Theos-Talk Archives (May 1997 Message tl00378)

M K Ramadoss wrote:
>
> At 04:24 PM 5/24/97 -0400, kymsmith@micron.net wrote:
> >Bart asked:
> >
> >>What is wrong with a Theosophical Lodge charging money?
> >
> >
> >It's the same story:  those who have money will benefit the most, especially
> >when it comes to information.  And that has the all-important
> >built-in-guarantee: those who have access to something others do not makes
> >those who do feel priviledged.
> >
> >The most priceless of gifts are free.  Charging people to hear about
> >Theosophy simply cheapens the message. Authors or lecturers who will not
> >speak at a Lodge without requiring payment may not have quite learned what
> >Compassion or Love really means.  Mandatory handing over of cold, hard cash
> >to walk in the doors of a place representing Theosophy is a sickening sight.
> >
> >There is nothing wrong, due to practical reasons, to ask for donations,
> >grants, or other means to pay the Lodge's electric bill. . .and it also
> >follows that those who love give of their money or labor freely.  There
> >would be no want in a Lodge that is revered and respected by those who
> >attend or visit it.
> >
> >Today a Theosophical Lodge can require payment for many things, and never
> >receive a sideways glance from anyone. . .but I think, at the heart of it,
> >this is a tragedy.
> >
> >
> >Kym
> >
>
> You have eloquently put what was in my mind.
>
> Several lodges I have been associated with never paid a penny to any of the
> lecturers nor charged anything. Nor did any of their activities suffered
> due to lack of funds -- it was always lack of interest in members. Even
> locally we have never paid anyone to speak or lecture to us nor have be
> charged for any of our meetings.

	Neither of you have addressed the question. For those who sincerely
want to attend programs and cannot afford to do so, arrangements can be
made. But what is wrong with charging those who CAN afford to pay?

	Bart Lidofsky