Ancient Wisdom RELS 225: Cults and New Religious Movements

Slide 2. RosicruciansRosicrucians Occult-cabalistic-theosophic "Rosicrucian Brotherhood", described in the pamphlet "Fama Fraternitatis R.C." (Rosae crucis), which was circulated in print in 1614 Addition: "Allgemeine und Generalreforation der ganzen weiten Welt" Beginning with the fourth edition in 1615, "Confessio der Fraternitat", was also added to the "Fama".

Slide 3. According to these documents founded in 1408 Christian Rosenkreuz ( ) Concern: names in the Book of Life Alchemy secret study of Nature annual meeting

Slide 4. RosicruciansRosicrucians invited "scholars and rulers” to apply Hoax Like Luther's motto: "Des Christen Hertz auf Rosen geht, wenn's mitten unter'm Kreuze steht" Pseudo-Rosicrucian societies propagated by Freemasonry, Since 1866 "colleges" of Masonic Rosicrucians Only Master Masons are eligible for membership.

Slide 5. Masonic Rosicrucians "the aim of the Society to afford mutual aid and encouragement in working out the great problems of life and in searching out the secrets of nature; to facilitate the study of philosophy founded upon the Kabbalah and the doctrines of Hermes Trismegistus, which was inculcated by the original Fratres Roseae Crucis of Germany, A.D. 1450; and to investigate the meaning and symbolism of all that now remains of the wisdom, art, and literature of the ancient world".

Slide 6. Modern Rosicrucians: AMORC Is AMORC a Religion? No. Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis does not require a specific code of belief or conduct. Includes metaphysics and mysticism. by applying natural laws which enable Divine Consciousness.

Slide 7. FreemasonryFreemasonry The official birth of Freemasonry is conventionally set at the founding of the Grand Lodge in 1717

Slide 8. Freemason beliefs / practices Private: modes of recognition amongst members "secrets of Freemasonry", are the signs, tokens and words associated with recognition in each degree elements within the ritual Each lodge is independent, and can set its own rituals. central preoccupations: charitable work in the community moral uprightness belief in a Supreme Being Developing fraternal friendship

Slide 9. Anti-Masonry Conspiracy theories Secretive conspiracy accusations: liberty, equality, fraternity, separation of church and state Religious tolerance toward Jews (Nazis) Jewish front for world domination (forgery The Protocols of the Elders of Zion) 1786 Disclosure of the System of Cosmopolitan Politics claimed a conspiracy of Freemasons, Illuminati and Jesuits were plotting world revolution John Robison pamphlet Proofs of a Conspiracy against all the Religions and Governments of Europe, carried on in the secret meetings of Freemasons, Illuminati and Reading Societies.

Slide 10. Christian anti-Masonry This theory was repeated by many Christians other conspiracy theories claim all the US Presidents were Masons Masons were involved in the JFK assassination there are Masonic symbols in federal buildings and architecture. Charles Finney, The Character, Claims, and Practical Workings of Freemasonry Some Protestant and Eastern Orthodox denominations discourage joining Masonic lodges, ranging from mild concern to accusations of devil worship. The Roman Catholic Church punishes membership in the Masons with barring an offender from the Sacraments.

Slide 11. Freemasonry and Religion Freemasonry is not religion nor is it a substitute for religion. Requires belief in a Supreme Being provides no system of faith of its own. open to all religious faiths. discussion of religion at meetings is forbidden. Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion. a) no theological doctrine, and prevents one from developing b) no sacraments. c) does not claim salvation by any means.

Slide 12. Freemasonry and Religion The Supreme Being no separate Masonic God; a Freemason's God is the God of his religion. Volume of the Sacred Law The Bible is “the Volume of the Sacred Law”, open at every Masonic meeting. The Obligation of Freemasonry Masons swear on the Volume of the Sacred Law (to keep secret, to follow Freemasonry). The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition. Freemasonry Supports Religion Expects faith, and to place duty to God above all else

Slide 13. IlluminatiIlluminati Founded on May 1, 1776, in Ingolstadt (Upper Bavaria), by Adam WeishauptAdam Weishaupt Freethinkers. AKA "Perfectibilists". Secret societies banned in Bavaria in 1784 pledged obedience to their superiors three main classes, each with several degrees. Ended in Blamed for the French Revolution.

Slide 14. Modern Illuminati theories Dan Brown merges them with the Freemasons, as a resurrected society.

Slide 15. Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn One of most influential Western occult societies (around 1900) Members: W. B. Yeats, Aleister Crowley Founded 1887 by Rosicrucian William Westcott Obtained “ancient” manuscript from Mason A. E. A. Woodford, with parts of rituals Occultist friend Samuel Mathers filled in the gaps Westcott, Mathers, and W. R. Woodman (Supreme Magus of Rosicrucian Society of Anglia) Second Order

Slide 16. Golden Dawn Hierarchy (10 degrees, 3 orders each) Mather’s rituals based on Freemasonry 1896: Mathers claims the “Secret Chiefs” initiated him into 3 rd order 1897: members realize Westcott didn’t really “discover” the Golden Dawn. Resigns. 1898: Aleister Crowley joins. 1899: demands 2 nd order. Gets it. 1900: Crowley tries a coup. Crowley and Mathers expelled. Crowley publishes some of the rituals

