Theos-Talk Archives (July 2005 Message tt00100)

I received a considerable number of wonderful letters "explaining" conspiracies
relating to Leadbeater when my biography of him was first published.

The disciples offered "explanations" - there was a conspiracy by "The Blacks" to
undermine Leadbeater's reputation and they had tampered with the records;
Leadbeater wanted to prevent (why?) a biography being written and had occultly
changed the records (yes, I know....but the conspiracy mindset doesn't
necessarily include rationality); that I was a Jesuit paid by the Vatican to
tell lies about Leadbeater (I still waiting for the cheque)...and, of course,
the "multiple Leadbeaters" theory.

Those hostile to Leadbeater also offered some bizarre conspiracy theories. My
favourite (from the USA) was that Leadbeater was a Jesuit and the "missing
seven years" (1847-1854) represented the seven years training Jesuits
undertake! The more I tried to explain that the seven years were not "missing"
the more it was insisted that they were! Others assured me that Leadbeater was
an agent of (if not one of) "The Blacks" sent by the "Dugpas" to destroy pure
Theosophy.

No doubt some members of the forum will be aware of the range of books arguing
that Theosophy is part of the Jewish-Masonic-Illuminati, etc, etc, conspiracy.
Three of the most entertaining are Lady Queensborough's "Occult Theocracy",
'Inquire Within's' "Trail of the Serpent" and Nesta Webster's "Secret Societies
and Subversive Movement".