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The '''Rosicrucian Order, Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC)''' is a worldwide [[mystical]], [[Rosicrucian]], educational, humanitarian and fraternal organisation founded by '''[[Harvey Spencer Lewis]]''' in 1915, but its traditional roots can be traced back to [[Ancient Egypt]] and the 17th century [[Rosicrucian]]s.

Its common name in [[Latin]] is '''Antiquus Mysticusque Ordo Rosae Crucis'''. The traditional and authentic Latin name is: '''Antiquus Arcanus Ordo Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis (AAORRAC)''', which translates to [[English language|English]] as '''Ancient and Mystical Order of the Red Rose and the Golden Cross'''.

==Organisation & Structure==
AMORC is organised as an educational charitable [[non-profit organization|non-profit organisation]] which is classified by the [[U.S. Internal Revenue Service|United States Internal Revenue Service]] under section ''501(c)(3)''.

Students and members of AMORC pay dues (which, [[as of 2002]], are about [[United States dollar|US$]]215 per year) and a number of them choose to donate more.

According to AMORC: "''After expenses are covered, all additional funds go back into the organization to further benefit its students, allowing us to expand our services, develop new programs and other projects that will help us accomplish our humanitarian goals.''" (from the [http://www.rosicrucian.org/ US website])

===The Supreme Grand Lodge===
'''Rosicrucian Order, AMORC''' is governed by '''The Supreme Grand Lodge of AMORC'''.

The Supreme Grand Lodge is responsible for the worldwide coordination of AMORC, the establishment of new administrations, etc.

===Grand Lodges (Jurisdictions)===
'''Rosicrucian Order, AMORC''' is divided, by language, into several ''jurisdictions'', called ''[[Grand Lodge]]s''.

Each Grand Lodge has a '''Grand Master'''.

===Lodges, Chapters, Pronaoi===
AMORC is organised in each country in '''Lodges, Chapters, and Pronaoi.''' Information on these bodies is contained in the US edition of the ''Mastery of Life'', which is available online.

AMORC members have the privilege of attending an affiliated Lodge, Chapter or Pronaos and participate in organised '''convocations''' there.

The attendance is optional, but the member may be asked to pay additional dues if he or she wishes to attend and become a member of a local Rosicrucian group.

Many local groups offer '''Open Meetings''' where non-Rosicrucians may meet members of AMORC and attend a lecture.

====Lodges====
The '''Lodge''' is the largest local group and requires at least '''50''' members. (according to the US edition of ''Mastery of Life'')

Only a Lodge may offer the '''Degree Initiation Rituals'''. There are no fees for the initiation rituals but an optional donation is usually requested.

====Chapters====
The '''Chapter''' is a group of at least '''30''' Rosicrucians. (according to the US edition of ''Mastery of Life'')

Attendance of the '''Chapter Convocations''' is restricted only to members who have completed the '''First Temple Degree''' initiation.

====Pronaoi====
'''Pronaoi''' are groups of at least '''15''' Rosicrucians. (according to the US edition of ''Mastery of Life'')

Pronaoi is plural. The singular is '''Pronaos''', from Ancient [[Greek language|Greek]], meaning ''antechamber''.

According to the number of its members, a Pronaos may become a Chapter or a Lodge.

All members of AMORC, including the '''Neophytes''', can take part at the '''Pronaos Convocations'''. (according to the US edition of ''Mastery of Life'')

===Worldwide Presence===
List of countries with AMORC presence ([[as of 1999]]):

