Theos-Talk Archives (August 2004 Message tt00373)

Hi Perry,

I'm sure it's not that bad. No one is getting expelled for being
controversial, for instance. Paul's biggest complain is that he was
ignored, not that he was expelled. Was Tillett expelled? I don't think
so. Also - with the Jehovah's witnesses there is a doctrine that only
the ones in the fold get saved. It has always been the theosophical
position that it is individual merit, not specific beliefs (or
TS-membership), that determine future enlightenment. The TS doesn't
stand or fall with any belief being challenged, which makes the
attitude of the leaders all the more disappointing. What is a problem
is that the function the TS was meant to fulfill (of an impartial
place where all would be actively studied, see the quote Daniel just
sent us below) isn't being fulfilled. Also - the TS doesn't take up
the money of the members the way the JW do. All in all the JW have all
the characteristics of a sect, while the TS (like most religious
organisations) is merely somewhere on the scale from a secular club to
a dangerous sect. Interesting on this score:
http://www.deikman.com/cultpsych.html 

Katinka

Daniel's quote once more:

H.P. Blavatsky in Lucifer, October, 1887:

Open your columns to free and fearless discussion, and do as the
theosophical periodicals have ever done, and as LUCIFER is now
preparing to do. The 'bright Son of the morning' fears no light. He
courts it, and is prepared to publish any inimical contributions
(couched, of course, in decent language), however much at variance
with his theosophical views. He is determined to give a fair hearing
in any and every case, to both contending parties and allow things and
thoughts to be judged on their respective merits. For why, or what
should one dread when fact and truth are one's only aim?


--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Perry Coles" <perrycoles@y...> wrote:
> Hi again some good discussion going on ….
> 
> Open minded questioners are a great threat to power it seems
> My background was in the Jehovah's witnesses my parents converted 
> when I was about 5 years old so the program was deeply entrenched in 
> me from that early age.
> I left the religion at the age of about 21 or 22 and as part of that 
> experience saw all the games played the psychological avoidance and 
> denial ect that went on in that religion.
> 
> What brought the walls crashing down for me was one single 
> thought "what if all this wrong!"
> That single powerful and completely devastating thought changed my 
> life it was the most difficult thing I ever had to face (so far) and 
> yet was liberating and opened me up to the deeper wonders of 
> existence.
> 
> Even after all these years having been out of the JW's my parents 
> still live in hope that I will return to the fold.
> There was a book written by an ex-JW called "crisis of conscience : 
> loyalty to God or to organization" by Raymond Franz.
> Franz was a 3rd generation JW was a missionary and was on the 
> governing body of the JWs.
> At the age of 60 he had some major insights with regard to the JWs 
> and there teachings and the misuse of organizational power.
> After realizing things could never change he resigned and was ex-
> communicated from that organization.
> He and his wife had no money or retirement fund of there own no home 
> but made a decision based on conscience.
> This to me was such a courageous and noble action that it has always 
> been a source of inspiration to me much like the way Krishnamurti 
> told the "theosophists" to wake up and go away an leave me alone.
> 
> These type of acts to me say volumes and volumes more than all the 
> seemingly impressive clairvoyant /psychic imaginings of said "seers".
> 
> I told my father about the Ray Franz book and asked if he'd read 
> it ,he said something to me that burned into my memory and that 
> was `Perry your mother and I have been in this religion for the past 
> 40 years and your telling us its all been wasted".
> Its not an easy call to make all those years all those friends that 
> reputation of being a "strong witness" 
> What do you say? How do you respond?
> The lesson has been a huge one for me, a life's work and association 
> and you find out much of it, if not all of it was fantasy!
> 
> You can imagine my amazement to find the TS no different to the JWs 
> once the rubber hit the road.
> Platitudes are great but if they are not backed up by action….
> There's no dharma higher than truth ….what an ask !
> 
> Perry