​Defining Evil

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In Druwayu, evil is not a singular force but a state of disharmony arising when actions, intentions, or mindsets oppose the four primary tenets: Sanctity of Life, Commitment to One Another, Self and Mutual Sufficiency, and Custodians of Life, which includes a sense of the necessity of Ecological Harmony and Midnfulness. These tenets guide individuals and communities toward harmony, dignity, and mutual support, as inspired by the One God and Three Goddesses, who seek authentic compassion, profound wisdom, and moral integrity through ethical living and communion with wights, rather than ritualistic offerings. Disharmony is human-driven, correctable through responsibility and ethical living, and practitioners are not required to suppress anger at folly or embrace blind pacifism, as harmony may require confronting evil decisively.

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Evil is defined as: "Actions, intentions, or states that disrupt harmony by opposing the tenets of Sanctity of Life, Commitment to One Another, Self and Mutual Sufficiency, and Custodians of Life, including Ecological Harmony. These manifest through the Nine Errors of Self—Narcissism, Solipsism, Cowardice, Self-Deceit, Blind Conformity, Historic Revisionism, Monopolizing Everything, Tyrannical Authoritarianism, and Self-Abuse—embodying greed, hatred, and delusion. Evil is destructive, unlike the self-sustaining good, but can be corrected through ethical living, guided by the One God, Three Goddesses, and wights. Necessary evils and unnecessary good are pragmatic considerations in maintaining divine harmony."

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Evil is also defined as: willfully deceiving others for personal gain or violating professional codes of conduct and trespassing against another's autonomy and are considered unethical behaviors. This, then, equates to what is often defined also as unethical behaviors which included a complete lack of concern for the life of another and their right to the same independent freedoms and rights of existence as one proclaims for themselves. Examples are:

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1. Deception and Manipulation

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• Blackmail – Threatening to reveal damaging information about someone unless they comply with demands.

• Coercion – Forcing or threatening someone to act against their will through intimidation, pressure, or manipulation.

• Defamation – Damaging someone's reputation through false statements.

• False accusations – Wrongfully blaming someone for an act they did not commit, often to harm their reputation or legal standing.

• False advertising – Promoting products or services with exaggerated or untrue claims to mislead consumers.

• Fraud – Engaging in dishonest practices such as financial scams, false advertising, or insider trading.

• Gaslighting – Manipulating someone into questioning their reality, memory, or sanity to control or destabilize them.

• Impersonation – Pretending to be someone else to deceive others for personal gain, such as identity theft or phishing scams.

• Libel – Written or published false statements that cause reputational damage.

• Lying – Misrepresenting facts, falsifying documents, or misleading others for personal gain.

• Misrepresentation – Providing false or misleading information, often to deceive or manipulate others.

• Plagiarism – Taking credit for someone else's work, ideas, or intellectual property without proper acknowledgment.

• Propaganda – Spreading biased or misleading information to manipulate public opinion for political, social, or ideological purposes.

• Slander – Making false spoken statements that harm someone's reputation.

 

2. Theft and Financial Corruption

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• Bribery – Offering or accepting money or favors to influence decisions.

• Counterfeiting – Producing or distributing fake money, goods, or documents to deceive others for financial gain.

• Embezzlement – Misappropriating funds or assets entrusted to one's care for personal gain.

• Extortion – Obtaining money, property, or services through coercion or threats.

• Insider trading – Using confidential information to gain an unfair advantage in financial markets.

• Misappropriation of public funds – Diverting government or public resources for personal use or unauthorized purposes.

• Misusing company time – Engaging in personal activities during work hours or falsifying timesheets.

• Money laundering – Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money through complex transactions to make it appear legitimate.

• Overbilling – Charging clients or customers more than what is fair or justified.

• Ponzi schemes – Fraudulent investment schemes that pay returns to earlier investors using funds from newer investors, creating an illusion of profitability.

• Price gouging – Exploiting crises by drastically increasing prices on essential goods.