* A: [[Angola]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/angola.html], [[Argentina]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/argentina.html], [[Aruba]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/aruba.html], [[Australia]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/australia.html], [[Austria]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/austria.html]
* B: [[Barbados]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/barbados.html], [[Belgium]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/belgium.html], [[Benin]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/benin.html], [[Bolivia]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/bolivia.html], [[Brazil]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/brazil.html], [[Burkina Faso]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/burkinafaso.html]
* C: [[Cameroon]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/cameroon.html], [[Canada]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/canada.html], [[Central African Republic]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/centralafrica.html], [[Chad]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/chad.html], [[Chile]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/chile.html], [[China]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/china.html], [[Colombia]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/colombia.html], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/congodemo.html], [[Republic of the Congo]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/congopeople.html], [[Costa Rica]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/costarica.html], [[Cote d'Ivoire]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/cotedivoire.html], [[Cuba]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/cuba.html], [[Czech Republic]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/czech.html]
* D: [[Denmark]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/denmark.html], [[Dominican Republic]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/dominican.html]
* E: [[Ecuador]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/ecuador.html], [[El Salvador]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/elsalvador.html]
* F: [[Finland]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/finland.html], [[France]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/france.html], [[French Guiana]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/frenchguiana.html]
* G: [[Gabon]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/gabon.html], [[Germany]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/germany.html], [[Ghana]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/ghana.html], [[Greece]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/greece.html], [[Grenada]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/grenada.html], [[Guadeloupe]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/guadeloupe.html], [[Guatemala]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/guatemala.html], [[Guinea]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/guinea.html]
* H: [[Haiti]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/haiti.html], [[Honduras]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/honduras.html]
* I: [[India]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/india.html], [[Ireland]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/ireland.html], [[Italy]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/italy.html]
* J: [[Jamaica]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/jamaica.html], [[Japan]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/japan.html]
* K: [[Kenya]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/kenya.html]
* L: [[Lebanon]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/lebanon.html]
* M: [[Madagascar]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/madagascar.html], [[Malaysia]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/malaysia.html], [[Mali]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/mali.html], [[Martinique]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/martinique.html], [[Mauritius]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/mauritius.html], [[Mexico]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/mexico.html], [[Monaco]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/monaco.html]
* N: [[Netherlands]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/netherlands.html], [[Netherlands Antilles]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/netherlandsant.html], [[New Zealand]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/newzealand.html], [[Nicaragua]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/nicaragua.html], [[Niger]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/niger.html], [[Nigeria]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/nigeria.html], [[Norway]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/norway.html]
* P: [[Panama]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/panama.html], [[Paraguay]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/paraguay.html], [[Peru]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/peru.html], [[Philippines]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/philippines.html], [[Portugal]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/portugal.html], [[Puerto Rico]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/puertorico.html]
* R: [[Reunion]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/reunion.html], [[Russia]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/russia.html], [[Rwanda]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/rwanda.html]
* S: [[St. Lucia]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/stlucia.html], [[Senegal]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/senegal.html], [[Singapore]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/singapore.html], [[Slovak Republic]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/czech.html], [[South Africa]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/southafrica.html], [[Spain]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/spain.html], [[Surinam]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/surinam.html], [[Sweden]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/sweden.html], [[Switzerland]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/switzerland.html]
* T: [[Togo]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/togo.html], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/trinidad.html]
* U: [[United Kingdom]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/unitedking.html], [[United States]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/unitedstates.html], [[Uruguay]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/uruguay.html]
* V: [[Venezuela]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/venezuela.html]
* Z: [[Zimbabwe]] [http://www.amorc.org/wwdirectory/zimbabwe.html]

''The list is adapted from data gathered from the [http://www.amorc.org/address2.html Official AMORC Web Site].''

===Imperators===
The highest chief of AMORC is called [[Imperator]]. He or she is responsible for coordinating and representing the Order worldwide.

* '''[[Harvey Spencer Lewis]], Ph.D., F.R.C.''', Founder & Imperator [[1915]] - [[1939]]
* '''[[Ralph Maxwell Lewis]], F.R.C.''', Imperator [[1939]] - [[1987]]
* '''[[Gary L. Stewart]]''' ([[1987]] - [[1990]])
* '''[[Christian Bernard]], F.R.C.''', Imperator [[April 12]], [[1990]] - Today ([[as of 2004]])

[[Gary L. Stewart]] is not the [[Imperator]] of AMORC anymore. Following a lawsuit, which was finally settled outside the [[court]], he founded his own [[Rosicrucian]] movement in [[1996]]: The [[Confraternity of the Rose Cross]].

===Grand Masters===
Each [[Grand Lodge]] has a '''Grand Master''':

* '''[[Julie Scott]], S.R.C.''', Grand Master of the ''English Grand Lodge for the Americas''.

[[Christian Bernard]] was the grand master of the French Jurisdiction before becoming Imperator of the Order.

==Activities==
AMORC runs a series of [[education]]al, [[Humanism|humanitarian]], [[Science|scientific]] and [[Spirituality|spiritual]] activities. These activities help the individuals to master their lives.

===Publications===
Members receive, by correspondence, the '''Rosicrucian Monographs''' (available to ''members only'') as well as other publications such as the '''Rosicrucian Digest''' (''available'' to the public) and the '''Rosicrucian Forum''' (''members only'').

