Religious Views

The world is a dark and unfriendly place to mutants. The majority of countries are either hostile to mutants, or have no 'official' policy yet exploit the mutants they have in their power. Countries friendly to mutants are badly outnumbered, and their resources are being stretched thin in their efforts to help the oppressed.

RELIGION

While politics aren't always directly controlled by religion, they are often influenced by leaders' personal beliefs, and religious leaders naturally have some influence over natural citizens. When it comes to more individualistic churches, there is a wider spectrum of attitudes towards mutants. But overall certain types of religion, certain denominations, have much in common in their approach.

The Church of Apocalypse

Led by the descendants of En Sabah Nur, Clan Akkaba, it is believed that Apocalypse is immortal, but he may take a new body through the most worthy of his descendants - so where Apocalypse is God, Clan Akkaba is where his Angels are found. The Four Horsemen are considered the Pillars of Faith, even if they are not members of the cult.

The Horsemen regard the worshippers as rabid dogs that can be useful at times through their utter devotion to their lord, while Clan Akkaba consists of allies that may not always be allies. Akkaba is utterly devoted to Apocalypse, but believe that only his descendants are truly worthy of being his close followers - they believe that the Horsemen should be chosen from within their own ranks. Apocalypse likes to keep his followers sharp by keeping them at odds with each other, so he never chooses someone from Akkaba as one of his Horsemen. Besides, the most worthy needs to be available to become a new Vessel.

The cult mainly consists of mutants, but there are some deluded humans who think they will be saved by joining the cult, and doing Apocalypse’s bidding in human-controlled areas. Mutants are considered the masters of the world, and they are in the process of claiming it for their own. Mankind isn’t strong enough to hold on to the world they’ve driven into the ground, so it’s time to take it away from them.

The Purifiers

A force of Christian fundamentalists and militia led by 1st Sergeant Landra Knight, the Purifiers see themselves in a holy war against mutants, believing them to be the children of the Devil and thus worthy of extermination. Historically the group also possessed links to allied churches all over the world, and their membership included corporate elites, political figures such as the late President of the Unites States and intelligence personnel. The Purifier territory houses hundreds of troops and Alpha class sentinels. Combined with their secret nature and fanatical determination, the Purifiers are undoubtedly a deadly foe and a cause of great concern for mutants.

When the President was assassinated, with half the country ruled by Therizo and Apocalypse, Landra brought the Purifiers to the forefront of the public's eye. She welcomed humans to the area the Purifiers controlled, promising safety and a better life. She also pledged to defeat Apocalypse and any mutant who stepped foot on their land and eventually, beyond. The goal of the Purifiers was to wipe the world of the mutant population in favor of human survival and the purification and preservation of their DNA as well as to return America to its former glory.

Currently the Purifiers and their Alpha Sentinels remain the only pro-human force in the United States.  

Christianity

There are as many splits in attitudes regarding mutants as there are denominations in Christianity.

Fundamentalism

The more Fundamentalist the denomination leans, the more strongly anti-mutant they are in most cases. They base their case on the Bible passage which includes "There were giants in the earth in those days... / And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth... / and it grieved him at his heart." (Gen 6:4-6:6) This is the passage leading up to the Great Flood, and leaders of Fundamentalist sects take this to mean that the very existence of mutants is a precursor to God's wrath, and a sign that the end is near. They consider tolerance of mutants anathema. They are often the most loudly outspoken against allowing mutants to live side-by-side with their innocent human neighbors. 

Islam

There is a split in how the Islamic sects regard mutants. About half regard mutants as Chosen of Allah and are very high up in the ranks of any fanatical groups they might join. Of course those that refuse invitations to join such groups are labeled as the very opposite and persecuted as such. Due to this attitude and making use of the mutants that join them, the pro-mutant sects are beginning to overpower their rivals. The rival sects have an attitude similar to Fundamentalist Christians, but are a little more militant in backing those beliefs up.

Judaism

Judaism is in the minority, as it has the strongest pro-mutant stance of any major world religion. Israel has declared itself a haven for mutants, greatly because of this attitude. Rabbis across the globe speak out against persecution of mutants, despite the backlash some of them suffer because of it. If any mutant underground railroads exist in an area, chances are Jews form its backbone.