Laurie,
et al,
Agreed on
all points ... and I do appreciate your perspective, which I think helps my own (and my temper, at the moment). You are absolutely right, esoteric views
do often run tangent to -
even contradictory to - conventional ones, not just in terms of Christianity, but as regards
all religions. This I think I sometimes forget, or do not keep in perspective.
My sentiment is that, while it is only
natural that we consider our own path valid for ourselves ... and by extension,
for all who tread it with us ... it is the greatest of follies to assume -
let alone to insist - that others are
in error, simply because they choose a different path (or in this case,
but a different interpretation of events occurring
2000 years ago). After all, what I am proposing is simply that
there is more than one way to peel this grape.
I do
not suggest that Christianity is
in-valid, or a non-legitimate spiritual path, or that those who follow it are
by definition misguided and spiritually blinded. To do so, on
any forum, would be rude and inappropriate, in my book. And this goes for
all spiritual/religious traditions. There are
exceptions. There are no
special exemptions.
Yes, it may be useful
sometimes to point to areas that need improvement, but I find it helpful to focus on
ideas, and not personalities. And the wholesale
blacklisting and vilification of a legitimate, spiritually-oriented organization and philosophical movement ... is unacceptable.
I am confident that my own understanding -
limited and flawed as it is - is nonetheless adequate
at present for me to walk the spiritual path of my choosing ...
and make progress, if I put forth effort. At most, I would think others who do not understand my choices (or beliefs) would make inquiry, or
bring salient points to the light of reasonable questioning. And I welcome this.
The discussion has
certainly veered from the subject of the Essenes, and I take partial, even most - of the responsibility for that ... my apologies for derailing
that particular train of thought. But I
will not walk on proverbial eggshells, simply because someone feels
intolerant of others' views. At best, I will excercise a bit more restraint, and better tact, in expressing
my own angle on things.
By the way, this
evil organization 
of Theosophists that Thomas insists is
inimical to the true spirit of Christianity, holds
these as their
practical ideals, or guidelines, for daily living, taken
directly from their
website:
- The world we live in is basically a good place, to be used wisely, to be treasured, and to be honored: rejoice in life.
- We develop as human beings, not by forsaking the world, but by cooperating with nature to preserve and perfect it: respect the environment and be ecologically responsible.
- You and I are different expressions of the same life, so whatever happens to either of us happens to both of us—our well-being is linked: help your neighbor, and thereby help yourself.
- Disharmony and evil are the result of ignorance and selfishness: live in harmony and goodness so as to teach others by your life as well as by your words.
Yes, indeed, Thomas, by their fruits,
ye shall know them ... and they sound like a
daaaaangerous lot! 
In Light & Love, if also sarcasm,
Andrew
