The Rosicrucian Fellowship (TRF) ("An International Association of Christian Mystics") was founded in 1909 by Max Heindel with the aim of heralding the Aquarian Age and promulgating "the true Philosophy" of the Rosicrucians.[1] It claims to present Esoteric Christian mysteries or esoteric knowledge, alluded to in Matthew 13:11 and Luke 8:10, to establish a meeting ground for art, religion, and science and to prepare the individual through harmonious development of the mind and the heart for selfless service of humanity.[2]
The Rosicrucian Fellowship conducts Spiritual Healing Services and offers correspondence courses in esoteric Christianity, philosophy, "spiritual astrology" and Bible interpretation.[3] Members of the Rosicrucian Fellowship are vegetarian and abstain from alcohol, recreational drugs and tobacco.[4] Its headquarters are located on Mount Ecclesia in Oceanside, California, and its students are found throughout the world organized in centers and study groups.[5] Its declared mission is to promulgate a scientific method of development suited particularly to the Western people whereby the "Soul body" may be wrought, so that humanity may hasten the Second Coming.[6][7] Religious scholars classify the Rosicrucian Fellowship as a new religious movement.[4][8][9]
- ^ Cf. «Rosicrucian Societies in America», in Rays from the Rose Cross, vol.88, nº4, July/August 1996, p.38
- ^ Article by The Rosicrucian Fellowship: Rosicrucian Fundamentals in Questions and Answers
- ^ Article: How the Rosicrucians Heal the Sick
- ^ a b Chryssides, George D. (2012). Historical Dictionary of New Religious Movements. Scarecrow Press. p. 296. ISBN 978-0810879676
- ^ Heindel, Max, Our Work in the World (issued 1912), in Teachings of an Initiate (posthumous work), ISBN 978-0-911274-19-6
- ^ Article: Eastern and Western Spiritual Alternatives
- ^ Erhi Uyota, Of serpents and doves[permanent dead link], Lagos, Nigeria, November 15, 2008
- ^ David G. Bromley. (2007). Teaching New Religious Movements. Oxford University Press. p. 346. ISBN 9780195177299
- ^ Hammer, Olav; Rothstein, Mikael. (2012). The Cambridge Companion to New Religious Movements. Cambridge University Press. p. 241. ISBN 978-0521196505