What justifies the creation of another Thelemic Gnostic Church?
People are quite different. Some are conservative, some are liberal. Those who are liberal will never feel completely at home in a conservative church. We believe that those who are liberal in their religious attitudes have every right to have a church in which they can feel comfortable.
In addition, we feel that a church should be an open organization where members of the Thelemic community can work together in harmony. We do not believe this to be possible in a church where the clergy are required to be members of a specific Order.
Why is a strict hierarchy needed?
First, to encourage people to make spiritual progess by having clearly defined goals. Second, to provide for the administrative needs of the church. However, we do not view our hierarchy as particularly strict, as progress is determined by an individual’s self-assessment, and not by some outside standard. Please see our Philosophy page for more information.
Where does the authority of this church stem from?
The authority of any church can only stem from the recognition of that authority by its members.
Does the church believe in religious or spiritual authority?
We believe that spiritual authority comes from within, not from without. Doinel founded his church after a vision of the Aeon Jesus, and he took the Greek Tau or Cross for a symbol. Crowley founded his church after a vision of Babalon as recounted in The Vision and the Voice. We don’t know why his bishops still bear the Cross as their symbol. Our vision is of Nuit; Our Tau is the Hebrew Tau, representing the body of Nuit.
Why limit the individuals that can publically perform the Gnostic Mass?
We don’t. Our rites are Open Source. Anyone may practice them. However, we do formally recognize those whose will it is to dedicate themselves to celebrating Gnostic Masses under the auspices of Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis, and grant them an appellation of office in accordance with their Will.
Don’t Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis and Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica mean the same thing?
Catholic actually can mean either universal or general.
Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis is universal in the sense that it is open to all, while the clergy of E.G.C. is only open to members of a certain magical Order. On the other hand, Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica is catholic in the sense of general, being something that many of the members of that Order have in common. We believe that both churches are appropriately named.
Can’t a mid-point be reached so that only one Church is needed?
The goals of Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis are quite different from the goals of the E.G.C. The latter is devoted to implementing, preserving and transmitting Aleister Crowley’s Gnostic Mass (Liber XV) exactly as written, while Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis is devoted to creative evolution and the creation of new Gnostic Masses, the celebration of which are not authorized within E.G.C. We do not see how it would be possible to integrate these two very different approaches to Gnosticism without compromising the integrity of one or both churches.
I’m also interested in initiation. Can you recommend a Magickal Order?
Yes, the Chthonic Auranian Templars of Thelema, the Horus/Maat Lodge, the International Nath Order, the Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn, and The Order of Thelemic Knights.
Do you have a community forum or mailing list I can join?
Yes. Please join our Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis Livejournal Community
Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis 