The Family (Australian New Age group)

==Religious claims==

==Religious claims==

The Family taught an eclectic mixture of [[Christianity]] and [[Hinduism]] with other Eastern and Western religions, on the principle that spiritual truths are universal.<ref>Johnson, R. (1972) ''The Spiritual Path'' (Hodder & Stoughton: London) {{ISBN|0-340-15852-2}}</ref>{{page needed|date=August 2020}} Children raised in the group studied the major scriptures of these religions as well as the works of [[guru]]s including [[Sri Chinmoy]], [[Meher Baba]], and [[Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh)|Rajneesh]].<ref name=sarah/>{{page needed|date=August 2020}} One adopted daughter, [[Sarah Hamilton-Byrne]], later described the group's beliefs as a "hotch-potch" of Christianity and Eastern mysticism.<ref>Hamilton-Byrne, Sarah. (1995b) pp.115–129</ref>

The Family taught an eclectic mixture of [[Christianity]] and [[Hinduism]] with other Eastern and Western religions, on the principle that spiritual truths are universal.<ref>Johnson, R. (1972) ''The Spiritual Path'' (Hodder & Stoughton: London) {{ISBN|0-340-15852-2}}</ref>{{page needed|date=August 2020}} Children raised in the group studied the major scriptures of these religions as well as the works of [[guru]]s including [[Sri Chinmoy]], [[Meher Baba]], and [[Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh)|Rajneesh]].<ref name=sarah/>{{page needed|date=August 2020}} One adopted daughter, [[Sarah Hamilton-Byrne]], later described the group's beliefs as a "hodge-podge" of Christianity and Eastern mysticism.<ref>Hamilton-Byrne, Sarah. (1995b) pp.115–129</ref>

The basis of The Family's philosophy was that their founder, Anne Hamilton-Byrne, was the reincarnation of [[Jesus]] and a living god. Within the group, Jesus, [[Buddha]], and [[Krishna]] were regarded as enlightened beings who came down to Earth to aid humanity, with Hamilton-Byrne being put in the same category as these teachers. On the basis of this belief, members of her inner circle claimed to be the [[reincarnation]]s of the original [[Twelve Apostles]].<ref>Hamilton-Byrne, Sarah. (1995b) p.27</ref>

The basis of The Family's philosophy was that their founder, Anne Hamilton-Byrne, was the reincarnation of [[Jesus]] and a living god. Within the group, Jesus, [[Buddha]], and [[Krishna]] were regarded as enlightened beings who came down to Earth to aid humanity, with Hamilton-Byrne being put in the same category as these teachers. On the basis of this belief, members of her inner circle claimed to be the [[reincarnation]]s of the original [[Twelve Apostles]].<ref>Hamilton-Byrne, Sarah. (1995b) p.27</ref>