The '''Cult Mechanicus''' is the state religion of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]], which recognizes recognises its own dogma as opposed to that of the [[Imperial Cult]]. As an organisation, it is composed of the priesthood of the Adeptus Mechanicus, also known as [[Tech-Priest]]s.

The Cult Mechanicus has ancient origins, developing on [[Mars]] during the [[Age of Strife]]. It was the state religion of the early Mechanicum even before the arrival of the [[Emperor]] and the commencement of the [[Great Crusade]].{{Fn|5}} When the Emperor first arrived on Mars many saw him as the [[Omnissiah]], or the physical manifestation of the Machine God. As per the terms of the [[Treaty of Olympus]] that saw [[Terra]] and Mars unify, the Mechanicum was was still allowed to practice its faith despite the Emperor's own secular [[Imperial Truth]].{{Fn|66a}} The Cult Mechanicus continues to exist to this day, distinct but related to the [[Imperial Cult]].

The core tenets of the Cult Mechanicus are codified in the sixteen "[[Universal Law]]s".{{Fn|8}}Along the ages, the creed has accrued further theses, such as the [[Law of the Divine Complexity]]{{Fn|6a}}{{Fn|6b}} or the [[Third Law of Universal Variance]]{{Fn|14}}.

The '''Machine God''', also known as the '''Deus Mechanicus''', {{Fn|2}}{{Fn|3}}{{Fn|4a}} '''He who is three-in-one''',{{Fn|15b}} '''the three in one''',{{Fn|16c}} '''the triple god''',{{Fn|16a}} '''the prime architect''',{{Fn|15a}} and '''God-Machine''',{{Fn|11}} is the ultimate object of worship in the Cult Mechanicus. It is the Machine God that gave rise to all technologies and made them manifest through his chosen among mankind. To the Mechanicus, machines represent a higher form of life than those crudely formed from biological evolution. The planned perfection of form and function embodied in a machine are so great, that they could only have arisen from a divine source. Officially, the Cult Mechanicus maintains that the [[Emperor]] is the physical manifestation of the Machine God (the '''Omnissiah''') and part of a trinity that also includes the Machine God and the '''Motive Force''', the deity that gives all life and motion its continued existence.{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|3}}{{Fn|4a}}

Organic life is the Machine-God’s greatest accomplishment within the scope of the Great Work. The [[Men Machine God created the complex weaknesses of flesh so his followers might learn metallic strength, and ascend to his level of Iron]] also appear machinic perfection.{{Fn|15b}} Thus striving to improve upon it and replace it, however, abandoning his numerous gifts is done at great peril. For to be familiar with give up one's soul is the Omnissiah figure great sin of the Cult Mechanicus. The soul must be understood, not despised. Such is life’s great test.{{Fn|16b}} One of its the surviving constructs [[Men of Iron]], [[UR-025]] , states that it has met the true Omnissiah, not the false one worshipped by man, and that it would find the Mechanicum disappointing.{{Fn|7}} ====Tech-Heresy====The Cult Mechanicus also outlays a strict code of Technological conduct, dubbing a far range of innovations and fields as Tech-Heresy (''Heretechnica'') and its practitioners as [[Heretek]]s. These include such forbidden sciences as unleashing plagues of death across entire star systems, draining energy from stars, or distorting space-time. However the three greatest orders of Tech-Heresy are that of [[Abominable Intelligence]], manipulating the Human genome, and study of the [[Warp]].{{Fn|10}} Preventing Tech-Heresy takes many forms, like the [[Puritens]] surgery.{{citethis}} ===Sign of the Cog===The '''sign of the cog''' is a hand gesture to indicate faith and deference towards the Machine God. This gesture might be used while praying{{Fn|17a}}{{Fn|17c}} or when giving solemn thanks.{{Fn|17b}}{{Fn|17d}} The sign of the cog is made by lacing both hands together across one's torso. Similar to the [[Imperial Cult]]'s [[sign of the aquila]], both are solemn signs of faith that are made by placing both hands in a front of one's chest in a gesture across placed across one's chest.{{Fn|17e}}

