Theos-Talk Archives (March 2006 Message tt01578)

"Due to its technically democratic structure and
relatively low membership, it makes the lodges and sections very
tempting targets for hostile takeovers by outside organizations (the
Arcane School has been particularly active in these hostile takeovers)."

 Hi Bart,

I haven't said much on this list for awhile, but I am curious: Can you cite
any cases or evidence that "the Arcane School has been particularly active
in these hostile takeovers"?

For example, I have heard it said that the Arcane School tried to take over
the Theosophical Society in Boston (TSB) about 15 years ago.  This alleged
attempted takeover has been used to justify the attempt by the Theosophical
Society in America (TSA) to dissolve the TSB and seize its assets.  Because
of the resulting bitter lawsuit, the TSB separated from the TSA and became
an independent theosophical organization.  Current information and pictures
about the TSB can be found at its website: http://www.tsboston.org/

However, as a former President of the TSB, I can tell you that the Arcane
School has never made any effort to take over the TSB.  To my knowledge,
during the past 15 years, no member of the Arcane School has been on the
Board of Directors of the TSB, and the TSB has never had any official
visitors from the Arcane School.   While I was on the Board of Directors,
which was for about six years, the TSB always had an open membership policy:
no applicatiion was ever turned down.  Yet I do not know of any member of
the Arcane School who tried to become, or is, a member of the TSB. If you
visit the TSB's website, you will see a wide range of activities but no
mention of the Arcane School.  I admit that there are TSB members who are
interested in the writings of Alice Bailey, but one can read those writings
without being a member of the Arcane School.

So, Bart, other than Boston, can you cite any cases or evidence that "the
Arcane School has been particularly active in these hostile takeovers"?

Thanks,

Zack Lansdowne

P.S. As a personal note, I am no longer living in the Boston area but am
enjoying the sunny Carmel Valley in California!