Theos-Talk Archives (November 2008 Message tt00327)

Dear Anand,

>But then why should we meet in Theosophical lodge?<

Well, let me remind you about the objects and purpose of the 
Theosophical Society:

1. To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, 
without distinction of race, creed, caste or color. 
2. To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy and 
Science. 
3. To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in 
man.

For our doctrines to practically react on the so-called moral code, 
or the ideas of truthfulness, purity, self-denial, charity, etc., we 
have to preach and popularize a knowledge of Theosophy.

..........................

So, if the lodges' meetings and work would be dedicated to the study 
of Comparative Religion, Philosophy and Science and to the 
investigation of laws of Nature and the powers latent in man, to the 
development and adoption of scientific methods for this study, to the 
research of social environment and to the best methods for the 
promotion of theosophy in specific circumstances, and so on, and so 
on, (Read also Taimni's Principles of theosophical work) then 
probably there would not be a need to ruminate various theosophical 
creeds and to send fellow theosophists to Mars. 

It seems that too many members simply do not understand what kind of 
Society they joined, although it is equally true that already for a 
long time this Society suffers the identity crisis as it was used by 
other organizations for their own purposes - for the promotion of 
various creeds. 

Warmest regards,
Anton



> Comments by Anand Gholap:
> Theosophical Society may be proud of not having any creed. And it 
may
> also become proud of not having distinctions based on caste, creed,
> sex etc.
> But then why should we meet in Theosophical lodge?
> Person can go to any club to pass time. In club also people of
> different natures come together. Or he can join a library where
> there will be many books on different religions. He can borrow those
> books and study, or he can join some Theology course.
> So, despite fantastic idea of not having creed, I feel that members 
of
> TS come to TS to study Theosophy, which is composed of writings of
> main Theosophists. For these students writings of these favorite
> Theosophists is creed. You can see students of Blavatsky believing 
in
> writings of Blavatsky like creed. And some others believing in
> writings of Besant and Leadbeater like creed. So I think despite
> official statements of no creed, there do exist some unofficial 
creeds
> in TS. And if people are not interested in those creeds, i.e. 
writings of
> favorite Theosophists, they will not come to TS.
> That means even if TS has not declared officially any creed, there 
are
> 3-4 unofficial creeds in existence. And if even these unofficial
> creeds are removed, then there does not remain any reason for people
> to come to the Theosophical Society.
> My problem is related to this issue. I want to spread creed of 
Besant
> and Leadbeater. Because Blavatsky and Krishnamurti were connected to
> the TS, when I spread creed of Leadbeater, I indirectly give impulse
> to other creeds of Blavatsky and Krishnamurti. Now, I don't agree 
with
> writings of Blavatsky and Krishnamurti and I don't want to be
> responsible for spreading creeds of Blavatsky and Krishnamurti. How
> can I do that? One solution I found is to reject Krishnamurti by
> expressly writing in my article. I think I should show mistakes of
> Blavatsky and reject that teaching expressly.
> This message gives some idea of how unofficial creeds exist in TS 
and
> their dynamics.
> 
> Best
> Anand Gholap
>