Theos-Talk Archives (April 2005 Message tt00525)

Jerry Hejka-Ekins wrote:
> I could envision an international list of speakers where the information 
> is contributed by each speaker. It might include:
>
> 1. Name of speaker
> 2. Address, phone etc.
> 3. language(s) spoken.
> 4. Their background.
> 5. Subjects they speak upon. 
> 6. Their availability.
>
> I think we agree that the TSA National speaker list, aside from its 
> declared purpose, also has an obviously political one. This political 
> aspect is a concern to me. On such a list as you propose, I would hope 
> that every effort be made to avoid such a political use. 
The easiest way is to make it open to all.

> I remember John Kern talking about that when the Kern foundation first 
> started. The decision was indeed a mixed bag. From hindsight, it did 
> foreshadow Olcott's decision not to support Lodges. Under Dora Kunz, 
> Olcott had building loan programs. 
Another plan that bit the dust has to do with the so-called "National 
Lodge". It occurred to me that, with the Internet, there was the 
capability of bringing back specialized Lodges, so I asked how, by the 
current by-laws, the "National Lodge" was created. It turns out that 
"National Lodge" is just a name, and is neither a Lodge nor a study 
group, yet masquerades as a Lodge. It annoys the hell out of me, because 
it reduces inducement for people to join local Lodges, and takes away 
the individual Lodge autonomy which is a key part of the idea behind the 
Theosophical Society.

> We still have the 160 acres and occasionally use it for retreats. But 
> the location is too remote for regular activities, so we since decided 
> not to establish permanent facilities there. We considered establishing 
> a spiritual community, but since the Rahneesh incident in Oregon, 
> California changed its laws so that such communities are no longer 
> possible, except for those which were previously established.
What is the form of the law (not an exact quote; just generally why it 
makes it impossible)? This is based on interest, not doubt.

Bart