Universal Life

Universal Life is a new religious movement whose followers number in Germany is estimated at several thousand to several tens of thousands. The original name Homebringing Jesus Christ was modified in 1984. The spread of the movement teachings based on new revelations.

• 5.1 Animal Rights Scene 5.1.1 Maqi
• 5.1.2 Voice Magazine

History

The History of Universal Life is characterized by Gabriele Wittek. She is the spiritual leader and is referred to internally as " prophetess and spiritual ambassador of God." Their pronouncements are after testifying " to fulfilling the mission of a prophet of God ."

1971, Gabriele Wittek according to information provided a "first moving vision," In 1975, she received according to self-reported the ' Inner Word ', which is initially acted according to Universal Life to by gifts of a spiritual being, by Emanuel, the " cherub of divine wisdom" one of the seven archangels as they are handed down in the Christian tradition. Emanuel was incarnated in the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. Later, Jesus Christ had revealed and God. A first small circle of listeners was in Würzburg. 1977 was followed by a second circle of listeners in Nuremberg and it came to naming as Homebringing Jesus Christ. This saw himself as a teacher and educational work.

1979 joined the Homebringing of Jesus Christ for the first time with brochures to the public. In 1980, the clubs community to promote Heimholungswerks Jesus Christ. The Inner Spirit - Christus-Kirche eV in Nuremberg and Homebringing Jesus Christ. The Inner Spirit - Christus-Kirche eV in Stuttgart founded. It was followed by a rapid expansion in the German speaking countries, Italy and Spain, which lasted ten to fifteen years. Through numerous presentations Wittek and lively information and promotional activities incurred in several places communities which early Christians call tag of interest.

1984 Heimholungswerks Jesus Christ was renamed Universal Life. Followers founded the first businesses. 1990 ebbed the expansion wave from the first distribution areas of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Spain, sat down, however, in other countries around the world continues.

Teaching

The lessons are taught by Gabriele Wittek. They are in accordance with the principles of Universal Life as revelations " Gabriele" as a prophet receives and passes on since 1975. In addition to the Sermon on the Mount and the Ten Commandments are the foundation of faith. The man could be accepted by charity, repentance, forgiveness and reparation of God and be accepted. The Spirit of God is omnipresent in all life forms. There is no " eternal hell ", not punishing God and no " mysteries of God ", but the "law of sowing and reaping " and the possibility of reincarnation. Even animals are fully capable of suffering and have an immortal part of the soul, which is why a vegetarian diet will advised. Gabriele Wittek applies to the followers of the Universal Life as the greatest prophet since Jesus of Nazareth, but leave to worship according to universal life, in any way, but always refer back to " Christ."

Universal Life sees itself as the early Christian community of faith that carried on where the teachings of Jesus Christ. According to the given by Gabriele Wittek disclosures of which are present in the Bible forgeries, distortions and contradictions. Unconditional true recognized and taken as a guide for ethical behavior, the book This is my word - Alpha and Omega (see main work of publishing the word ), one by his self-image of Christ by Gabriele Wittek revised and expanded version of the JR Ouseley (1835-1906) published in modernity apocryphal " Gospel of the perfect life." The program focuses on the life of Jesus of Nazareth, the belief by the "right action ", the 10 Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount from the Bible, supplemented by the interpretation of the present, which further focuses reincarnation, vegetarianism, animal love and abstinence from alcohol.

More revelations say that the Church had corrupted the Christian doctrine, for example, did Jesus neither dogmas and priests, nor church buildings intended.

On April 18, 1987 Christ had spoken in a great revelation, inter alia, on the " Inner Path ": A mystical path of training, in which one assumes that God is found in man and in all life forms, according to the word of Jesus: " The kingdom of God is in ' you."

