Rosicrucian Religion
Although some people believe that the Rosicrucian following is relatively new considering other much older beliefs, Rosicrucians claim much earlier beginnings for themselves than can be documented. One group even claims ties to Thutmose III, about 1500 B.C. in Egypt (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, 1915).
Their founder is generally claimed to be Christian Rosenkreuz, supposedly born in 1378 and died in 1484 (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, 1915). However, the Encyclopedia Britannica, says, "Some regard the story as a statement of fact and hold Christian Rosenkreuz to have been the found of the order. More generally it is held to be a mythical explanation of the order and Christian Rosenkreuz is not a real person at all, but a symbolic character".
Rosicrucians are found world-wide as well as in North America. One faction in the U.S.A. known as AMORC (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis) is located in Atlanta, Georgia where my uncle is an active Lodge member.
I became more curious about my uncle's involvement after the death of his aunt, (my great-aunt), Carrie, who also was Rosicrucian. Little to my knowledge, my uncle was greatly influenced by her beliefs in practicing this following.
When hearing about the Rosicrucian, one automatically images a picture of a cross and a rose. I asked my uncle, Nathan, what this symbol represented. He stated that the symbolism includes a Christian-looking cross, with either a rose in the middle, or a cross surrounded by roses (Benowitz, 2007). However, the cross of the Rosicrucians is not the cross of Christianity. The "Rosy Cross" does not represent any connection with the Christian crucifix. To them [the Rosicrucians], the cross represents, "the body of man" with the rose symbolizing "man's soul unfolding and evolving" (Benowitz, 2007). This unchristian concept is followed through into their doctrines. To the Rosicrucians, God is an impersonal being composed of seven spirits, manifesting themselves as a "triune godhead" (MacGregor, 2000).
"The Rosicrucian Cosmo Conception", reads, "...The seven spirits before the throne...collectively, they are God and make us the triune godhead...the Father is the highest initiate among the humanity of the Saturn..." (MacGregor, 2000). Truly, the Rosicrucian trinity is not the Christian Trinity. In the pages of the Bible, the One, True, Eternal God has revealed Himself in three ways, as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Anthony F.C. Wallace’s definition, “belief and ritual concerned with supernatural powers and forces,” can be seen in this religions praying for healing, not actual medical help, but requesting supernatural or divine intervention. Emile Durkheim’s definition, “religious effervescence, the collective emotional intensity of worship,” this aligns with their intense prayers, when they are overcome with the Holy Spirit, and have involuntary movements, this is certainly an intense emotion and reaction. This could also be applied to their speaking in tongues, or “glossolalia,” which we also saw many people do. Victor Turner’s understanding, “communities, or the feeling of intense social solidarity, equality and togetherness,” even though this church eventually split in different racial divides, in the beginning it was described as a place for everyone, of all races, very egalitarian and women held positions of power, this demonstrates the social solidarity, equality and togetherness Turner
"The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies." Secret Teachings of All Ages: , Part Three. N.p., 30 June 2007. Web. 04 Dec. 2013.
The cult was mainly composed of men and women both. All members had crew cuts and were between the ages of 26 and 72. Although many members lived together in a mansion in California, they came from all parts of the country. Many were from California, but members also came from Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Minnesota, Utah, Ohio, and Florida. There were approximatly 39 members who lived in the 1.3 million dollar Rancho Santa Fe mansion. They operated a web site for their cult called “Higher Source”.
...ed in Atlanta Georgia in 1915 and they were revived because some were scared of a communist revolution.
Charles Taze Russell started the idea of Jehovah Witnesses, it was originally called the Watchtower Society. Once Russell passed away Joseph Franklin Rutherford changed the name and became the new president. Because of Russell’s different views he started a class to show others his beliefs and ideas. More and more people became interested, as it became more popular Russell took the title of ‘Pastor”
Hinduism is made of many different religions and does not have one origin or single founder. The religion of Hinduism is very old, “300-100 B.C.E.--- The first trace of temple worship. Hindu people worship at the shrine, where Hindus make offerings to a murti. A murti is a statue of a god or goddess” (McMillan). In addition, other religions are based off Hinduism, “5000-10000 B.C.---Hinduism can be traced back to 5000-10000 B.C. Hinduism is a very old religion, many religions are based off of Hinduism, like Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism” (McMillan).
