In ages long past I discovered the Reasonable Marines, and became enamored with the idea of Sisters of Battle with a similar philosophy. Since then I've periodically tried to come up with some catalyst for a Minor Order to turn from the teachings of the Imperial Cult, and become well, more reasonable.
Sadly my creative juices are rarely flowing, and drip out in tiny dollops. The best outline I've been able to come up with so far is this:
Through some contrivance Canoness Maria Lupita finds some incontrovertible evidence both of the Imperial Truth, the Emperor's desire to not to be worshiped as a god, and that the author of the Lectitio Divinitatus was in fact a Traitor Primarch. A recording of the Emperor admonishing Lorgar for his actions and book might suffice, but by itself is probably lacking.
Now it is irrational to disbelieve something that is right before one's eyes, and Sisters of Battle regularly perform Miracles. Faith in the Emperor has real, tangible effects. So, knowing that the Emperor does not want to be worshiped as a God while also believing both that the Emperor Protects, and that sufficient devotion to Him gives both defense against Chaos, and miraculous abilities means that there is something going on.
So Sister Maria gathers a trusted group of sisters, and starts a small convent out in a backwater colony way on the fringes by the ghoul stars, and tries to create a new organization that tries to blend the Imperial Truth, and it's intent, with Faith and a desire to uplift humanity.
Hence Protestant Sisters.
As tempting as going full Noble Bright is, it wouldn't really fit, and frankly, conflict is more interesting. Are the Living Saints of this offshoot actually Daemons? Are all of the Living Saints? Does the Emperor still protect you if you merely venerate him? When rejecting one goofy part of the Imperial religion, do they go a step further and reject the Omnissiah? (Mine do so that I can excuse using the Raging Heroes Sisters in place of the standard STC compliant armor.) Are Miracles themselves actually Warp Powers? These Sisters would be based fairly close to the Tau Empire, and almost certainly about to all get eaten by a hive fleet. Still, since the Emperor didn't cotton to them thar xeno types, teaming up with the Tau is unlikely barring dire gribbly need.
So I suppose from here if anyone has got any "Theses" for Maria to nail to a church door, of wants to help me come up with a better catalyst for this schism, or just thinks that less flying rodent gak crazy Sisters sounds interesting, I'd like to hear your thoughts.
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