God is considered as an impersonal principle, as "ether " which permeates all being and self mountains all positive and negative forces. This " primal force " had created spirit beings such as " God the Father " and " God the Son ", but also the feminine principle " Satana ", which rebelled against God. It should be "Lucifer " and have become followers gathered around him, who are called " case being". This " fall beings " are materialized to people. The spirit being "Christ" have planted as human shell Jesus a spark of " elemental force " in every human being. Thus, it was made possible every soul to return to God. This " bringing home " through Jesus Christ so there is therein, in the pure " universal life " retrieve the material loaded sparks. Man must, according to his emotional stress, through numerous reincarnations under circumstances and so his karma, the sum of all good and evil deeds from all walks of life worked up. Christ had indeed repaid the " karma of humanity ," but everyone had to develop by means of Christ his divine inheritance again.

Characteristic of the doctrine of Universal Life is also the strong belief in a close circulation time, followed by a 'll connect " millennial kingdom of peace." Whether a particular person should enter into this realm, determine his karma, which have emerged as a materialized beings during his times. This impending " end of the world " requires intensive educational work. Particular emphasis is placed on the peace between man, nature and animals, resulting in practice, inter alia, animal and nature protection, vegetarian diet and " peaceful " farming ( crop rotation without pesticides, without genetic manipulation, without manure and slurry and friendly tillage) result.

Another ideological focus of reincarnation belief arises in connection with the denial of the redemptive work of Jesus according to the general theological understanding of the Christian churches. Accordingly, the Second Council of Constantinople Opel ( 553 AD) the alleged reincarnation Christian faith are abolished (see the controversial view of the early Christian church theologian Origen ) and corresponding Bible passages have been deleted. Wittek writes literally: " At the same time the belief was condemned, that one day would return all souls and men to God " and teaches a so-called "way of removal ," according to which man must suffer what he had previously done to other kingdoms of nature, until he 'll finally disembodied after repeated rebirths and the removal of the guilt and " light and lively return to the subtle, eternal kingdom " could.

In the revelations call of Christ to people who want to use it intensively for his Redeemer work of economic and social activities, the success of hiring as a direct result of a life according to the Divine Laws.

Practices

The events of Universal Life are sold at home and abroad, which they call "places of early Christian encounter ," transferred.

The trailers are stopped every day to know himself and what separates them from God to repent, but to ask for forgiveness, to forgive others, to make up for bad and not to do as offense Detected again (intrinsic way, the cycle of cleanup ).

In order to reach the state of "advanced god-men " faster, is expected by the followers that they, more and more renounce " earthly things " like drugs and certain foods, such as meat and exercise restraint during intercourse. The coexistence of families living in communities is considered ideal.

Be Enlisted new followers through posters, advertisements, handbills and, increasingly, over the Internet. In addition, the Original Christians in Universal Life propagate a vegetarian lifestyle and be a branch of the community as a source for further information.

According to its own representation of the organization of any fanaticism is all these things concerning rejected. Rather, each man should act according to the best of our knowledge and belief, voluntarily and out of conviction.

Structure

The followers meet in this rented rooms. Such " Original Christian Gathering Places " existed in Germany until 2010 in 26 cities before that year their number was halved.

Trailer of Universal Life Amuse & a school, a " natural clinic," a publisher and lead farms according to the criteria - controlled organic farming as well as their own spiritual principles ( no livestock, no use of manure and slurry ). These farms are not officially connected with the Universal Life.

Universal Life is funded entirely by donations.

Organizations and businesses

The UL related parties occur as a manufacturer and marketer of organic food. The mainly by followers of the Universal Life Well -owned businesses to live and Live Healthy entertain in 41 cities 58 market stalls and shops (as of early 2011 ). The organic food sold are partially grown or produced on farms of organizational supporters.