AMORC continues to publish several [[book]]s and other material being of interest to many people who study [[Metaphysics]], [[Mysticism]] and [[Egyptology]].

Some people, usually current or past AMORC members, like to collect '''AMORC memorabilia''' and old publications. Some (unofficial) galleries exist online and a search on any popular search engine will reveal plenty of them.

====Rosicrucian Digest====
The '''Rosicrucian Digest''' is a publication of the ''Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis'', published continuously from [[1915]] (the year the Order was founded in [[USA]] by [[Harvey Spencer Lewis]]).

It is sent to members for free via correspondence, but it is also available to the general public.

You can read Rosicrucian Digest issues at the web site of the [http://www.rosicrucian.org/ English Grand Lodge of the Americas].

It is not the same as Rosicrucian Forum, which is another publication of AMORC available only to members.

In the past there was a publication titled '''Mystic Triangle''', which was just the old name of the Rosicrucian Digest. You can read for free old [[1926]] editions of the Mystic Triangle at [http://www.rosicrucian.org/publications/digest/publication_archive.html AMORC USA Web Site].

In [[United Kingdom]] it is named '''Rosicrucian Beacon''' and it is published quarterly by the '''English speaking jurisdiction for Europe and Africa of the Rosicrucian Order AMORC'''.

Free online editions of Rosicrucian Digest:
* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/publications/digest/2003/digest_vol_81_1.pdf Rosicrucian Digest 2003 vol.81 1 in PDF format]
* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/publications/digest/2003/digest_vol_81_2.pdf Rosicrucian Digest 2003 vol.81 2 in PDF format]
* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/publications/digest/2003/digest_vol_81_3.pdf Rosicrucian Digest 2003 vol.81 3 in PDF format]
* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/publications/digest/2003/digest_vol_81_4.pdf Rosicrucian Digest 2003 vol.81 4 in PDF format]

====Rosicrucian Forum====
The '''Rosicrucian Forum''' is a ''private'' publication of Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, available only to members, and sent to them via correspondence.

It is not the same as Rosicrucian Digest, which is another publication of AMORC available to the general public.

====Rose+Croix Journal====
The '''[[Rose Croix Journal|Rose+Croix Journal]]''' is a peer-reviewed transdisciplinary online journal.

For information regarding Rose+Croix Journal see the [http://www.rosecroixjournal.org/ Official Rose+Croix Journal web site].

====Mastery of Life====
The '''Mastery of Life''' is a document of the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis intended for people who are considering joining the Order. It is given for free and without any obligations.

''Who am I?'', ''What's my purpose?'', ''What can I do in life?'', these are only few of the questions that all spiritual seekers are trying to find their answers. The process of answering these questions has been labelled with many names, such as [[Mysticism]], [[Spirituality]] and [[Philosophy]].

As the '''Rosicrucian Order, AMORC''', describes: ''"Perhaps what you seek can be explained simply and generally as greater personal power, a more focused attunement with life, and heightened spiritual awareness. Rosicrucians call this Mastery of Life. It embraces all aspects of who you are and all you can be - physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. It is the greatest journey a human being can take."''

AMORC suggests that being a Rosicrucian student may help a person to attain ''mastery of life''.

The '''Mastery of Life''' is designed to introduce the reader into the basic aspects of Rosicrucianism, Mysticism and AMORC. It explains what AMORC is and what it can offer to the spiritual seeker.

Note that '''Mastery of Life''' is not exactly the same across all lodges and it may be updated from time to time. You may notice differences between, for example, the Greek and the English version, or even the US and the UK versions. The differences are minor and the nature of the document is always the same.

This publication can be sent for free to any person by mail, provided that he/she contacted AMORC requesting information about joining the Order. Today, with the aim of [[technology]], anyone is able to read the complete document online.

'''Mastery of Life''' is available online for free unrestricted access at the official AMORC web sites:

* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/about/mastery/index.html Read the US edition of the Mastery of Life in English (HTML)]
* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/about/mastery/mastery.pdf Downloadable PDF version of the US edition of the Mastery of Life in English]
* [http://www.amorc.org.au/mol.html The Australian edition of the Mastery of Life] from the [http://www.amorc.org.au Official AMORC Australia Web Site] (similar to the US edition)
* [http://www.amorc.org/english/ukmast.html The European edition of Mastery of Life in English from the UK lodge (shorter)]

====Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis====
A [[manifesto]] titled '''"Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis"''', sealed on [[March 20]] [[2001]] ''(Rosicrucian Year [[3354]])'' and presented by '''Imperator [[Christian Bernard]]''' at the '''Rosicrucian World Convention''' in [[Gï¿½eborg]], [[Sweden]] in [[August]] [[2001]], is intended to inform the public about '''AMORC's position on today's world situation, world peace and harmony, and the dangers threatening the future of [[Earth]].'''

