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About
the Society |
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The Theosophical Society is
composed of students, belonging to any religion in the world or to none, who
are united by their approval of the Society's Objects, by their wish to
remove religious antagonisms and to draw together men of goodwill whatsoever
their religious opinions, and by their desire to study religious truths and
to share the results of their studies with others. Their bond of union is not
the profession of a common belief, but a common search and aspiration for
Truth. They hold that Truth should be sought by study, by reflection, by
purity of life, by devotion to high ideals, and they regard Truth as a prize
to be striven for, not as dogma to be imposed by authority. They consider
that belief should be the result of individual study or intuition, and not
its antecedent, and should rest on knowledge, not on assertion. They extend
tolerance to all, even to the intolerant, not as a privilege they bestow but
as a duty they perform, and they seek to remove ignorance, not punish it.
They see every religion as an expression of the Divine Wisdom and prefer its
study to its condemnation, and its practice to proselytism. Peace is their
watchword, as Truth is their aim. Freedom of
Thought As the
Theosophical Society has spread far and wide over the 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
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 onwards, has any authority to impose his or her teachings or
opinions on members. Every member has an equal right to follow any school of
thought, but has no right to force the 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 held, or because of membership in any school
of thought. 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 the
right of liberty of thought and of expression thereof, within the limits of
courtesy and consideration for others. For further
information please contact: Home ~ Early History ~ Emblem ~ Founders ~ Objects ~ Headquarters ~ Directory ~Publications ~ Fundamentals of Theosophy ~ Adyar Library & Research Centre ~ The School of the Wisdom Courses ~ International Conventions ~ Forthcoming Events ~ Contact us |
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