Theos-Talk Archives (March 2005 Message tt00242)

Hello All,
Late last year I sent an email to the International President of the 
Theosophical Society (Adyar) Radha Burnier .
I have just received a 'reply'.
This was sent as a way of hopefully receiving some clarification for 
myself and the group as to the Adyar's societies policy on publishing 
articles that compare the teachings of CWL and Annie Besant with 
those of H P B and the Mahatma's.
Below is my email to her and below that is her 'response' to me.

Perry

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Dear Dr. Burnier

The international, internet discussion group, theos-talk has over two 
hundred members who contribute to broad ranging discussions on 
theosophy and its study on a daily basis. 

A current and ongoing topic of investigation includes the apparent 
contradictions between the theosophical teachings of H.P. Blavatsky 
and her teachers and the subsequent writings of Annie Besant and C.W. 
Leadbeater, two of your most notable later members.

In seeking further information on this matter, it has been suggested 
that your Society allegedly disallows articles which compare these 
writings, in your official publications and journals. 

Would this be accurate and if so, would it therefore be an 
international ruling binding on all Sections and Lodges?

Your kind assistance in clarifying this matter will be greatly 
appreciated.

Regards

Perry Coles

---------------------------------------------------------


Dear Mr Coles,

I received a copy of your communication of 24 January 2005 regarding 
C.W.Leadbeater and offer some comments for what they are worth for 
your consideration. No answer is solicited.

A number of your statements are based on incomplete information or 
no knowledge, for instance the accusation of his being a pedophile. 
Some of us happen to know what you cannot possibly know. These 
accusations are entirely untrue as testified to by members of worth 
who worked with him for years and were close to him. Statements based 
on hearsay or printed material circulated by frustrated or malicious 
individuals do not prove anything. It is untheosophical to go on 
repeating them. 

The TS does not demand belief of any kind. Everyone is free to 
decide what is authentic and whom to read. There can be no authority 
to declare who or what is credible. The TS upholds the policy that 
every person has freedom to think and say what he considers to be of 
value, within the limits of courtesy. 

Your question about what is the power that Leadbeater holds over his 
supporters is in my view a wrong question. People can read Leadbeater 
and consider what he says, without being his supporters or the 
supporters of anyone else. 

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Radha Burnier
..........................................