Faithism

Faithism is a religion which is based on faith in an Omnipotent Creator whose name is Jehovih, Elohim, E-o-ih, Wenohim, Eolin, Egoquim, Ormazd, The All Light, The All Person, The Great Spirit, as well as other names which have been described in the book Oahspe (published 1882 in New York City, USA). Oahspe was presented by Dr. John Ballou Newbrough (1828-1891), as a book received through him by automatic writing. It was contemporary with other channeled material produced through the Spiritualist Movement, which reached its height in the second half of the nineteenth Century in the United States of America.
Oahspe describes Faithism as the first religion and was practiced in its pure state in various locations and eras around the world (details of which can be found in Oahspe). All religions known today, ancient and modern are said to contain the elements of the first religion in more or less purity.
In Oahspe, Quakers (The Religious Society of Friends) are considered Faithists at heart, although they don't have the rites and ceremonies that Faithism generally has. This is so because it is more an evaluation determined by the pacifist and inspirational attitudes of Quakers as a whole, rather then by doctrinal affinity.
Other Faithists described in Oahspe are American Natives who worship the Great Spirit; ancient Hebrews and Judaism which recognize only one Creator God Who is not in the form or figure of a man; the Masons who believe in The Great Architect, Creator and service to humanity; various Eastern religions whose teachings are based on the ancient prophets such as Sakaya, Confucius, Zarathustra; and various other religions described in Oahspe.
Only one religion is based on the teachings that come directly from Oahspe. Faithism is a name Oahspe has given to that religion. While it can be found that there are and have been various organizations as well as individuals who consciously practice the religion of Faithism, these practitioners generally call themselves Faithists. These can be found or have been found, among other places, in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Continental Europe and India. Because Faithism includes those who presently do not belong to a recognized Faithist organization, the number of practitioners is difficult to estimate.
Doctrines and Discipline.
Progression in an afterlife is one of the main tenets of Faithism, along with faith into a universal, omnipresent Creator who is ever-present and everywhere, whose body constitutes the seen world and whose spirit constitutes the unseen world.
The afterlife is a spirit world where the souls of those who once lived as mortals on the earth pass into after death and where progression is eternal. It rejects reincarnation (See Oahspe's Book of Jehovih, VI 21; Book of God's Word, chapter XXX, 18-20,) and explains the practice of spirit possession and engrafting of earthbound spirits onto mortals as the origin of this belief.
Other doctrines include:

* To return good for evil and to not war or do any violence.
* To be herbivorous (vegan), and at least to abstain from eating flesh, including fish and "all which breathes the breath of life." The eating of animal substance is said to contaminate the blood with beastlike emotions such as anger and vengeance.
* Honoring the teachings of the great prophets who are considered to be inspired by God, based on the light and goodness that these teachings contain rather than on the identities or miracles associated with such prophets.
Faithism also advocates living in communities of families in an unpolluted and wholesome environment. According to Oahspe, in ancient times such communities were established by Moses, Sakaya, the Essenes and others in various locations and eras around the world. For modern times, communities are required to take in unwanted and orphaned children to be raised up in knowledge of the Creator, and to be taught in loving, gentle ways, both corporeal and spiritual knowledge.
Symbols
There are many symbols recognized in Faithism (See Oahspe's Book of Saphah). The most significant is the "Circle Twice Cut", which is an equilateral cross (like a Celtic cross), inscribed in a circle with cross bars extending a little beyond the circle) with a leaf in the center,. This symbol is considered to be the written name of Jehovih, also called the "Seal of Jehovih".
The primary colors of blue, yellow and red are also significant and said to be sacred colors.
Rites and Ceremonies
Oahspe stresses the importance of rites and ceremonies for harmonizing the community. One of the most significant ceremonies is "Emethachavah", described in detail in the Oahspe's Book of Saphah. The Emethachavah ceremony has similarities to a Masonic ritual but with signs and passwords which were still in use omitted. A more detailed and complicated text for "Emethachavah" was later published.
The Hymns used for rituals are sometimes called "Zemers".
A number of Faithist rites and ceremonies can be found in the Kosmon Church Service Book, published by The Kosmon Press in the United Kingdom for "The Confraternity of Faithists and The Kosmon Church;" a revised edition was printed in 1938. The book contains services, public prayers and the like.
Calendar
The Faithists' holy week day of rest and worship is called the "Sabbath" and is reset each year as the seventh day after the Northern Hemisphere (N.H.) Summer Solstice occurs. This solstice is considered to be the start of the Faithist year. Some Faithists, instead, use the N.H. Winter Solstice for both celebrating the New Year and the identification of the Sabbath for that year. While Oahspe advises observing the Sabbath, it is not obligatory but left to the inspiration of each individual; same with all its Holy Days (holidays).
Relevant also are:
* Holy Veil Day, which is the day commemorating the opening of the veil between heaven and earth, and thus marking the beginning of this new age called the Kosmon era (which according to Oahspe is the seventh era of progression in the history of humanity from its inception).
* Freedom's Day, when the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, thus marking the point of no return in the world for slavery in general.
* Holy Compact Day, when the United States Constitution became a sealed deal, thus opening the way for, and ensuring for all, freedom of religion.
Other Faithist Scriptures
"The Book of Ouranothen", the "Book of Knowledge".
Faithist organizations
In the United States of America some existing Faithist organizations are:
* the "Universal Faithists of Kosmon" Church (Colorado branch; California branch)
* the Restoration Faithists (of the New York area)
* The Eloists (headquared in the New England region)
In other places, existing are:
* the Kosmon Sanctuary, in the United Kingdom
* the Oahspe Stichting, in Holland.
Past Faithist organizations include:
* the Universal Brotherhood of Faithists, which published "The Land of Shalam" in Tiger, Georgia.
* the Essenes of Kosmon (who lived in communities in Colorado around the 1940's and 1950's)
* The Confraternity of Faithists and Kosmon Church in the U.K.
Links
Kosmon Sanctuary
Oahspe Online
NMSU Archives
Other Articles in
John Ballou Newbrough
Oahspe
Universal Faithists of Kosmon
Bibliography
"The Land of Shalam" by Mrs. K.D.Stoes
"Shalam Utopia on the Rio Grande 1881-1907" by Lee Priestley
"Vohu Esfoma" by Anonymous, Kessinger publications
"The Hidden Prophet", by Dr. Susan B. Martinez, Ph. D. 2009
"Emethachavah" Oahspe Publishing Association, Los Angeles and London

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