Theos-Talk Archives (June 1996 Message tl01116)

Unfortunately, the anti-CWL forces were so nutty in their
denuncations of masturbation that the real issues in the case
have been obscured.  Katherine Tingley was IMO rendering as
much harm by putting children to bed in devices to prevent
masturbation (on the order of straitjackets) as CWL was in
providing hands-on instruction.  Both practices were child
abuse and could have grave consquences in later life.

Masturbation is not the issue, and homosexuality is not the
issue.  Taking sexual advantage of minors, swearing them to
secrecy, telling them this was for their own spiritual welfare,
and doing so under the guise of a spiritual organization-- those
are the real issues.  And the TS has done absolutely nothing to
face them, or even admit what they are.  Tillett's book was not
reviewed in the AT or the Theosophist, both of which made vague
references to unnamed "biased attacks."  So perhaps the most
important issue of all is like that facing the Catholic
Church.  The sacrifice of truth and the welfare of children in
order to save the reputation of a corrupt priest and a corrupt
religious institution.