MYSTICISM

MYSTICISM IS IN NEARLY ALL RELIGIONS

Most Religions contain Mysticism, both "Christian" and "non-christian". They openly admit that they do. In the ones that do admit it, Mysticism forms an accepted part of their "praise and worship" and teachings. But some, such as Reformed Christianity, Mysticism plays no part. The Mystical Elements which were a part of the Roman Catholic doctrine ("ecstatics", "veneration of saints" and "veneration of relics" for example) were removed as false teaching by the 16th Century Protestant Reformation.

THE MAJOR RELIGIONS AND MYSTICISM

Below are the Religions that openly admit Mysticism. Click on Links to the left to see that they openly acknowledge their Mysticism, Mystic rites and teachings.

ISLAM
BAHAI
JUDAISM
TAOISM
SHINTO
HINDUISM
BUDDHISM
BRAHMANISM[1]
GNOSTICISM[2]
PAGANISM
VOODOO
HARI KRISHNA
NATION OF ISLAM (Black Muslims)
ROMAN CATHOLICISM[3]
NEW AGE
EASTERN ORTHODOX

EXPOSING A NEW AND HIDDEN CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM

As we have seen from above, the older sects such as Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox make no secret of the Mysticism contained with their worship and praise. They don't hide it. Their "praise and worship" ecstatics form a fully accepted and endorsed part of their teaching, and they openly declare them to be so.
The Protestant Reformation, of course, completely removed all such a Mysticism, root and branch.

TODAYS' NEWER "MYSTICALLY-ORIENTED" SECTS

Mysticism is grouped under the general classification of "Metaphysics". The "Metaphysical" is always linked to Heresy and occult practices.
There are relatively "newer sects" which are newer than these above who do not admit any Mysticicsm whatsoever.[4] These "newer sects" do not seem to want to admit that is also what they are involved in (but they clearly are).
Why would they want to do this? It is appears most likely that they do not desire to be identified as being "Mysically-Oriented" (which the vast majority of them are), or "Metaphysical" in their dynamics, but instead, hope to pass themselves off as "Protestant churches"' (they most all recite the Apostles' Creed and carry around "King James Bibles") but because the True Protestant Reformation-based Churches all threw out Mysticism as false teaching, these "new sects" which are observably involved in Mysticism seem to not want to advertise the fact that they do. In not admitting it, they may continue their Mysticism as ecstatic "praise and worship" while not stating that they are actually deeply involved in Mysticsm and Mystical teachings.
In other words, for these ones to admit they are practicing Mysticism would cause them to be grouped with all the other religions listed above, and they would rather not be identified as with them.

MORE FOLLOWING SOON!

PEOPLE OF G-D MINISTRIES

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FOOTNOTES

[1] The "much revered" in American literary circles, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were deeply involved in Brahmanism and Mysticism in general. For this reason, they were called, "The American Transcendentalists".
Some have said the entire Romantic Age was one of "romance" and Mysticism combined.
In "modern" culture, this has led to what we call RealiFantasy. Fantasy itself becomes Reality both within and without the Religious spheres. Left with "no absolutes" in the non-religious sphere (as taught even at University), this seems to be a very logical conclusion.
[2] The N.I.V. New Testament Bible contains some Egyptian Gnostic texts from Nag Hammadi used by Westcott and Hort. These texts were used for Mystical Gnostic-christian rites and doctrines. Gnosticism was written against in the Book of I John (if you are familiar with the main doctrines of Gnosticism, I John addresses and refutes them). Gnosticism itself was formally Ruled a Heresy as early as 144 A.D. because of Marcionism.
Here is a page on Texts we Accept.
[3] Christian Mysticism always takes a Biblical passage of a simple recorded event or a miraclous one, and "transforms" it by "twisting" passages to derive a Mystical interpretation. They will freely take passages the New Testament and place a "mystical" interpretation upon them. These passages are "transformed" from simple events or miracles into something purely Mystical, which the Initiate is then instructed that he/she can also experience or do themselves if they simply "surrender to the spirit". What may have been given as a Sign in the New Testament becomes for them the "mystical experience" itself which they also desire to have. They are told they can also "have" it if they meet the requirements their "teacher" has said would work.
They may take the writings of the early Church and interpret a "prayer" as a "mystical event" for instance. They are taught that by entering into a "mystical ecstasy" they can "feel" they are experiencing the same Biblical event which they are instructed to emulate. They are taught that "miracles" are brought forth by these Mystical ecstatics as well. This is "Initiatory Training" is commonly found in the religions listed above; both "Christian" and "non-christian" alike who do admit Mysticism.

Here is a page on Mysticism as Heresy which also taught such things.
[4]Perhaps the most easily identified example of Mysticism was introduced into the Roman Church by Gregory I ("the great") and are popularly known as the "Gregorian Chants". These chants served to bring about an increased emphasis on Mysticism and the mystical which permeated the music and culture of that day. The monks became Mystics!

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