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kingofkings380

hi
whats the difference between temple of Thelema, A.A and O.T.O ?
can a foreigner join thelema ?(living outside US)

thanks

Jim Eshelman

"whats the difference between temple of Thelema, A.A and O.T.O ?
can a foreigner join thelema ?(living outside US)"

Wow, hardly a simple question! As Visible Head of Temple of Thelema, former Deputy Grand Master of O.T.O., and author of the most widely consulted book on the A.'.A.'. anywhere, I'm not sure I could answer that in less than a few thousand words.

(That's aside from the fact that any answer I give would be turned by someone, somewhere on the Internet into some new political squabble . I'm too busy for one of those at the moment.)

And it doesn't serve you just to say that they are simply three different organizations.

You can read about Temple of Thelema here: helema.org/temple_of_thelema/index.html

I suggest, for a distincton between O.T.O. and A.'.A.'., we use Crowley's answer. Karl Germer asked him for an answer that could be given out, and A.C. wrote the following:

@666 said

"The difference between the A.'.A.'. and the O.T.O., is very clear and simple. The A.'.A.'. is a sempiternal institution, and entirely secret. There is no communication between its members. Theoretically, a member knows only the superior who introduced him, and any person whom he himself has introduced. The Order is run on purely spiritual lines.

The object of membership is also entirely simple. The first objective is the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. The next objective, omitting considerations for the present of the [6°=5°] and [7°=4°] degrees, is the crossing of the Abyss, and the attainment of mastership of the Temple. This is described very fully especially in Liber 418. Much less is written about the [5°=6°] degree, i.e., the Knowledge and Conversation, because it is too secret and individual. It is impossible to lay down conditions, or to describe the experiences involved in detail.

The O.T.O. has nothing to do with this, except that The Book of the Law and the Word of the Æon are essential principles of membership. In all other respects, it stands by itself as a body similar to Freemasonry, but involving acceptance of a social and economic system which is intended to put the world on its feet. There is also, of course, the secret of the IX° which is, so to say, the weapon which they may use to further these purposes.

To show you the difference, Theodore Reuss was Supreme Head of the O.T.O., but was not even a probationer in the A.'.A.'.."