Theos-Talk Archives (March 2002 Message tt00207)

One of the frequent questions that come up and debated, is the tenets, 
doctrines, philosophy of the TS. And here sometimes there is some 
confusion. Can an atheist and one who does not believe is anything unless 
it is scientifically proven be a member of TS? Surely yes. How does on 
reconcile this when we observe many members having a strong belief or faith 
in the philosophy propounded by HPB?

In Key to Theosophy, HPB has explained this question of tenets, doctrines 
etc. Here is the quote from the end of Section IV of Key.

----
ENQUIRER. But surely those few who have felt the need of such truths must 
have made up their minds to believe in something definite? You tell me 
that, the Society having no doctrines of its own, every member may believe 
as he chooses and accept what he pleases. This looks as if the Theosophical 
Society was bent upon reviving the confusion of languages and beliefs of 
the Tower of Babel of old. Have you no beliefs in common?

THEOSOPHIST. What is meant by the Society having no tenets or doctrines of 
its own is, that no special doctrines or beliefs are obligatory on its 
members; but, of course, this applies only to the body as a whole. The 
Society, as you were told, is divided into an outer and an inner body. 
Those who belong to the latter have, of course, a philosophy, or -- if you 
so prefer it -- a religious system of their own.

ENQUIRER. May we be told what it is?

THEOSOPHIST. We make no secret of it. It was outlined a few years ago in 
the Theosophist and "Esoteric Buddhism," and may be found still more 
elaborated in the "Secret Doctrine." It is based on the oldest philosophy 
of the world, called the Wisdom-Religion or the Archaic Doctrine. If you 
like, you may ask questions and have them explained. >>>