The Emperor and Religeous Suppression

[Enola Straight]

Assuming there are other religeons in the SW Galaxy other than Force/Jedi faith, did the Emperor crack down on religeous expression, or did he not give a shit?

[Darth Garden Gnome]

According to the Star Wars Insider, the Emperor abolished religions.

Then apparently Isard allowed people to practice religions again. Then Dark Side Prophet Kadaan abolished them again, but when he died Isard restored those rights.

[Peregrin Toker]

According to the Star Wars Insider, the Emperor abolished religions.

Then apparently Isard allowed people to practice religions again.

However, to which an extent was this law enforced? There certainly still were B'omarr Monks in Jabba's Palace, although only a few of them.

[Publius]

Although Jedi Knight indicates that the Empire officially frowned on religions -- especially religions whose gods were believed to have more power than the state -- it was not in general aggressively suppressive of religion (a few denominations, such as the Sacred Way, were suppressed). Specifically, "Who's Who: Imperial Grand Admirals" says (p. 48) that the Empire "all but abolished religion" and that Director Isard "had reinstated galactic freedom of religion" (Grand Vizier Sate Pestage effectually established the Church of the Dark Side).

In The Truce at Bakura, Bakuran Senator Gaeriel Captison was a devout adherent of the Cosmic Balance, a religion which was tolerated under the regime of Imperial Governor Wilek Nereus. In the Marvel comics #35 -- 37, the Order of the Circle, a religious order centred on Monastery, was shown to hold great influence throughout the galaxy, even to the point that Lord Vader himself was appointed Imperial envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, and the Empire did not violate the sacrosanctity of Monastery, declining to pursue the Millennium Falcon to the surface.

It is more probable that religions related to the Force (e.g., the Jedi Order, the Fallanassi) or otherwise found to be especially subversive were suppressed, while other religions were either tolerated or cordially treated. With the official establishment of the Church of the Dark Side, official toleration may have been rescinded, which must have then ended with Isard's reinstitution of freedom of religion. In general, the Empire appears to have declined to take a position on religion, cheerfully ignoring the subject.

Publius

[DarthBlight]

I'll keep that in mind as I'm writing my Star Wars story.

[Aaron2]

There's a neat concept sketch from Empire that shows Stormtroopers burying one of their dead. They've got a sword/cross-like burial stone and a chaplan reading from some holy-book.

Those were the good ol' days. Joe Johnston was a genius. The SW galaxy is worse off without him.


Aaron

[Peregrin Toker]

There's a neat concept sketch from Empire that shows Stormtroopers burying one of their dead. They've got a sword/cross-like burial stone and a chaplan reading from some holy-book.

But what holy book is this supposed to be?? Maybe some old Sith manuscript.

Is it also possible that Palpatine had plan for a "leader cult" (like that found in modern-day North Korea), where he literally would have divine status and be worshipped as a god by his underlings??

[Smiling Bandit]

Evil Overlord Rules:

"I will not set myself up as a God. That perilous position will be reserved for my trusted liutenant."

I don't think Palpatine cared that much.

[Peregrin Toker]

Evil Overlord Rules:

"I will not set myself up as a God. That perilous position will be reserved for my trusted liutenant."

I don't think Palpatine cared that much.

I don't recall any of Palpatine's trusted henchpeople being worshipped as deities, although I can imagine Isard being worshipped by the inhabitants of a backwards planet as their goddess of death.

[Lord Pounder]

The Status Quo seems to be that you can have religon as long as it doesn't take status away from Palpy, i.e. no false idols, and doesn't give you access to powers similar to Palpy.