Q:What makes Atenism different from every other religion?
A: Atenism stays true to the original intentions of the Faith given to the people of Akhetaten over 4000 years ago. Offering a pure form of monotheism devoid of misunderstanding over what is God's Will, who is or is not allowed to seek the One God of the Universe, or what constitutes the nature of the Godhead.
Where other faiths look to the ancient writings of their traditions and to the subsequent re-tellings and re-envisioning of those faiths by those who would speak upon such subjects at a much later time than when that faith originated, Atenism does not require the capture of the Words of Akhnaten and commentaries to know what He means. We have Akhnaten directing us from the Horizon of Light who speaks and clarifies His Words and is clear regarding the Will of Aten.
Q: Is Atenism another Internet religion?
A: No. Atenism began 4000 years ago in Amarna, Helioplis in Egypt. Atenism has existed in its pristine form in the Horizon of Light since that time and has only been returned to the world of man, by the blessing of Aten and the direction of Akhnaten. The Internet is simply of modern day medium, just like scrolls, papyrus, books, letter, audio or video recordings and so on. It is a tool that can be used or misused, the fact that so many people take it for granted that what they see online regarding religion is the product of fevered imaginations and are less than honest and may be little more than bored individuals fabricating Internet religions because they simply have nothing better to do, is a sad statement about these individuals, but has no bearing on real religions that use this medium for real communication among worshippers and seekers.
Q: Is Atenism a cult?
A: No. To elaborate on this answer, we should spell out what the term "cult" actually means. The word cult has two meanings:
The word is an abbreviation of the word "culture" and means the beliefs of a community of like minded individuals. By this standard, every religion is a community of like minded individual who believe the same things and would, by this definition, describe them as a "cult".
The word is a derogatory term used to describe disreputable and dangerous religious groups that use manipulation and intimidation to trick individuals into joining them. In some instance, these groups do not allow their members to contact family and some have ended in fatal consequences.
If, what is meant in the question, was the first definition, then the answer would have been "Yes" since all world religions would fit in this category. If what is meant is the second definition, then the answer is an emphatically and unequivocal "NO". Orthodox Atenism is a world religion that only has the welfare of its fellow brothers and sisters in mind. It does not use manipulation, intimidation or trickery to reach seekers, nor does it have any intention for taking advantage of these persons by trying to acquire their money. (There are tithes but these are part of the faith and individuals who research the faith are never committed to give anything they do not wish to or what they simply cannot afford.) Our faith would encourage its members to stay in close ties with their loved ones and would never encourage them to disassociate with family and friends, and as far as the final part of the definition that is a horrific concept and one that Atenists have no understanding or association with.
Atenism is about "Loving God and doing No Harm" the very definition of these destructive cults is in opposition to the principles of Atenism because all they seem to cause is harm, to the seeker or to their families and friends.
Q: I have never heard Atenism. Is it made up?
A: No. The reality of Atenism can be found in the ancient records of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. Orthodox Atenism is this same religion in the modern day. All its material, that is not the stuff of ancient records is either produced by, and sanctioned by Akhenaten Himself. Meaning Atenism is as far away from being fabricated as you can get. Simply put: No other religion in existence can claim to be governed by the exact same person who established that religion - except Orthodox Atenism.
Q: There are some other sites that describe themselves as Atenists - what differentiates you from them?
A: These fellow seekers after the One God of the Universe are respected by the Orthodox Atenist Assembly for having the foresight to look to Aten when many in the world had turned a blind eye to Him.
We differ on several different points:
Other Atenist groups base their faiths on the Hyms and Stellas of Ancient Egypt exclusively. We, on the other hand, do use these ancient texts but the primary source of our authority and authenticity comes from Akhenaten Himself.
Orthodox Atenism is directed by a clearly defined hierarchical structure: