What religion do Equestrians practice?

[firerock2245 26]

Basically, What Religion to Equestrians practice. And, I know religion is kinda inappropriate for Kid's TV, so it's probably not gonna be revealed on-screen. Myself, I think they worship the 2 Sisters mainly. They have a bit of Greek Mythology mixed in, for example, Tartarus, Cerberus, etc. They are not very religious people, though, unlike SOME of us humans (let the flame wars commence).

 

Post your thoughts below!

[mars 4,863]

There's no religion in Equestria. That's what I believe. The sisters are princesses, not gods.

[Wander 125]

There's no religion in Equestria. That's what I believe. The sisters are princesses, not gods.

They are pretty much gods. They can control natural things, but on the other hoof so can everypony else. And everyone sure thinks pretty high of them.

Edited August 2, 2014 by Wander

[firerock2245 26]

There's no religion in Equestria. That's what I believe. The sisters are princesses, not gods.

So, Equestria is athiest?

 

Or maybe the storywriters don't really wanna add religion into the show, and Equestrians practice a religon which we will probably never know...?

Edited August 2, 2014 by firerock2245

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

Well, to avoid more soccer mom rage and a huge internet crap fest, Equestria has no shown religion. Best way to win the "is religion good" argument and still obtain profitability is to just not involve yourself at all.

 

 

But in a real world scenario were you have two sisters who control the night and day cycle, and these people can be visited and seen in person I would not be surprised if they were worshiped. 

[firerock2245 26]

Well, to avoid more soccer mom rage and a huge internet crap fest, Equestria has no shown religion. Best way to win the "is religion good" argument and still obtain profitability is to just not involve yourself at all.

 

 

But in a real world scenario were you have two sisters who control the night and day cycle, and these people can be visited and seen in person I would not be surprised if they were worshiped. 

Well, as far as Soccer Moms go, you do have a point. We don't need another Derpy Hooves Controversy.

And, another good point on the real life scenario.

Brohoof! /)*(\

[Stone Cold Applejack 381]

Well Equestrians may have some religion but I don't know what it could be. But I feel like Zerfrica (where the zebras live according to my brain) has Gods. Cuz something about the zebras makes me think they have Gods and its nothing about them being based off Africans.

[Comet Tail 808]

I'm Mormon. They're Mormon. It works. Somehow >.<

 

But hey, considering we've never seen drugs, alcohol (debatable, but seeing as it was fresh-squeezed, no time for fermentation, and things can foam without alcohol; root beer), somethingwhichissupercontroversialthatIwon'tmention, or any references to pre-marital you-know-what (not sure if that's appropriate to explicitly mention on these forums :q ) or adultry, then I'd say I actually have a pretty good case XD

In that case, Celestia and Luna could be like prophetesses as well as princesses.

Edited August 2, 2014 by Comet Tail

[Fractured 2,684]

Celestia and Luna are gods, and quite possibly Discord as well, at least by definition standard. I doubt there's a religion though, no specific rituals have been observed that would lead me to conclude such a thing exists.

[Malinter 3,064]

Ponies have no religion because they do not need one.

 

They're kind to one another.

Have a stronger sense of community (they break into song at random for pete's sake )

They have plenty of food.

No need to war over resources.

They are blessed with a  leader so long lived she can nip any problem listed above before they can take hold.

 

Life in Equestria is good for ponies so any talk of 'heavens' and stuff is pointless. They're practically living in one.

 

 

The closest you might find is the Royal Guard and there fierce devotion to the Princesses. They are probably the only ponies in Equestria who are expected to fight and die for them and probably hold them  in a higher regard. 

Edited August 2, 2014 by Shire Pony Malinter

[MONO 204]

I'd imagine they have many varying religions just like humans have. 

 

Honestly, at least for many of my OC's, theyre Christians (because I am). I can't say the same for other ponies in the show of course.

[Bastion 414]

Not a notable religion really.

The princesses raise and lower the sun and moon and keep them safe, that's all they need

[EpitomeOfTruth 243]

I'm noticing a strong lack of "Praise the Sun" jokes.

[hip-indeed 304]

I would say they practice none.

[Oblivion 20,275]

Although the do say Dear Celestia instead of Dear god, they do not have any known religion that is shown on screen, which is probably a good thing since bringing up religion in the show would just start up another shit storm.

[Miles 2,513]

I understand where the OP is coming from, but there's no evidence of any kind of religion... at least, none that I can see.  

I'm a Christian, fwiw.

[Jammo 986]

A form of humanism or er... Ponyism that has reverence for high authority figures pushing into the worship territory.  Ponies use Celestia's name as an expletive paralleling God.  If I had to put my finger an actual religious practice I'd say Equestria is a Personality Cult ala North Korea... Only it actually works and people are truly happy.  Figure that out.    Maybe cults can work when there leader actually cares and know's what's best.  That hasn't happened yet on Earth.

[Pinklady 346]

There isn't a religion, nothing wrong with that.

[CosmicHooves 2,705]

No religion is mentioned throughout the entire series.

We can only make guesses on very few observations, but when it really comes down to it the only thing that we can say is that we don't know.

