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                            THE CULT of KAHLESS
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By: Bob Ferguson (Kelvik sutai-Dok'Marr)
    SysOp of:  "Klingon(tlhIngan) Bird of Prey BBS!"             
    215-426-5596   300/1200/2400bps   24hrs Daily
    Commander of: Listening OutPost Filad
    Member of: Klingon Legion of Assault Warriors (K.L.A.W.)


Kahless epetai-Riskadh, the greatest of our Emperors and founder of 
the Modern Klingon Government, ranks as the most memorable of heroes
in our long history. His name is invoked in oaths, patriotic and 
rhetorical speeches and exclamations,such as "Kahlesste Kaase!"--
"Kahless's Hand!" It graces many of the Emperor's star systems and 
planets. No less than thirty percent of all ships, military instal-
lations and weapons bear Kahless's name, one way or another: Kahless 
has left his mark for all to see. It can come as little surprise,then,
that certain Klingons have even gone so far as to elevate Kahless to 
the status of a deity. The cult of Kahless,or Kahless worshippers,claim 
that Kahless was not only a great Klingon Lord,but the Glorious One,a 
messianic figure prophesied by the seer Ka-ronos. Ka-ronos foretold the 
coming of "The Glorious Bright One" who would "Bring a Terrible Light to 
All People. The prophet also told of the deposition of all Klingon world 
leaders in favor of this new monarch. He also anticipated the Romulan 
Wars And among the stars would lurk a people of great power and treachery,
having a way to hide themselves from the judgment of truth...and with them 
would be war, the destruction of Kabek-- the second planet would become a 
star, shining only for a moment,then vanishing forever, and the Demon War-
The Fiends of Darkness would loose their vengeance upon the Klingon people.
The accuracy of Ka-ronos's Prophesies is remarkable,no matter what the 
dogmatic point of view of the reader. Yet,one is left to doubt. Kahless 
never claimed to be a devine figure. If anything,he was an atheist. He 
believed in the Naked Stars and how they remember acts of bravery. He 
did make reference to some gods,but he was never a cult member,and is 
not known to have prayed in his life. Those who worship Kahless do not 
deny these facts,but they contend that Kahless was a devine leader sent 
by Durgath to lead the Klingon people to their destiny. Kahless,they say,
simply didn't know who he really was.



Qapla'!