This publication is available online for free from the AMORC USA Web Site: [http://www.rosicrucian.org/publications/positio.pdf Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis in PDF format]

The AMORC Netherlands Web Site has also published a [[HTML]] version of the Position Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis: [http://home01.wxs.nl/~amorc.nl/enpositio.html Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis in HTML format] (in English)

"Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis" means "Position of the Fraternitas Rosae Crucis" in [[Latin]]. It should be noted that an organisation named [[Fraternitas Rosae Crucis]] exists today but it is completely separate from AMORC.

=====Summary=====
The '''Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis''' describes what is wrong with the present world situation and how the world should be.

It also describes the ''Rosicrucian [[Utopia]]'':
* [[Politician]]s are [[humanist]]ic and serve the [[society]].
* [[Scientist]]s are [[spiritual]]istic.
* [[Misery]] and [[poverty]] do not exist anymore.
* A '''World [[Government]]''' exists works for the interest of the whole [[humanity]].
* [[Spirituality]] is the way of [[life]]
* A '''Universal [[Religion]]''' exists which is based on the [[knowledge]] of [[God]]'s laws and not on any beliefs.
* Human relations are characterised by [[love]], [[friendship]] and [[fraternity]].

The Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis ends with the sentence '''''"So Mote It Be!"'''''

====Books====
AMORC has published a number of scientific, [[Mysticism|mystical]] and spiritual books. Its scientific books include titles on [[Egyptology]] and its mystical ones include books on various esoteric subjects.

The [http://www.rosicrucian.org/store AMORC USA Online Store] sells most of these books and other material, some of them only for members (such as [[ritual]]istic [[jewelry|jewellery]] and [[incense]]).

For a list of books written by AMORC's founder, see '''[[Harvey Spencer Lewis]]'''.

====Liber 777====
'''Liber 777''' is a small booklet published by AMORC. It is available to members, and the Order allows them to give it to non-members too.

=====Celestial Sanctum=====
The main goal of Liber 777 is to describe the '''Celestial Sanctum''', which a spiritual concept of profound importance to Rosicrucians.

The booklet also contains some '''practical mystical exercises''' which help the neophyte mystic attain spiritual communication with the Celestial Sanctum.

A member of AMORC has published an old edition of Liber 777 at his personal web site: [http://salemos.tripod.com/index-89.html Read Liber 777].

====Rosicrucian Monographs====
See [[Rosicrucian Monographs]].

===Conferences===
AMORC often organises various activities such as '''conferences''', usually restricted only to members.

====2004 World Peace Conference====
An example is the '''2004 World Peace Conference''' at [[San Jose, California]], [[USA]].

This conference, which is considered as very important within AMORC, is scheduled to begin on [[June 29]] and finish on [[July 4]] [[2004]]. The Imperator [[Christian Bernard]] will be present, together with many Grand Masters from all over the world.

The conference's hotel is the ''[[Fairmont San Jose Hotel]]'', 3 [[Kilometer|km]] from the '''Rosicrucian Park''' and near the [[San Jose International Airport]].

According to AMORC: ''A huge effort is being put in to make this the greatest world convention ever.'' (from Rosicrucian Beacon, December 2003)

See the [http://www.rosicrucian.org/worldpeaceconference/index.html 2004 World Peace Conference Website].

====Rosicrucian World Convention====
In [[August]] [[2001]] ''(Rosicrucian Year 3354)'', a very important meeting took place in [[Gï¿½eborg]], [[Sweden]]: The '''Rosicrucian World Convention'''.

The main theme of the convention was the '''world peace''' and harmony.

The convention was of significant importance to the Rosicrucian history because '''Imperator [[Christian Bernard]]''' presented '''"Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis"''', a [[manifesto]] intended to inform the public about AMORC's position on the current world situation.

===Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum===
AMORC also founded the '''[[Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum]]'''.

===Rosicrucian Park===
The '''[http://www.rosicrucian.org/park/index.html Rosicrucian Park]''' is located in [[San Jose, California|San Jose]], [[California]] and is built according to the Ancient [[Egypt]]ian [[architecture]].

