True Brahmos versus False Brahmos

>RE: [brahmoconferenceorg] X'mas Greetings

>
>Dear Mr. Rahul Dev Sharma,
>What is the definition of True Brahmo?
>Where is it written?
>Why is it True?
>
>Regards,
>- Debanjan Ray

You may refer to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brahmoconferenceorg/message/157
and make your own decision

Malay Sanyal

Some group members have sought clarification on
"True Brahmos and False Brahmos" and some other incidentals.

Our position on these subjects is:-

1) Brahmoism is the highest form of Hinduism, and is so very different from what passes for Hinduism today that Brahmos consider themselves to be "beyond the pale of Hinduism" and a separate religion altogether.

2) A "True" Brahmo is either an adherent of Brahmoism to the exclusion of all other religions, or a person with at least one Brahmo parent or guardian and who has never denied his faith.

3) "False" Brahmos are those who believe that "following" the principles of Brahmoism is sufficient. These people have given Brahmoism a very bad reputation. Prominent examples of such "False" Brahmos are "Keshub
Chunder Sen" and Nabobidhan "New Dispensation" who have preached and propagated Rosicrucianism and other Masonic beliefs in the guise of Brahmoism. Even today they operate secret societies to attract neophytes to their symbolic devil worship in the name of Brahmoism.

4) To distinguish Brahmoism from such fakes and charlatans,  the Brahmo religion was compelled to rename itself, first as the "Adi Brahmo Samaj" and later the religious aspect was termed as "Adi Dharm". Our
religion has no secrets or mysticism or initiation or rites or rituals. The creed and tenets are widely known, anyone can follow and practice them.

1. There is only One "Supreme Spirit", Author and Preserver of Existence
2. There is no salvation and no way to achieve it.
3. There is no scripture, revelation, creation, prophet, priest or teacher to be revered
4. There is no distinction.

Once these core principles are accepted we progress to our complete "articles of faith" which define our "Dharmic" religion

* Brahmos embrace righteousness as the only way of life.
* Brahmos embrace truth, knowledge, reason, free will and virtuous intuition (observation) as guides.
* Brahmos embrace secular principles but oppose sectarianism and imposition of religious belief into governance (especially propagation of religious belief by government).
* Brahmos embrace the co-existence of Brahmo principles with governance, but oppose all governance in conflict with Brahmo principles.
* Brahmos reject narrow theism (epecially polytheism), idolatry, ascetism and symbolism.
* Brahmos reject the need for formal rituals, priests or places (church, temple, mosque) for worship.
* Brahmos reject dogma and superstition.
* Brahmos reject scripture as authority.
* Brahmos reject revelations, prophets, gurus, messiahs, or avatars as authority.
* Brahmos reject bigotry and irrational distinctions like caste, creed, colour, race, religion which divide beings.
* Brahmos reject all forms of totalitarianism.
* Brahmos reject the prevalent notion of "sin".
* Brahmos reject the prevalent notions of "heaven" or "hell".
* Brahmos reject the prevalent notion of "salvation".

The test of a Brahmo Samajist (the wider community which follows Brahmoism) is acceptance of the Trust Deed principles settled permanently in law by Rammohun Roy, Dwarakanath Tagore etc.

The test of a Brahmo religionist is if he adheres scrupulously to the Adi Dharm principles and submits to the binding Articles of Faith.

Everyone else is unworthy of the Brahmo name and needs to be denounced.