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Revision as of 23:58, 21 December 2007 by Rjwilmsi (talk | contribs) (Typo fixing , typos fixed: assocated → associated using AWB)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The International New Thought Alliance (INTA) is an umbrella organization facilitating the functioning of numerous denominations, branches, organizations, and individuals associated with the New Thought movement.
History
The International New Thought Alliance was founded in London, England in 1914 by renaming the National New Thought Alliance, (founded in 1908) which had been formed by renaming the World New Thought Federation (founded in 1905), which had formerly been the New Thought Federation (founded in 1900). Upon INTA's creation, it also absorbed the International Metaphysical League (founded in 1900), which claimed a membership connection to The Metaphysical Club. Thus, at the time of its official "founding", INTA claimed an unbroken membership history that stretched back 42 years.
The second International New Thought Alliance Congress was held in San Francisco in 1915. This gathering was described in 1919 in The History of New Thought by Horatio W. Dresser:
The convention held at San Francisco, in connection with the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, 1915, was called The First International New Thought Congress. It began August 30, and continued until September 5, with three sessions daily and noon healing meetings. The meeting place was Moose Auditorium, Jones St., near Golden Gate Ave. The convention was preceded by New Thought Day, August 28, at the Panama-Pacific Exposition. The program for that day was as follows: Assembling of all New Thought people at Fillmore St. entrance, to be escorted by officials and band to the Court of Abundance, to receive commemorative bronze medal; Science and Demonstration of Mind Reading by The Ellises, Pompeiian Room, Inside Inn; banquet-lunch at Inside Inn; music and reading, Recital Hall; interpretation of Dante's La Divina Comedia, Rev. Lucy C. McGee; choral and organ recital, Mr. A. L. Artigues, Festival Hall.
Purposes
From the INTA Bylaws:
Among the concerns of INTA are:
- promoting spiritual inspiration and guidance for ministers, other leaders, and laity;
- offering international and local programs designed to aid understanding of New Thought and to promote interest in it;
- providing support groups for emotional and spiritual renewal;
- encouraging educational excellence throughout the New Thought Movement in INTA meetings, educational institutions, programs, and local teaching; and
- developing connections between New Thought and a wide variety of scholarly and other associations that should know about New Thought and increasingly understand and appreciate it. INTA's overall purposes are to preserve New Thought's rich heritage through archival and other work, to promote the effectiveness of New Thought practices, to encourage the constant rethinking of its theoretical foundations, to help all New Thoughters to grow in their awareness and love of God, to do all appropriate to secure a prominent place for New Thought in the world's approaches to reality, and to be of appropriate service to the world in achieving peace, prosperity, and wellness in all dimensions of existence.
Declaration of Principles
The INTA Declaration of Principles was revised in 2000 to make clearer INTA's dedication to inclusiveness, both social and intellectual. Members have a wide variety of races, nationalities, practices, beliefs, and outlooks.
The Declaration, as amended, January 2000:
- 1. We affirm God as Mind, Infinite Being, Spirit, Ultimate Reality.
- 2. We affirm that God, the Good, is supreme, universal, and everlasting.
- 3. We affirm the unity of God and humanity, in that the divine nature dwells within and expresses through each of us, by means of our acceptance of it, as health, supply, wisdom, love, life, truth, power, beauty, and peace.
- 4. We affirm the power of prayer and the capacity of each person to have mystical experience with God, and to enjoy the grace of God.
- 5. We affirm the freedom of all persons as to beliefs, and we honor the diversity of humanity by being open and affirming of all persons, affirming the dignity of human beings as founded on the presence of God within them, and, therefore, the principle of democracy.
- 6. We affirm that we are all spiritual beings, dwelling in a spiritual universe that is governed by spiritual law, and that in alignment with spiritual law, we can heal, prosper, and harmonize.
- 7. We affirm that our mental states are carried forward into manifestation and become our experience in daily living.
- 8. We affirm the manifestation of the kingdom of heaven here and now.
- 9. We affirm expression of the highest spiritual principle in loving one another unconditionally, promoting the highest good for all, teaching and healing one another, ministering to one another, and living together in peace, in accordance with the teachings of Jesus and other enlightened teachers.
- 10. We affirm our evolving awareness of the nature of reality and our willingness to refine our beliefs accordingly.
Organizational structure
The International New Thought Alliance has District Presidents in 38 international districts, and headquarters in Mesa, AZ. USA.
Among the denominations of New Thought which maintain membership in INTA are Unity, Religious Science (Science of Mind), Home of Truth, and Divine Science. Membership also extends to independent centers, non-denominational membership groups, and individuals.
INTA is the sponsoring organization of the Addington Archives, a major archive of New Thought materials.
See also
External links
- Dresser, Horatio. A History of the New Thought Movement. Thomas Y. Crowell. 1919.