New Acropolis
{{Short description|Non-profit organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = International Organization New Acropolis
| logo =
| type = Non-governmental organization
| founded_date = {{Start date|1957|07|15}}
| founder = Jorge Ángel Livraga Rizzi
| location = Brussels, Belgium
| origins = Argentina
| key_people = Delia Steinberg Guzmán, honorary president. Carlos Adelantado Puchal, president.
| area_served = Worldwide
| product =
| focus = Philosophy, esotericism, philanthropy
| method = Culture, volunteerism
| revenue =
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| Non-profit_slogan =
| homepage = {{URL|www.acropolis.org}}
| dissolved =
| footnotes =
}}
New Acropolis (NA; {{langx|es|Organización Internacional Nueva Acrópolis}}; OINA; {{langx|fr|Organisation Internationale Nouvelle Acropole, association internationale sans but lucratif}}) is a non-profit organisation originally founded in 1957 by Jorge Ángel Livraga Rizzi in Argentina positioning itself as a school of philosophy. As of 2010, it claimed branches in more than forty countries. As of 2020, its president is Carlos Adelantado Puchal.{{Cite web|last=Dordi|first=Kurush|date=2020-06-08|title=Appointment of the New International President – New Acropolis Cultural Organization|url=https://acropolis.org.in/appointment-of-the-new-international-president/|access-date=2020-08-02|language=en-US}}
Aims
New Acropolis describes its founding principles as follows:{{Cite web|url=https://www.acropolis.org/en/what-is-new-acropolis|title=What is New Acropolis?|website=New Acropolis Official Website|access-date=2019-01-29}}
{{cquote|
1. To promote an ideal of universal fraternity, based on respect for human dignity, beyond racial, sexual, cultural, religious, social and other differences.
2. To encourage the love of wisdom through the comparative study of philosophies, religions, sciences, and arts, to promote the knowledge of the human being, the laws of Nature, and the Universe.
3. To develop the best of the human potential, by promoting the realization of the human being as an individual and his or her integration as an active and conscious part of society and nature, to improve the world.}}
According to the organization's 2018 assembly resolution, New Acropolis has "three lines of action": philosophy, culture and volunteering.{{Cite web|url=https://www.acropolis.org/en/assembly-resolutions|title=Assembly Resolutions|website=New Acropolis Official Website|access-date=2019-01-26}}
Teachings
The organization describes itself as a school of philosophy, which it defines as "a way of life [and] as a means of access to spiritual knowledge and collective and individual realization." According to the organization's webpage, its official introduction program includes the philosophies of Buddhism, Tibet, China, Greece, and Rome among others. The school also offers advanced studies in courses such as psychology, history of philosophy, and symbology. An article published by the organization in The Parliamentary Review describes NA as an educational charity promoting the renewal of philosophy in the "classical tradition".{{Cite web|url=https://www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk/organisations/new-acropolis|title=New Acropolis|website=The Parliamentary Review|access-date=2020-02-18}}
Scholar of Western esotericism Antoine Faivre asserts that Jorge A. Livraga Rizzi wanted to create an "eclectic and rational approach" to Eastern and Western thought. In addition to the study of ancient sources, New Acropolis also tries to promote modern authors such as CG Jung, Mircea Eliade, Joseph Campbell, Gilbert Durand, Henry Corbin, Paul Ricœur, Dane Rudhyar, Jean Chevalier, Jacob Boehme, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, and Edgar Morin. Some ancient authors it promotes in its literature are Pythagoras and Plato; it draws on Livraga's understanding of neoplatonism, Alexandrine hermeticism, renaissance philosophy, eastern philosophy (Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism) as well.{{Cite web|url=http://mapage.noos.fr/gmdcom/faivre.htm|title=Nouvelle Acropole vue par les specialistes : Antoine Faivre|website=mapage.noos.fr|access-date=2018-09-07}}
French writer Jean-Pierre Bayard describes New Acropolis as a school of philosophy focused on esotericism and symbolism.{{Cite book|title=Guide des sociétés secrètes et des sectes|last1=Bayard |first1=Jean-Pierre|date=2004|publisher=Oxus|last2=Olejnik-Sarkissian|first2=Natacha|isbn=2848980397|edition=[Nouv. éd. actualisée]|location=Paris|oclc=470330547}} It is described by Clifton L. Holland as "a post-theosophical movement that combines elements from many sources: Theosophy, Esoteric thought, alchemy, astrology, and Eastern and Greek philosophy".
