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yup..who knows, its all in the grimdark past.

Seems to me the faith is the only thing holding it all together. If the Ecclesiarchy is weakened, the Imperium crumbles. See the Nova Terra Interregnum for example.

Faith in something is one of the most powerful tools in the galaxy, for good or ill.

Its a weapon that cannot really be replaced by anything, and adds a unknown factor to any engagement.

 Soo'Vah'Cha wrote:

 Admiral Valerian wrote:

 Soo'Vah'Cha wrote:
It would be interesting to find out that the original genetic material used to make the zygotes and organs of the marines, were obtained from alien races that had the desired traits.....

No, they were obtained from the Primarchs. Who in turn were altered clones of the Emperor.

and where did the genetic material to give those organs to the primarchs come from......

The Emperor if i remember the Lexicanum correctly.

on another note, does anyone know if the High Lords of Terra believe in the Imperial Creed? i'm sure the Ecclesiarch does but what about the rest of them?

Obviously, the Fabricator-General doesn't.

 Soo'Vah'Cha wrote:
"There are no atheists in foxholes"

Yes, they prey to god Emp, 4+1 chaos gods, Eldar Gods and Gork and Mork when they about to see DA raid party....
Also when I heard Angelos saying God Emperor in DOW, I wanted that Bjorn appears and rips his spine...
Also I think those chapters who venerate God emperor are "I" tools, indoctrinated and made dumber to follow orders better...

Tiberius Atellus wrote:on another note, does anyone know if the High Lords of Terra believe in the Imperial Creed? i'm sure the Ecclesiarch does but what about the rest of them?

Some old GW fluff on the subject:

"The power of the Ecclesiarchy spread into every facet of Imperial life. From humble miners and clerks, through Imperial Guard and Navy officers to Planetary Governors and the High Lords of Terra themselves, everybody was an adherent to the Imperial Creed - in theory at least. Frequently, the High Lords would take their lead from the views of the Ecclesiarch, believing he was the mouth of the Emperor, a belief the Ministorum did nothing to contradict. Soon, the Ecclesiarchy was indirectly dictating Imperial law, organising armies, deciding which threats gained priority and where to direct Imperial resources."
- History of the Adeptus Ministorum, 2E C:SoB

Of course, that was by the end of M33, before the Age of Apostasy. The Ecclesiarchy has a bit less overt power "now" in M41, but still managed to reassert its role in society rather quickly - even now, by Imperial Decree each Imperial Guard regiment is accompanied by at least one ordained Confessor, and the Sisters of the Orders Famulous weave their shadowy webs and guide the hand of influential nobles from the background. It is difficult to escape the teachings of the Ministorum, and I would imagine this goes for anyone who will eventually rise to the position of High Lord as well - with exception of the Fabricator-General of course.
That being said, I also have a feeling that many of the higher-ups become corrupted or at least disillusioned the more insight they gain into the wider workings of the Imperium, and as such may pay mere lip-service to the Creed as a political necessity. After all, Vandire would not have rebelled against the Ecclesiarch had he truly believed his sanctity.

 Admiral Valerian wrote:
Obviously, the Fabricator-General doesn't.

He might believe in a version of it - or perhaps see it as a lesser version of his own "true" Faith depending on where he stands as the Emperor as Machine God or not - the AM is pretty split on that matter..........causes wars and such!

Also I think those chapters who venerate God emperor are "I" tools, indoctrinated and made dumber to follow orders better

Some will be, some truely believe - see the Black Templars who plot thier own course.

Faith is a great tool to rule people with.