The Rosicrucian Park has its own postal code.

===Rose-Croix University International===
The '''Rose-Croix University International''' is an educational college founded by AMORC.

It offers educational classes to AMORC students under the guidance of the members of the '''International Research Council'''.

More information is contained in the US edition of the Mastery of Life.

===International Research Council===
The '''International Research Council''' is a group of AMORC members who have expertise in some area of [[science]], [[literature]] or [[arts]].

As AMORC says, the group of experts of the '''International Research Council''' includes:
* [[Physicist]]s and [[biologist]]s
* [[Chemist]]s and [[physician]]s
* [[Philosopher]]s and [[writer]]s
* [[Historian]]s, [[musician]]s, [[sculptor]]s and others

According to AMORC, the members of the International Research Council dedicate themselves to the advancement of their profession for the benefit of humanity.

===Council of Solace===
The '''Council of Solace''' is a group of Rosicrucians who meditate and pray daily in behalf of others.

Council of Solace, according to AMORC, offers free 24-hour ''metaphysical aid'' to people in need and its help is available for members and non-members.

An automated web-based system exists where everybody can request help for problems they face.

AMORC clarifies that the ''metaphysical aid'' is '''not''' a substitute for real medical support or any other kind of material help.

For more information on Council of Solace see: [http://www.rosicrucian.org/about/council.html Information and Automated Petition Request System from AMORC USA]

===Radio programmes===
In [[1930s]] '''[[Harvey Spencer Lewis]]''' had a '''[[radio station]]''' broadcasting from his office at '''Rosicrucian Park'''.

The AMORC's Radio Station used the [[radio call sign]] '''''6KZ''''' ''(six kay zee)''. The broadcasting began on [[February 15]] [[1928]]. The station was powered by two 30 metre radio towers inside the '''Rosicrucian Park'''.

The AMORC Radio programme was also aired on the [[Los Angeles]] radio station '''''KNX'''''.


The station even continued its operation during the [[Ralph Maxwell Lewis]]' administration.

Now the radio towers have been removed. But after their removal, AMORC continued to brodcast through the '''''KEEN''''' radio station.

Today the [http://www.rosicrucian.org/local/ab/kairi.html Kairi Lodge] at [[Trinidad]] is known to launch radio programs for informing the public about the Rosicrucians.

[[Melton]]'s [[1986]] book, cited by the [http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/amorc.html New Religious Movements Project] website claims that the first radio station managed by AMORC was the '''WJBB''' at [[Florida]], when the Order had its headquarters in [[Tampa]] in [[1925]].

''(source: Rosicrucian Beacon, December 2003)''

==History==
AMORC was founded by '''[[Harvey Spencer Lewis]]''' in [[1915]] and was represented by him in ''[[FUDOSI]]'', a federation of independent esoteric orders.

The early headquarters were located in [[New York City]], [[San Francisco]] and [[Tampa]]. The headquarters moved to [[San Jose, California]] in [[1927]].

[[Francis Bacon]] is considered to be a past [[Imperator]] of the [[Rosicrucian]]s.

===Secrecy===
''"For many centuries the strange, mysterious records of the Rosicrucians were closed against any eyes but those of the high initiates. Even editors of great encyclopedias were unable to secure the weird, fascinating facts of the Rosicrucian activities in all parts of the world."'' - From an official [[1946]]'s AMORC advertisement of the Dr Lewis' book ''Rosicrucian Questions and Answers with Complete History of the Order'' contained in the Seventh Edition of ''Rosicrucian Principles for the Home and Business'' by [[Harvey Spencer Lewis]].

===Martinism===
Many AMORC members have a close relation with '''[[Martinism]]''' and especially the '''[[Traditional Martinist Order]]''', a Martinist order cooperating with AMORC.

===Ancient Egypt===
AMORC reports that it has a ''traditional connection'' to '''[[Ancient Egypt]]''' and to the '''''Ancient Egyptian Mystery Schools'''''.

The Egyptian Mystery Schools, aimed to educating [[mystic]]s and passing [[Esotericism|esoteric]] [[Mysticism|mystical]] knowledge across the generations, were founded at least from the 15th century BCE and may be related with the [[King Tuthmosis III]].

[[King Akhenaten]], a figure often respected by many mystics, popularized the concept of one divine force behind everything.

Rosicrucians, as AMORC states, trace their past to Ancient Egypt because their beliefs, wisdom, practices and methods are consistent to the ones taught by the Ancient Egyptian Mystery Schools.

