"Is Theosophy a Religion?" is an editorial published in November 1888 in the theosophical magazine Lucifer; it was compiled by Helena Blavatsky. It was included in the 10th volume of the author's Collected Writings. According to Arnold Kalnitsky, in the article it is about the problems of religion from the Theosophical point of view.
Analysis of contents
Incorrect assumptions Kalnitsky wrote in his thesis that by studying this Blavatsky's work, we can find out the relation of the Theosophists to religion. It begins with the statement (the author has reproduced it repeatedly elsewhere) that there is "a general sense of confusion" and a lack of understanding by the public about the true nature of the Theosophical movement. In particular, it is often assumed that the movement is a religion. Kalnitsky has quoted:
"Year after year, and day after day had our officers and members to interrupt people speaking of the theosophical movement by putting in more or less emphatic protests against Theosophy being referred to as a 'religion,' and the Theosophical Society as a kind of church or religious body. Still worse, it is as often spoken of as a 'new sect'!" Thesis author has written that, according to the major founder of the movement, Theosophy can not be called either a "religion" or sect in the usual sense of the word. Blavatsky asks the rhetorical question, whether this confusion is the result of deep-rooted prejudice or simply a mistake due to lack of information. And at the same time she suggests that the frank cynics and slanderers don't miss an opportunity with labels "ism" or "sect" to engender a sense of distrust. She says that the opinion of the absolute majority simply is not true.
Against blind faith Kalnitsky wrote that, in Blavatsky's opinion, dogmatic religions are the antithesis of objectivity and dull thinking that does not correspond to the theosophical principles. And she says that the main task of the Theosophical movement has always been a struggle with such beliefs. He has quoted her article:"Moreover, the very raison d'être of the Theosophical Society was, from its beginning, to utter a loud protest and lead an open warfare against dogma or any belief based upon blind faith." According to thesis comments, this raison d'être characterized here as a corrective impulse, expressed in the form of "loud protest" and "open warfare" against the status quo. The objects of the same discontent are "rigid dogmatic" positions. Criticism is directed specifically at the prevailing attitude when thoughtless decision is preferable, but not an unhindered investigation. In this regard, Blavatsky states that "the best recruits" of the theosophical movement came from the camp of agnosticism or materialism, where the process of discussion is more free and not constrained by dogma. Thesis author wrote that essence of her logic is such that the more difficult to overcome personal biases, if they have a Christian origin, because science, at least, approve objectivity, while "Christianity preaches exclusivity."
Theosophical definition of religion Kalnitsky has noted that Blavatsky was very concerned about how modern Theosophy is perceived by the public. She once again reiterates that, from her point of view, Theosophy is not a religion, although it is associated with specific religious, philosophical and scientific conceptions, and hence it can give rise to confusion. Nevertheless, from her point of view, Theosophy is presented not as a religion, but as religion itself. This strong assertion assumes that Theosophy is the expression of more sincere religious feeling and more authoritative knowledge and experience than those provided in existing popular forms of religion. Blavatsky feels that Theosophy is able to eliminate the uncomfortable and "distracting social functions of religion," which she considers an "exoteric," and to create an "elite esoteric ideational source," available for qualified, properly trained persons. Thesis author had asked, "What is the theosophical interpretation of 'Religion itself'?" and has received an answer from the article:
"Religion in the true and only correct sense, is a bond uniting men together—not a particular set of dogmas and beliefs. Now Religion, per se, in its widest meaning is that which binds not only all Men, but also all Beings and all things in the entire Universe into one grand whole. This is our theosophical definition of religion... Thus Theosophy is not a Religion, we say, but Religion itself, the one bond of unity, which is so universal and all-embracing that no man, as no speck—from gods and mortal down to animals, the blade of grass and atom—can be outside of its light. Therefore, any organization or body of that name must necessarily be a Universal Brotherhood."
Spiritual alchemy According to Blavatsky, Kalnitsky wrote, Theosophy "transmutes the apparently base metal of every ritualistic and dogmatic creed (Christianity included) into the gold of fact and truth, and thus truly produces a universal panacea for the ills of mankind." This analogy explains the "difference between the exoteric and the esoteric interpretation of symbols, myths, legends, scriptures, folklore," that is, almost of all forms of cultural material. From the point of view of Blavatsky, Theosophy is a filter, through which must be skipped and "transmuted" all religious attributes. She sincerely believes that "this methodology" is urgently needed to correct the distorted representation of the exoteric side of religion. In hers opinion, "practical Theosophy is not one science" because it covers all the existing sciences of spiritual and physical life. It can be called a global "mentor" or teacher of universal knowledge, experience, and erudition, designed to not only to help "his pupils" successfully pass exams in all kinds of scientific and moral activity in this earthly life, but also to prepare them for the next lives. To do this, it is necessary to "study the universe and its mysteries" looking through oneself, and not "through the spectacles of orthodox science and religions."
… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.
