Theos-Talk Archives (May 2005 Message tt00706)

Hello Mark, Daniel and all,
In the Cambridge dictionary the following definitions of criticism 
are given :
"criticism 
1 when you say that something or someone is bad; disapproval:
The designs for the new mosque have attracted widespread criticism.
I have a few criticisms to make of/about your speech.

2 when you give your opinion or judgment about the good or bad 
qualities of something or someone, especially books, films, etc: 
literary criticism
If you've got any constructive (= positive) criticism of the project, 
I'd be glad to hear it."

It seems that we tend to see the word criticism mainly in a negative 
light as an attack.
However in order to access the veracity of any statement and 
especially when statements come in the manner of being authoritative 
pronouncements or revealed knowledge we have no choice (in fact we 
have a duty) to exercise due criticism.

If we start to attack a person personally rather than criticize their 
argument that is a different story and we would need to be called to 
order.

In the case of historical figures such as Leadbeater or Blavatsky who 
had an impact on the movement we are discussing, then any controversy 
that may have surrounded them is quite appropriate from my point of 
view to bring that information into the discussion as this has a 
relevant and important bearing historically on the movement and also 
on their writings.

Leadbeater's verifiable lying for example has called into question 
statements he made in his book 'Masters and the path".

So critique depending on motive and accuracy is only over played if 
it is used for wrong motive that doesn't mean it may not cause 
discomfort for the personality.
Especially if the personality has much invested in status quo.

In the case of Leadbeater yes the facts have been collected but we 
have yet been allowed to present them in Adyar Publications.
Up until now its only been apologetics and a very one sided argument.

Regards

Perry


--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Hamilton Jr." 
<waking.adept@g...> wrote:
> Instead of criticizing, which is an evidently overplayed strategy, 
how
> about we collect the facts and move on?
> 
> Novel.
> 
> -Mark H.
> 
> On 5/26/05, Bart Lidofsky <bartl@s...> wrote:
> > Anand Gholap wrote:
> > > Pasadena TS & ULT should criticize Blavatsky's writing in 
publications.
> > > Members have right to express criticism of Blavatsky's writing 
in them.
> > 
> > Why?
> > 
> > Bart
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Mark Hamilton Jr.
> waking.adept@g...