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Liberal Catholic Church teachings are [[Gnosticism|gnostic]], [[Neoplatonism|neo-platonist]] and [[Universalism|universalist]], and include the practice of “sacramental [[magic]]” and the doctrine of [[reincarnation]]. The '''LCC''' offers a [[Heresy|re-interpretation]] of [[Christianity]]. The doctrine of judgment and salvation at the end of only one single human lifetime<ref>Hebrews 9:27 "And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment" RSV</ref>, is replaced by “liberation from the need for rebirth” after many lifetimes. The doctrine of the unmerited divine gift of the free grace of rescue from the consequences of [[sin]] through the redemptive sacrifice of [[Jesus Christ]] as Lord, is replaced by “the just and educative reaping” of whatever had been sown in earlier human incarnations under “an inviolable law of cause of effect”, also called the “Law of Karma.”  

Liberal Catholic Church teachings are [[Gnosticism|gnostic]], [[Neoplatonism|neo-platonist]] and [[Universalism|universalist]], and include the practice of “sacramental [[magic]]” and the doctrine of [[reincarnation]]. The '''LCC''' offers a [[Heresy|re-interpretation]] of [[Christianity]]. The doctrine of judgment and salvation at the end of only one single human lifetime<ref>Hebrews 9:27 "And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment" RSV</ref>, is replaced by “liberation from the need for rebirth” after many lifetimes. The doctrine of the unmerited divine gift of the free grace of rescue from the consequences of [[sin]] through the redemptive sacrifice of [[Jesus Christ]] as Lord, is replaced by “the just and educative reaping” of whatever had been sown in earlier human incarnations under “an inviolable law of cause of effect”, also called the “Law of Karma.”  

From its inception, the LCC has insisted on its “essentially Christian character”. Whatever other common ground its representatives might point out<ref>See [[Fallacy of analogy]]</ref>, from the beginning its doctrinal teachings built on Theosophical foundations were inevitably seen by the orthodox as non-Christian, or as anti-Christian (and most extremely as the [[satan]]ic [[deceit]]s of the [[Antichrist]] straight out of the pits of hell). Some LCC groups have embraced eastern religious concepts such as [[karma]] and [[reincarnation]], and there has been at least [[George Burke|one instance]] of an LCC bishop openly promoting [[Hinduism]] with a Christian facade.

From its inception, the LCC has insisted on its “essentially Christian character”. Whatever other common ground its representatives might point out<ref>See [[Fallacy of analogy]]</ref>, from the beginning its doctrinal teachings built on Theosophical foundations were inevitably seen by the orthodox as non-Christian, or as anti-Christian (and most extremely as the [[satan]]ic [[deceit]]s of the [[Antichrist]] straight out of the pits of hell). As mentioned above, LCC groups have embraced eastern religious concepts such as karma and reincarnation, and there has been at least [[George Burke|one instance]] of an LCC bishop openly promoting [[Hinduism]] with a Christian facade.

The Liberal Catholic Church combines revisions of the rituals of Catholicism with teachings more in common with [[Plotinus]] and the Neo-platonic Christianity of ancient Alexandria, than with the current doctrines of any of the mainstream churches. Both of the founding bishops, J. I. Wedgwood and C. W. Leadbeater, and their associates, were deeply committed members of the Esoteric School of Theosophy, and were actively involved in the work of the Theosophical Society under the powerful influence of [[Annie Besant]], then its International President. Wedgewood, after having spent a very strenuous term as General Secretary (national administrator) of the Theosophical Society in the United Kingdom, in 1916 in Australia joined the much older C. W. Leadbeater, who had long been a close associate and trusted colleague of Annie Besant, with whom he had co-authored a number of major theosophical treatises, to build the foundations of the new church. Leadbeater had lectured for the Theoosphical Society in several countries, and had written extensively on theosophical themes, often emphasizing “the hidden side of things.” The LCC official ''Statement of Principles'' opens with the words, “The Liberal Catholic Church exists to forward Christ’s work in the world.”  

The Liberal Catholic Church combines revisions of the rituals of Catholicism with teachings more in common with [[Plotinus]] and the Neo-platonic Christianity of ancient Alexandria, than with the current doctrines of any of the mainstream churches. Both of the founding bishops, J. I. Wedgwood and C. W. Leadbeater, and their associates, were deeply committed members of the Esoteric School of Theosophy, and were actively involved in the work of the Theosophical Society under the powerful influence of [[Annie Besant]], then its International President. Wedgewood, after having spent a very strenuous term as General Secretary (national administrator) of the Theosophical Society in the United Kingdom, in 1916 in Australia joined the much older C. W. Leadbeater, who had long been a close associate and trusted colleague of Annie Besant, with whom he had co-authored a number of major theosophical treatises, to build the foundations of the new church. Leadbeater had lectured for the Theoosphical Society in several countries, and had written extensively on theosophical themes, often emphasizing “the hidden side of things.” The LCC official ''Statement of Principles'' opens with the words, “The Liberal Catholic Church exists to forward Christ’s work in the world.”