Alternatives To The Usual Religions

[steve_bank]

There are a number of alternatives wirg foloowers to the well known religions that fly underneath the radar. In the 80s there was a Rosicrucian house in my Portland Or neighborhood.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosophy

Theosophy is a religion established in the United States during the late nineteenth century. It was founded primarily by the Russian immigrant Helena Blavatsky and draws its beliefs predominantly from Blavatsky's writings. Categorised by scholars of religion as both a new religious movement and as part of the occultist stream of Western esotericism, it draws upon both older European philosophies such as Neoplatonism and Asian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
As presented by Blavatsky, Theosophy teaches that there is an ancient and secretive brotherhood of spiritual adepts known as the Masters, who—although found across the world—are centered in Tibet. These Masters are believed to have cultivated great wisdom and supernatural powers, and Theosophists believe that it was they who initiated the modern Theosophical movement through disseminating their teachings via Blavatsky. They believe that these Masters are attempting to revive knowledge of an ancient religion once found across the world and which will again come to eclipse the existing world religions. Theosophical groups nevertheless do not refer to their system as a "religion". Theosophy preaches the existence of a single, divine Absolute. It promotes an emanationist cosmology in which the universe is perceived as outward reflections from this Absolute. Theosophy teaches that the purpose of human life is spiritual emancipation and claims that the human soul undergoes reincarnation upon bodily death according to a process of karma. It promotes values of universal brotherhood and social improvement, although it does not stipulate particular ethical codes.
Theosophy was established in New York City in 1875 with the founding of the Theosophical Society by Blavatsky and two Americans, Henry Olcott and William Quan Judge. In the early 1880s, Blavatsky and Olcott relocated to India, where they established the Society's headquarters at Adyar, Tamil Nadu. Blavatsky described her ideas in two books, Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine. She was repeatedly accused of fraudulently producing purportedly supernatural phenomena, often in connection with these "masters". Following Blavatsky's death in 1891, there was a schism in the Society, with Judge leading the Theosophical Society in America to split from the international organization. Under Judge's successor Katherine Tingley, a Theosophical community named Lomaland was established in San Diego. The Adyar-based Society was later taken over by Annie Besant, under whom it grew to its largest extent during the late 1920s, before going into decline. The Theosophical movement still exists, although in much smaller form than in its heyday.
Theosophy played a significant role in bringing knowledge of South Asian religions to Western countries, as well as in encouraging cultural pride in various South Asian nations. A variety of prominent artists and writers have also been influenced by Theosophical teachings. Theosophy has an international following, and during the twentieth century had tens of thousands of adherents. Theosophical ideas have also exerted an influence on a wide range of other esoteric movements and philosophies, among them Anthroposophy, the Church Universal and Triumphant, and the New Age.

 

[steve_bank]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosicrucianism


Rosicrucianism is a spiritual and cultural movement which arose in Europe in the early 17th century after the publication of several texts which purported to announce the existence of a hitherto unknown esoteric order to the world and made seeking its knowledge attractive to many.[1][2] The mysterious doctrine of the order is "built on esoteric truths of the ancient past", which "concealed from the average man, provide insight into nature, the physical universe, and the spiritual realm."[3] The manifestos do not elaborate extensively on the matter, but clearly combine references to Kabbalah, Hermeticism, alchemy, and mystical Christianity.[4]
The Rosicrucian manifestos heralded a "universal reformation of mankind", through a science allegedly kept secret for decades until the intellectual climate might receive it. Controversies arose on whether they were a hoax, whether the "Order of the Rosy Cross" existed as described in the manifestos, and whether the whole thing was a metaphor disguising a movement that really existed, but in a different form. In 1616, Johann Valentin Andreae famously designated it as a "ludibrium". Some scholars of esotericism suggest that this statement was later made by Andreae in order to shield himself from the wrath of the religious and political institutions of the day, which were intolerant of free speech and the idea of a "universal reformation", which the manifestos called for.
An example of the rosicrucian rosy cross symbol predating the early rosicrucian manifestoes is that shown on the central panel of the Harbaville Triptych, which is Byzantine and comes from the 10th or 11th century. The symbol is a Calvary cross with a rose in its centre, which is identical with what the masonic/rosicrucian scholar Manly Palmer Hall claimed to be the original symbol of the rosicrucians.
In his work "Silentium Post Clamores" (1617), the rosicrucian Michel Maier (1568–1622) described rosicrucianism as having arisen from a "Primordial Tradition" in the following statement: "Our origins are Egyptian, Brahmanic, derived from the mysteries of Eleusis and Samothrace, the Magi of Persia, the Pythagoreans, and the Arabs."
By promising a spiritual transformation at a time of great turmoil, the manifestos influenced many figures to seek esoteric knowledge. Seventeenth-century occult philosophers such as Michael Maier, Robert Fludd, and Thomas Vaughan interested themselves in the Rosicrucian world view.[1] According to the historian David Stevenson, it was influential on Freemasonry as it was emerging in Scotland.[5]
In later centuries, many esoteric societies have claimed to derive from the original Rosicrucians. Rosicrucianism is symbolized by the Rosy Cross or Rose Cross. The largest and most influential of these societies has been the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, which consisted of several well known members of society. The other is the Rosicrucian Order, A.M.O.R.C, an international, initiatic Fraternity, which involves itself in several educational and cultural activities worldwide.

