Theos-Talk Archives (September 2004 Message tt00815)

If the Theosophists say we have nothing to do with all this; the 
lower classes and the inferior races (those of India, for instance, 
in the conception of the British) cannot concern us, and must manage 
as they can, what becomes of our fine professions of benevolence, 
philanthropy, reform, etc.? Are those professions a mockery? And if 
a mockery, can ours be the true path? Shall we devote ourselves to 
teaching a few Europeans--fed on the fat of the land, many of them 
loaded with the gifts of blind fortune--the rationale of bell-
ringing, of cup-growing, of the spiritual telephone, and astral body 
formation, and leave the teeming millions of the ignorant, of the 
poor and oppressed, to take care of themselves, and of their 
hereafter, as best they can? Never! perish rather the Theosophical 
Society with both its hapless Founders, than that we should permit 
it to become no better than an academy of magic, and a hall of 
occultism! That we, the devoted followers of that spirit incarnate 
of absolute self-sacrifice, of philanthropy, divine kindness, as of 
all the highest virtues attainable on this earth of sorrow, the man 
of men, Gautama Buddha, should ever allow the Theosophical Society 
to represent the embodiment of selfishness, the refuge of the few 
with no thought in them for the many, is a strange idea, my 
brothers! Mahachohan...


--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Erica Letzerich" 
<eletzerich@y...> wrote:
> Sorry correct me if I am wrong, is not politics a science? Is the 
> second object of the T.S. the comparative studies of religion, 
> philosophy and science? If someone wants to make a comparative 
study 
> of the political systems is that not in accordance with the second 
> object of the T.S.? 
> 
> Annie Besant in her booklet the future of Socialism have written 
> very interesting arguments, and completly coerent with the first 
and 
> second object of the T.S.
> 
> To discuss about politics under the light of the perennial 
> philosophy does not means that we or the society would get 
involved 
> in politics, refer to the T.S. policy of freedom of thought. 
> 
> 
> Erica
> 
> --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Koshek Swaminathan" 
> <arasophia@y...> wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > I would think it would be a grave mistake if Theosophy becomes 
> > imbroiled in politics.
> > 
> > The second objective should not be subverted to this end.
> > 
> > To understand the Theosophical viewpoint it may help to know 
> > something of the the time of Socrates. At the time, democracy 
> brought 
> > on the rise of the Sophists who believed that every thing in 
life 
> was 
> > only worth debating in terms of politics. They were not 
interested 
> in 
> > any kind of absolute truth, but developed the capacity for 
> arguement 
> > to convince the populus for political ends. Science and religion 
> were 
> > only means, not an end in itself. 
> > 
> > Socrates, on the other hand, believed that there was an absolute 
> > truth that one must make an effort to approach. His method 
showed 
> an 
> > indifference to the result. This was threatening to the status 
quo 
> of 
> > the time. 
> > 
> > As soon as someone has a political angle or agenda, the natural 
> > movement of his thoughts is towards Sophistry. He starts with 
the 
> end 
> > results and finds arguements that will fulfill them. He ignores 
> all 
> > contradictory information and becomes more interested in his 
> > influence than if he is stating the truth.
> > 
> > This is why in all ancient esoteric orders they refrain from all 
> > discussion of politics. As every Freemason would know, talking 
> > politics is strictly forbidden in a lodge room. 
> > 
> > So I would say that political discussion is not in harmony with 
> the 
> > objectives of Theosophy.
> > 
> > Koshek 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, Erica Letzerich 
> <eletzerich@y...> 
> > wrote:
> > > The second object of the T.S. is the comparative studies of 
> > religion, philosophy and science, politics are also a science, 
so 
> any 
> > discussion related to politic systems are in perfect accordance 
> with 
> > the objects of the T.S. Also the first object of the T.S. 
> Universal 
> > Brotherhood is also close related to the society, so to discuss 
> about 
> > social problems and politics under the light of the perennial 
> > philosophy it seems to me to be in perfect harmony with the 
> objects 
> > of the T.S.
> > > 
> > > Erica 
> > > 
> > > prmoliveira <prmoliveira@y...> wrote:
> > > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Morten N. Olesen" 
> > theosophy@a...> wrote:
> > > 
> > > 
> > > > First things first.
> > > > 
> > > > We are perhaps entitled to know, What suggestion are you 
> talking 
> > > about?
> > > > You deleted my email in your reply.
> > > > 
> > > > And:
> > > > It is as far as I see it MHL 78 in A.P. Sinnetts at 
> > > > http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/mahatma/ml-con.htm
> > > 
> > > I was trying to show that the Mahatmas were not averted from 
> > politics 
> > > and did act politically when necessary.
> > > 
> > > Letter #78 becomes Letter #99 in the 1993 edition of "The 
> Mahatma 
> > > Letters to A. P. Sinnett" in chronological sequence 
> (Theosophical 
> > > Publishing House, Manila, The Philippines). 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Pedro
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Erica Letzerich .'.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > ---------------------------------
> > > Do you Yahoo!?
> > > New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages!
> > > 
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]