According to Peter B. Clarke, NA teaches a certain esoteric apocalypticism regarding the imminent Age of Aquarius which according to the group "will give rise to great pain and suffering at the outset". It has also been described as an spiritist group.
Activities
The organization reported in 2010 having around 10,000 members around the world in more than forty countries. According to the organization, the governing board of the association is composed of a representative of each of its member associations and it functions through a decentralized financial system.{{Cite web|url=https://www.acropolis.org/en/organization|title=Organization|website=Nueva Acropolis Official Website|access-date=2020-01-04}}
The organization's music competitions attract many participants, such as one in Peru which in 2018 attracted more than 6,000.{{Cite news|url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/1311821-nueva-acropolis-6000-escolares-participan-eventos-musicales-grandes-pais|title=Más de 6.000 escolares participan en uno de los eventos musicales más grandes del país|date=2018-09-05|access-date=2018-09-12|language=es}} The organization's 2018 commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which took place in Mumbai, India, was endorsed by right-wing Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi, the Dalai Lama, and Devendra Fadnavis.{{Cite web|url=http://empoweringrealchange.com/endorsements/|title=Endorsements|website=Empowering Real Change|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-26}}
New Acropolis has been promoting World Philosophy Day seminars around the world; its India branch was supported in this effort by UNESCO.{{Cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/major-events/?tx_browser_pi1%5BshowUid%5D=8775&cHash=aec49644ad|title="Philosophy: The Greatest of All Journeys" – A "New Acropolis" Seminar Supported by UNESCO New Delhi|website=United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization|access-date=2020-01-08}}
In 2020, the Peruvian branch of the organization was awarded the Congressional Diploma of Honor by congresswoman Maria Teresa Cabrera, for its educational work promoting culture, philosophy and volunteering.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-30|title=Empresario Luis Barsallo fue condecorado con un diploma por el Congreso|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2020/08/30/empresario-luis-barsallo-fue-condecorado-con-un-diploma-de-honor-por-el-congreso/|access-date=2021-01-05|website=larepublica.pe|language=es-PE}}{{Cite web|title=Congreso reconoce compromiso del "Ángel del oxígeno" durante pandemia|url=https://comunicaciones.congreso.gob.pe/noticias/congreso-reconoce-compromiso-del-angel-del-oxigeno-durante-pandemia/|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Comunicaciones|language=en}}
Organization and structure
According to 1976's Manual del Dirigente (Leader's Handbook) the organization's structure is pyramidal and hierarchical. The highest level is the World Command, an office that once belonged to Livraga. Under the World Command is the Guardian of Seals, followed by the Continental Commands, the Central Commands, the National or Federal Councilors, the Unified Zone Commands, and Branch Chiefs in descending order.
The handbook itself expresses in its page 3 that its contents should be kept secret not only from the public but from every non-directive members of the organization. It also establishes that it is valid for the leaders to hide their Acropolitan ideas, beliefs, and concepts when speaking in public or adapt them to the listener's wishes, and that most of the symbols, salutes, and customs of the organization should be kept secret as other political movements have used them in the past staining its image in the public eye.
The Reglamento para miembros (Members’ bylaws) of the organization establishes a series of norms for the participants including the obligation of at least 12 hours per month of voluntary work (although this can be increased if the person is sanctioned or if they can't afford the monthly payments), the prohibition of any kind of critique to the leaders and fellow members "to the former in any sense, to the later in their personal affairs", the requirement of the students to stand up anytime the teacher enters the room, the mandatory use of tie and jacket for men and skirts for women in all official events, and to refrain from any kind of so-called "immorality", among others.
