Theos-Talk Archives (March 2006 Message tt01152)

robert_b_macd wrote:
> This is a democracy from the ground up that requires a particular kind
> of mind, one that does not seem to exist as of yet within the Society,
> and that is a mind that is both independent of and compassionate for
> the needs of other communities.  This type of a Society grows leaders
> and leadership.  Lodges have to chart their own course once they have
> achieved self-sufficiency.  If Adyar were to adopt this political
> structure, then it would become very relevant.
	One problem that comes up is that of hostile takeovers. Essentially, 
many lodges have an amount of property that is disproportionate in value 
to the number of members. This makes it attractive for an outside 
organization to come in, take over the lodge, and then appropriate and 
transfer its property to the other organization. The Arcane School, in 
particular, has been active in such hostile takeovers, but groups which 
aren't even related to theosophy (such as fundamentalist Christian 
groups) can be attracted to the possibility as well.

	Bart