Theosophical elections 2008: Summary of issues

John Algeo and Radha Burnier are both running for president of the Theosophical Society with headquarters at Adyar.

John Algeo has a website and gives his vision of the work of the Theosophical Society which reads like the perfect mix between conserving what’s best from the past and moving forward into the 21st century. John Algeo is a retired professor of English, who’s written a book on the differences between American-English and British-English. His scientific approach shines through in his work on ‘The Letters of H.P. Blavatsky’, volume 1 – which caused a storm among fundamentalist Blavatskyan theosophists who felt too many letters had been published there which they felt had not actually been written by Blavatsky. I have personally felt for years that he was the only likely candidate to step in Radha Burnier’s shoes. John Algeo is less of a Krishnamurti enthusiast and as the articles published (with his permission) on my website show, more of a Blavatsky man. This really ought to please members of the other theosophical organizations, but we can be sure they will find some fault or other with him nonetheless.

There are several documents relating to this election online at teozofia.info. There is discussion about Radha Burnier’s Health as well as about John Algeo’s willingness to live at Adyar. On my website there is a lot of information on the goals and aims of the Theosophical Society.

Personally I feel that Radha Burnier has served the TS long enough and that her health and age are such that it is a very bad idea that she be president for another tenure. I have not yet received the election-ballots yet – but I will be voting for John Algeo as the only serious candidate. I was of the impression that a person can only be president for two terms. Since our terms are seven years long, Radha has been at the helm of the TS for 28 (four terms, since 1980) years now. She has done the TS good with uniting of Krishnamurti’s and Blavatsky’s messages, but her negative attitude towards the Internet slowed the TS down considerably when it the Internet was coming up a few years ago. While she has since grown less vocal about this, I feel she is not the right person to move the Theosophical Society into the 21st century. In her letter (as published on Theos-talk) she says we need someone younger – well, nobody younger was nominated. We will have to wait seven years for that. Meanwhile: John Algeo is younger than Radha Burnier, though 78 according to Radha’s e-mail.

In the online discussions there are several issues that get the limelight:

Radha’s Health

The reports are mixed: some say her health is fine. Others say her memory isn’t what it used to be and the stroke she had roughly a year ago has left its mark.

John’s inability to live at Adyar

Radha makes a lot of John Algeo’s likely preference for living somewhere other than at the Adyar estate in Southern India. Since the headquarters have been at Adyar most of the time since the Adyar estate was bought in the 19th century, this would go against tradition. The main reason for John not living there would be the health of his wife Adele. Let’s not make too much of this though: presidents of the Theosophical Society generally don’t live at Adyar year round anyhow: they travel too much for lectures and connections to the various sections of the TS. The place of any non-Indian president on the Estate is going to be different from Radha’s position. Radha speaks Tamil, which is the mother tongue of the local people. Any Western president would have to rely on aides for the running of the estate because of that language barrier.

Radha Burnier’s aversion to the Internet

Radha has gone on record against the Internet. She said at one point that it could not replace face to face contact. This is really besides the point. Books don’t replace face to face contact either. I’m not sure what her current position on this issue is, but she certainly isn’t an Internet advocate. In contrast: John Algeo has his own website.

Open versus closed

Unfortunately both candidates have been accused (I feel with reason) of being closed off in their connection to ordinary members and the world. But of the two, Radha is the most isolationist, I feel. Her position on the Internet is a case in point. John addresses the issue of communication on his website and therefore shows awareness of that point. Of the two candidates Radha has been of the opinion that PR is just not spiritually sound (it should not be necessary, because if we live theosophy, we radiate it). John shows far more awareness of PR as something that should at least be on the agenda. A modern organization just can’t do without some publicity – and this is something Blavatsky and Olcott (both journalists) knew very well.

Some other issues are:

Blavatsky versus Krishnamurti

John Algeo is more of a Blavatsky based theosophist, while Radha is more of a Krishnamurti person. Radha also quotes Blavatsky regularly though. John has been known to comment on fantasy works like the Harry Potter series. John Algeo was responsible for creating the first volume of the Collected Letters of Blavatsky.

Spiritual teaching versus administration

Radha is very much a spiritual teacher as well as an administrator. John Algeo’s strengths include scholarship and administration, but I don’t think many would describe him as a spiritual teacher. This is really the only sound reason to elect Radha Burnier that I can think of.

India versus the world

The Theosophical Society is a world-wide organization, with headquarters in India. John Algeo is an American. I feel that it is good for the TS to have a mix of Indian and international presidents. Radha has given the Indian voice a strong place in her presidency, as she would: she is Indian, she knows Sanskrit. I feel it’s time for the rest of the world to have its say.

The procedure appears to be a direct vote. This means that all members should vote, as it is my impression that this is a tight race. I will personally vote for John Algeo as he is younger, healthier and more modern.

Originally published in my spiritual and theosophical newsletter lucifer7