quizlet religion in America

1. Theosophy
Metaphysical Communities

2. Syncretism
Combining of doctrines or beliefs from two or more
religions into one.
Conversion
Metaphysical Communities

3. Universal Truth
Every religion has a universal truth
Search for inner truth
No organizational creeds or laws

4. Founders
Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
Henry Steel Olcott

5. Texts by Blavatsky
Isis Unveiled
The Secret Doctrine
Most important
Theosophy’s beliefs

6. History
Blavatsky and Olcott set up international headquarters in Adyar and
travel Asia
1884 - Blavatsky guilty of fraud
1888 - Blavatsky wrote The Secret Doctrine
1891 - Blavatsky died
1907 - Annie Besant takes leadership
Besant deems Jiddu Krishnamurti as “avatar of New Age” and founds
Order of the Star of the East
1929 - Krishnamurti says he’s not avatar Lord Maitreya
1933 - Besant dies

7. Oriental Influence
Studied Sanskrit, revered Hindu texts, looked for
avatar
Reincarnation - This occurs until you reach mastery
Brahman = Atman - Belief that each person has a
“divine spark” of God or Solar Logos
Karma

8. Spiritual Evolution

9. Spiritual Masters
Worked with Blavatsky
Special powers over material world
In most or all religions such as Jesus, Moses,
Confucius, Buddha.
Blavatsky even inspired Gandi!

10. New Age
Movement began with Alice A. Bailey
Came from Theosophical background
Syncretistic
Focus on Maitreya
Jesus as Maitreya
Apocalyptic

11. Continuous Impact on
America
Created an interest in Karma and Reincarnation in the
West.
Brought horoscope to America in 1890’s
Popularized psychics
Lost world of Atlantis!
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne has Blavatsky’s ideas!