Theos-Talk Archives (March 2003 Message tt00185)

In a message dated 03/09/03 4:59:09 PM, stevestubbs@yahoo.com writes:

>--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, leonmaurer@a... wrote:
>> Only your own intellectual capacity and discernment can tell you 
>> what is or is not "racism"
>
>There is a human tendency to self deception, and the constant 
>attempts by some on this list to link Theosophy with Nazism made me 
>stary to wonder if I had been deceiving myself.

Well, have you?

>> don't you agree that you are then labeling yourself as not 
>> being among "all those who are in the true service of humanity"? 
>> (as HPB defined the word "theosophist"...
>
>I have seen very little evidence that Theosophists are serving 
>humanity, but I may have missed the point of the question.

That may be. Since there are those who call themselves "Theosophists" just 
because they are members of the Theosophical Society -- but, do not follow 
the teachings of theosophy as set down by HPB. Just as there are avowed 
Christians who do not follow the teachings of the Christ. The word 
"theosophy" means "divine wisdom," and many of those who call themselves 
Theosophists do not necessarily have it. However, there certainly are plenty 
of them that do, and, at least, attempt to follow the teachings of HPB -- 
that calls for compassion and altruism "in the true service of humanity." As 
one who is a student of theosophy, thinks along those lines, and tries to 
govern my life accordingly -- I am not ashamed to call myself a "theosophist" 
(although I am not a member of any theosophical organization). 
>
>> If that's so, then, you are certainly acting as a "fellow traveler" with 
all 
>> those so called "Nazi Members"
>
>I am not a Nazi. Are you?

No one implied that you were. But if one blindly accepts their propaganda 
bullshit and turns a blind eye to their activities, he might be called a 
"fellow traveler" -- like some of the innocent humanists who believed in the 
ideals of true communalism, socialism, or liberalism were called during the 
McCarthy era. (My aunt was a member of the Civil Liberties Union in the 40s 
and was so labeled.) 
>
>> As for Leadbeater, In spite of his personal foibles, and his distortions 
of 
>> theosophy with its diversion into an organized religion based on his 
>> personal biases and prejudices, he was a quite knowledgeable occultist, 
>> and taught some profound truths
>
>I am afraid I would have to disagree.

Well, then, all I can say is you ought to study some of his writings on 
occultism and find out for yourself. Not to say that he had it all down 
pat... But, he did give me some important clues that helped clarify my 
understanding of theosophical metaphysics.