Political ideology
New Acropolis officially condemns Nazism, racism, and political extremism,{{Cite web|url=https://www.acropolis.org/en/frequently-asked-questions|title=New Acropolis – Frequently Asked Questions|website=www.acropolis.org|access-date=2019-01-29}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.acropolis.org/en/assembly-resolutions|title=New Acropolis – Assembly Resolutions|website=www.acropolis.org|access-date=2019-01-29}} but the organization has been accused of supporting neo-fascism and neo-Nazism.{{cite news |last1=Martínez |first1=Jan |title=Un profesor de instituto enseña teorías racistas a menores |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1997/02/14/madrid/855923054_850215.html |access-date=29 January 2019 |agency=El País}} Professor Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke stated in 2003 that "the structure, organization, and symbolism of the Nouvelle Acropole [New Acropolis] is clearly indebted to fascist models." According to Jean-Marie Abgrall, "New Acropolis has borrowed elitist and Aryanist symbols and ideas."
As stated in 2010 by Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices : "The alleged use of paramilitary language, symbols, and forms of organization, along with more recent charges of brainwashing, have led to many criticisms of the New Acropolis in Europe, especially in France, since the mid-1970s.”
The Theosophical Society, of which Livraga was a member before founding New Acropolis, officially denies any links to New Acropolis,{{cite document|title=The Theosophical Society's Position on New Acropolis|date=2004-06-09|publisher=International Secretary Office The Theosophical Society Adyar}} saying that Livraga was expelled from the organization due to his connection with "extremism of the ultra right and Nazism".{{cite web|title=Letter to the Vice-Chairman of the European Council from Theosophical Society Secretary General|url=http://theos-talk.com/archives/199802/tt00311.html|last=Palmeri|first=Juan Carlos|date=1998-02-22|via=Theos Talk|quote=1. Livraga's theosophical devotion was a strong attachment expressly to H.P.B. with the exclusion of the leaders who followed her. 2. New Acropolis was established as an academy of theosophical and philosophical studies with definite subject matter and grades. 3. He and his wife acquired from the beginning a character, a temper of "instructors" assuming a strong "spiritual authority". 4. There are many evidences about the real nature of that institution which was internally connected with extremism of the ultra-right and Nazism. 5. Those and many others evidence that we omit show that he was never suitable to the structure of the Theosophical Society which never could support such disposition.}}
Cult status
The French Commission on Cults (1995) as well as a Belgian parliamentary commission have, as of 1997, registered it as a cult in their respective countries in an annexed blacklist to their report, along with 171 other associations. On May 27, 2005, the public cult blacklists were abandoned by the French government.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lepoint.fr/|title=Le Point – Actualité Politique, Monde, France, Économie, High-Tech, Culture|first=Le Point|last=magazine|website=Le Point.fr}} However, Serge Blisko, director of the French Interministerial Mission for Monitoring and Combatting Cultic Deviances (MIVILUDES) said to Vice magazine in 2014 that "the French government still considers New Acropolis a cult and it remains under surveillance".
See also
References
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Bibliography
{{Refbegin}}
- {{cite book|last=Gallego|first=Fernando|editor1-first=Floreal H.|editor1-last=Forni|editor2-first=Luis A.|editor2-last=Cárdenas|editor3-first=Fortunato|editor3-last=Mallimaci|year=2003|title=Guía de la diversidad religiosa de Buenos Aires|chapter=Asociación Cultural Nueva Acrópolis|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=76xbPBRe95IC&pg=PA402|pages=402–404|publisher=Editorial Biblos|location=Buenos Aires|isbn=978-9507863899|language=es}}
- {{cite book|last=Holland|first=Clifton L.|editor1-first=J. Gordon|editor1-last=Melton|editor2-first=Martin|editor2-last=Baumann|year=2010|chapter=New Acropolis Cultural Association|title=Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices|edition=2nd|pages=2066–2067|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1598842036}}
{{Refend}}
External links
{{Commons category|New Acropolis (NA)}}
- {{Official website|www.acropolis.org}}
{{New Religious Movements}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Philosophy organizations