• Tax evasion – Illegally avoiding paying taxes through deception or fraud.

• Theft – Stealing money, resources, or intellectual property from individuals or organizations.

 

3. Exploitation and Oppression

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• Caste or class oppression – Systematically marginalizing individuals or groups based on social hierarchy or economic status.

• Cyberbullying – Using digital platforms to harass, threaten, or humiliate individuals, often causing severe emotional distress.

• Discrimination – Treating people unfairly based on race, gender, religion, or other personal characteristics.

• Environmental exploitation – Profiting from the reckless destruction or overuse of natural resources, harming ecosystems and communities.

• Harassment – Engaging in aggressive pressure, intimidation, or unwarranted behavior that causes distress or inappropriate behavior toward colleagues or employees.

• Slavery – Forcing individuals into labor, servitude, or ownership without consent, often through coercion, violence, or deception.

• Suppression of freedom of speech – Preventing individuals from expressing their opinions, often through censorship or intimidation.

• Verbal abuse – Using offensive language, specifically racial slurs and intentional direct insults to dehumanize or mistreat others.

• Workplace exploitation – Forcing employees to work under unfair conditions, including unpaid labor or excessive hours.

 

4. Violence and Extreme Harm

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• Animal cruelty – Inflicting harm, neglect, or suffering upon animals for personal gain or entertainment.

• Child exploitation – Taking advantage of minors for labor, abuse, or illegal activities.

• Domestic violence – Physical, emotional, or psychological abuse within a household or intimate relationship.

• Elder abuse – Exploiting or harming elderly individuals through neglect, financial manipulation, or physical/psychological mistreatment.

• Forced marriage – Coercing individuals into marriage against their will, often for cultural, financial, or social reasons.

• Genocide – The deliberate and systematic extermination of a racial, ethnic, religious, or national group.

• Hate crimes – Violent acts motivated by prejudice against a person’s race, religion, sexuality, or other protected characteristics.

• Human experimentation – Conducting unethical or harmful experiments on individuals without consent, often in medical or scientific contexts.

• Human trafficking – Exploiting individuals through forced labor, sexual slavery, or other forms of coercion.

• Murder – The intentional killing of another person, which is universally condemned and punishable by law in most societies.

• Mutilation – The deliberate infliction of severe injury, often resulting in permanent damage or disfigurement, sometimes done as a form of punishment, torture, or cruelty.

• Psychological torture – Inflicting extreme mental or emotional suffering without physical harm, such as prolonged isolation or manipulation.

• Rioting – The violent disturbance of the peace by a crowd, often involving destruction of property and public disorder.

• Sexual abuse – Non-consensual sexual acts or behavior, including assault, harassment, or exploitation, that violate an individual’s autonomy and cause physical or psychological harm.

• Sweatshop labor – Operating or supporting businesses that exploit workers with low wages, unsafe conditions, or excessive hours.

• Terrorism – The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, or the threat of violence, especially against civilians, in pursuit of political aims, often to create fear and instability.

• Torture – Inflicting severe pain or suffering on individuals, often for punishment, coercion, or intimidation.

• Vandalism – The deliberate destruction or damage of public or private property.

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Druwayu’s Ethical Framework

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The Teachings proclaim that the One God and Three Goddesses desire the embodiment of their divine purpose through compassion, wisdom, and integrity. The primary tenets enshrine ethical living as the supreme witness of faith, encouraging a heart transformed by boundless empathy, relentless curiosity for truth, and unyielding justice. It's not about pretending to be nice either. The intentions are to reconnect with the senses of a warm, open community, aligned with the Worloga, Wyrda, and Wihas, promotes an environment where spirits are nurtured through shared wisdom, truth is sought collectively, and ethical lives reflect the divine will, at least as much as we can comprehend it through the Drikeyu and observations of life. Good is self-sustaining and supportive, promoting necessary life and the importance of community bonds, while Evil is self-destructive and divisive, promoting needless hatred and needless death.