==Quotes by AMORC Members==
''The following quotes are taken from the [[1996]] edition of the booklet "Health: An International Research Council Report", first published in [[1986]] by the Supreme Grand Lodge of the Ancient & Mystical Order Rosae Crucis and the Grand Lodge of the English Language Jurisdiction, AMORC, Inc.''

The booklet "Health" is available to members and non-members by AMORC.

'''''"Rosicrucians are optimists"''''' - John Palo, D.C., F.A.C.C., F.R.C., member of the AMORC International Research Council, in "Treatment... Who Can Help" contained in the booklet "Health", p. 17.

'''''"Rosicrucian mysticism requires an active involvement in life, a vigorous and energetic cultivation of consciousness at all levels of human existence"''''' - J. Harry Gunkel, M.D., F.R.C., member of the AMORC International Research Council, in "Health - A Rosicrucian View" contained in the booklet "Health", p. 21.

'''''"In the mystical viewpoint (...), faith is a confidence or knowledge born from experience"''''' - Richard A. Rawson, M.D., F.R.C., member of the AMORC International Research Council, in "Health - Metaphysical Principles in Psychotherapy" contained in the booklet "Health", p. 33.

For quotes by AMORC's founder, see [[Harvey Spencer Lewis]].

==Criticism==
AMORC has become the target of some criticisms.

According to AMORC, from a document of the [http://home01.wxs.nl/~amorc.nl/enbuitenwereld.html Official AMORC Netherlands Web Site]:
* Some of its opponents come from the [[materialism]]-[[atheism]] scene.
* Other opponents come from the [[religion]] scene. ''"In Africa for instance Rosicrucians are threatened with excommunication by certain priests"'' and they accuse them for ''"making human sacrifices, of witchcraft, heresy et cetera"''.
* Others who run their own spiritual organisations may criticise AMORC because they are afraid that they may lose members.
* Some former members become opponents because either they left AMORC and they criticise it because they expected to become Masters in a very short time.
* Other opponents include former members who have been expelled by AMORC because they were using AMORC's teachings in their own way for their own purposes and not for their spiritual growth.

As the Grand Master [[Serge Toussaint]] says: ''"If at a given moment in time you feel worried about negative utterances regarding our Order, do not hesitate to ask us for a clarification. We shall answer you as quickly as possible and enable you to create for yourself a correct picture of what the Rosicrucians are and are not."''

Other organisations, such as [[FUDOFSI]] (not to be confused with [[FUDOSI]]) and [[Fraternitas Rosae Crucis]] have criticised AMORC's authenticity.

[[Gary L. Stewart]] of the [[Confraternity of the Rose Cross]] believes that the modern AMORC is very different from its past and its nature is now different than [[Harvey Spencer Lewis]]'s legacy. The same view is held by other organisations which started as "forks" from AMORC after its [[1990s]] corporate reorganisation.

AMORC, like many other similar organisations, has been criticised by some Christian groups. For example, according to the [http://www.ppu.gr PanHellenic Parents Union] (an organisation which advertises its mission as the ''"Protection of the Hellenic-Orthodox Civilization"'') website, in [[Greece]] AMORC has been included in a list of 422 organisations which considered as incompatible with the [[Eastern Orthodox]] tradition by the "7th Panorthodox Conference" of [[1995]] and its president Metropolite Hieronymus of Theba and Levadia. The list is available [http://www.ppu.gr/greek/422_sect_gr.htm here (in Greek)]. In the United States, biblical critiques have been published by evangelical apologists such as Walter R. Martin, Edmond C. Gruss, and H. Wayne House.

Some [[Theology|theologians]] have tried to classify it as a [[secret society]]. For an example, see the ECWA case below.

===ECWA===
From [[1984]] the [[Evangelical Church of West Africa]] (ECWA) seeks to outlaw AMORC in [[Nigeria]]. ECWA claimed that AMORC is a [[secret society]] and published relevant claims on its publications.

AMORC filed a libel suit against ECWA and the Lower Court decided against ECWA and ordered the church to pay one million [[naira]] (Nigerian currency) to AMORC in [[1988]].

Then, the ECWA appealed against the court's decision. AMORC appealed to the Supreme Court and ECWA counter-appealed. The Supreme Court dismissed both appeals.

