Frank Herbert’s Dune series is set far into mankind’s future at a nexus of unique conditions,
the mixture of which culminates in an explosion of universal change on a level not seen for
some 10,000 years.
In this video I’d like to explore one particular aspect of the Order of the Bene Gesserit,
namely the Missionaria Protectiva.
Due to the efforts of this black arm of superstition, it can be said that the Sisterhood is largely
responsible for facilitating the outbreak of an absolutely devastating religious war
which fundamentally transformed mankind's interstellar Imperium.
Spoiler warning if you are unfamiliar with Frank Herbert’s Dune series.
In the distant future, amidst a feudal galactic empire the sisterhood of the Bene Gesserit
stands as one of the key social, religious, and political structures of the known universe.
Though the full extent of the power they possess remains hidden to outsiders so as not to be
considered a threat and endanger their plans for humanity.
They wield their considerable influence behind the scenes.
To the public they exist to serve the Imperium as an ancient school of mental and physical
training primarily for female students.
The abilities that they allow to be made public are invaluable to the nobles of the Great
Houses and so their women are either sent to Bene Gesserit schools to be trained, or
their members are installed as wives or concubines to the nobility.
Otherwise their services are enlisted as needed to assist individuals in positions of power.
The Padishah Emperor Shaddam the 4th has by his side the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam
employing her as a truthsayer, one capable of detecting deceit and the withholding of
information.
Close to these influential figures they clandestinely pull the strings of the rich and powerful
manipulating them to serve their own purposes and to direct humanity on a course of their
choosing.
A path they believe will bring stability and enlightenment.
Over thousands of years this ancient order of women has achieved supreme control of their
own bodies believing it to be the key to controlling the universe.
But the training of a Bene Gesserit involves so much more than being able to bend every
body part and internal process to their will.
Their machinations also extend to the control and manipulation of other individuals and
even entire peoples and cultures.
One of the ways they achieve this mass manipulation is through religious engineering.
The Missionaria Protectiva is a specific faction of the sisterhood responsible for sowing seeds
of prophecy and superstition, planting myths and legends on primitive worlds throughout
the known universe so as to be of use or rather exploited by the Bene Gesserit when needed.
When it comes to religion within the Sisterhood they themselves hold to the commandments laid
out in the Orange Catholic Bible.
One of the most important religious texts in the known universe.
It is also referred to as the "Accumulated Book," as it is a collection and fusion of
elements from all of mankind’s major religions such as Christianity, Catholicism and Buddislamic
traditions.
It’s Supreme Commandment: Thou shalt not disfigure the soul.
Yet another that has also significantly shaped society is Thou shalt not make a machine in
the likeness of a human mind.
They hold to these commands and the structure of their organization, their training program,
teaching methods, and rituals are reminiscent of a religious body.
Yet in private the Sisterhood denies that they are such, holding an agnostic view and
considering gods to be a product of their own making.
Religion is just another tool to aid them in their manipulation of society.
The collection of infectious superstitions,prophecies, and legends planted and maintained by the
Missionaria Protectiva are known as the PANOPLIA PROPHETICUS.
Which prophecies or superstitions are seeded and used by those of the sisterhood could
vary depending on how primitive a particular culture is and how much control a Bene Gesserit
would need to accomplish her goals.
By assuming certain roles within the prophecies themselves a Bene Gesserit could infiltrate
certain organizations or cultures as a short term option to receive protected status.
A fully trained member of the order is certainly capable of defending herself so if the safety
measures put in place on a certain planet need to be taken advantage of, that in of
itself is indicative of how dangerous that particular environment is.
The Bene Gesserit’s long term goal is to manufacture a superbeing known as the Kwisatz
Haderach which would then be controlled by the Sisterhood to achieve universal dominance.
The implantation of these myths and legends across the universe would ultimately serve
as a catalyst to encourage the acceptance of this messiah by the masses who would be
inclined to see the Kwisatz Haderach as a fulfillment of their religious beliefs.
This would limit the amount of resistance by the peoples against the domination of this
superbeing.
As the story of Dune unfolds on Arrakis we see just how hostile this planet is and how
the Missionaria Protectiva’s implementation of certain religious doctrines seeded centuries
earlier can be used to a Bene Gesserit’s advantage.
After House Atreides arrives on Arrakis, Lady Jessica, Bene Gesserit concubine of Duke Leto
Atreides begins to feel out the current impact of the myth seeding that had previously been
done.
She is well aware of the danger of the Atreides new assignment, having been given stewardship
over Dune.
Her skillful manipulation of the implanted myths on the planet is impressive; she is
careful with her choice of words with the local Fremen as she perceives the presence
of the Mahdi legend.
She wisely knows when to stay silent and lets the Fremen reach their own conclusions regarding
signs of fulfilled prophecy which they wholeheartedly want to believe and see the fulfillment of.
Mahdi, comes from an arabic word meaning the Guided One or the savior.
To the Fremen people the term equates broadly to "The one who will lead us to paradise".
In Fremen legend, the Mahdi was believed to be an off-worlder, as well as the child of
a Bene Gesserit.
In the story of Dune, after Paul joins the Fremen and displays his clairvoyant ability
and masterful fighting skills, the Fremen tribe members gradually begin to see Paul
as their savior, the Mahdi.
Another legend that had been seeded by the Missionaria Protectiva that helps to secure
their belief in Paul’s fulfillment of prophecy was the Lisan al Gaib, "The Voice from the
Outer World" which is the fremen term for an off-world prophet.
Paul’s prescient ability serves as evidence to convince the Fremen people that he is this
prophet.
The Fremen’s culture has been heavily imprinted by the Bene Gesserit, to the extent that they
use many of the same terms.
Their spiritual leaders are women who are also referred to as Reverend Mothers and they
even have similar rituals, such as the spice agony.
Lady Jessica notes just how effective the ancient members of the Missionaria Protectiva
were in purveying these myths.
Thinking “She must've been good, that Bene Gesserit of the Missionaria Protectiva.
These Fremen are beautifully prepared to believe in us.”
By Jessica and Paul taking advantage of these long-since implanted legends, they’re able
to utilize this religious safety valve of sorts to suit their emergency needs.
This helps to secure their protection from the hostile forces of House Harkonnen which
have been bolstered by the emperor’s fearsome Sardaukar.
There are however major consequences to the exploitation of the Fremen people and the
use of the missionaria protectiva’s religious engineering to secure their family’s short
term safety.
The ripple effects and large-scale consequences of the deceptive work of the Bene Gesserit
continue on and serve as a basis for the story of Frank Herbert’s following books.
But I’m curious to know what you think about the Missionaria Protectiva.
Is there a particular aspect of the sisterhood’s work to propagate prophecies and superstitions
that stands out most to you?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Thank you all so much for your support and as always, have a very nerdy day.