Theos-Talk Archives (July 2001 Message tt00081)

Right on. Changing people's minds could be considered as a form of "war." A 
war of ideas, so to speak.

Without using graffiti on the Statue of Liberty to make any points:-) -- I 
think this is the best advice we've heard yet on how to bring theosophy into 
the public eye with logic and reason. I think it's the gutsy way that HPB 
might do it today (and did it in her time when she individually took on the 
Jesuits in open forum). Although, it would still have to be done on the same 
individual basis, so as not to generate a deadly massive counteraction by the 
established powers that such a direct "revolutionary" confrontation (if 
labeled as a "United Action") might entail. No one want's a theosophical 
action group to be classified along with the Branch Davidians, or any other 
fanatic religious or antiestablishment organizations. 

On the other hand, group "United Action" in the area of an "intellectually 
revolutionary" publication giving theosophical solutions to current world 
problems, as suggested by the Compiler, would be fine -- provided there were 
a strong editorial leadership and publication management to hold it on track 
and make it attractive to the general reader. However, without such 
leadership, along with an attractive format and a powerful promotional 
program, or access to the mass media (which takes immense amounts of money) 
-- no amount of group action in the area of a new theosophically oriented 
"online" publication will ever be able to reach the mainstream of 
non-theosophists, and bring them around to resisting or changing the 
materialistic trends of the modern age. 

Publishing on the Internet, without such promotion (also quite costly) to 
attract readership of dyed in the wool materialists, and other 
non-theosophists, could be like whistling in the wind. How many 
non-theosophists read any of the current online theosophical publications, 
and how many non-theosophists subscribe to the old line theosophical print 
publications, or even read their reprinted articles on the Internet?

Accordingly, I think we should give some serious thought to a "United Action" 
group. But, one that requires individuals to take the initiative (with the 
help and guidance of the group) -- and follow the direction of penetration 
into the "enemy's" camp on a direct one to one basis as suggested by Nos 
below. 

This "singular responsibility for one's action" approach, if supported by the 
"united group" through conference and consultation (to determine the best way 
to present the theosophical arguments in each individual case) could be far 
more effective in bringing other non-theosophists around to considering the 
theosophical points of view, and in turn, influencing their own religious, 
political, social or scientific groups. 

As an example of the effectiveness of this type of direct action... For the 
past seven years I have been active in atleast three major online scientific 
forums, and have written hundreds of letters that have presented theosophical 
arguments to counteract the materialistic and reductionist views of most 
contemporary scientists. The result has been over 10,000 hits on my 
theosophically oriented ABC web site by participating scientists, and other 
lurkers reading my letters in the online archives... And, am certain that 
there have been comparable numbers of hits to Blavatsky.net by the same 
scientists searching for my Secret Doctrine references to the modern theories 
of science presaged in it by HPB. 

Since first starting this campaign, I've noted, in the ensuing years, a 
gradual change in the ideas of many of the scientists that were formally in 
contention with theosophical principles. In fact, the change is so radical 
that in the last several years an unusually large percentage of the Journal 
of Consciousness Study online forum letters, for example, have some positive 
reference to antireductionist theosophical ideas... Much of them similar to 
those I presented many years ago. I've even encountered a number of 
scientists who have radically changed their views since I first began 
dropping my theosophical bombs into their online dialogues. 

Since scientists are the real gurus of this age, and have instant access to 
the mass media, the changes of their minds are bound to eventually reflect 
positively in the mass mind. I think that if other knowledgeable 
theosophists could join me in these forays into the established news groups 
and online forums, as well as trying to reach into the mass media directly 
with theosophically oriented articles or stories -- the accumulated backup 
could greatly reinforce and influence an even more rapid inculcation of 
theosophical thought into the world mind. 

This is the way I see HPB's admonition to Theosophists -- to change the minds 
of ordinary people by teaching them the theosophical principles in the 
"Language of the Age." This means speaking to each scientific, political, 
religious and social group in their own language -- even if it means 
eliminating all reference to theosophy per se, or the use of theosophical 
jargon words. For example, in my public letters to the scientific forums, 
I've made it a policy to never mention the words "theosophy" or 
"theosophical," nor do I use any foreign words that are not part of the 
modern scientifically oriented English language -- even when quoting from the 
SD (which I paraphrase into modern English). The one time, early on, that I 
did mention theosophy as a source, I got a knee jerk reaction from a 
disgruntled materialist scientists about theosophy being a "phony religion" 
-- that caused a resistance in other scientists to my arguments which took me 
months to counteract. It was a good lesson.

LHM


In a message dated 07/10/01 1:36:56 AM, nos@granite.net.au writes:

>I think we should look at it as a war. And modern warfare is information
>war. 
>
>We don't have the resources to counter mainstream propaganda and mass
>hypnosis - especially when groups who are geared to materiialism and the
>pursuit of profit have a vested interest in theosophy not being accepted
>worldwide. The solution of course is guerilla warfare. The
>eco-terrorists etc have known this for years - they can'y buy space on
>TV they can't buy Adprint in the US etc So you have to spray paint
>across the statue of liberty at night 'THERE IS NO RELIGION HIGHER THAN
>TRUTH' etc
>
>You have to get involved with christian newsgroups, scientific
>reductionist atheist newsgroups etc etc - take part and tell it from
>theosophy's POV - give references back it up - if we know we're right
>why should we be timid or is it more right to say that the TRUTH needs
>no defenders. 
>
>I think if we work hard microscopically the results will be achcieved
>macroscopically - as above - so below - For starters - does everybody in
>your family understand theosophy? I find myself meeting a stumblimg
>block before I even leave the house - IYKWIM.
>
>IMHO
>
>Nos