I read about the Temple Tendency with great interest, but the stuff in Disciples doesn´t make any sense to me. Maybe someone can clarify?

- Does the Temple of the Savior Emperor believe the Emperor is a god or "just" a mighty, benevolent being? The description was unclear to me, but it hinted at the first believers from the Horus Heresy novels, did it get that right?

- What is the dogmatic difference to the Ecclesiarchy? Or is there no difference in belief?

- Is the hostile stance to the Ministorium based on power rivalry? More clear: Is it based on the fact that the Ministorum took power from them? Or is it a clash of beliefs?

- Would anyone inside the Temple Tendency understand that Goge Vandires Reign was immoral, even ruinous; and would have been utterly destructive to mankind?

- Would anyone inside the Temple Tendency accept and agree the fact that Vandire was insane?

The big difference:

Temple Tendency members believe that the church should hold all power - including ruling worlds and massing armies. The Ecclesiarchy has been bound from directly holding secular power to a degree, it advises the governors of worlds and it can not maintain its own armies (Adepta Sororitas are the exception to this rule).

HappyDaze is spot on, I reckon - as I see it the issue the Imperium has with the TT is almost a political rather than theological issue. The precise beliefs of the TT are likely going to be the same as the pre-Sebastian Thor Ecclesiarchy, and there's not much canon info on that issue.

Ikkaan said:

Don't know for sure, but if I had to guess, I'd say they believed he was a true god, like the Ecclesiarchy do now.

Ikkaan said:

There don't seem to be any precise details as to the difference in beliefs. Chances are that the TT has a smaller cast of Imperial Saints, though, as they probably don't regard post-Vandire saints as worthy or holy... Couldn't really say more than that.

Ikkaan said:

Yeah, I reckon you're probably right, it's based on envy rather than a clash of beliefs. There may be some minor deviationin belief, but it probably isnt enormous...

Ikkaan said:

There have always been bad priests, even bad HIGH priests, but that doesn't devalue the faith in the eyes of the faithful. Maybe they rationalise the historical record as lies told by his enemies?

Ikkaan said:

Same answer, really.

Well thought, thank you!

Given Sebastian Thor reformed the Ecclesiarchy, I have the impression that the Temple Tendency with its primacy of the Church over State are something like a 16th century Catholic analogue- with noble houses filled with priest holes and hidden regalia and icons -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_hole

SJE