==OrganizationOrganisation==While each [[Forge World]] is led by its own [[Fabricator General]], it is the Fabricator of [[Mars]] who is considered the de facto leader of the Cult Mechanicus. Beneath the Fabricator General is the [[Fabricator Locum]] who in turn may call upon and command Magi Technicus, Metallurgicus, Alchemys, Cogitatrices, Pedanticum, Tech-assassins, hive monitors and Holy Requisitioners, who in turn can command a body of fabricators minoris, [[Fulgurites]], [[Corpuscarii]], overseers, underseers, stasis clerks, and techno-dervishes.{{Fn|9a}} The governing body of each Forge World's technarchy{{Fn|15a}} is referred to as a [[forge-synod]]. These synods are collections of high ranking tech priests of that Forge World and are led by that Forge World's Fabricator General. All Forge Synods ultimately owe fealty to the [[Great Synod]] of Mars.{{citethis}}

The Cult Mechanicus is organized organised in different Holy Orders, of which a Tech-Priest may change in time of need. The orders of the '''[[Magi''' ]] pursue esoteric agendas as likely to end in triumpth as disaster. The orders of the '''[[Genetors''' ]] probe biological mysteries, creating ever-stranger cyborgs and slaughtering numerous xenos to excise their biological secrets. {{Fn|9a}}{{Fn|9b}} The '''[[Logis]] includes analyst, statistician, and logistician whose purpose is to predict future trends and make forecasts about Mechanicus expenditure and needs.{{Fn|4c}} The [[Artisans''' ]] create and restore weapons of war.{{Fn|9a}}{{Fn|9b}}

Each [[Tech-Priest Dominus]] may lead a [[Cult Mechanicus Battle Congregation|Battle Congregation]] consisting of detachments of the [[Servitoria]], [[Electro-Priesthood]], and the [[Legio Cybernetica]].{{Fn|4b}}

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex Imperialis(Background Book)]] pg, pgs.41-42*{{Endn|2}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook]] pg, pgs.120-122

*{{Endn|4}}: [[Codex: Cult Mechanicus (7th Edition)]]

*{{Endn|6}}: [[Mechanicum (Novel)]] , Chapter 1**{{Endn|6a}}: ''Principa Mechanicum'', 1.01**{{Endn|6b}}: ''Principa Mechanicum'', 1.02

*{{Endn|9}}: [[Codex: Adeptus Mechanicus (8th Edition)]]**{{Endn|9a}}: pg. 10 - ''Priests of the Omnissiah'', pg. 10**{{Endn|9b}}: pg. 10 - ''The Holy Orders of the Cult Mechanicus''*{{Endn|10}}: [[The Horus Heresy: Age of Darkness]] Rulebook, pg. 10124*{{Endn|11}}: [[Vainglorious (Novel)]], Chapter Eight, with reference to note #54*{{Endn|13}}: [[Fire Warrior (Novel)]], Chapter 3, pgs. 64-66*{{Endn|14}}: [[Predator, Prey (Novel)]], Chapter Eight*15: [[Belisarius Cawl: The Great Work (Novel)]]:**{{Endn|15a}}: Chapter 6**{{Endn|15b}}: Chapter 12*16:[[Genefather (Novel)]]:**{{Endn|16a}}: Chapter 5**{{Endn|16b}}: Chapter 7**{{Endn|16c}}: Chapter 12*17: [[Dominion Genesis (Novel)]]**{{Endn|17a}}: ''Gryphonne IV'', Chapter 6**{{Endn|17b}}: ''The Almagest'', Chapter 3**{{Endn|17c}}: ''The Almagest'', Chapter 4**{{Endn|17d}}: ''Tolkhan'', Chapter 2**{{Endn|17e}}: ''Dominion Genesis'', Chapter 4