This High Council is the absolute highest authority on matters of Cromulist nature. The council was created not for the purpose of an overarching governing figurehead, but to settle disputes and keep order in trying times. Originally created to sit the two founders, Ben Creasy and Fynn Schmitt-Ulms, the council shall expand to a total of five members upon their deaths. At this time, new leaders will be chosen democratically, through organized election, to ensure that the values of Cromulism are best represented and upheld at the highest level. These leaders will either be re-elected or replaced at five year intervals, to maintain the integrity of their positions and avoid corruption. The purpose of the council is to govern the uncertainty inherently present within not only Cromulism, but the world itself. Intellectually and morally “grey areas” will be the domain of this council, and they will have the power to promote the consensus on the issue as Cromulist fact. Cromulism recognizes the perpetual change of knowledge, belief, and truth in the world, and promotes amending this very text in order to implement these alterations and improve the religion. This feat may only occur through the process of referendum, where at least seventy percent of active Cromulists must vote on the amendment. Through this vote, if more than sixty percent of Cromulists are in favour of the change, the High Council will be tasked with the implementation of the agreed-upon amendment. Similarly, as the realm of human knowledge, discovery, and achievement is broadened, consideration of the addition of a new Notable may come into question, in which case identical proceedings as with amendments must occur for this formidable human to grace the pages of this very text. The final responsibility of the High Council is the vetting and decision-making process of selecting congregation leaders, known as Knowledgeables. The Council shall use its collective discretion to select a member of this great religion to preside over a geographic area as the leader of weekly Cromulist gatherings. These Knowledgeables are monitored by the High Council, and each must undergo a yearly performance review, at which time the council may decide to recertify or remove Knowledgeables from their position. High Council members may hold their own congregations if so desired.
The present Notables and their accomplishments have been outlined within this text, and consist of individuals who have contributed significantly to the advancement and preservation of human knowledge and discovery. Those highlighted as Notables in the initial iteration of this text are irremovable from it, and remain as the pillars of the group for the rest of mankind’s existence. Notables selected in the future by referendum are subject to a certain scrutiny, and decisions may be reversed through the same process they were made. Being acknowledged as a Notable is the highest honour in all of Cromulism, and those who bear this title should be revered and treated with the utmost dignity. The advancements generated as a result of their thirst for knowledge embodies the essence of Cromulism, and creates a hopeful future.
The Knowledgeables of Cromulism are a specific, vetted group of honourable and dedicated Cromulists appointed by the High Council on a merit basis. The mission of these select few is to serve as leaders and Cromulist representatives in their immediate community, and around the world. The most important duty of a Knowledgeable is to lead weekly congregations every Saturday. This task serves a number of essential purposes, including generating a sense of community among Cromulists, keeping members up to date on current social and scientific events and discoveries, and helping people to discover their own morality and sense of self worth. As the nature of communication throughout humankind is bound to change with the progression of technology, it is expected that Knowledgeables remain up to date with these advancements, and be able to utilize them for Cromulist purposes. To some extent, each Knowledgeable is to harness the power of technologies such as social media to create a more inclusive and tight-knit Cromulist community. The Knowledgeables are the most direct authority to the people from the High Council, and are spread out in various locations around the world to assist in increasing the grasp of Cromulism. As they are direct representation of the High Council, it is expected that they conduct themselves in a way that best embodies the Council and Cromulism as a whole. Unsatisfactory performance by a Knowledgeable may lead to a loss of rank if the High Council deems it necessary during the performance review period during the last month of every Gregorian calendar year.
The celebration of Cromulism happens through weekly congregations at Donariums. A Donarium (sanctuary in Latin) is a Cromulist center for learning and knowledge, open to everyone. The weekly congregations, which occur on Saturdays, begin with a ceremonial reading of the Cromulist Pledge followed by a talk by either the Donarium’s Knowledgeable or by a guest speaker. This talk is intended to inform members of new information in both the world of science and elsewhere. Once the talk is finished, members may break up into smaller groups in order to discuss new concepts or debate important issues. Healthy snacks while be provided. The purpose of these congregations is to teach members important concepts and unify a community in the pursuit of learning.
The practicing of Cromulism, however, occurs not only in what you think and believe, but also in daily action upon belief. There are several Cromulist practices and rituals that comprise these daily activities. The most important one is simply to uphold Cromulist values throughout the day. For example, the search for knowledge is a defining Cromulist value which encourages the practice of reading and researching new concepts in one’s spare time. As well as practices, Cromulism also has a pledge which can be recited in trying times to remind oneself of what is important.