Theos-Talk Archives (March 2011 Message tt00120)

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "M. Sufilight" <global-theosophy@...> wrote:

> What is it I have misunderstood?

You assert that in 1875-1891 the Theosophical Society was non-secterian, assuming that already under Olcott it became sectarian.  Probably you are the first man ever accusing Olcott in sectarianism. Abandonment of the rule about politics has nothnig common with sectarianism. Moreover, in those times passwords and signs were abandoned.
Nowdays nothing in Constitution/Rules of the Society, as well as in its Resolution cannot be treated as sectarian. It is true that some leaders behave sectarian way but it's not because of wrong rules but because they break them and also use many so called unwritten rules.
If there is some serious flaw in the Rules, it is the lack of the paragraph which would prohibit any unwritten rules or bans.

For example, I've heard that the women in short dresses were treated unfriendly on some international events. I think that for such unbrotherly behaviour the persons guilty in it should be strictly warned in the first time and expulsed in case of repetition. Also some require two recommendations and probatory term for members, while there's nothing alike in the rules. Some require not study certain books in lodges. The latter case is surely sectarian behaviour, but clearly it is not due to the rules framed by the President-founder.