Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) Philosopher – God has many names, depending on the beliefs/religion of the individual; the Holy Spirit is not God; the Trinity does not exist; Jesus Christ’s death did not atone for our sin; salvation comes by practicing what you believe, whatever religion it might be; the afterlife is spiritual, but dependent on how well you lived in your physical body.
The Secret Doctrine (pub 1888) Helena Blavatsky – Deals with origin and evolution of the Universe: Hindu concept of cyclical development.
Annie Besant (1847-1933) – Founder of Theosophy – mystical philosophy seeking direct knowledge of the presumed mysteries of life and nature, particularly of the nature of divinity and the origin and purpose of the universe.
Rudolph Steiner (1861-1925) founded Anthroposophy – stems from believes of reincarnation and and Karma. Belief that the forces of ‘bad/darkness’ can be beneficial as long as the ego remains strong enough to keep them from becoming too powerful. The EGO is a citizen of the Spiritual World, not merely the inhabitant of a human body. You must break out of yourself to find yourself.
The purpose on Earth is to learn and enrich the collective store of knowledge. Self-knowledge leads to world peace.
Kristen Buckley 