The Theosophical Society was founded in 1875 to investigate mediumistic phenomena. It evolved to include Eastern and Western thought and promote universal brotherhood through studying sacred texts and oral traditions. The organization split into different branches with varying beliefs, including the concept of root races and Aryan supremacy. Many organizations trace their origins to the Theosophical Society.
First organized in New York City in 1875, the Theosophical Society was founded for the express purpose of giving an orderly and constructive investigation to the questions of mediumistic phenomena. Born in an environment where the concept of spiritualism was sweeping the country, the Theosophical Society tried to separate the sincere from the crooks by using study, investigative techniques and scientific information whenever possible.
Over time, the mission of the Theosophical Society has evolved to include Eastern as well as Western thought, creating a platform for the study of transcendental philosophies, religious and otherwise. Here are some historical highlights of the Theosophical Society, including the state of the organization today.
Shortly after the founding of the Theosophical Society, key leaders chose to relocate the organization to India. It was there that the TS was exposed to Eastern thought in a society where those assumptions of beliefs impacted the function of society as a whole. By 1889, the organization’s stated goals had been expanded to include the mission to create a sense of universal brotherhood that would work towards creating a utopia. The imagined utopian community would be made up of people of all races, colors and creeds.
This dream of a better world, according to Theosophical reasoning, would be realized by promoting the active study of the sacred texts of all major religions, as well as by actively studying a variety of oral traditions and religious practices. In a sense, the Theosophical Society became an organization devoted to the pursuit of syncretism, integrating what Theosophists deemed to be the best and noblest concepts of all kinds of faith traditions and philosophies.
Schisms within the Theosophical Society began to emerge during the 1890s. The India-based group became known as Theosophical Society – Adyar, while the American group is normally referred to simply as Theosophical Society, with an addendum noting that the group is headquartered in Pasadena, California. A third organization emerged in 1909, taking the name United Lodge of Theosophists as another splinter group from the Pasadena organization. Throughout the 20th century, other groups continued to emerge, including Palmers Green Theosophical Lodge and the Anthroposophical Society.
Beliefs among the various branches of the movement vary greatly. Some believe in the concept of what are called root races. Presumably, all current nationalities and races can be traced back to one or more parent races. It is speculated that the peoples of Atlantis represent one of these original races. An extremist view of this root race concept has led to the concept of the master race, especially the Aryan race. At least one group of Theosophists, the Thule Society, used it as a basis for their teaching on Aryan supremacy.
Other groups turned more to Eastern thought, finding links between the various ideas contained within the world’s religions, and created a concept that encompassed what was held to be truth from all the different religious paths known to the world. Through it all, the Theosophical Society in all its incarnations has sought to keep an open mind to new understandings, often leading to further schisms.
Many organizations trace their origins to the ideas perpetuated by the Theosophical Society. Among them are such diverse organizations as the Liberal Catholic Church, the I AM foundation, and the Church Universal and Triumphant. The Theosophical Society itself continues to grow and function, with various factions often having adherents in different countries.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