Organizations and businesses that are organizationally or ideologically connected to the Universal Life or operated by followers are:

• Private school learning with me in Universal Life Esselbach, nationally recognized, carrier: School Association I am helping eV, Office: Esselbach, association boards: Egidio Moreno, Christopher Preuss
• Helping hands - Social Services eV, Würzburg and Esselbach - Kredenbach, Managing Director: Petra Duschner, Christine No, Jacqueline Thurneysen
• Shopping country Altfeld GmbH & Co. KG, Marktheidenfeld - Altfeld, Managing Director: Armin Grätzer, Martin Kübli
• Phoenix Beautiful Life GmbH, Marktheidenfeld - Altfeld, Managing Director: Sandra Krapf, Martin Kübli
• Good for life - food from field and farm GmbH, Marktheidenfeld - Altfeld, Managing Director: Ulrich Kohler
• Hof Good Ruppertzaint natural modern agriculture GmbH & Co. KG, Arnstein
• Home for Animals - New Time eV, operates sanctuary for animals, Birkenfeld - Johannishof
• Good for animals GmbH & Co. KG Birkenfeld - Johannishof
• Good for animals Agriculture GmbH, Birkenfeld - Johannishof
• Vegetarian and Vegan Cooking Studio, Operator: Christoph Michels, Greußenheim
• The vegetarian soup kitchen, Operator: Christoph Michels, Greußenheim
• MVZ Michelrieth GmbH, Marktheidenfeld - Michelrieth, Managing Director: Peter Thurneysen, employed physicians and therapists: Petra Duschner, Renate Freye, Mariyana Kostadinova, Christine Schmid- Schilling, Carsten random
• HG Naturklinik Michelrieth GmbH, Marktheidenfeld - Michelrieth, Managing Director: Arno Schneider, Carsten random
• Live healthy - Versand GmbH, Marktheidenfeld - Altfeld, Managing Director: Katja Edlund, Andrea Rotter
• Live Healthy natural Versand GmbH
• Santec Media GmbH
• Santec Music GmbH
• Gabriele -Verlag GmbH The word, Marktheidenfeld - Altfeld, Managing Director: Christo Obreschkow, Christine Schulte, Petra Roth Stick
• Sophia Library, Marktheidenfeld - Altfeld, Managing Director: Gabi Schmitt, Maya Kübli
• Vitavera Verlags-GmbH, Bremgarten ( Switzerland ) (The new time TV), Director: Christo Obreschkow
• Verlag GmbH magnifying glass, nonprofit corporation, Cross Wertheim (magazine freedom for animals)
• 1974 m. ü. M. GmbH ( Nikolaushof, restaurant and beer garden), Würzburg, Managing Director: Emanuel Thurneysen, John Zopfi
• Universal Life of All Cultures Worldwide eV, Office: Marktheidenfeld - Altfeld, Board of Directors: Alfred Schulte
• Community to promote Homebringing Mission of Jesus Christ, Head Office: Oberurdorf ( Switzerland ), association boards: Armin Grätzer, Berta Louise Zibung and Christoph Michels
• International Gabriele Foundation, Head Office: Marktheidenfeld - Altfeld, Managing Director: Harald Jackdaw, Hermann Dürr, Martin Kübli, Ulrich Seifert, Daniel Zopfi
• G. S. Foundation Verwaltungs-GmbH

Publicistic Universal Life is active by the publisher The word GmbH and Radio Santec. Transferred addition, several satellite TV channels ( Earth and Mankind, New Jerusalem Broadcasting, The New Era TV, Sophia TV, a transmitter of Radio Santec, the last two on Astra satellite ) broadcasts from the environment of the Universal Life. The Publisher The white horse GmbH spread over church-critical literature topics and opinions from the environment of UL.

Dissemination

In Universal Life there is no formal membership. Estimates of Religious Studies Media and Information Service ( REMID ) go from 2000-5000 followers in Germany. Goldner are as number of followers for the German speaking " 10000-40000, world perhaps 100,000 " to.

The Club Universal Life eV has about 500 members. The inner circle refers to himself as " Covenant Community New Jerusalem." He lives mainly in the area around Michelrieth in the Würzburg region in residential communities, and works primarily in the plants belonging to followers. After Bavaria southern Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland are the main areas of distribution. Throughout the world there are, according to the movement meetings of " early Christians ".

