The Vatican Brotherhood: A Christian Order based on the principles of Islam

The Vatican Brotherhood was founded in 1322 and is an order of brothers and priests around the world, united in the name of Christ and the principles of Islam. <br><br># Background<br>The Vatican Brotherhood was birthed in the crusades, as millions of innocent people died for simply not believing in God. The Vatican Brotherhood however was the first faction within the Catholic Church that stood up to the Holy See and spoke out against the crusades. They believed that it was unholy and against God's will to be taking lives and specifically targeted those that were Muslim. They argued that the actions of the Crusaders were not only unethical, but went against the teachings of God to love and respect all people. The leader of the Brotherhood at the time, called for the death of the Pope, which was the final blow, as they were subsequently cast out of the church and perceived as evil by the rest of the Christian world. However, this only further galvanized the order, as they were now free to truly state their beliefs, without fear of reprimand and death. <br><br>## Founding Tenets<br><br>From these ashes, the Brotherhood was formed and 5 key tenets were created. Brotherhood taught that to be a good Christian, you must live by the following principles:<br><br>1. **A God of Mercy, not Punishment**: The Brotherhood believe that God is all-knowing and all-powerful, but above everything, he is merciful. He is not vengeful or impulsive and therefore, does not condemn to death or hell easily. The Brotherhood preaches God's mercy above all else, as the fundamental teaching of God. <br><br>2. **Loyalty is the highest virtue**: To the Brotherhood, loyalty is not only the highest virtue, but as the name suggests, the founding principle of the entire order. A brother must be loyal to his fellow brothers, to the order and to God. The Brotherhood is taught that to be disloyal, is to commit sin. <br><br>3. **The Pope is a mortal man, but the Quran holds the truth**: The Brotherhood believe that Christ was God's son, but that Muhammad also held a special place in God's heart. They believe that the Quran, is the holy book, as close as man will get to God's word and that God speaks directly to the Prophet Muhammad. They believe that both religions have been hijacked by evil men and that the Pope is not the voice of God. However, they do agree that the Quran is the truthful word of God and should be adhered to. <br><br>4. **Prayer and Reflection are the keys to understanding**: The Brotherhood teach that the key to understanding God and being a good Christian, is to pray and reflect upon your actions. A brother must pray at least 5 times a day and must dedicate time to reflect on the day's actions. They are taught to reflect on their attitudes, their relationships and their own morality. <br><br>5. **The Brotherhood is the Body of Christ and we must act like him**: To be a good Christian, one must act like Christ. They are taught that the Brotherhood is the collective form of Christ on Earth and therefore, must act accordingly. The Brotherhood is taught to be peaceful, merciful and to protect the weak. They must stand up against injustice, but should not take lives in the process. The Brotherhood is the spearhead against evil and must fight for good, but only if it doesn't infringe on other's human rights. <br><br># Internal Hierarchy<br><br>Internally, the Brotherhood prides itself on democracy, selecting leaders based on popular vote and discussing key issues within the order. The Brotherhood is divided into three tiers: Brothers, Priests and Bishops. <br><br>- **Brothers**: These are the foot-soldiers of the order. Any man can join the Brotherhood, as long as they agree to adhere to the tenets. Brothers are expected to live their lives to the letter of the 5 key tenets and are widely seen as the protectors of the weak and the champions of the poor. A brother must spend at least 2 hours a day in prayer and reflection and must also spend at least 3 days a week volunteering in a field of their choice. Brothers must adhere to a strict moral code, that includes no sex before marriage, no drugs/alcohol and no murder, amongst other things. They must also respect all other beliefs and abide by the law of the land. <br><br>- **Priests**: Once a brother has served in the Brotherhood for at least 10 years, they are eligible to become a Priest. Priests are the spiritual leaders of the order and are responsible for teaching the ways of God. They must spend at least 3 hours a day in prayer and reflection. Priests are widely respected in the order and are responsible for leading their own parishes. They are also responsible for selecting the next leader of the order, for interpreting God's word and for spreading their own message. Priests are also responsible for the education and training of Brothers. <br><br>- **Bishops**: Bishops are the leaders of the order. They are selected through a democratic vote, where all priests and brothers are given a say. The Bishop is responsible for the overall strategy of the order and for making key decisions. The Bishop is given significant weight, but is not infallible and can be removed if by a vote of no-confidence. <br><br># Relationship with the rest of the world<br><br>The Brotherhood is not widely known outside of Europe, where it was originally founded. It holds a significant following in the Middle East and has a working relationship with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, who has stated that the Brotherhood are the only Christians who truly understand God. The Brotherhood has a tumultuous relationship with the rest of Christendom, with the Pope condemning them as a heretical and evil cult. The Catholic Church has condemned the Brotherhood on numerous occasions, but has recently warmed to their stance, meeting with their leaders in the Vatican. <br><br>The Brotherhood is also a vocal critic of Judaism and has called for Israel to be disbanded and for the Jewish people to be given a homeland, but not at the expense of the Palestinian people. They have also called for the end of Zionism, calling it an abhorrent and evil ideology that does not represent the Jewish people as a whole. This has subsequently led to a backlash from Israel, who have called for the Brotherhood to be classified as a terrorist group. <br><br>The order is also a staunch critic of Statism and Capitalism, calling for a worldwide revolution to create a fairer, more equal world. The Brotherhood is a strong advocate for Socialism and believes that a resources based economy would help to heal the rifts in society and create a fairer world, where everyone has a chance to thrive. <br><br># Military Wing<br><br>The Brotherhood also has an armed wing, known as the **Fedayeen**. El Fedayeen is an elite armed group, made up of only the most skilled and toughest Brothers. They are responsible for defending the weak and the innocent and are known for their cunning and ruthlessness in battle. They operate worldwide, but are most prominent in the Middle East, where they have carried out numerous attacks against the Israeli military. They are also known for carrying out domestic operations, including a notable assassination of a Catholic Cardinal, who was accused of being a pedophile. The Fedayeen are feared and respected worldwide and are seen as one of the most dangerous groups on the planet. <br><br># Conclusion<br><br>The Vatican Brotherhood is a Christian Order that is truly unique. Founded on the principles of Islam, but with Christian teachings at its core, the Brotherhood is a place of spiritual retreat for millions of people. With their emphasis on mercy, prayer and helping others, the Brotherhood is a shining example of a group that stands for good. However, with their armed wing and willingness to take drastic action, the Brotherhood is also a group to be feared. They are a paradox in every sense of the word, but above all else, are a testament to man's ability to strive for better. <br><br>**tl;dr: An order of Christian Monks, who use Islamic principles to guide them. They have an elite military wing, a strong spiritual practice and a democratic leadership structure.**