Equestrians probably don't even know what the hell religion is.

[ManaMinori 4,146]

Celestia and Luna are gods, and quite possibly Discord as well, at least by definition standard. I doubt there's a religion though, no specific rituals have been observed that would lead me to conclude such a thing exists.

Discord is the embodiment of chaos. He's a spirit. It's said multiple times in the show. SPIRIT. Not God of chaos.

Celestia and luna are princesses. Not gods.

They haven't always controlled celestial objects. Before they came along, 5 unicorns rose the sun and the moon. Wold those unicorns also be considered gods? What about earth ponies who can magically make stuff grow from the earth? Or pegasi who can control the forces of nature through weather?

[Philosopher Pone 108]

The princesses have godlike abilities and they rule Equestria, but I don't think they're worshipped as gods. Of course, they're the most important ponies and Equestrians surely have great respect for them, but we don't see any temples, priests or other things connected to religion.

[TheJLeeTeam 914]

I don't think Equestria has a religion. Instead there are Celestia and Luna who rule Equestria.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Well first things first.

 

I think the worship of the Princesses has been somewhat alluded to and even makes a lot of sense. I mean they are both immortal and control the celestial bodies. Yes the unicorn tribe did it before, but that took all of them and Celestia demonstrates that it doesn't even take both of them to do it.

 

Celestia rules with a caring and divine touch while Luna guards and guides ponies in the dream realm. So they both have very deific qualities and appear to be a higher form of being.

 

That being said, I don't think religion, as an institution exists in Equestria. Oh I'm not saying there's no spirituality, we have enough people saying that frankly unrealistic hypothesis. (And yes, that is a challenge.)

 

However given that Celestia and Luna both physically exist, I can't really see either of them devoting time or resources to asserting their metaphysical importance beyond what can be observed by the Faithful. Rather "religion" just seems to be something that's highly personalized from pony to pony.

 

Twilight, kind of ironically actually, is not very faith driven. Relying on a more empirical viewpoint. Whereas Rarity, with her big dramatic and over the top persona at least has kind of a sense of manifest destiny. Not just her declarations to the divine, but also in her private talks to Sweetie Belle about the nature of morality and how that plays into the kind of people we become.

The princesses have godlike abilities and they rule Equestria, but I don't think they're worshipped as gods. Of course, they're the most important ponies and Equestrians surely have great respect for them, but we don't see any temples, priests or other things connected to religion.

 

No things "normally associated" to it in terms of aesthetics. But any theist can tell you that's barely the surface of Faith.

 

Celestia and Luna do sort of blue the line though as most of the reactions such as bowing, can be associated both divinity and royalty.

Edited August 2, 2014 by Steel Accord

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

In my opinion Changeling worship the maker. The maker to me is Fausticorn. They respect the maker but just don't worship religiously or stuff. They just know Fausticorn exists as a godlike figure and respect that.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

They are pretty much gods. They can control natural things, but on the other hoof so can everypony else. And everyone sure thinks pretty high of them.

 

That actually plays into a point I made a loooooooooong time ago on how Celestia uses her divine will.

 

Consider all the subtle manipulations and guidance she's given to Twilight.

 

The biggest example I can think of is when Discord almost won. What does Celestia do? She doesn't contact Twilight directly, she just sends her back all of the friendship letters. Celestia doesn't give Twilight's hope back, she helps re-discover it within herself.

 

Through careful words and what she chooses not to say, Celestia guides ponies into action to produce her desired effect. Which ties into some theistic philosophy in that God works through people.

 

In a world where everyone has god-like powers, the one who's will can be sensed and felt so subtly is the true god.

So, Equestria is athiest?

 

Or maybe the storywriters don't really wanna add religion into the show, and Equestrians practice a religon which we will probably never know...?

 

As someone who is religious, I think this was a smart move.

 

I mean, fantasy religions are cool, but they also complicate things. Anything that makes Equestria less relatable works against the show, as one of it's strengths is that all of these characters and situations seem remarkably human despite the non-anthropomorphic shape and fantasical world.

Ponies have no religion because they do not need one.

 

They're kind to one another.

Have a stronger sense of community (they break into song at random for pete's sake )

They have plenty of food.

No need to war over resources.

They are blessed with a  leader so long lived she can nip any problem listed above before they can take hold.

 

Life in Equestria is good for ponies so any talk of 'heavens' and stuff is pointless. They're practically living in one.

 

 

The closest you might find is the Royal Guard and there fierce devotion to the Princesses. They are probably the only ponies in Equestria who are expected to fight and die for them and probably hold them  in a higher regard. 

 

I still think some might have a need for a personal system.

 

Religion doesn't have to be a community tool you know, it can be highly personal and helpful when dealing with introspective issues.

I'd imagine they have many varying religions just like humans have. 

 

Honestly, at least for many of my OC's, theyre Christians (because I am). I can't say the same for other ponies in the show of course.

 

Ummmm just as a fellow Christian . . . how the Hell does that work? Is it like Narnia where Aslan was that world's Jesus and presumably another Christ is in Equestria?

Edited August 2, 2014 by Steel Accord