Editing Antoinism (section)

==Beliefs==
{{Quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote="The only remedy which can heal humanity is THE FAITH; Faith is born of Love; that kind of Love which convinces us that God dwells in our very enemies; hence not loving our enemies is not loving God; it is the Love we have for our enemies that renders us worthy of serving him; it is the sole Love which makes us really loving, because it is pure and true" |source=—Translation of "The Halo of Consciousness", written on the back wall in the temple. }}

===Theology===
Antoinism believes in a [[Dualistic cosmology|dualistic]] universe composed of a spiritual world governed by the law of God or [[consciousness]], and of a corporal world, governed by natural laws, in which matter is an illusion perceived by the imagination generated by intelligence. The man combines in himself both worlds, as he has a physical body and a divine consciousness.<ref>[[#Dericquebourg|Dericquebourg, 1993]], p. 35.</ref> In Antoinist views, the importance of human laws and science is weakened as they are based not on consciousness, but on intelligence.<ref name="Deric2002"/> The view of the matter is, however, not considered a sin, but an error that causes suffering.<ref>[[#Dericquebourg|Dericquebourg, 1993]], p. 37.</ref>

The religious movement believes in a moral progression through [[reincarnation]] after death: the transmigration of the spirit in a human body only reflects the degree of spiritual elevation. The reincarnated person has no recollection of the past lives, and can again make progress in his spiritual course that allows him, at the end, to reach the divine state which releases him from the cycle of reincarnation.<ref name="Deric2002"/> The harm caused by disease and by people is seen as a beneficial cure, as the pain can increase one's spiritual progress and thus contribute to one's [[salvation]]. The silent [[prayer]] is also considered as a way to connect the spirit to consciousness.<ref>[[#Dericquebourg|Dericquebourg, 1993]], p. 38.</ref> Antoine, who suffered from disease and demonstrated [[asceticism]] and dedication throughout his life, is regarded by followers as a role model to attain salvation.<ref>[[#Begot2|Bégot, 2000]], § 14.</ref>

Antoinist doctrine provides another interpretation to the [[original sin]] in the [[book of Genesis]]: Adam began to follow Eve, who had placed her confidence in a serpent, symbol of matter. By imagining the materiality of the physical world, he abandoned the divine consciousness in which he lived and produced the ideas of good and evil. The "[[tree of knowledge of good and evil]]" in the Bible is redefined as "the tree of the science of the sight of evil".<ref name="Deric2002"/> Antoinism claimed to not be an atheist religion, but has a particular conception of God: this one does not exist outside of humans, and they do not exist outside of God.<ref>{{cite web |title=Il Culto Antoinista |url=https://www.cesnur.org/religioni_italia/s/spiritismo_07.htm |publisher=[[CESNUR]] |language=it |access-date=7 April 2011}}</ref> Therefore, as God would live in every human, it is highly recommended to love one's enemies. In addition, the doctrine of the [[Christian Trinity|Trinity]] is not accepted.<ref name="Giltay9">[[#Giltay|Giltay, 2011]], p. 9.</ref>

Flexible and little binding, Antoinist beliefs are close to the contemporary belief, as followers can choose the beliefs they wish and interpret events as they want. The religion attaches great importance to [[freedom of conscience]] and free will, which renders it attractive and promotes a diversity of beliefs among the followers who can refer simultaneously to other religious traditions.<ref>[[#Masse|Massé, 2002]], pp. 70,71,74.</ref> Some believers see Antoine as an incarnation of God; others, who continue to practice [[Catholicism]], consider him a prophet equal to [[Jesus Christ]]; others, who adhere to [[New Age]] doctrines, perceive him as a spiritual figure.<ref>[[#Begot2|Bégot, 2000]], § 28–33.</ref> The movement rejects indoctrination of children and proselytism, even towards people who visit the temple,<ref name="Giltay9"/> tolerates other religions as they teach the faith and prayer and thus detach people from the material world,<ref name="Deric2002"/> and considers tolerance the highest virtue to practise.<ref name="Giltay9"/> The religion does not provide any prescription on issues such as divorce, abortion and sexuality,<ref name="Soir">{{cite journal |title=Antoinisme: Un produit wallon basé sur une foi exclusive |url=http://archives.lesoir.be/antoinisme-un-produit-wallon-base-sur-une-foi-exclusive_t-19931026-Z07DU9.html |first=Marie-Pierre |last=Fonsny |journal=[[Le Soir]] |date=26 October 1993 |publisher=Rossel |place=Brussels |page=21 |language=fr |access-date=7 April 2011}}</ref> has no political purpose and do not use honorary titles, considering all people equal.<ref name="Lesourd">[[#Lesourd|Lesourd, 1973]], pp. 79–88.</ref> A periodical directed by writer [[Louis Pauwels]] summarized the main purposes of the religion as being the "mutual aid, spiritual and human solidarity, availability and hospitality".<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Question de Spiritualité, Tradition, Littérature |first=Hélène |last=Renard |title=Sectes, mouvements, écoles |volume=17 |date=March–April 1977 |pages=53, 54 |language=fr}}</ref>