In [[1999]] ECWA filed a new suit against AMORC, requesting from the Registrar General of CAC and the IG of Police to withdraw AMORC's registration certificate and seal its offices in Nigeria. ECWA also requested AMORC to be declared a [[secret society]] for lack of merit. The new ECWA's lawsuit was dismissed by the Supreme Court in [[June]] [[2000]].

[[As of 2004]], AMORC continues to operate legally in Nigeria. From [[1984]] ECWA has lost all of its lawsuits against AMORC.

''Source: [http://www.n-today.ndtilda.co.uk/mnew166.htm Abuja Mirror web site]''

==Authenticity==
[[FUDOSI]], a federation of mystical organisations, had authenticed AMORC as the only true Rosicrucian organisation. In an official [[FUDOSI]] document we read: ''"The AMORC (...) is the only authorized sector of the ancient Fraternity of Rosicrucians (...)"'' You can see the document at the [http://home01.wxs.nl/~amorc.nl/enfudoes.html Official AMORC Netherlands Web Site: FUDOESI Document].

==The Teachings==
See [[Rosicrucian Monographs]].

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==See also==
To have a better understanding of AMORC you are encouraged to have a look at the following articles:

===AMORC-Related===
* [[Harvey Spencer Lewis]], founder, Imperator
* [[Ralph Maxwell Lewis]], Imperator
* [[Gary L. Stewart]], Imperator
* [[Christian Bernard]], Imperator
* [[Julie Scott]], Grand Master
* [[Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum]]
* [[FUDOSI]], federation of esoteric orders
* [[Traditional Martinist Order]], Martinist order cooperating with AMORC

===General Esotericism===
* [[Rosicrucian]]
* [[List of Rosicrucians]], contains list of famous people believed to be Rosicrucians
* [[Esotericism]]
* [[Mysticism]]
* [[Occultism]]
* [[Freemasonry]]
* [[Martinism]]
* [[Secret society]]
* [[Spirituality]]

===Other Rosicrucian Groups===
* [[Confraternity of the Rose Cross]], founded by [[Gary L. Stewart]]
* [[Fraternitas Rosae Crucis]]
* [[Societas Rosicruciana]]

* for a more complete list of Rosicrucian groups, see [[Rosicrucian]].

==External links==
On the web you can find several pages regarding AMORC. A search on popular search engines will certainly return lots of links.

===Official Web Sites===
* [http://www.amorc.org/ Official AMORC Web Site Directory]
* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/ AMORC USA]
* [http://www.amorc.org.uk/ AMORC UK/Europe/Africa/Middle East]
* [http://www.amorc.org.au/ AMORC Australia]
* [http://www.rosacruz.org/ AMORC Latin America]
* [http://www.amorc.es/ AMORC Spain]
* [http://www.amorc.cz/ AMORC Czech Republic]
* [http://www.rosenkreuzer.de/ AMORC Germany]
* [http://www.amorc.fi/ AMORC Finland]
* [http://www.rose-croix.org/ AMORC France]
* [http://www.alap.net/amorc AMORC Hungary]
* [http://www.amorc.it/ AMORC Italy]
* [http://www.amorc.or.jp/ AMORC Japan]
* [http://home.wxs.nl/~amorc.nl AMORC Netherlands]
* [http://amorc.org.pl/ AMORC Poland]
* [http://www.amorc.org.br/ AMORC Brazil]
* [http://www.amorc.org.ru/ AMORC Russia]
* [http://www.amorc.sk/ AMORC Slovakia]
* [http://www.amorc.se/ AMORC Sweden (Scandinavia)]
* [http://www.amorc.gr/ AMORC Greece]

* [http://www.egyptianmuseum.org/ Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum]

* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/store AMORC USA Online Store]


* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/about/council.html Council of Solace]

* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/worldpeaceconference/index.html 2004 World Peace Conference from AMORC USA]

* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/about/mastery/index.html Read Mastery of Life in English]
* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/about/mastery/mastery.pdf Downloadable PDF version of Mastery of Life in English]
* [http://www.amorc.org/english/ukmast.html Mastery of Life in English from the UK lodge (shorter)]

* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/publications/digest/publication_archive.html Publications Archive]: A list with old publications of AMORC that anybody can read online for free

* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/newsarchive/2003/08imperatorsmessage.html The Spiritualization and Humanization of the World]

* [http://www.rosicrucian.org/publications/positio.pdf Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis in PDF format]: This document, presented in 2001, is intended to inform the public about AMORC's position on the current world situation regarding peace and harmony.
* [http://home01.wxs.nl/~amorc.nl/enpositio.html Positio Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis in HTML format] (in English)