know of and if they do it is often misunderstood to be some sort of cult. To those who practice it
Rastas believe in a Judeo- Christian god called Jah, and believed that Jah was manifested in the form of Jesus, whom the movement believes was actually black, and is manifested in the form of Emperor Haile Selassie. Their main beliefs are from Judaism and Christianity with the emphasis on the Old Testament laws, prophecies, and the Book of Revelation. Emperor
In the Old Testament everything is scarttered and it is hard to explain the exact meaning of the word trinity. However, in the Old Testament, they set up the idea of the trinity. God is the creator of this universe and he created this world by speaking his word and sending out his spirtit. Bavinck wrote that God’s “word” is the objective principle of creation and his “spirit” is the subjective principle. According to him, the world came into being by threefold causes, the word of God, word hypostatized as wisdom and the spirit of God. In other word, the Old Testament refers to God's word, his spirit, and Wisdom. This t...
With regard to the Han Dynasty, movement and religion seems all relate with the “naturalistic” and anti-authoritarian ethos. At that time, Taoism is a natural characterization of the ideology ‘behind any non-Confucian or anti-conformist strains of thought, which its inherent focus on ways’ (Wang & Chanzit, 2004). It results in that it has become a deeply malleable concept which defers to scholars of religion, in ancient Chinese society, to sort out ‘the conceptual limits of Taoist religion and baldly focus on what philosophical content can be extracted from the classical exemplars: Laozi and Zhuangzi’ (Wang, 2011, pp.107). For instance, ‘The way which can be uttered, is not the eternal Way. The name which can be named, is not the eternal Name’
It formed in 1960 C.E. and originated in the United States. Recent surveys of US adults indicate that many Americans hold at least some of the new spirituality beliefs. Eight percent of Americans believe in astrology as a method of foretelling the future. Seven percent of americans believe that crystals are a source of healing or energizing power. Nine percent of americans believe that Tarot Cards are a reliable base for life decisions. New Spirituality has many beliefs such as monism and also pantheism which is all that exists is God; This leads naturally to the concept of the divinity of the individual, that we are all gods. They don’t seek God as revealed in a sacred text; they seek god within the self and the entire universe. They also believe in reincarnation which is when you die you will come back reborn in a new form whether it’s another person or even an animal. They also believe in karma which is basically what comes around goes around so if you do something good or nice you will have good fortune but if you do something really mean or bad you will have really bad fortune come to you. They believe in aura which is an energy field radiated by the body. Some practices that new spirituality practices is channeling and meditation. Many celebrities are into new spirituality. The main one that is really out there about her worldview and doesn’t mind talking about it to anyone is Oprah. The six main characteristics of New Spirituality thinking are: first, all is unity. Second, all is divine. Third, is humanity is divine. Next is a change in consciousness. Fifth is all religions are one. Lastly Cosmic Evolutionary
The Pagan Rus did not have a difficult time identifying and worshiping Orthodox Christianity because Orthodoxy fit their general ethical boundaries. The Rus, however, still had to find ways to make the opposing views of polytheism and monotheism culturally fit. They did this via a practice called double faith. Certain pagan rituals and stories were saved and some pagan rituals and stories were tweaked by locals to fit Christian saints and God. In this way, Russian Orthodoxy arguably adapted more to paganism and traditional folklore than vice-versa. This helped create one of the most unique cultures that permeates Russia to this day.
The doctrine of the Trinity, as seen in the Christian bible, is primary to the Christian faith. The word “Trinity” does not actually appear in the bible; it is a theological label meant to summarize certain teachings of certain passages of scripture, and is crucial to properly understand what God is like, how He relates to us, and how we relate to Him. It may also raise many difficult questions including what does it mean that God is a Trinity? While it is difficult for us to fully understand everything about the trinity, it is quite possible to answer questions like this one and come to a solid grasp of what it means for God to be three in one.
In Christianity one of their primary beliefs is the idea of a Triune God, which means the belief of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as one entity not three separate beings. This would result in God being indivisible and could not be divided into three different parts for an ...
...d in the 1980s (Guiley). Spiritualism purported evidence of survival after death along with spirits performing cool paranormal activity. Its activity spread across America and developed deep roots in Great Britian as well. People back then, as they are today, succumbed to the mystery and power Spiritualism had to offer.