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MITHRAEUM
HISTORY
MITHRAISM
FOR TODAY
RECONSTRUCTED
MITHRAISM
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When the worship of
an ancient faith is to be restored to the world, it is necessary for persons
aspiring to common ideals to form a clear foundation for their religion. It is
also proper that they should make these concepts public so that the religion
itself may be better understood.
I.
We who worship the god Mithras hold the ideals expressed here to be basic and
integral to our faith, that we may be united both in thought and deed. Mithraism
provides a spiritual heritage which embodies the basic nature of Western
Civilization. It is both a historical faith and a living faith, which preserves
the spiritual past even as it progresses into the future. Here we establish the
structure and basic nature of Mithraism so that it may be preserved, while
allowing for future growth and freedom of individual
expression.
II. We hold that a
Mithraist may be defined as a person who actively performs rites, rituals,
and/or prayers to the god Mithras as a major part of their spiritual
involvement. We acknowledge that this does not make one an Initiate of the
Mithraic Mysteries, which is a specialized path of spiritual learning and
growth. We acknowledge also that individuals may at times work with Mithras as a
deity without considering themselves as practicing Mithraists or followers of
the Mithraic Mysteries.
III. We affirm
that modern Mithraism embodies the spiritual beliefs, practices, virtues,
philosophies and initiatory system of the ancient Mithraic Mysteries. These
constitute and express a clear and separate form of religion and spirituality
that is unique and different from all other spiritual paths. We hold that the
various practices of today are the spiritual successor of the ancient ways,
reborn anew.
IV. We affirm that the
historical basis of our spirituality comes from the worship of Mithras in the
ancient Pagan world. Aspects of this history are found throughout antiquity,
from the 2nd millennium BC until the beginning of the Medieval era.
V. We understand that the ancient
worship of Mithras was practiced primarily, and even exclusively, by men.
However, we acknowledge that over the course of centuries women have become
involved in the rites of other Savior deities without detriment. We therefore
leave the question of gender open to the individual practitioner rather than
making a decision on behalf of the entire faith. Some of us feel that Mithraism
should be open to all people, regardless of nationality, race, gender,
sexuality, spiritual affiliation or other individual circumstance. Others prefer
a more historical membership requirement. We respect the rights and beliefs of
all and those who worship Mithras may practice or not practice with others as
they choose.
VI. We affirm that
Mithraism belongs to no one race or nationality, but is instead a common
founding heritage of all Western civilization. Mithraism was practiced
throughout Europe and into Britain, Africa and to the East, Therefore it has
influenced many peoples and nations of the world, either directly or by the
legacy of its history, philosophies and
practices.
VII. We also affirm that
Mithraism is compatible with, and may be practiced alongside all other forms of
polytheistic religion and spiritual expression, without diluting or diminishing
its basic ideals and spiritual identity. In the ancient world Mithraism was
practiced alongside Roman, Celtic, German, Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and
Oriental faiths, to the enhancement of all. This syncretistic approach to other
religions remains basic to the Mithraic spiritual world
view.
VIII. We affirm that the
ancient initiatory path and grade system of the Mithraic Mysteries were the key
to the practice of Mithraism in antiquity. It is the rebuilding of working
Mysteries that is our goal. Even so, we understand that the Mysteries were not
uniform in all places in antiquity, and therefore Mithraic worship may embody
many forms of ritual and practice. These may include private prayer, meditation
and ritual, as well as public rites and ritual, in addition to the Inner
initiatory Mysteries. Such methods were surely practiced in the ancient
world and may be included within the overall realm of the Mithraic
revival.
IX. We further affirm that
rites and worship within Mithraism may be approached in many ways. In this
manner the spiritual needs of all practicing individuals may be fulfilled. These
various approaches may include group or individual worship, philosophical
practice focusing on prayer and contemplation, purely historical reconstruction
of ancient ritual form and initiation, as well as forms of modern rites and
worship that adapt ancient practices and ideals.
X. We
affirm that Mithraism shall be an organized and structured faith. In addition to
purely individual involvement and the organization of autonomous groups, its
form may contain the reestablishment of historical religious institutions. These
may include established physical Mithraeums, mystery schools, priesthoods and
religious colleges, and coordinating religious bodies.
XI. We affirm that Mithraism
was and is a civilized faith, empowering family, community and state to
positive virtue and beneficial effect. The rites, beliefs, virtues and
philosophies of Mithraic religion are by nature benign and lawful, serving to
facilitate Truth, piety toward the gods, and understanding and cooperation among
all people.
XII. We affirm that the spiritual duty of the
modern practitioner of Mithraism is to be a positive example and force for good
in the world, as well as to seek spiritual salvation through the Mysteries.
We seek to rebuild his positive influence in the world, and through piety
and action preserve the sacred link between Mithras and
humanity.
XIII. We affirm that the
earthly responsibility of Mithraism itself is to restore the ancient
worship of Mithras and to renew his positive influence into modern civilization.
We seek to rebuild the worship, rites, principles, philosophies, and history of
Mithraism and to make them available to all persons wishing to incorporate them
as a modern spiritual path.
These religious
ideals and tenets are set forth and adopted in honor of Mithras as an eternal
God, and in remembrance of our ancient Mithraic spiritual forebears. Through
them we are focused and united. Let them stand as an affirmation of our intent,
faith and practice.
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