 

[steve_bank]

Looks like a good alternative to the Abrahamic insanity and conflict.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitarian_Universalism

Unitarian Universalism (UU)[2][3][4] is a liberal religion characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning".[5][6] Unitarian Universalists assert no creed, but instead are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth, guided by a dynamic, "living tradition". Currently, these traditions are summarized by the Six Sources and Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism, documents recognized by all congregations who choose to be a part of the Unitarian Universalist Association. These documents are 'living', meaning always open for revisiting and reworking. Unitarian Universalist (U.U.) congregations include many atheists, agnostics, and theists within their membership - and there are U.U. churches / fellowships / congregations / societies all over America - as well as others around the world. The roots of Unitarian Universalism lie in liberal Christianity, specifically Unitarianism and universalism. Unitarian Universalists state that from these traditions comes a deep regard for intellectual freedom and inclusive love. Congregations and members seek inspiration and derive insight from all major world religions.[7]
The beliefs of individual Unitarian Universalists range widely, including atheism, agnosticism, pantheism, panentheism, pandeism, deism, Humanism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam,[8] Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Taoism, Omnism, Bahá’i, and neopaganism.[9]
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was formed in 1961 through the consolidation of the American Unitarian Association, established in 1825, and the Universalist Church of America,[10] established in 1793. The UUA is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and serves churches mostly in the United States. A group of thirty Philippine congregations is represented as a sole member within the UUA. The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) became an independent body in 2002.[11] The UUA and CUC are, in turn, two of the seventeen members of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists.[12]


A Seattle congregation.
https://wsuu.org/

We are a congregation that genuinely enjoys being together. We celebrate our differences in racial and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientation and identity as well as our religious and philosophical points of view. We delight in welcoming you to join us! Click Image for more information.

Our faith encourages the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. As Unitarian Universalists, we are inspired by our liberal faith tradition and by the wisdom we glean from the world’s spiritual and philosophical teachings on human nature and ethics. We are also informed by science, reason, conscience, and humanism. Click image for more information.

We serve: each other, our congregation, our community, and our world. We gather to explore deeper meaning in our lives, make music, learn, celebrate, and play. We support one another through the joys and sorrows, beginnings and endings in life. We act for equality, justice, and safety for the planet and all its beings. Click image for more information.

 

[southernhybrid]

I've known quite a few Untarians who are atheists. Unitarians can believe whatever they think is right, as long as they also believe in social justice. In fact, if there was a fellowship near me, I would love to give it a try. The nearest ones are over fifty miles away, so no go.

My ex was a Baha'i, which is still an off shoot of the Abrahamic religions, but it's a much kinder gentler one. I tried to embrace it when we were marrieds as I was an agnostic at that time. I simply couldn't believe in the supernatural elements, so after trying for a few years, I realized I was an atheist.

Baha'is believe their religion is the newest true world religion, and it will last for at least 1000 years. They believe that religion is progressive, with each new era, there comes a new prophet with a new message. They believe in equality of the sexes, racial harmony, world peace etc. Unfortunately, my ex was actually a religious fanatic who really didn't adhere to most of the principles of his religion.

Imo, the Baha'i Faith was more likely an attempt to bring more reason and compassion to the Muslim religion. It started in Iran, but Bahai's have been persecuted in their own country, so it didn't work out as they had planned. Still, compared to many other religions, it has a lot of good things going for it. Their belief in an afterlife is very vague, and I don't think there is any concept of hell. From what I remember, I was once told that some people don't need religion, as they are good without it.

Like many other religions, there are three primary characters. There was the Bab, who was the messenger of the new religion. There was Bah'u'llah, who was the primary prophet, sort of like a god the father figure, and there was his son, Abdu'l-baha, who was more like a Jesus character. He was the nicest of the three. He actually visited the US during the late 1800s or so. That's how my ex's late grandmother became a Baha'i, who taught her son about the religion. One of the things that I liked about it, is that children are supposed to be encouraged to investigate truth for themselves, and they can't join the religion until they are at least 15. Still, there is some gentle indoctrination.

When I lived in Texas, I enjoyed hanging out with the Bahai's, but that was in the early 70s and we were all sort of peace, love and happiness hippy types.

When I moved to SC, the people there weren't nearly as nice so I didn't really enjoy their company. Still, it is a much better option than most sects of Christianity, imo.