Theos-Talk Archives (July 2002 Message tt00131)

leonmaurer@aol.com wrote:
> >dalval14@earthlink.net wrote:
> >> There are no "caps" ever placed on discussion and
> >> consideration of any subjects in Theosophy or at the U L Ts.
> >> How can there be? The DECLARATION of U L T encourages only
> >> that free aspect of study that volunteers alone generate.
> >> Those are the terms of BROTHERHOOD.
> >
> > Then the ULT in New York City is in violation; I have heard many people
> >claim that they were thrown out of meetings for asking questions that
> >were not part of some official list.
> 
> Please let us know how many and who are such people that have made such
> claims? And, what were the questions asked?

While I was at the New York Lodge on a day-to-day basis (1994-2000),
about 6-8 people came to me personally with similar complaints. I don't
remember the questions, but I do remember they would be considered
fairly innocuous at a TS/Adyar meeting. And I did point out to them (as
I stated in another message) that, in my opinion, the ULT was there more
to present the ideas of Blavastsky & Judge than to study new ideas.

> As for as an "official" list of permissible questions, I never heard of such
> a thing during my family's 40 odd years of attending teachers meetings,
> lectures, and study classes. 

That is a persistant rumor; I'm glad to hear it's incorrect. The
precise rumor is that presenters are taught a specific speech, with
specific prepared questions and answers.

> Can't remember how many times, I argued with a lecturer that they answered a
> theosophical question wrong, offered a contradictory answer reinterpreting
> HPB, and didn't get thrown out.:- ) 

That is the sort of thing the people CLAIMED got them thrown out.

> "Everything that needs to get done will get done." Is it any wonder, then,
> why ULT has one of the most comfortable and pleasant meeting places and
> extensive library in a luxurious upper East Side town house neighborhood --
> without any officers, dues or collections?

H. P. Blavatsky was in favor of paying dues rather than asking for
contributions, for fear that the large contributors would get too much
say in what Theosophy was.

Bart Lidofsky