“Everyone is not always prepared psychologically to receive new and different knowledge. One needs to show his worthiness to receive this wisdom or truth which is thought to be sacred or cherished by others. Consequently, the ancient Egyptians organized the first mystery schools. In such schools seekers for truth, by means of initiation – ritual dramas – were to have imparted to them mysteries”

Although this monograph offers up some basic information on the deep history of initiations in human societies, what it fails to mention is that these rituals are largely based around inflicting some form of humiliation, pain or hardship upon the prospective recruit. These practices are so common that there is even name for these tests, they are called mortification rituals. Symbolically, the suffering an individual experiences during a period of intense physical or emotional discomfort is likened to a spiritual death with your entrance into the society representing a rebirth.

Today, these rituals can be seen in a variety of organizations. In the army, new recruits are initiated into a culture of strict protocol and hierarchy through an extremely regimented system of which governs every waking moment from morning to night. During this period, recruits are subjected to Spartan living conditions, strenuous exercise, minimal sleep, and constant behavioral adjustment of everything from clothing and diet to speech. The result is a group of human beings who have been psychologically bonded through their shared ordeals. 

Not only does this encourage camaraderie within the group, it also creates an inherently high value for membership. After all, if new recruits had to put up with so much just to gain admission it stands to reason that becoming a member is a worthwhile endeavor. If you don’t believe this to be true, then you have to face up to the fact that all your efforts were for naught, and that you have essentially been duped.  If you know anything about the principle of sunk costs then you will understand why this is so difficult for humans to accept. People are far more likely to double down on their involvement than to risk admitting an initial mistake in these situations.

This manipulation is taken one step further with gang initiations. Unbound by the limitations of law, criminal groups will create a sense of allegiance within their members by imploring them to commit some heinous act in order to prove their worth. This creates a sense of mutually assured destruction alongside the feeling of belonging and camaraderie. In these groups there is a very real sense that betrayal by one member could result in the exposure of every other gang member. Thus the community is intrinsically motivated to self-police their ranks for any signs of vulnerability.

“The first law and lesson for all Rosicrucians to learn, in connection with their graded studies is that of SYSTEM and ORDER. The whole universe is regulated by System and Order.  To be successful in life, happy, healthy and prosperous, we must guide our conduct in life, guide our thinking and doing, according to the same System and Order that prevails at all times within and without the body of man”

AMORC claims at various points to be free of the dogmatic beliefs that rule traditional religion. This excerpt certainly communicates otherwise. The linguistic device of repeating and emphasizing the idea of system and order should not go unnoticed. The Class Master is clearly stating that initiation into the Order is a matter of succumbing to the hierarchy of the Rosae Crucis. Failing to obey in this manner will prevent you from experiencing a full, happy and healthy life. If that doesn’t sound like the dogma of religion then I’m not quite sure what does.