Theos-Talk Archives (June 2005 Message tt00309)

Dear Anand and all,

My views are:

1.
First of all The Theosophical Society is not a religion,
or at least it is not its intention to be a religion.

Try this article by Blavatsky:
"IS THEOSOPHY A RELIGION?" - written 1888
http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/arts/IsTheosophyAReligion.htm


2.
I think it is not quite true to say that LCC is based on theosophical 
teachings.
The following should explain why I have that view.

a)
I quote the Liberal Catholic Church International
"I have heard that the early Bishops of the Liberal Catholic Church were 
Theosophists. What is Theosophy and is a belief in it required in the 
Liberal Catholic Church International?
Theosophy is a school of thought founded in the late 1800's. Its purpose was 
study comparative religion and mysticism. Some of its basic principles are 
belief in the eastern concepts of reincarnation, karma, vegetarianism and 
abstention from the use of alcoholic beverages. While many of the Liberal 
Catholic Church's early Bishops did, in fact, hold theosophical ideals, a 
belief in them is neither required nor forbidden in the Liberal Catholic 
Church International. The LCCI respects the freedom of individual conscience 
on these issues, as in others. There is a branch of Liberal Catholicism in 
America known as the "Liberal Catholic Church, Province of the United States 
of America," that does require its clergy to profess a belief in the 
teachings of Theosophy. We are not part of that branch. "
http://www.liberalcatholic.org/about/faq.asp

The presentation of Theosophy is not quite correct.
This is how I understand the theosophical teachings given to us by 
Blavatsky.
A theosophist is not actually required to believe in Karma, Reincarnation 
and so on.
But it is suggested, that one seek to understand what these teaching have of 
importance in the
world or universe of life.


b)
And also at Liberal Catholic Church Internationals website we have:

"We teach the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. "
http://www.liberalcatholic.org/about/teachings.asp

I think Blavatsky many times rejected that statement, when it referred to 
the phallic version of the Trinity.
So such a loose statement about the LCC teachings is certainly NOT a 
theosophical one.

c)
The Theosophical teachings does not require, that one wears a silly hat.
:-)
Allright. I know Leadbeater was himself not required to wear one either.

What I am trying to say is, that "the Club of the Silly hats" will never by 
a
driving force of the LCC.
:-)

d)
To say that LCC is not a religion is difficult, since it is not quite based 
on theosophical teachings.



Just a few of my views upon the matter.
Just to mention it Anand:
I also hold Christ near and dear.


from
M. Sufilight with peace and love...


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Anand Gholap" <AnandGholap@AnandGholap.org>
To: <theos-talk@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2005 9:05 AM
Subject: Theos-World Liberal Catholic Church can be a powerful force for 
good


> Principle of unity of life, constitution of man taking into account his
> higher bodies, man as fragment of divinity who can know his unity with
> God directly, these principles which Theosophy gives were written long
> back in Hindu religion, Vedas and Upanishats.
> In other religions like Christianity, Islam, Buddhism these principles
> may be existing in esoteric part of them. However these three religions
> as understood by ordinary followers of those religions and as
> understood by scholars don't give the principles written above which
> Hindu religion gives.
> Liberal Catholic Church is the only other religion which visibly
> appreciates those principles. Leadbeater and Besant have given
> principles in Vedas through Theosophy. And LCC is the only other
> organized religion which openly shows appreciation of these principles
> as given by Theosophy.
> As Liberal Catholic Church is based on very sound philosophy called
> Theosophy it can be a very powerful force for good in the world.
>
> Anand Gholap
>
>
>
>
>
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