of Proselytizing itself is a key factor in deterring extremism. A core part of extremism is sending or pushing a message that others, according to the extremists, MUST adhere or convert to. Thus, having proselytizing, converting, or preaching immoral cuts off that faucet outright.

The Sin of Belligerent Force also ties into preventing extremism. The very act of using violence or coercion against the will of another is a key action that extremists will use to spread their message. In nearly every way possible, extremism relies on threats; extremism relies on the fear of retaliation. Without that key power or threat, the message itself is nothing more than very acute noise.

Adding to this, the Sin of Self-Righteous Punishment works perfectly into the previous information. Punishing others for lack of compliance with the extremist movement is another key part to actually enforcing it. General and often indiscriminate violence is one thing, but specifically taking and punishing any dissenters of the extremist ideology is inseparable from enforcing the movement itself.

Other such parts of Xyphoist Philosophy help deter extremism as well. The humbling of people through the Sin of Wordly Obsession, the acceptance that Death is eternal and no mortal shall ever escape it, remembering that Love is the Initial Will, or that Fear will corrupt if not maintained, all lead to pushing away extremism within the philosophy itself. In every way possible, using the Xyphoist Philosophy to conduct extremism, even in cases of Kurathmas, is antithetical to the philosophy itself; Kurathmas is a defensive echelon, only to be declared if a powerful entity is attempting to eradicate Xyphoites specifically.

It goes without saying that any person or persons who attempt to use the Xyphoist Philosophy, the Order or Ordinance, or any other reference or power of Xyphokonic origin to conduct extremist or clearly immoral/theigrited actions will be outright removed from the Ordinance, condemned by the Ordinance, and not considered Xyphoist in any respect. At the very core, extremism destabilized the equilibrium, and the entire purpose of the Ordinance is to maintain the equilibrium from corruption. Extremism is the manifestation of corruption in virtually every regard.

-phX