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Is there a list of what is and isn't Imperial credo, or in general is it a matter of whatever the authorities think is acceptable or heretical?

It's been shown to vary greatly from planet to planet. The Ecclisiarchy as it is depicted is as vast and unwieldy as other aspects of Imperial bureaucracy. Certainly there are some universals; the Emperor as god, the sign of the Aquila, Xenos bad, and so on, but there are targeted deviations; for example, people living on feral worlds sometimes develop Emperor-as-Sun worship (per Malleus, or maybe it was Xenos, don't remember of the top). Puritans and radicals exist in all societies.

That said, I'm sure Dakka can collectively generate some of those universals.

There appear to be proscriptions against taking the Emperor's name in vain; I don't see many people shouting "Emperor-cuss it" (although the Black Library does have general vulgarity rules). Usually it's "throne" or "holy Terra" or similar.

I vaguely remember "Emperor-damned" or "Emperor damn it!" (or 'damn them') in the books. The Imperium wouldn't use the emperor's name vainly but they don't shy away from damning the unclean by any means. I suppose though its similar to the Christian belief that "believing in christ" is MOSTLY good enough along with a trinity of xenophobia, paying tithes and being loyal to the ecclisiarchy are sufficient. Other than that its based on planet by planet custom and taboo.

Azathothsdream wrote:
Is there a list of what is and isn't Imperial credo, or in general is it a matter of whatever the authorities think is acceptable or heretical?

Roughly kill the traitor, the heretic, the mutant and the alien; pay the tithe; obey the law; worship the Emperor; obey the Church; do not question and do not innovate.