Guashi's Dilemma

Guashi's Dilemma (Fengese language: 卦士之題, : Guàshì zhī tí) is a theological dilemma in Infernalism posed by the Apostle Guashi. As prophesized by the messianic Yanshizu in her Prophecy of Obliteration, the physical microcosm perceivable to humanity will inevitably be obliterated in an indeterminable future when the Cosmic Struggle between Brilliance and Oblivion finally concludes. Guashi reasoned that as the Struggle could only end with either the complete and irreversible victory of either the creative Brilliance or destructive Oblivion over the other, the Microcosm will inevitably end with the desirable victory of Brilliance and the establishment of paradise, or the terrible victory of Oblivion and the annihilation of existence and all life. From this, it is extrapolated that those who do not contribute to the cause of Infernalism through conforming themselves to the enlightening precepts of Infernalism and correctly cultivating their inner light are effectively aiding Oblivion and potentially bringing about the universal damnation of all. In theory, this would constitute an act of irrational self-sabotage, if not outright against all life.

The dilemma and its implications have been a constant feature of Infernalist theology, informing an uncompromising and bellicose attitude in its adherents. In essence, the Cosmic Struggle is a war for the fate of all life, in which Infernalists are valiant fighters against all forces which threaten existence - it is impossible to be neutral in a conflict for one's life, and those who do not fight for life logically are aiding the enemy of all life, Oblivion. An knee-jerk intolerance of heterodoxy inherent to Infernalism could thus be inferred: anyone not subscribing to the orthodoxy of Infernalism is a force of evil that ought to be vanquished, whether through their conversion (a missionary tendency coalesced as Illuminarianism) or through their deaths (as is pursued by the radicalistic Excisors).

This confrontational mindset would be the root of considerable conflict both against other religions and between differing sects of Infernalism, which while since tempered from the wars against heresy which defined early Infernalist rhetoric out of pragmatism, still retains an exceptionalism which broadly rejects heresy and apostasy in all its forms.