“Scientists are still poorly acquainted with the nature of this energy because, instead of directing their research to what Spirit is in essence, they analyze its various manifestations. Scientists distinguish four great forces active in nature: cohesion, adhesion, attraction, and repulsion. Yet, from a mystical point of view these four forces are only the different manifestations of a single energy, which, in this case, is Spirit.”

Whenever these monographs broach the topic of scientific theory, it is always helpful to examine how their claims stand up against the verifiable facts. Anyone with a basic knowledge of high school physics can confirm that AMORC’s description of the four fundamental forces is somewhat accurate if strangely worded. These manifestations are more commonly known as gravitational force, weak nuclear force, electromagnetic force, and strong nuclear force.

Unfortunately, the monograph runs into some difficulties in explaining the physical effects of each of these forces. While AMORC claims that attraction and repulsion are two different forces, in actual fact both electromagnetic and strong nuclear forces are attractive and repulsive in nature. While electromagnetic force acts between any two electrically charged materials, the latter holds together and sometimes repels tiny particles such as atoms and neutrons.  On the other hand, gravitational force is purely attractive. While cohesion and adhesion are separately recognized as intermolecular forces that bind together like and unlike molecules, they are not recognized as fundamental forces.

As it so happens, scientists have actually posited a theory that binds together these fundamental forces under one unified framework. This is known as String Theory, and it is an extremely complex branch of quantum science that is almost impenetrable to anyone without an advanced understanding of calculus, algebra, physics and electromagnetism. In other words, casual readers are wholly unequipped to discern whether String theory holds true or not. Indeed, there is even spirited debate amongst scientists themselves about whether String theory is a valid alternative to Standard models of particle physics.

Of course, wherever gaps in science exist – groups like AMORC are only too happy to provide answers. In AMORC’s case the answer is Spirit.

“Thus from the smallest grain of sand to the largest planet, everything constituting the material universe is imbued with Spirit. The human body itself owes its existence to energy, because it is this energy, in the form of cohesion, adhesion, attraction, and repulsion which gives the body its organic structure. “

The human body is held together by a number of bonds. Covalent bonds bring together the long strings of fat, sugar, protein and DNA molecules that act as building blocks for our structure. Hydrogen bonds create the attractive and repulsive forces that ensure the integrity of individual cells and define their shape in relation to one another. Van der Waals interactions are relatively unnoticed on the molecular level, but they exert quite a significant force on larger polymers.  When applied to the right mixture of chemicals, these bonds result in consciousness. AMORC has broken this complex and even miraculous process down into one word, energy.

This simplification and inaccuracy can be similarly observed throughout the remainder of the monograph. In one breath, AMORC will deride mainstream science as incomplete or insufficient. Meanwhile, it will shamelessly borrow concepts and terminology from these fields of learning to lend credence to their own theories.  If AMORC was really looking to convince recruits of the validity of its theories, then surely they would do a better job of properly citing and explaining the science behind them. As is, the combination of observable scientific principles and unsubstantiated succeeds only in confusing and obscuring the truth.