Theos-Talk Archives (August 2005 Message tt00159)

Hi All,
At the moment I am just going over in my mind some thoughts on how
groups wanting to 
explore theosophical ideas can function more harmoniously while not
compromising on 
historical or philosophical integrity. 
(and I mean to use that word harmony in the universal sense rather
than the sense of 
'harmony' based on not mentioning uncomfortable subjects for the sake
of not offending 
some long held perception)

It seems that wherever in people get together in organizations or
groups problems will 
inevitably arise to a greater or lesser extent.

The theosophical society was founded not as a social club but as a
place where the ideal of 
brotherhood could be promoted through the study of philosophy,
religion and science in a 
free and open manner, meaning an atmosphere and culture where ideas
could be freely 
explored and if need be challenged without fear of ostracism or
censorship be that in 
terms of history or philosophy.
HPB clearly shows by the statements she made in Lucifer (that have
been reproduced in 
this forum repeatedly) that theosophical publications should not shy
away from publishing 
challenging points of view.

It seems many who want to make a serious study of both the history of
the society and/or 
the various ideas expounded by the prominent writers of theosophical
material can find 
themselves marginalised and even made to feel unwelcome and more
importantly unable 
to present their findings and observations in the Societies official
publications.

This is clearly unacceptable for any student who demands the need for
the principle of 
intellectual freedom to be up help without fear or favour.

Any concept, interpretation or observation whether that be of a
historical nature or a 
philosophical nature can and should be challenged, if when it is put
in the balance it is 
found to be wanting.

Now as far as I can see the culture of the society has become one of
perceiving 
controversial points of view as being 'disharmonious' and of
maintaining some kind of 
status quo through what can be said from my perspective as a somewhat
narrow and to 
me shallow understanding of harmony and peace.

As Bart very well pointed out in his article in 'theosophy world'
recently sometimes conflict 
is the only way to try and address an injustice or protect something
or someone that is 
being abused in some way shape or form.
http://www.theos-world.com/archives/

Its very easy to make speeches about being `nice' to
everybody but in the end what does 
that mean, really.
If an injustice or a falsehood is left unchallenged is this being
`nice' to leave it 
unchallenged or spoken about?

As one example in my own personal case after considerable study and
inner reflection I 
have come to an honest and verifiable belief C.W Leadbeater lied
about his date of birth, 
which therefore calls into question many statements and claims he
made.


Now what is someone like myself to do as a member (hypothetically)
when it comes to 
voicing my opinion if and when asked?

If I give a talk and voice some area of controversy would that be
considered being 
'disharmonious' and so as a result if I choose not to mention these
points am I then 
perpetuating a culture of silence and denial?

Was this the kind of culture the founders had in mind for the society?

The key area of import as I see it is as fellow students, each with
different interpretations 
understandings and opinions, we need to be able to hear and examine
criticisms of our 
points of view and then be able to respond or defend our perspective 
as honestly as we 
can if we find the critique to be unfounded or unreasonable, while
keeping within due 
bounds of decency and decorum.

True decorum may mean calling things to order in the sense of not
allowing injustice and 
abuse of power to go by unchallenged.

The challenger can sometimes be seen as the villain or the villain as
the hero this can be 
very subjective but in the end until both sides are properly aired
with both points of view 
given the opportunity and means to be heard, how can true fairness
and freedom really be 
claimed to be being adhered to.
I maybe expressing an ideal here but then theosophy is all about
exploring ideals and 
whether they have any veracity.

Cheers

Perry