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.

Yours
Shantanu Lahiri
Hony President Brahmo Conference Organisation (1881)