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Primary Tenets and Their Opposites in Review

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• Sanctity of Life: Upholds the dignity and right to life for all, prioritizing people over material things and supporting the less fortunate sustainably.

  • Opposite: Devaluing life through violence, oppression, or neglect (e.g., murder, exploitation), driven by Narcissism, Cowardice, and Self-Deceit, opposing the Worloga’s compassion.

• Commitment to One Another: Emphasizes a supportive community with shared responsibilities, transcending barriers.

  • Opposite: Division or exclusion (e.g., sowing discord, elitism), stemming from Solipsism, Blind Conformity, and Tyrannical Authoritarianism, defying the Wihas’ unity.

• Self and Mutual Sufficiency: Ensures access to essentials like food, water, shelter, and education, with an economy serving people equitably.

  • Opposite: Deprivation or exploitation (e.g., hoarding resources, unfair wages), driven by Monopolizing Everything, Historic Revisionism, and Narcissism, opposing the Wyrda’s reciprocal equity to one's own detriment.

• Custodians of Life (Ecological Harmony): Calls for stewardship of all life, preserving resources and ecosystems with minimal harm.

  • Opposite: Destruction or neglect of life and resources (e.g., deforestation, poaching), arising from Self-Abuse, Cowardice, and Self-Deceit, defying the Wihas’ vitality.

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Per our Teaching: Nine Errors of Self

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The Nine Errors of Self are flaws leading to disharmony:

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• Narcissism: Inflated self-focus, disrupting Sanctity of Life (e.g., exploiting others for gain).

• Solipsism: Dismissing others’ perspectives, opposing Commitment to One Another (e.g., refusing to share resources).

• Cowardice: Avoiding challenges or accountability, disrupting Custodians of Life (e.g., abandoning environmental efforts).

• Self-Deceit: Denying facts, opposing all tenets (e.g., ignoring pollution’s impact).

• Blind Conformity: Unquestioned submission, opposing Commitment to One Another (e.g., conforming to corrupt systems).

• Historic Revisionism: Falsifying history, opposing Self and Mutual Sufficiency (e.g., revising history to justify hoarding).

• Monopolizing Everything: Controlling resources, violating Self and Mutual Sufficiency (e.g., monopolizing water supplies).

• Tyrannical Authoritarianism: Oppressive control, opposing Commitment to One Another (e.g., enforcing unequal laws).

• Self-Abuse: Devaluing self-worth, opposing our natural disposition as Custodians of Life (e.g., neglecting stewardship).

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The Three Poisons in Druwayu

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The Nine Errors of Self embody the three poisons—greed, hatred, and delusion—disrupting harmony across the tenets and divine will:

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• Greed: Prioritizing self or material gain over the collective good, violating Sanctity of Life and Self and Mutual Sufficiency.

  • Errors: Narcissism, Monopolizing Everything, Self-Abuse.

• Hatred: Rejecting community and life, opposing Commitment to One Another and Custodians of Life.

  • Errors: Cowardice, Tyrannical Authoritarianism, Narcissism.

• Delusion: Denying truth and interconnectedness, clashing with all tenets.

  • Errors: Solipsism, Self-Deceit, Historic Revisionism, Blind Conformity.

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Practical Examples

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• Sanctity of Life: Denying healthcare to the poor due to Greed, Narcissism and Tyrannical Authoritarianism that devalues life.

• Commitment to One Another: Spreading divisive propaganda via Historic Revisionism and blatant lies fractures community.

• Self and Mutual Sufficiency: Monopolizing water and food denies others’ needs, demanding others pay for what nature gives freely.

• Custodians of Life: Deforestation and desertification and or careless pollution for profit or to force others to submit to your demands shows clear Self-Deceit and Cowardice to face objective reality  which promotes needless destruction and harms ecosystems.

