THEOSOPHY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16033, 26 January 1920, Page 5

THEOSOPHY.

To the Editor.

Sir, — I was much interested in Mr J« Aitkon’s loiter or, to bo more precise, criticism of Air E. Jinarajado’s lecture, in one of last week’s "Heralds,” 1 I hope you will allow a little space fort a criticism of your esteemed correspondent's point of view. Air Aitken admired the manner, but not so much the matter of the lecture. All other systems of thought, according to Air Ait* ken, that are not based on a certain ancient Book, are erroneous. When that name of the creed—Theosophy, the wisdom of God —is used by adherents of this creed, Mr Aitken is of opinion that# they must have “lifted” or purloined the idea from the Bible, or from Christ-, ians or Jews. Theosophy, 1 am rather inclined to think, is a sect of Buddhism! and it derived its ideas from that religion. That the fundamental doctrines of Buddhism and Christianity; (and we must not omit Krishnaism, which is much older), are similar, is now explained by the visit of Buddhist monks to Syria before Christ. But to digress somewhat, the creed of Mithra (a, Persian sun god) was a powerful rival, of earlier Christianity. It was ia practice in the Roman Empire long before Christianity, and possessed striking resemblance to it. For instance, it had the Eucharist, the sign of the Cross. Alitlia was the Alediator and the Lamb of God. Did the Mithrists purloin their doctrines from Christianity, or from the two Indian religions ?, It has boon known now for some tima that the “unique” doctrines of Christianity wero practised in all pre-Christ-ian religions—-the Egyptian, Chaldean* Persian, Indian, and Mexican, etc* All worshipped Saviour Gods, who wera born of virgins, rose from the dead* and were coming again for final judgment. All these ideas had one common source, the sun, or Heavenly Father, whoso apparent motion in th«f heavens, rising and setting (death)* the sun’s annual journey among the constellations, which produced the seasons, spring, summer, winter (the poem of the year), the winter sleep, and the joy of spring and summer. All these beautiful myths have had a basis of natural facts, idealised by primitive man and endowed with systems of theology and priesthoods. Do we need these idols now? Many say that we do, but there are signs that more will deem the service of man of more importance than the ignorant fancies of our pre-historic ancestors. Thanking you in anticipation,—l am, Wanganui, January 24, 120.