Church of NanDi (D-002)

The Church of NanDi, sometimes called the Cult of NanDi, NanDi, or simply the Money Cult, is a religion/cult that originated in the Cerebus system. The religion focuses on the literal worship of the substance Latinum, an element typically used for commerce within the Alpha and Beta quadrants.

History
The Church of NanDi was originally founded on Cerebus II by a stranded Ferengi by the name of Peg Logar and two Human businessmen. The three tell of a vision they collectively had from a great prophet named NanDi (a Ferengi word literally translating into "excellence"). NanDi, as the story goes, told them (among other things) that Latinum is an immortal, sacred element, and that as much of it as possible must be secured. The three went on to build a small chapel, which they named the Chapel of NanDi. They quickly gained a following, and before long were having secretive and odd services week by week.

The church was soon lucrative enough to allow the three to begin spreading their message abroad. Logar began spreading the religion in the Ferengi Alliance, while both humans (whose names are still unknown) did so in the Federation. Within a span of three decades, the church grew from those three men on a planet near the Cardassian border, to nearly thirty million individuals spread throughout Bajor, the Ferengi Alliance, the Federation, and some reports even indicate the Klingon and Romulan empires.

All three founding members died in the year 2360, as part of an anti-NanDi extermination attempt by the Ferengi Alliance. The Ferengi Grand Nagus hired several ships full of Breen assassins to end what the Nagus called "an affront to Ferengi culture." Shockingly, every Breen ship sent after the NanDi was destroyed. In 2361, the Grand Nagus called off the manhunt, saying, "It is no longer a lucrative business venture."

Estimates of NanDi numbers since after the manhunt range from one to ten million. Since 2361, the Church of NanDi has seemed to disappear from the galaxy, though experts say their numbers have not decreased. The only known operational physical locations of the Church of NanDi are in the Cerebus, Tesnia, Sol, Bolarus, Antar, Risa, and Rigel systems.

Organization
The Church of NanDi has a strict structure of rank. The Porta is the official leader of the church, appointed by the previous Porta. The first Porta was, of course, Peg Logar. The Porta then appoints Liaisons, who are high-ranking priests responsible for certain grouped areas of space. For instance, Liaison Mark Papagos is the Liaison in command of sectors 001-005. The Liaisons, in turn, appoint Witloks, priests in command of a singular sector each. The Witloks then appoint Priests, who are in charge of specific temples, churches, or cells. Below them is only a member of the church, called an "Inductee."

The content of a typical service at a NanDi temple is unknown. Inductees are sworn to secrecy.

Rank Structure

 * Porta
 * Liaison
 * Witlok
 * Priest
 * Inductee

Religious Celebrations

 * Feast of NanDi
 * Blood Day

Precepts
The Church of NanDi has several texts that constitute their set of beliefs. Though some sects of the church don't agree with every prophecy and text, every sect foundationally believes on what's called the "Original Propechy."

Original Prophecy
The Original Prophecy was received on Cerebus II by Peg Logar and his two human comrades. The prophecy advocates the following:
 * Latinum is an immortal deity
 * Collecting Latinum is the most important thing. Spending any Latinum, even to obtain more Latinum, will condemn you to hell.
 * The only way to save your soul from damnation is to collect as much Latinum as possible, and pool it with the Church.
 * NanDi is the Great Prophet, whose veins are said to flow with pure Latinum.
 * Spreading the truth of NanDi to others is an important thing

Cartalia Prophecy (Eight Mandates)
The Cartalia Propecy, or Eight Mandates (as some have begun to call them), were received on the planet Cartalia by Peg Logar, and is said to be another direct visit from the Great Prophet to the First Porta. The Eight Mandates are listed as follows:
 * 1) Latinum is immortal; Latinum is love. Collect Latinum, and never spend a drop.
 * 2) Spread the prophecies to those who have not heard, so that the truth of NanDi be known.
 * 3) Treat all as equals, even those who do not believe.
 * 4) Do not harm others in your pursuit of Latinum.
 * 5) Do not deceive others in your pursuit of Latinum.
 * 6) Congregate every five cycles of your planet to worship Latinum and NanDi.
 * 7) Tell none of the content of our services, for outsiders not to be trusted. However, if one wishes to join, encourage them.
 * 8) Each of these rules, with the exception of the first, may be broken when necessary when securing Latinum

Known Members

 * None