Theos-Talk Archives (December 2002 Message tt00563)

Well, Paul, if you count all those readers of HPB's books as theosophists, as 
well as all the Occultists, New Agers, Hindus, Buddhists and others who 
already know the "Secret Doctrine" and who also follow the path of 
brotherhood and altruism, you might say that "theosophists" are a lot bigger 
percentage of the world's population than a straight count of Society member 
makes them out to be. So, the "Movement" is still very much alive and 
kicking. I imagine HPB would have liked that -- since she wasn't too fond of 
religious organizations or "denominations," as you put it. :-)

So let's all drink a toast to HPB, that all her prophesies might come true in 
this century.

L'Chaim,
LHM

In a message dated 12/16/02 8:52:56 PM, kpauljohnson@yahoo.com writes:

>Dear Dallas and all,
>
>There were about 2 billion people on earth in 1930, and about 6 
>billion in 2000. Over that 70 years, Theosophical membership shrank 
>from about 50,000 to about 35,000 (roughly.) That means that 
>Theosophists were .0025% of world population in 1930 and .00005% 
>today. Sounds pretty bad, but some consolation can be found in the 
>fact that HPB's popularity as an author has not declined at all, 
>judging from recent sales figures. Kind of a reversal of people like 
>Joseph Smith, Mary Baker Eddy, or Ellen G. White: no one except 
>members of the churches they founded has any interest in their 
>writings. In the cases of Smith and White, the denominations are 
>booming but the literary respect is nil. HPB's "denomination" is 
>barely surviving but her books are as alive as ever.
>
>Cheers,
>
>Paul