Theos-Talk Archives (May 1997 Message tl00383)

At 12:18 AM 5/25/97 -0400, Bart Lidofsky wrote:
>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

Personally I do not like to inquire if someone cannot afford to pay or
wanting anyone to let me know that he/she cannot afford to pay.

Again in most of the lodges I have been involved with which had all programs
free, none of their activities were curtailed due to want of funds.

.........doss