Theos-Talk Archives (February 1997 Message tl00137)

>
>              "Why A.R.E. Is Not a Cult" by Herbert Bruce Puryear
>
>      When some of our members join A.R.E., their friends or families become
> greatly concerned that they have joined a cult.  However, when A.R.E.'s
> teachings are measured by textbook criteria of what constitutes a cult, it
> is found that we fit none of them.
>
>      Here are some reasons that A.R.E. is _not_ a cult:
>
> *  We encourage you to work in your own personally preferred church or
> religious organization.  If it comes to a choice between A.R.E. and your
> church, stay with your church.
>
> *  We do not encourage you to "identify with" A.R.E.  Identify with the
> Christ principle.
>
> *  We do not sponsor any one person's ideas or point of view but, through
> our speakers and books, present differing points of view for the
> consideration of the seeker.
>
> *  We do not encourage you to be guided by dogma or an authoritative
> external source but rather by the living Spirit within yourself.
>
> *  We claim no special revelation.  There is nothing "new" here that may
> not be found in other studies.  Cayce said of his own work that he did
> nothing that we could not do.
>
> *  We encourage comparative study, not just the study of one source or
> perspective.
>
> *  We encourage application of what one knows rather than dogmatism about
> what others would have you believe.
>
> *  Membership in A.R.E. is based upon a wish to work with this information
> and support this work -- not upon agreeing to a dogma or belief system.
>                               *********

This was posted to a list I participate in, and I thought it
relevant to the situation of Theosophy today.  All these things
could have been honestly said about the early TS by HPB and
Olcott; none of them would ring very true today from any of the
Theosophical organizations, although many individual lodges
still adhere to these principles.  Much of what has been said
recently about the Krishnamurti experience explains why the
organizations now give only lip service to these ideals.  This
leaves me wondering if there are any signs of hope in any of
the organizations today.  Surely they cannot stay stuck in the
first half of the 20th century forever?

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