Hi everybody!

I just had a bit of a surprise. I see where I am being quoted on a born-again Christian website as to the definition and characteristics of Theosophy. (I am intentionally not including a link to this site.)

It was quite a surprise to see my own words in an article that tries to show Theosophy as trully evil. I suppose that this is just part of the job -- spreading Theosophy, and rubbing some people the wrong way as a result. I guess it is just going to happen every once in a while.

It was amusing to see that the very ideas they condemn, are ideas I find to be some of the finest ideas Theosophy has to offer. (The discussion was on the nature of Heaven and Hell -- something you can bet born-again Christians would take issue with.) Perhaps it would be amusing for someone to read that article, and come away with an impromptu interest in Theosophy...?

Just some ramblings.

I would like to hear of anyone else who has encountered resistence and troubles as a result of being a Theosophist.

I have experienced a fair bit of religious intolerance in my time, Nick. I frequent the web forum of a particular rock band I am a fan of, and during the many discussions on serious topics, the level of prejudism against certain religions is quite shocking to behold.

As a Theosophist, I like to think that I can view all religions on equal merit, yet the vast majority of religious attacks come from people professing to be Christian, against members of the Muslim community.

There are a couple of Muslim members on the board, but it is usually myself and a copuple of other posters who end up defending them more often than not. It's not so much intolerance, as outright prejudism.

When it comes to my own Theosophical or Buddhist beliefs, these are usually met with what I can only perceive as willful ignorance, as they seem unwilling or unable to look at things from a non-Western or non-Christian perspective. (And this also goes for self-declared Atheists raised in pedominantly Christian countries!)

The only thing I can do is treat them with compassion, and continue to explain until hopefully some understanding is reached. I cannot let such prejudism go unchallenged.

Seeker,

Your story reminds me of how Dutch Theosophists refused to hate German Theosophists even during WWII. No one has the right to tell us we have to hate someone else. Brotherhood is the only required dogma of Theosophy.

I have a friend who just hates black people. I have a trick that stops his tirades. I tell him that, if he keeps it up, God just might have him be re-born as a black himself. (My friend's blood just boils at the thought....) I have gotten to calling my friend Kingfish whenever he starts another tirade. I tell him I am just getting him ready for his next reincarnation. (It sure stops his tirades!)