manifestations of the religion are its "Spiritual Museums" located in most major Indian cities. In 1980 the Brahma Kumaris became registered as a Non-Governmental Organisation with the United Nations Department of Public Relations. In 1983 the Brahma Kumaris achieved consultative status with the Economic and Social Council at the United Nations. The leadership and membership of the BK movement remains primarily female, for example, in the UK only one-third of the 42 centres are run by males and 80% of the membership are women. , centres are mostly in followers' own homes with a tendency toward middle or upper class membership. Estimates for its worldwide membership ranges from 35,000 in 1993 to 400,000 in 1998 to 450,000 in 2000, however, it is reported that many were probably not completely committed to the group's worldview. Beliefs The movement has distinguished itself from its Hindu roots and sees itself as a vehicle for spiritual teaching rather than as a religion. Self The Brahma Kumaris see humans as being made up of two parts; an external or visible body (including extensions such as status and possessions) and a subtle energy of the soul whose character structure is revealed through a person's external activity – but always this is created by the inner soul -whether actions are done with love, peacefully, with happiness or humility is an aspect of one's soul. The group teaches that the soul is an infinitesimal point of spiritual light residing in the forehead of the body it occupies, and that all souls originally existed with God in a "Soul World", a world of infinite light, peace and silence. The Brahma Kumaris teach that souls enter bodies to take birth in order to experience life and give expression to their personality. Unlike other Eastern traditions, the Brahma Kumaris do not believe that the human soul can transmigrate into other species. Supreme Soul The Brahma Kumaris use the term "Supreme Soul" to refer to God. They see God as incorporeal and eternal, and regard him as a point of living light like human souls, but without a physical body, as he does not enter the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. God is seen as the perfect and constant embodiment of all virtues, powers and values and that He is the unconditionally loving Father of all souls, irrespective of their religion, gender, or culture. The Brahma Kumaris believe God's purpose is