To ordinary humans, the Space Marines, the Astartes, were more than immensely powerful warriors who defended the Imperium against all manner of xenos.
In religion, too, they were regarded as the Emperor's angels. After all, there were so few of them, and they fought only in the Imperium's pivotal battles. Ordinary people might never see one in their entire lives.
Many had heard of them only through religious scriptures, so quite a few mortals worshipped them as well.
"The Emperor's angels are too few, and the xenos that must be destroyed are too many. As subjects of the Imperium and devout believers in the God-Emperor, we should not make our salvation a burden laid upon the angels' shoulders."
Pex wore robes resembling those of an Ecclesiarchy priest. Of course, the resemblance was only superficial; many of the details were bizarre and strange, such as his four arms.
"Mortals have their own strength. Mortals can save themselves, and they can demonstrate their devotion to the God-Emperor through their own actions. Only then, after death, can we be with the God-Emperor and become one with his greatness."
Pex's words differed drastically from the Ecclesiarchy's teachings. The Ecclesiarchy monopolized the Imperium's cultural institutions, preaching the Emperor's holiness and greatness. Most Imperial holidays were religious festivals.
At most, the Ecclesiarchy said that devout faith allowed people to return to the Golden Throne after death, not become one with the Emperor. He was humanity's sacred god. How could he merge with the souls of ordinary people?
Sure enough, many refugees in the church looked confused, even frightened. The only reason no one leaped up in outrage was that the Ecclesiarchy's fanatics had already been purged.
"My lord... isn't saying such things disrespectful to the Emperor? How could mortals like us possibly be compared to the