Theos-Talk Archives (January 1996 Message tl00014)

In my previous post on the subject, for some unknown reason, the text in the
middle of the message was split even though nothing was missing. I have
reformatted the message and reposting it so that it is more easy to read.
Sorry for the reposting.

...doss

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                    The Theosophical Society
                       Freedom of Thought

          Resolution passed by the General Council of the
                      Theosophical Society

      As the Theosophical Society has spread far and wide over the
   civilized world, and as members of all religions have become
   members of it without surrendering the special dogmas, teachings
   and beliefs of their respective faiths, it is thought desirable
   to emphasize the fact that there is no doctrine, no opinion, by
   whomsoever taught or held, that is in any way binding on any
   member of the Society, none of which any member is not free to
   accept or reject. Approval of its three Objects is the sole
   condition of membership. No teacher or writer, from H. P.
   Blavatsky downwards, has any authority to impose his teachings or
   opinions on members. Every member has an equal right to attach
   himself to any teacher or to any school of thought which he may
   choose, but has no right to force his choice on any other.
   Neither a candidate for any office, nor any voter, can be
   rendered ineligible to stand or to vote, because of any opinion
   he may hold, or because membership in any school of thought to
   which he may belong. Opinions or beliefs neither bestow
   privileges nor inflict penalties. The members of the General
   Council earnestly request every member of the Theosophical
   Society to maintain, defend and act upon these fundamental
   principles of the Society, and also fearlessly to exercise his
   own right of liberty of thought and of expression thereof, within
   the limits of courtesy and consideration for others.
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               Freedom of the Society

   Resolution passed by the General Council of the Theosophical
            Society on 30 December 1950.

      The Theosophical Society, while co-operating with all other
   bodies whose aims and activities make such cooperation possible,
   is and must remain an organization entirely independent of them,
   not committed to any objects save its own, and intent on
   developing its own work on the broadest and most inclusive lines,
   so as to move towards its own goal as indicated in and by the
   pursuit of those objects and that Divine Wisdom which in the
   abstract is implicit in the title, The Theosophical Society.

      Since Universal Brotherhood and the Wisdom are undefined and
   unlimited, and since there is complete freedom for each and every
   member of the Society in thought and action, the Society seeks
   ever to maintain its own distinctive and unique character by
   remaining free of affiliation or identification with any other
   organization.
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   (Both the above are copied from The Theosophist - July 1975)
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