Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00140)

In a message dated 9/6/99 8:37:33 PM, nos@granite.net.au writes:

>The Internet provides us with an extremely powerful medium for spreading
>the theosophical teachings to a large audience. As such I take on the role
>of a 'missionary' and enter Newsgroups such as can be found on alt.christnet.
>-and attempt to explain some of the theosophical fundamentals.

Which goes directly in opposition to HPB's teachings; That it is NOT the role 
of theosophists to be proselytizers or missionaries.  The real job we have is 
to follow the three objects as they were given.  Accordingly, theosophy 
should only be taught to those who are searching for knowledge by their own 
self devised and self determined efforts, and specifically request it. 
>
>I am however receiving extremely hostile and negative feedback. I have been
>called a Pagan/Satanist/Heathen/Atheist etc etc. I was wondering if anybody
>has any suggestions on how to present a few theosophical items to Christians
>so that they understand the roots of their own religion without getting
>upset by it.

It's no wonder, since you should see the harsh treatment that is given to the 
Christian proselytizers who invade the Buddhist and theosophy chat rooms on 
AOL.  What you are doing is just as pernicious and annoying as their constant 
proselytizing in our chat rooms, and you are getting the same treatment that 
all such busybodies or spammers deserve.  In any event, you are just creating 
bad karma for the movement which already has enough enemies. 
>
>HPB speaks harshly and critically of the 'Doctrine of Atonement', yet this
>is the cornerstone to Christian faith - how can one show a dedicated
>Christian the error of his/her ways without them completely closing off
>to other possibilities?

Nothing you can say can change the minds of dedicated Christians who, in 
contrast to dedicated theosophists (who are also philosophers) accept their 
Christian dogma on blind faith and, as a whole, consider all philosophy (and 
theosophy) as the work of the Devil.  All you do by trying to proselytize 
them is increase their hatred of us, until they might start treating 
theosophists like some of their ilk have treated the Jews (who are mostly all 
philosophers and generally, if not theosophists, sympathetic to it) since the 
beginning of dogmatic Christianity.  We don't need any more pogroms with 
theosophists as victims like they were in Germany at the time of Hitler (who 
had a concordance with the Catholic Church as well as with the theosophist 
and Jew hating Russians)  Remember, while HPB was a Russian of part 
German-Jewish descent, she was considered an enemy of the state by both the 
Russians and the Germans, her books were banned or burned and all her 
followers were sent to the concentration camps or the Gulag.  Your actions in 
trying to invade the Christians with theosophical propaganda, therefore, is 
not well advised, goes directly against the advice of HPB, and could harm the 
movement. 

Respectfully,

LHM

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