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In Druwayu, evil is understood as disharmony, a disruption caused by opposing its primary tenets through the Nine Errors of Self and the Three Poisons: Greed, Hatred, and Delusion. It arises from human deviation—an imbalance that can be corrected through ethical living. This misalignment is more than personal failing; it is a rift between the individual and the sacred, between community, the universe, and all that lies beyond perception.

 

However, by embracing compassion, wisdom, and integrity, practitioners mend these fractures, weaving the divine’s beauty into the world and fostering a legacy of kindness, truth, and dedication. Furthermore, we reject the notion that life is a prison, for in truth, it is our greatest teacher—if only we are willing to listen and learn from it. This is not worship of nature, but rather a deep reverence for its realities—its wonders and joys, its horrors and pains.

 

Though life may be without an ultimate imposed purpose, within its boundless complexity, we possess the ability to discover or create meaning; a purpose that nurtures both ourselves and the countless beings with whom we share this existence.

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• Whatever the hereafter may or may not be, it matters little, for nearly all traditions agree that such a state is determined by how we live here and now—by the way we treat one another, the world, and even ourselves. If there is an afterlife, rebirth, or transcendence beyond this existence, its nature is often said to reflect the values, actions, and choices we cultivate in the present.

• It is through our kindness, true sense of proper justice, and clarity of minds which is the essence of wisdom that we shape not only the fate of our souls but also the legacy we leave for others.

• ​If existence is finite, then this understanding becomes even more profound. Life is not merely something to endure but something to engage with fully, embracing its joys and hardships alike.

• Our actions ripple outward, affecting lives beyond our own, reinforcing the idea that meaning is not found solely in the expectation of what follows, but in the way we live, grow, and contribute to the world around us.

• The sacred is not some distant, unknowable force; it is reflected in the everyday moments of compassion, integrity, and shared purpose.

• In this way, whether or not there is a hereafter, the true measure of our existence is in the kindness we offer, the wisdom we impart, and the love we foster—for these are the forces that transcend time, shaping both the present and whatever may lie beyond.

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Most of our Teachings are based on the Drikeyu, or Three Keys, as the sacred instruments through which the One God and Three Goddesses shape the universe and guide humanity’s spiritual path toward ethical living, truth-seeking, and communal harmony, and by which all things are bound to and derived from the same ultimate essence:

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• Worloga (Eternal Laws): The Worloga are immutable laws governing the moral and natural order of the cosmos, ensuring every action aligns with divine truth. They guide all beings toward righteousness, and the Teachings call us to embody these laws through ethical living. Wights, as keepers of this sacred order, inspire our community to act with integrity, promoting justice and compassion that strengthen our spiritual bonds.

• Wyrda (Divine Works): The Wyrda are the divine works shaping creation’s destiny with intention and freedom. Rather than a rigid fate, they weave a path where each being’s choices contribute to the divine vision. Wights guide us like starlight through life’s mysteries, and the Teachings urge us to align with the Wyrda, advancing our search for truth while trusting in its flexibility to nurture our spirits as we live ethically within our community.

• Wihas (Life Essence): The Wihas is the divine breath pulsing through every star, forest, and soul, binding all creation in a vibrant web of interdependence. As the heartbeat of the cosmos, it animates existence. The Teachings encourage us to honor the Wihas through wights—spirits of earth, sky, and kin—who embody this essence, guiding our community to cherish the divine spark in all life, promoting unity, compassion, and reverence that sustain our fellowship.

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How this applies to Worship

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In Druwayu, worship is the soulful act of offering honor, reverence, devotion and gratitude to the One God and Three Goddesses, whose transcendent nature requires connection through wights. These spiritual beings, including ourselves and our ancestors, bridge the divine and mortal realms by enhancing our awareness of interwoven spiritual and physical states of being. The word originates from Old English weorthscipe, meaning "worthiness" or "acknowledgment of worth. Therefore, in this sense, our recognition of evils or unethical behaviors, and general disregard for life and seeking to do the opposite to the best of our abilities is "true worship" based on intent, and therefore choice.    