Slide 17. Golden Dawn Yeats takes over : splits 1940’s Israel Regardie (Crowley’s secretary) publishes secret rituals Influences: Kabbalah Egyptian Book of the Dead William Blake (Prophetic Books) Chaldean Oracles Christian elements (Jesus as Master) Purpose: “to prosecute the Great Work: which is to obtain control of the nature and power of [one's] own being”

Slide 18. Theosophy Beliefs We lack true understanding of the world. That truth comes for Ascended Masters. Were human, almost podlike – thousands of years. Buddha, Jesus were Ascended Masters 100’s-1000’s of these AMs throughout the world, in schools. Seven-foot tall one in London, white clothing & turban (according to Alice Bailey) AMs are like Bodhisattvas

Slide 19. Theosophy Beliefs There are 1000’s of other worlds. All in the same great cosmic drama. Their history and mythology are described by Blavatsky. Sanat Kumara (lord of earth. Came from Venus 18 million years ago) lives at Shamballa – in another dimension in Gobi desert.Sanat Kumara

Slide 20. Conception of Divine/Transcendent No “God” but the ultimate is: “the One” Unlimited Absolute Indescribable Is. Ultimate Cause, but not creator. Evolves through an eternal dynamic of spirit & matter. We know “the One” by knowing our consciousness. Turn inward to know the outward world as it really is. Reject personal, anthropomorphic God, a logical impossibility (Platonic, Hegelian, Samkya Yoga)

Slide 21. EvilEvil Strictly there are no devils, demons, evil. But they explain why bad things happen: Disharmony. Accidents are part of the ebb & flow of nature. When we increase disharmony (by ignorance of our consciousness) we contribute to these bad things. Pain = want of harmony. Selfishness is source of disharmony.

Slide 22. HumanityHumanity 1.We are complex interpenetrating planes of matter & consciousness 2.We are manifestations of the ultimate, therefore interconnected with each other & with all the universe. 3.Consciousness reached a special level in humans, therefore have a special responsibility for development of the universe.

Slide 23. Humanity: Bodies There are 7 bodies. 4 outer (lower forms): 1.Physical body 2.Etheric body – close to physical, spiritualized a bit 3.Astral body – can separate & travel in space & time (dozens of groups also become) 4.Manasic body – lacks physical form. Mental ball of energy 3 inner (higher forms). Imperishable triad. These three survive death and continue life in another being. 1.Manas – mind, intelligence 2.Buddhi – soul, spiritual being 3.Atma – absolute self

Slide 24. Humanity: Root Species There will be seven root species in cosmic earth. We are the 5 th. Each has been a different composite of body & matter. We are to be masters of the material world. Science.

Slide 25. Humanity: Freedom We can’t change things through prayer But it is somewhat in our control. We are free agents. You can change the universe by changing yourself.

Slide 26. Death & the Afterlife Karma & reincarnation. Karma is the larger ordering principle which governs reincarnation Doing bad things accumulates bad karma Reborn as grasshopper, perhaps. Doing good things  more enlightened. Good = morals Bad = manipulation

Slide 27. Death & the Afterlife 16 levels of this world to be reborn in: Hungry ghost (lowest) … Human beings (in the middle) … Deva (eats ambrosia, floating around, distracted, not desire) Not immediately reborn when you die. Go to Devachan (like purgatory – review your life) When reborn, don’t take your personality & memories (unless you acquire the right skills) To the extent you fail to know your true self, you will have a bad time with death.

Slide 28. How to live the good life Non-prescriptive ethical system Don’t care about individual behaviour But oppose racial prejudice, nuclear bombs, oppression.

Slide 29. Summary of Theosophy Theosophy Beliefs: truth comes from Ascended Masters; There are 1000’s of other worlds. Conception of Divine/Transcendent: No “God” but “the One” is knowable by knowing our consciousness. Evil: no devils, demons, evil; why bad things happen: disharmony. Humanity manifestations of the ultimate, interconnected with each other & all the universe. 7 Bodies Root Species: We are the 5 th of 7 on earth. Freedom: You can change the universe by changing yourself. Death & the Afterlife Karma & reincarnation; Bad = manipulation 16 levels of this world to be reborn in: Not immediately reborn when you die, but go to Devachan (like purgatory) How to live the good life: no rules, but oppose generally recognized evil.

Slide 30. Neo-PaganismNeo-Paganism In the Western tradition Eastern yoga and meditation are thought to be too foreign for westerners Relationship with occult Kabbalah, Tarot cards, astrology, etc. But use rite instead of intellectual/psychological exercise. More concerned with human relationship with nature

Slide 31. Background of Neo- Paganism Roots in romanticism Eliphas Levi ( ) France, applied romantic feeling to magic. Papas ( ) France, founded an Order. Some Masons (1888) founded Order of the Golden Dawn led by S. L. MacGregor Mathers. ( ), who claimed occult contact with 3 “Secret Chiefs” in Paris. Aleister Crowley ( ) expelled from the Golden Dawn founded his own Order (Argentinum Astrum), then joined Ordo Templarum Orientalis (1912). Wrote on “magick”, poet, heroin addict, exaggerator, dramatic. “Do what you will shall be the whole of the Law” Practiced sex magic.