===Fluids===
Fundamental principle of the cosmos, the [[fluid]] is a recurrent theme in Antoinism. Thoughts, words, human actions and social ties are considered as fluids. As their quality depends on the moral progress of a person, there are "spiritual" and "heavy" fluids. They can be transmitted, perceived by the intelligence and purified through meditation. A good fluid is supposed to be acquired by love and prayer, and has various uses: it can act as a divine power that regenerates the whole person, destroy evil and heal. It is believed that Antoine can transmit the good fluid and that the temple platform is the place of the most number of fluids.<ref>[[#Dericquebourg|Dericquebourg, 1993]], pp. 42–47.</ref>

As good fluids are supposed to be transferable, the Antoinist dress used during the worship is often placed on the bed of a suffering person to help his recovery; similarly, some faithful put a request on a paper in a box under the platform so that the wish happens, others buy a photo of Antoine at a ceremony to be protected.<ref>[[#Begot3|Bégot, 2008]], p. 10.</ref> To prevent negative fluids from entering the temple, several rules were established: for example, those who perform the worship are not allowed to wear jewelry or makeup in the building.<ref>[[#Begot3|Bégot, 2008]], p. 9.</ref>

===Healing===
Although focused on healing, Antoinism does not propose any diagnosis nor [[Medical prescription|prescription]], and does not practice the [[laying on of hands]];<ref>{{cite book |title=Le nuove sette religiose |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-i83CZxw5B4C|first=Michele C. |last=Del Re |publisher=Gremese Editore |place=Rome |year=1997 |language=it |pages=47, 48 |isbn=88-7742-107-X}}</ref> the faithful may also resort to traditional medicine. In the books of the temple, it is stated that ''desservants'' are not allowed to discourage them to consult a doctor and they should pray that they find an "inspired" doctor. Generally, consulting an Antoinist healer is merely a supplement to [[conventional medicine]].<ref>[[#Masse|Massé, 2002]], p. 51.</ref><ref>[[#Begot2|Bégot, 2000]], § 44–46.</ref> Because of its healer doctrine, the religious group is almost always compared to [[Christian Science]];<ref>See the vast majority of the sources of the article</ref> however, in spite of several similarities with this religion as well as with [[Friedrich Hegel]]'s works, Belgian historian Pierre Debouxhtay rejected the idea that they could have been potential influences on Antoine's doctrines.<ref>[[#Debouxhtay|Debouxhtay, 1945]], p. 14.</ref> According to him, it is possible that Antoine was influenced by [[Doukhobors]].<ref name="Debouxhtay49"/>

When Antoine was alive, many observers thought that the healings he obtained resulted to [[suggestion]] only,<ref>[[#Debouxhtay2|Debouxhtay, 1934]], p. 166.</ref> and Dr. Schuind, who wrote two articles in ''The Meuse'' (''La Meuse'') on the subject at the time, criticized the lack of control and vague diagnostics surrounding these healings.<ref>[[#Debouxhtay2|Debouxhtay, 1934]], pp. 168,174.</ref> Sociologist Anne-Cécile Bégot considered the Antoinist healing of the first decades a form of protest against (1) the efficiency of medicine,<ref>[[#Bergeron|Bergeron, 1998]], p. 188.</ref> (2) the traditional representation of disease<ref>[[#Bergeron|Bergeron, 1998]], p. 189.</ref>—the real healing can be attained only through a new approach to the disease, which is never considered a particular misfortune and thus is not reduced to its biological dimension—and (3) the management of disease<ref>[[#Bergeron|Bergeron, 1998]], p. 191.</ref>—the sick are always responsible for their own illness. However, she concluded that this protest has evolved throughout time as (1) the disease is now represented on an [[endogenous]] etiological model, which indicates a process of individualization of the religion,<ref>[[#Bergeron|Bergeron, 1998]], p. 195.</ref> and (2) the personal real-life experience is more presented as the cause of the disease than the relation to the global society.<ref>[[#Bergeron|Bergeron, 1998]], p. 196.</ref>