Illuminism
Illuminism is a belief system whereby a believer makes a claim that he has been illuminated or experienced enlightenment of a spiritual nature.
History of Term
It would be correct to say, both etymologically and conceptually, that an illumination and enlightenment can be used interchangeably as regards spiritual matters. It is an archaic term deriving from the French illuminer. The term has been used in modern times primarily with respect to and by secret societies, for the most part, orders that have modelled their practices after the mystery cults of the Hellenic world, which flourished around the Mediterranean coast and Near East at the period when the Roman Empire dominated the region and its cultures.
The word Illuminism, when used as a proper noun, refers specifically to the form of enlightenment or illumination that is a part of advancement in the ranks of various secret societies that claim a common origin with the Bavarian Illuminati. As such it is an important concept within Discordianism as well. The idea of Illumination can be usefully compared to Enlightenment, Grace, and Satori in other spiritual traditions.
The modern Thomasine Church, a New Religious Movement rooted in Gnosticism, Christianity, and the Gospel of Thomas uses the term as a collective description intellectual values and philosophy which explicitly privileges reason and logic over opinion and belief in epistemological matters. This use of the term can be usefully compared to Empiricism, Positivism and Scientism. Members of the Thomasine Church associate their version of Illuminism with the scientific method and critical thinking.
External links
The Thomasine Church official website.
The Church of Gnostic Luminism official website.
The Erisian Mystery website.
- Illuminism.orgThe I.A.O. Society. <-- Dead Link
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Illuminism". Image Credit.
