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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 emphasise 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.
Resolution passed by the General Council of The Theosophical Society, 1924.
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Freedom of the Society
The Theosophical Society, while cooperating with all other bodies whose aims and activities make
such cooperation possible, is and must remain an organisation entirely independent of them, not
committed to any objects save its own, and intent on developing its own work on the broadest and
most inclusive lines, so as to move towards its own goal as indicated in and by the pursuit of
those objects and that Divine Wisdom which in the abstract is implicit in the title, The
Theosophical Society .
Since Universal Brotherhood and the Wisdom are undefined and unlimited, and since there is
complete freedom for each and every member of the Society in thought and action, the Society seeks
ever to maintain its own distinctive and unique character by remaining free of affiliation or
identification with any other organisation.
Resolution passed by the General Council of The Theosophical Society, 1949.
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