Theos-Talk Archives (January 2005 Message tt00859)

Perry wrote:

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It is true, tens of thousands have read and 
will probably continue to read his writings. 
Tens of thousands making a mistake, doesn't make 
it any less of a mistake.
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Pedro replied:

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This is one of the most extraordinary statements 
I have ever seen in any theosophical discussion: 
TO READ SOMEONE'S BOOKS (LEADBEATER) IS A MISTAKE! 
How do we arrive at such startling conclusion? 
Does it not also imply a judgement of the choice, 
discernment and freedom of those THOUSANDS who 
decided to read them?

Why not include Leadbeater's books and articles 
and pamphlets on an Index and declare them forbidden 
reading? It was done in the past very successfully 
with the writings of Clement of Alexandria,
Origen, Giordano Bruno, etc.
================================================

I will let Perry reply to Pedro's remarks.

But I would like to say that the second book I ever
read on Theosophy was C.W. Leadbeater's A TEXTBOOK
OF THEOSOPHY.

I am glad that I read this book. It awakened in
me an interest to know more about Theosophy. I can
still remember the "excitement" I experienced as
I read Mr. Leadbeater's book. His book prompted me
to dig deeper....

And it seems to me that any serious student of
Theosophy should read and study at least some of
his major works.

Having said that, there are a good number of
differences between Leadbeater's teachings and
those of Blavatsky and the Mahatmas (as found
in the Mahatma Letters). I think one of the
most glaring examples is the one illustrated
in detail at:

http://blavatskyarchives.com/morganafterdeath.htm

Another example:

http://blavatskyarchives.com/leadbeatermars.htm

And another example:

http://blavatskyarchives.com/moderntheosophy.htm#2

I would like to see Pedro's thoughts and comments
on these three examples. As well as Perry's.

Daniel
http://hpb.cc