| No, anthroposophy
is not a religion, nor is it meant to be a substitute for religion. While
its insights may support, illuminate or complement religious practice,
it provides no belief system. The Anthroposophical Society is open to persons
of any faith but also those who do not adhere to a particular faith.
What is of interest
in anthroposophy is the living spiritual insights of its members and the
activities that flow freely from those insights. Members are not prescribed
a specific form of spiritual practice but many [freely] practice meditation
(contemplative thinking, visualization or imagery), artistic expression
and study.
Anthroposophy has
no profession of faith -- no oaths or vows are required for membership.
Anthroposophy has no sacred texts; members of the Anthroposophical Society
are free to work with any texts they consider to be spiritually significant.
While it is not a requirement, many members read the works of Rudolf Steiner,
the founder of the Anthroposophical Society, in order to study how he arrived
at his spiritual insights.
ANTHROPOSOPHY
COMPARED WITH RELIGION:
1. Anthroposophy
has no dogma or creed - the Statutes
of the Anthroposophical Society specifically forbid dogma.
2. The Anthroposophical
Society does not offer or prescribe any religious practices or sacraments.
3. Anthroposophy
does not claim to lead to salvation. Anthroposophy is concerned with understanding
relationship of the human being to the spiritual world.
4. There is no one
spiritual guide, teacher or master within the Anthroposophical Society
whose statements are beyond questioning.
5. Anthroposophy
is not a system of beliefs. Anthroposophy is a path to knowledge based
on a spiritual understanding of humanity and our relationship to the spiritual
world.
6. The Anthroposophical
Society is not organized as a church. It is a free association of individuals
and independent study groups some of whom have sought to be formally recognized
by the Anthroposophical Society. This formal recognition is not a requirement
for a study group to be publicized by the Society.
7. There are no priests,
pastors, ministers or other religious functionaries. Anthroposophy supports
religion without interfering with religious practice. Many members of the
Society engage in the practice of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Shinto,
Buddhism and other faiths. Others are not connected to a particular religious
faith.
Anthroposophy honors
each member's own faith and the moral injunctions of that faith.
Jean Yeager,
Administrative Director
of the Anthroposophical Society in America
For the view of Rudolf
Steiner on this question, see here.
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