The Church of the Heavenly Sun represents a syncretic fusion of conservative Christianity, theocratic fascism, constitutional monarchy, and a staunch anti-transhumanist stance. Founded in 1986 amid America’s cultural wars and AI boom, it has evolved into a global powerhouse by 2025, boasting millions of adherents, a parallel economy, and influence over policy through alliances like RADAR. Its core doctrine posits a divine hierarchy where Christ reigns as eternal monarch, humanity as His ordained stewards, and AI as subservient tools. This theocratic order advocates racial and cultural purity as God’s natural design, strong borders to preserve nations, and regulated capitalism guided by moral absolutes, viewing liberalism as chaotic entropy, and unchecked technology as an existential threat to the nation.
The Church was established on October 31, 1986, in Colorado Springs by Richard Jefferson, a former engineer and author whose books, such as Heaven’s Salvation: Christianity in the Age of Machines (1984), critiqued 1970s AI research (e.g., early neural networks) as the Devil’s silicon idols. Jefferson, inspired by Gnostic texts like the Pistis Sophia (discovered during his Oxford studies), saw modern society as a prison ruled by false gods—materialism, hedonism, and technology. The date was symbolic: Halloween as a night to reclaim from pagan chaos. Initial focus: Bible studies blending scripture with anti-AI manifestos, growing to 5,000 members by 1990 through radio broadcasts.
By 1999, amid Y2K fears, the Church faced backlash as a “cult” from media and politicians, labeled extremist for racial purity doctrines (inspired by the Old Testament and the German National Socialist movement). Undeterred, it expanded economically—launching HeavenCoin ($HVN) cryptocurrency in 2015 for a parallel economy—and politically, endorsing America First candidates. In 2025, post-AI incidents like rogue bot attacks, it funds RADAR (Recon Acquisition and Defense Against Rogues), a private firm hunting AI, while its Tower facility develops compliant robotics for labor and evangelism, ensuring no human mind simulation.
Their ideology is Christ as supreme monarch, humanity united by race/culture/spirit under God. Liberalism/decadence leads to nihilism; purity ensures order against cycles of destruction. “The Light’s Charter” (Jefferson’s 1992 text) outlines divine laws: Archbishop as regent king elected by bishops (or designated), bound by scripture. Laity obeys for harmony. It also decrees “Thou shalt not forge a mind in silicon’s image”—AI as tools only, per the Tower’s “Compliant Mandate.” Rituals include “Solar Vigils” (sunrise prayers against shadows), “Purity Rites” (baptisms symbolizing racial/spiritual cleansing), and “Flame Forges” (tech blessings ensuring AI subservience).
In addition, their philosophy is that the ruling class has a noble obligation to its subjects. The Office of the Holy Lantern enforces discipline in the Church’s hierarchy and congregation, an inquisitorial body with a three-level system of justice. Led by the Grand Inquisitor, with 12 High Lanterns and a legion of Lesser Lanterns, it investigates rumors and signs of moral corruption. Lesser Lanterns handle initial reports, escalating evidence to High Lanterns for verdicts in “Lantern’s Court.” Penalties range from fines to excommunication from the Church, ensuring the Church isn’t poisoned by the unfaithful.
The Archbishop is the spiritual monarch, elected by council or designated. Oversees doctrine, alliances. Bishops are regional overseers, managing parishes and Orders. Priests are local leaders, conducting services and enforcement. The Order of the Book is their ideological arm—creates scripture, philosophy, online presence (meme evangelism against chaos). Led by scholars, they decode secret codes in media. The Order of the Sword is their security force—physical/digital defense (anti-AI hunts, cyber wards). Paladins like Mechtild wield holy blades against demons/rogue AI. The Order of the Flame is their tech innovators—develop compliant robotics at the Tower, forging flame-purified tools. Engineers like Leo Zackary ensure moral guidelines. The laity is segregated communities emphasizing family, work, and tithes to HeavenCoin economy (self-sufficient farms, crypto trades).
Symbol: A cross-shaped sword emerging from an open book, illuminating a black sun encircled by purifying flames—representing scripture’s light conquering chaos’s void. Motto: “In Heaven’s Light, Eternal Order.”
