First off, let me say that I'm brand new to Kemeticism, just like many of the folks who will stumble upon this article. While I'm brand new to Kemeticism, I'm hardly new to the ideas behind organizations and temples, and I realize the importance of these to many modern seekers. I'm writing this article coming from this exact perspective. My disclaimer is this: I do not and will not knock or insult anyone associated with these temples, but I will give my honest opinion regarding the temples themselves, as I am a member of many of them. This article is purely aimed at new seekers who wish to know which temples might suit them best, but beyond this article, my advice is to check them ALL out and see for yourself.
We'll start with the first temple I joined:
This is an excellent temple. The folks here are quite intelligent, well read, and cite their sources accurately, although a little inactive as far as communities go. They have an extensive and comprehensive lesson plan, from beginner all the way up to the priesthood, however they're a little expensive for most means. Now don't get me wrong, I truly believe in giving energy for energy given, but $12-20 a class, in a lesson plan of 13 or more is hard for anyone like myself who likes to emerge wholly into something, can pay for. However, they do offer individual lessons for more patient, less excessive, and practical people.
What impressed me most about Akhet was the fact that their main priest, Kerry Wisner, has tons of books out written for the modern practitioner. You don't see that a lot in any Reconstructionist community.
As far as I know they do not hold much in the way of rituals and events offline, however Kerry Wisner does offer workshops.
Oh and they're without a Nisut...
This temple is interesting. They also offer classes, they also are quite intelligent, well read, and cite their sources, but there seems to be something missing. Perhaps its the fact that you can't join the temple proper, if your a member of any other temple or organization. (The one and only reason why I, myself, haven't applied) You can participate in their boards, but that's it. Oh, and its quite clear that they're a hive-off of another temple, which is to be expected since the leadership of Per Ankh was at one time a member of another temple. Although the members seem a little antagonistic of other temples, the leadership has made an extra effort to curb such behavior, which is a good sign of progressive maturity. I won't go into the rumors of them having a Nisut at one time, but it seems pretty clear that they no longer have one.
They also hold rituals and events offline. They seem to be similar to House of Netjer, yet more moderate in their approach to reconstructing the culture.
And now, the big one!
I must admit, at first hearing about them, I had a little chuckle, but further insight and investigation lead me to another conclusion all together. House of Netjer and their members are also very intelligent, well read, but at times have a little bit of a hard time citing their sources. But again, this has been explained with further investigation into how they approach things. From a staunch Reconstructionist stand point, citing your sources is quite important, but to people who put faith and their relationship with the Gods first, I can understand why the scholarly aspect of this temple is second in line. After all, there is no point in recreating anything when you don't have personal experience within the membership first. What all Reconstructionists want out of a community is a sense of living religion, and if anyone has it, House of Netjer surely does. They're super friendly to boot, and will help a newbie out as soon as that post hits the forums, which I honestly can't say about the other boards.
Okay, I didn't want to get into this, but after seeing another review, and some antagonistic issues with this, I just can't help myself.
Yes, House of Netjer is governed by a Nisut. She's quite an intelligent woman, and easily respectable. There's no doubt about that. What bothers most people about HON's Nisut is that she claims to be divine. My answer to this is: So What?! That's the least of my issues with the Nisut. I acknowledge the divine in everyone, and what's so different about her? From my stand point, I haven't seen a single person worship her. Sure, they respect her, capitalize pronouns and her name every chance they get, but that's just good grammar, IMHO! ::Grins:: And well, they're just a little overzealous in her defense, but that's hardly worship. The lady has gotten a bad rap as being a leader and founder of HON, but she's quite capable of defending herself, I've seen her in action plenty of times to know this for myself. Personally, I think she's worked her ass off to get HON where it is today. They own bloody land for Neter's sake! How many folks in the community have worked that hard to achieve that? They have rituals, retreats, a seminary, workshops and classes available online as well as off!
Issue number 2:
They do parent divination's. Meaning that the Nisut, at your will, divines who created your Ka and Ba, and this is considered to be your Patron or Matron. Most people have a problem with other people choosing this for you, but on the contrary, its not the Nisut who chooses this for you, but the Neteru who chose to create your Ka and Ba. Its that simple. If you don't understand divination or don't believe that the Nisut is qualified for this, then don't get it done. This does not dictate who you can worship of course, just simply who created your essence. Its a mystery to me, why this is such an issue.
Issue number 3, right from Sennefers mouth:
He brought up a good point, which I also tried to argue, but that's just my nature. He asked why would the Nisut, claim to be the Nisut, when she has no temporal authority over the land of Kemet. And since the Nisut in Ancient Egypt was considered to be both the authority of the priesthood, as well as the authority of the land, why isn't she also running for president of Egypt? I, of course, laughed at him. But I understand where he's coming from. The answer is quite simple, IMO. She's not concerned with temporal authority! She just want's to guide HON the best way she knows how. She's not interested in our taxes, or owning Egypt. Which I think is perfectly fine with me, and probably many others.
I guess it would seem that I'm partial to HON, and I certainly am. I think if your going to reconstruct a religion and culture, you might as well go all the way. And HON is the only one with the balls to do it, and do it with a community of quality.
If you would like to discuss this further, please feel free to email us here.