 

Worship is not about empty gestures or ritual performance, various "sacrifices" or excessive praise, rather it is expressed through awe-inspired appreciation of nature’s beauty, the universe’s expanse, and the interconnectedness of all existence. This appreciation comes through the contemplation and marveling at the cycles of the seasons, the wonders and oddities of life, both beautiful and terrifying, observation of distant galaxies, and the unity of all things. This can even occur with the observation of simple things as a leaf or a star.

 

Our Teachings guide our community to nurture our spirits through mindful gratitude, advance our search for truth by contemplating the divine order, and live ethically as a demonstration to our faith (devotion). This goal to seek to be better people is itself is an act of communal worship that strengthens our fellowship, creating a sacred space where ethical living radiates as the supreme witness of our devotion and expressed through our acts of compassion without desire for recognition that would cheapen it and make it nothing more than showmanship or empty performance.

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1. Deception and Manipulation

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Worship in Druwayu involves a sincere, truth-seeking connection with the divine through contemplation and gratitude. Deceptive behaviors undermine this authenticity and the acknowledgment of divine worth:

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• Blackmail, Coercion, Gaslighting, Impersonation: These acts manipulate or force others, contradicting the voluntary, heartfelt devotion central to Druwayu worship. Forcing someone to participate in worship or manipulating their perception of spiritual truth violates the principle of genuine reverence.

• Defamation, False Accusations, Libel, Slander: Spreading falsehoods about others to harm their reputation conflicts with the ethical living that Druwayu considers a form of communal worship. Such actions disrupt the sacred space of fellowship built on trust and compassion.

• False Advertising, Fraud, Lying, Misrepresentation, Propaganda: These involve distorting truth, which opposes Druwayu’s call to advance the search for truth through contemplation of the divine order. Deceiving others for personal gain cheapens the sincerity of worship, reducing it to showmanship.

• Plagiarism: Taking credit for another’s spiritual insights or creative expressions of devotion violates the acknowledgment of worth and interconnectedness, as it disrespects the contributions of others in the spiritual community.

 

Application to Worship: Deceptive behaviors erode the authenticity and mindfulness required in Druwayu. They replace genuine gratitude and truth-seeking with self-interest, undermining the sacred connection to the divine and the community’s ethical fellowship.

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2. Theft and Financial Corruption

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Druwayu worship emphasizes ethical living and compassion without desire for recognition, focusing on the interconnectedness of all existence. Financial corruption and theft prioritize personal gain over communal well-being, clashing with these values:

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• Bribery, Embezzlement, Extortion, Insider Trading, Misappropriation of Public Funds, Money Laundering, Ponzi Schemes: These acts exploit resources or trust for selfish ends, contradicting the selfless compassion and ethical conduct that Druwayu views as an expression of worship. Misusing communal or sacred resources (e.g., offerings meant for spiritual purposes) dishonors the divine.

• Counterfeiting, Theft: Stealing material or intellectual property disrupts the interconnectedness of the community and fails to honor the worth of others’ contributions, which is central to Druwayu’s reverence for all existence.

• Misusing Company Time, Overbilling, Price Gouging, Tax Evasion: These behaviors exploit others for financial gain, opposing the principle of living ethically without seeking recognition. Price gouging, especially during crises, directly contradicts the compassion and gratitude Druwayu fosters through worship.

 

Application to Worship: Theft and financial corruption prioritize greed over the ethical living that Druwayu considers a supreme witness of devotion. Such actions disrupt the communal fellowship and sacred space, replacing reverence for the divine order with self-serving motives.

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3. Exploitation and Oppression

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Druwayu worship involves nurturing the spirit through gratitude and fostering a community where ethical living radiates compassion. Exploitation and oppression directly oppose these principles by dehumanizing others and disrupting interconnectedness:

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• Caste or Class Oppression, Discrimination, Slavery: These practices marginalize or enslave individuals based on arbitrary characteristics, violating the Druwayu principle of recognizing the interconnectedness of all existence. Slavery, in particular, is an extreme negation of the reverence for life and autonomy that worship entails.

