Weekly Post
Joseph Kemmerly Fri 11:00AM
I am currently reading World Religions in America and this weeks post
is dedicated to religions that have been founded in this country.
http://www.tfccs.com/
The first one is Christian Science.
You can find out about Christian Science here:
http://www.tfccs.com/aboutthechurch/
Here's a preview:
The Church was founded by Mary Baker Eddy with a healing mission that
embraces all humanity. In the early 1870s, Eddy began to widely share
her principles of spiritual healing for the benefit of others. After
publication in 1875 of Science and Health, her primary work on
spirituality and healing, readers began meeting to discuss the ideas
and share their healing results. Then, in 1879, Eddy established what
became The First Church of Christ, Scientist.
The second one is Theosophy:
http://www.theosophical.org/theosophy/index.html
Here's an FAQ on Theososphy:
http://www.theosophical.org/theosophy/faqs/index.html
Here's a preview:
What is Theosophy?
To answer that question, we need to distinguish between modern
Theosophy and ancient or timeless Theosophy. Timeless Theosophy, also
called by many names such as the "Wisdom Tradition" and the "Perennial
Philosophy," is a tradition found in human cultures all over the world
and at all times in history. It is the basis of the inner or mystical
side of many philosophies and cultures. Modern Theosophy is a
contemporary statement of that tradition as set forth through the
Theosophical Society.
What does this Wisdom Tradition teach?
The three basic ideas of Theosophy are (1) the fundamental unity of
all existence, so that all pairs of opposites—matter and spirit, the
human and the divine, I and thou—are transitory and relative
distinctions of an underlying absolute Oneness, (2) the regularity of
universal law, cyclically producing universes out of the absolute
ground of being, and (3) the progress of consciousness developing
through the cycles of life to an ever-increasing realization of Unity.
What specific doctrines do Theosophists believe in?
The Theosophical Society is nondogmatic, and Theosophists are
encouraged to accept nothing on faith or on the word of another, but
to adopt only those ideas that satisfy their own sense of what is real
and important. Theosophy is a way of looking at life rather than a
creed. Modern Theosophy, however, presents ideas like the following
for our consideration, and many Theosophists hold these ideas, not as
fixed beliefs, but as a way of looking at life that explains the world
as they experience it:
* reincarnation,
* karma (or moral justice),
* the existence of worlds of experience beyond the physical,
* the presence of life and consciousness in all matter,
* the evolution of spirit and intelligence as well as of physical
matter,
* the possibility of our conscious participation in evolution,
* the power of thought to affect one's self and surroundings,
* the reality of free will and self-responsibility,
* the duty of altruism, a concern for the welfare of others, and
* the ultimate perfection of human nature, society, and life.
What practices do Theosophists follow?
All members of the Theosophical Society decide what practices and
manner of living are appropriate for them, but many Theosophists
follow a certain regimen of life that is implied by Theosophical ideas
like those above. They meditate regularly, both to gain insight into
themselves and as a service to humanity. They are vegetarians and
avoid the use of furs or skins for which animals are killed. They do
not use alcohol or drugs (except under a doctor's order). They support
the rights of all human beings for fair and just treatment, being
therefore supporters of women's and minority rights. They respect
differences of culture and support intellectual freedom. Theosophists
are not asked to accept any opinion or adopt any practice that does
not appeal to their inner sense of reason and morality.
I am currently reading World Religions in America and this weeks post
is dedicated to religions that have been founded in this country.
http://www.tfccs.com/
The first one is Christian Science.
You can find out about Christian Science here:
http://www.tfccs.com/aboutthechurch/
Here's a preview:
The Church was founded by Mary Baker Eddy with a healing mission that
embraces all humanity. In the early 1870s, Eddy began to widely share
her principles of spiritual healing for the benefit of others. After
publication in 1875 of Science and Health, her primary work on
spirituality and healing, readers began meeting to discuss the ideas
and share their healing results. Then, in 1879, Eddy established what
became The First Church of Christ, Scientist.
The second one is Theosophy:
http://www.theosophical.org/theosophy/index.html
Here's an FAQ on Theososphy:
http://www.theosophical.org/theosophy/faqs/index.html
Here's a preview:
What is Theosophy?
To answer that question, we need to distinguish between modern
Theosophy and ancient or timeless Theosophy. Timeless Theosophy, also
called by many names such as the "Wisdom Tradition" and the "Perennial
Philosophy," is a tradition found in human cultures all over the world
and at all times in history. It is the basis of the inner or mystical
side of many philosophies and cultures. Modern Theosophy is a
contemporary statement of that tradition as set forth through the
Theosophical Society.
What does this Wisdom Tradition teach?
The three basic ideas of Theosophy are (1) the fundamental unity of
all existence, so that all pairs of opposites—matter and spirit, the
human and the divine, I and thou—are transitory and relative
distinctions of an underlying absolute Oneness, (2) the regularity of
universal law, cyclically producing universes out of the absolute
ground of being, and (3) the progress of consciousness developing
through the cycles of life to an ever-increasing realization of Unity.
What specific doctrines do Theosophists believe in?
The Theosophical Society is nondogmatic, and Theosophists are
encouraged to accept nothing on faith or on the word of another, but
to adopt only those ideas that satisfy their own sense of what is real
and important. Theosophy is a way of looking at life rather than a
creed. Modern Theosophy, however, presents ideas like the following
for our consideration, and many Theosophists hold these ideas, not as
fixed beliefs, but as a way of looking at life that explains the world
as they experience it:
* reincarnation,
* karma (or moral justice),
* the existence of worlds of experience beyond the physical,
* the presence of life and consciousness in all matter,
* the evolution of spirit and intelligence as well as of physical
matter,
* the possibility of our conscious participation in evolution,
* the power of thought to affect one's self and surroundings,
* the reality of free will and self-responsibility,
* the duty of altruism, a concern for the welfare of others, and
* the ultimate perfection of human nature, society, and life.
What practices do Theosophists follow?
All members of the Theosophical Society decide what practices and
manner of living are appropriate for them, but many Theosophists
follow a certain regimen of life that is implied by Theosophical ideas
like those above. They meditate regularly, both to gain insight into
themselves and as a service to humanity. They are vegetarians and
avoid the use of furs or skins for which animals are killed. They do
not use alcohol or drugs (except under a doctor's order). They support
the rights of all human beings for fair and just treatment, being
therefore supporters of women's and minority rights. They respect
differences of culture and support intellectual freedom. Theosophists
are not asked to accept any opinion or adopt any practice that does
not appeal to their inner sense of reason and morality.
posted by Joseph at 6:38 PM
