Monday, August 15, 2005
THE ORDER OF CHRIST SOPHIA
One more example of the other gospel can be found in the website of the Order of Christ Sophia, "a non-denominational Order of women and men who strive to live by the Mystical Christian teachings." This group has nine schools, called "Centers of Light", located in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Milwaukee, New Haven, Oakland, and Seattle. The order ordains women to the priesthood. The list of priests of each center indicates a predominance of women priests.
The Order's mysticism is based on Sufism, Zen, Kabbalah or Hasidism, and Christian mysticism. The objective of all mysticism, according to the website, is to "come into a direct experience of the God at the Center of their beings."
The Order was founded by Father Peter Bowes, who was trained by the Holy Order of Mans, and Mother Clare Watts.
Classes offered by the group include "Introduction to Christian Mysticism", "Bible Contemplation Classes", "The Tree of Life Classes". They are taught through the Centers of Light.
While the website doesn't describe it, they would appear to have a liturgy since what appears to be the implements of a Catholic liturgy are depicted here.
The Centers of Light offer spiritual training and ordination. They practice "Solar Initiations of Baptism, Illumination and God-Realization."
They have their critics. At the Rick A. Ross Institute website, a former member offers comments, including the information that Mother Clare Watts "has direct revelations from The Virgin Mary." More information from Rick Ross can be found here.
