The Current State of the Anthroposophical Society Founded by Rudolf Steiner
Many believe that the present-day General Anthroposophical Society was founded byRudolf Steiner at theChristmas Conference of 1923 at theGoetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland. However, historically and statutorily, the currentAAG does not trace back to this1923-founded society but rather to the so-called**“Bauverein” (Building Association), which was founded in1913** with the purpose of constructing the first, and later, the second Goetheanum.
1923 – Establishment of the Anthroposophical Society
December 28, 1923: Adoption of statutes and foundation of theAnthroposophical Society.
In the first issue of the news bulletin on January 13, 1924, a report on the formation of the newly founded society was published for its members.
The statutes of the1923-founded Anthroposophical Society included key principles such as:
- The society as a union of individuals dedicated to spiritual life and knowledge.
- The core members were those gathered at the Goetheanum in December 1923.
- The society aimed to promote spiritual science and apply its results to social, moral, and artistic endeavors.
- The society was explicitly not a secret organization; membership was open to all.
1913 – Foundation of the General Anthroposophical Society
September 22, 1913: Founded as the**“Johannesbau-Verein”.November 1, 1918: Renamed“Association of the Goetheanum, the Free School of Spiritual Science”.February 8, 1925: Renamed the“General Anthroposophical Society”**.
Historical and Statutory Relationship Between the Two Societies
A factual assessment reveals that the current General Anthroposophical Society was not founded byRudolf Steiner at the Christmas Conference of 1923 but originates from the**“Bauverein”** founded in 1913.
Realization of the Historical Discrepancy
Members first became aware of this distinction only in 1935, twelve years after the Christmas Conference and ten years after Steiner’s death.
This realization came just weeks before a General Assembly where several members and national societies were expelled, and Ita Wegman and Elisabeth Vreede were removed from the board.
“The registered statutes were drafted during Dr. Steiner’s illness. Dr. Steiner saw them and—according to what I was indirectly told—did not approve of them. This was in February 1925. In any case, they were never presented to or accepted by the members, as was done with the ‘Principles’ of 1923.” – Elisabeth Vreede
Conclusion
The General Anthroposophical Society that exists today isnot a continuation of the Anthroposophical Society founded by Rudolf Steiner in 1923 but rather the renamed administrative body of a building association.
This fundamental discrepancy raises critical questions about the identity, mission, and governance of the present-day Anthroposophical Society.