* [http://home01.wxs.nl/~amorc.nl/enbuitenwereld.html The Outside World on AMORC] from AMORC Netherlands (in English)

* [http://home01.wxs.nl/~amorc.nl/enfudoes.html Official Document of FUDOESI on AMORC] from AMORC Netherlands (in English)

* [http://home.planet.nl/~amorc.nl/enontsta.html Official History of the Order] from AMORC Netherlands (in English)

===Unofficial===
====General====
* [http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/amorc.html Information from the Religious Movements Homepage Project of the University of Virginia]
* [http://www.rickross.com/groups/rosicrucians.html Rosicrucians] from the [http://www.rickross.com/ Ross Institute]

** [http://www.rickross.com/reference/rosicrucians/rosicruciansvisitor.html Visitor Comments]
** [http://www.rickross.com/reference/rosicrucians/rosicrucians1.html Ring Around the Rosy Cross]
** [http://www.rickross.com/reference/rosicrucians/rosicrucians2.html Mummy Dearest]
*[http://mb-soft.com/believe/txo/rosicruc.htm Information from Believe]
* [http://www.occultopedia.com/o/order_of_the_rosy_cross.htm Information from Occultopedia]
*Number of AMORC members by [http://www.adherents.com Adherents.com]: [http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_23.html] and [http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_24.html].
*[http://www.masonicforum.ro/en/nr67/amorc.html Information from the Masonic Forum]
*[http://aglaian.visioncollective.org/rosycross.html Aglaian Triad of Wicca on the Rosicrucian influence]

====Unofficial Rosicrucian Web Sites====
* [http://www.rosicrucians.org/salon/sanctum_items/sanctum_items.html AMORC's Altar Accessories for the 1930's Mystic]
* [http://www.rosicrucians.org/salon/mirrors/mirrors.html Black mirrors]
* [http://www.geocities.com/rosicrucian_2000/ Iolanda Therezinha Marcier, past member of AMORC], [http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/9464/]
* [http://www.svmmvmbonvm.org/ Homepage of Fr. Velado, a member of AMORC]
* [http://drakhan.com/index.html Homepage of Darryl Riser, a member of AMORC, CR+C, and Traditional Martinist Order]
** [http://drakhan.com/amorc_1990.html Darryl Riser on 1990's AMORC vs. CR+C debate]
* [http://salemos.tripod.com/ Personal Web Site of Serafine Anthony Lemos, a member of AMORC]
** [http://salemos.tripod.com/index-89.html Liber 777 and the Celestial Sanctum]
** [http://salemos.tripod.com/index-56.html The Four Rosicrucian Imperators, with photographs]
** [http://salemos.tripod.com/index-95.html The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order]
** [http://salemos.tripod.com/index-93.html Photo of the Grand Temple of AMORC]
** [http://salemos.tripod.com/index-94.html Photo of Imperator Ralph M. Lewis in His Ritualistic Robe]
====Criticism====
* [http://www.ccgm.org.au/Articles/ARTICLE-0038.htm Criticism by Concerned Christians Growth Ministries Inc.]
* [http://religion-cults.com/Secret/Rosicrucianism/Rosicrucianism.htm Criticism by religion-cults.com]
====Other====
*[http://homepage.sunrise.ch/homepage/prkoenig/vanloo/vanloo.htm Robert Vanloo and P.R. Koenig on AMORC and OTO]
*[http://drj.virtualave.net/other/religio/amorc.html The experiences of DrJ, a past member of AMORC]
*[http://hospedagem.infolink.com.br/nostradamus/b01q050.htm AMORC and Nostradamus Prophecies]
*[http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/amorc95191/ Guidelines for selling of AMORC materials on eBay]
*[http://www.n-today.ndtilda.co.uk/mnew166.htm ECWA and AMORC]

====Web Forum posts====
* [http://esoterism.com/bbs/messages/169.html Differences between AMORC and Rosicrucian Fellowship]
====Usenet Newsgroups====
* alt.amorc on [[Usenet]], [http://news-reader.org/alt.amorc/]

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''Note: F.R.C. (Frater) and S.R.C. (Soror) are Rosicrucian titles.''

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<small>
==Wikipedia==
* Article first published in Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia and republished here by its original author. The Wikipedia article is located at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Mystical_Order_Rosae_Crucis
</small>

[[Category:Societies]]
[[Category:Rosicrucian]]