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The Order of Christ Sophia (OCS) is an organization that was founded in 1999 and went through a major reorganization in 2012. The OCS describes itself as a holy order and spiritual school that offers training in the doctrines of Christian mysticism.〔(1) Lewis, James, R. ''New data on who joins NRMs and why: A case study of the Order of Christ/Sophia'': Journal of Alternative Spiritualities, JANSAS 1:2; 2006 (91 – 104)〕 The OCS shares beliefs with two very distinct movements, Christian Science and the New Thought denomination Unity, both of which developed in the mid-to-late 19th century. The OCS asserts an apostolic succession through Mother Clare Watts stating that they received a transmission of teachings and spiritual authority from teacher to student, beginning with Jesus and passing down through the generations to their present day leaders. This apostolic succession is not part of the historical episcopate as preserved in the Roman, Anglican, Orthodox, and some other churches. However, there are structural similarities and the OCS may be classed as part of the Independent Sacramental Movement.〔(12) Plummer, John. ''The Many Paths of the Independent Sacramental Movement'': 2nd ed., Apocryphile Press, Berkeley, CA, 2006.〕 OCS tenets include the belief that Jesus was not only a redeemer and savior, but also a model for human functioning; and that his mother, Mary, was a representation of the divine feminine and was equal to Jesus in redemptive and mediation powers. OCS doctrine holds that human beings are souls which are in a continuing process of perfecting through the cumulative experience of multiple lives on earth. This perfecting is said to be accomplished through a process of spiritual direction, meditation, prayer, regular participation in the Christian sacraments, emotional healing, and spiritual initiations. The OCS has centers in seven states which they refer to as Centers of Light and has a minister offering classes in Montreal, Canada. Each Center of Light is run by ordained members of OCS who wear street clothes along with a minister's cross on a ribbon. The Centers of Light are the central location for classes, services, and individual counseling in that state. ==History== Mother Clare Watts was raised by missionary parents in Zurich, Switzerland. She lived in yoga ashrams and a Sufi training school along with her husband and children before beginning her training with Father Peter Bowes, with whom she later co-founded the OCS. While living in Kentucky she was ordained a Deacon in 1984 in a mystical Christian order called the Brotherhood of Christ. Though she had been baptized by sisters in the Holy Order of MANS in 1977, she was never a member of that organization. She and her family moved to Boston in 1985 in order to receive further spiritual training by Master John Hartman. Master John was ordained in the Brotherhood of Christ and continued to teach after the Brotherhood’s dissolution. Watts trained for the priesthood with Master John but was not ordained until 1996 when she reconnected with Bowes, who trained Watts further and brought her into ordination himself. After her ordination, Watts focused her teachings on the spiritual empowerment of women until 1999, when she joined her growing spiritual center to Bowes’ to create the Order of Christ Sophia. In 2001 Bowes ordained Watts a Master Teacher, and the two shared co-directorship of the new order. 〔Mother Clare Watts, ''Giving Birth to God: A Woman's Path to Enlightenment'': iUniverse Inc., New York, NY, 2003. ISBN 0-595-28337-3〕 The OCS called their spiritual centers Centers of Light and started such centers in numerous cities across the United States. Growing rifts between Bowes and Watts regarding ideology and methods of teaching led Bowes to leave the OCS in 2012. He immediately formed a new order called the Ruach Center. About half of the membership and ministers of the former OCS left with the Ruach Center, while other half remained with the OCS. The Ruach Center continues their practices through a less widely marketed congregation, while Watts and the Centers of Light continue to practice and advertise publicly, offering classes and services in Seattle, Minneapolis, Ann Arbor, Cambridge (Massachusetts), New Haven, Denver, Santa Fe and Montreal, Canada. The OCS states that their leadership has since become more inclusive, egalitarian, ecumenical, accepting and embracing of individual choices and all religions and spiritual paths that are based in love and light. The ministers no longer wear clerical garb except for Sunday Services and clothing choices are free and open. Relationships outside the order are encouraged and supported and collaborative events and classes are given with other spiritual organizations. Watts emphasizes hopeful attitudes toward the evolution of humankind and the need to develop ever greater awakening of consciousness and openhearted relating to all life and people. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Order of Christ Sophia」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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