Theos-Talk Archives (February 2002 Message tt00398)

Hi Jerry and Morten,

I think I understand what Morten is trying to say. If one has a spiritual
experience, that experience constitutes a proof to the individual who had
the experience, but not to anyone else. This would however prove only the
existence of a spiritual realm and say nothing about the truth/falsehood
of Theosophy per se.

Let me go a little deeper using a different example.

In my Mormon days I often took part in " laying on on hands for the
Healing of the Sick" and other such Mormon ordinances. I had over my 35
years some very interesting experiences. Many of these constitute for me
a verification of the reality of "faith healing".
Others expanded that beyond the reasonable. At the regular first Sunday
testimony meetings it was not uncommon for several "Molly Mormons" (as a
few of us called the uncompromising, blind faith, female members) to get
up and relate a healing experience and then to go on and say that was
further proof that "The Church" was "true". I would shake my head and
roll my eyes and think, NO NO NO you silly girl, it only confirms the
reality of faith healing. But some were even more fundimentalist in their
attitude. When I would argue my case they would say something like "you
know it's only the Mormon priesthood that can do this!" And I would say
"but what of all the other denominations that practice faith healing?"
And they would look me in the eye and say" Brother, you know that if they
do that they are either lying about it or doing it by the power of Satan.
You know that don't you?" And I would bite my tongue and mutter to myself
"Yeah, right" Yet in spite of all that nonsense, I still believe in the
reality of the power of faith, though I never did but into their
exclusivity model.

I think the same basic thing applies here.

Larry


On Mon, 11 Feb 2002 22:22:07 +0800 "Gerald Schueler"
<gschueler@earthlink.net> writes:
> <<<One just need a spiritual experience - then proff is there. Well 
> you have my word for it.>>
> 
> Dear Morten, thats one of the silliest things I have heard yet, no 
> offense intended. If anyone had "proof" of the Theosophical core 
> teachings, then everyone would be a Theosophist. If anyone could 
> "prove" spirituality, there would be no materialists. Please think 
> about what you are saying. Your word, I am afraid, proves nothing to 
> anyone, not even to yourself. I spent years "proving" the truth of 
> Christian Science, and I have relatives who have "proved" that Jesus 
> is alive and well, and their proof is just as good as yours or mine.
> 
> Jerry S.
> 
> -- 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to 
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ 
> 
> 

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