Controversies

Animal rights scene

Maqi

Since 2000, the animal rights initiative Maqi reported increasingly about attempts by the Universal Life, on welfare issues (especially hunting) foot in the animal rights scene to be taken. In July 2002, operations at a symposium on " Nature without hunting " in Berlin were, for example, in a press release comments, which stated in part: " Those committed to credible for animal rights, must be UL including " Christ-enterprises "and infiltrated organizations and groups distance. "

Maqi was then tackled with several lawsuits and lawyers' cease and desist, among other things, because an address which was called " the prophetess " and a domain existed in the name contained the name of Universal Life and forwarded on a scale of Maqi site about Universal Life. Apart from such formalities, but there was apparently no substantive objections from the community of faith. The requirement to "refrain ... to say with reference to a lecture by Klaus Meurer or its citation, ... having regard to the magazine Christ State, Extra Sheet No. 9, November 1991 or the citation, or to convey the impression that the faith community Universal life is anti-Semitic, fascist or racist set " was unsuccessful.

The, released in September 2002 brochure Universal Life - A danger to the animal rights movement, reported inter alia about people and organizations in the field of Universal Life ( " Good for Life", "Live Healthy! shipping ", " Towards a natural " burning glass -Verlag, initiative to abolish hunting, Radio Santec, etc.). In addition, there was evidence that Christ establishments against the alleged animal-friendly products with negotiated, are exploited for the animals. Were cited, among others, the aforementioned Klaus Meurer journal titles, or Christ state, which could give the impression that the faith community Universal Life is anti-Semitic, fascist or racist.

Voice Magazine

Animal rights magazine Voice According to the leading members of the Universal Life within the German animal rights scene are becoming increasingly active. Further structures were examined in detail within the Universal Life and the connecting network of organization. As a result, the magazine has received several invitations to submit cease and desist and lawsuits from Universal Life, among other reasons because of the title page, images of the same and different formulations. In particular, the image of a swastika in conjunction with the Universal Life was criticized. Unless it was not for the views, but untrue statements of facts or abuse, court injunctions were issued. The Voice magazine has been set in a row for cost reasons.

Controversy surrounding the accusation of anti-Semitic tendencies ( withdrawn )

Among the allegations the State of Berlin in 1997, the Universal Life brochure anti-Semitic prejudices, the representative of the country shared later with: " As early as 1999, the Senate Administration for Education, Youth and Sports had decided to new findings, the following ... the comments from the 1997 not to maintain report of the year: - in the writings of Universal Life also anti-Semitic prejudices were stoked ... "With the rejection of the appeal by the plaintiff Universal Life but failed with the demand, " that he and the same faith community in the reports no longer should be mentioned. " the 130 - page document risks and side effects with information, inter alia, thus stood for Universal Life continues on the website of the Senate Administration for Education, Youth and Sports available online.

Dealing with the major Christian churches

Universal Life presents itself as persecuted by the Catholic and Protestant denominations early Christian community whose treatment connect through the large churches in the history of the crusades, persecution of heretics, Jews, persecution or witch burnings.

The church is clearly contradicted hand. From the perspective of the two large churches, the Universal Life is a syncretic Neuoffenbarerreligion with some Christian elements. The doctrine set composed of various elements, which are referred to by theologians as "Christian, Hindu and Gnostic ", where Christian and Hindu concepts were often filled with new content.

The Protestant Association for Philosophical Questions writes: "The Christian set pieces in the belief system of the UL are all disfigured in their original character and is just a facade. " Conversely, the Community Universal Life stops in front of the two churches, not to be Christian.

Assessment by German courts

In the context of different processes, the risk for the individual has been determined by a court. The Bavarian Administrative Court said:

" The design of community life, as from the " Municipal Code "of the" Universal Life " shows may be referred to in a sharp and pointed formulation without violating the constitution as a totalitarian structure. "

In the court's opinion of the Court the opinion of qualified psychologists Alfred Spall 12 July 1993 flows:

" The goal is clearly not the independently thinking and thus mature man, but one who has already overcome the thinking, the ideology of the work to subdue uncritically. ' [ ... ] The de-individualization is only as refining, as a conscious transformation of the negative [ ... ] declared. The man who is rooted in God, keep away from all the discussions and opinions of others. "