There is a legend telling us that when the Christ Child was born in a rude stable on a chilly Bethlehem night the baby cried and would not be consoled. One by one the animals attempted to placate the Child but failed. Eventually the humble stable cat nestled with the Child in his hay filled manger and the soft purring of the feline lulled the Child to sleep. In gratitude for this kindness the Virgin Mary traced the letter "M" on the cat's brow and told the animal that forevermore the descendants of the cat would bear the "M" on it's forehead to inform the world that cats were to be held in special esteem by believers everywhere.
In the seventh century the Prophet Mohammed lived with a feline he called Musa or Moses. It is said that Mohammed loved the cat so dearly that he cut off his sleeve (upon which Musa was sleeping) rather than wake the cat. In another story it is told that the Prophet was saved from a venomous snake by a pet cat. Mohammed then proclaimed than the cat would be with him in paradise. This would indicate that cats possess immortal souls to be capable of a life beyond earthly death.
We, as Bastians, also known as Bastinians, believe that God created the dog to follow man as if he were an earthly god and created cat to remind man that he is not a god of the universe but only of his own small place on earth. It is when man begins to feel that he should be worshiped as the Creator is worshiped that he sets himself up as Lucifer did for eventual destruction.
We, as Bastians, believe that each member of our religion should keep indoor cats and that those cats should be vaccinated, fed, kept clean, and neutered or spayed.
We, as Bastians, believe that our religion necessitates cat-keeping and that it is a right granted by the US Constitution and that any landlord, condo association or home owners association which would prohibit cat-keeping interferes with our right to practice our religion and that such prohibition constitutes grounds for a lawsuit against such individual or association. Courts have upheld the right of Santaria adherents to sacrifice animals as a part of their religious practices and those Courts would have no alternative other than to uphold the right of Bastians to keep and care for felines.
If you agree with the abovementioned tenets of belief send an email with your legal name to:
and you will be formally added to our list of congregants. Important: This could mean verification of your beliefs as a Bastian should you decide to take your landlord or association to Court for attempting to deny your religious freedom under law.
Thank you,