• Cyberbullying, Harassment, Verbal Abuse: These behaviors cause distress and dehumanize others, clashing with the compassion and ethical conduct central to Druwayu’s communal worship. They disrupt the sacred space of fellowship.

• Environmental Exploitation: Profiting from the destruction of nature contradicts Druwayu’s awe-inspired appreciation of nature’s beauty and the universe’s expanse. Harming ecosystems disrespects the divine order contemplated in worship.

• Suppression of Freedom of Speech: Preventing others from expressing their spiritual or personal truths stifles the contemplative search for divine understanding, which is a key aspect of Druwayu worship.

• Workplace Exploitation: Forcing unfair labor conditions undermines the ethical living that Druwayu equates with devotion, as it prioritizes profit over human dignity.

 

Application to Worship: Exploitation and oppression negate the compassion, gratitude, and interconnectedness that define Druwayu worship. These behaviors harm the community and the natural world, obstructing the creation of a sacred space where ethical living reflects devotion.

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4. Violence and Extreme Harm

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Druwayu worship emphasizes awe for the beauty and terror of existence, expressed through ethical living and compassion. Violent and harmful behaviors directly violate these principles by causing suffering and destruction:

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• Animal Cruelty, Child Exploitation, Elder Abuse, Forced Marriage, Human Trafficking, Sexual Abuse, Sweatshop Labor: These acts exploit vulnerable beings, contradicting the reverence for all life and the compassion central to Druwayu worship. They disrupt the interconnectedness of existence and the ethical demonstration of faith.

• Domestic Violence, Hate Crimes, Murder, Mutilation, Psychological Torture, Torture: Inflicting physical or mental harm negates the gratitude and awe for life’s wonders that Druwayu worship celebrates. Such acts destroy the sacred space of fellowship and dishonor the divine.

• Genocide, Human Experimentation, Terrorism: These extreme harms target entire groups or individuals for destruction, standing in direct opposition to Druwayu’s recognition of the unity of all things and the sanctity of existence.

• Rioting, Vandalism: Destroying property or disrupting peace undermines the appreciation of the divine order and the communal harmony that Druwayu worship seeks to foster.

 

Application to Worship: Violence and extreme harm are antithetical to Druwayu’s principles of reverence, gratitude, and ethical living. They shatter the interconnectedness of existence and the sacred space of communal worship, replacing awe with destruction and compassion with suffering.

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In Summary

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In Druwayu, worship is an authentic, communal, and ethical act of honoring the divine through gratitude, contemplation, and compassion, which also includes rejecting what is primarily biologically dysfunctional. For us, biologically dysfunctional refers to actions, behaviors, or conditions that disrupt, impair, or undermine the healthy functioning, balance, or integrity of biological systems—whether at the level of individual organisms (e.g., humans, animals, plants), populations, or ecosystems. These disruptions can manifest as physical, psychological, or ecological harm, leading to reduced health, reduced survival, or reduced sustainability of living systems. The unethical behaviors listed—deception, theft, exploitation, and violence—undermine this worship by:

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• Replacing truth and sincerity with manipulation and falsehoods.

• Prioritizing personal gain over communal well-being and ethical conduct.

• Exploiting or oppressing others, negating the reverence for interconnectedness.

• Inflicting harm or destruction, contradicting the awe and compassion central to worship.

 

These behaviors cheapen worship into empty performance or showmanship, as they lack the mindful gratitude and ethical integrity that Druwayu emphasizes. To align with Druwayu worship, individuals must reject these unethical acts and embody compassion, truth, and reverence in their actions, thereby honoring the divine and strengthening the sacred fellowship of the community ready to act as we must when the survival or continuation of our species is at risk, regardless the cause or source of those risks, and take action accordingly to remedy those situations.

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