THEO. Not before humanity, as a whole, feels the need of it. A maxim in the Persian “Javidan Khirad” says: “Truth is of two kinds—one manifest and self-evident; the other demanding incessantly new demonstrations and proofs.” It is only when this latter kind of truth becomes as universally obvious as it is now dim, and therefore liable to be distorted by sophistry and casuistry; it is only when the two kinds will have become once more one, that all people will be brought to see alike. ENQ. But surely those few who have felt the need of such truths must have made up their minds to believe in something definite? You tell me that, the Society having no doctrines of its own, every member may believe as he chooses and accept what he pleases. This looks as if the Theosophical Society was bent upon reviving the confusion of languages and beliefs of the Tower of Babel of old. Have you no beliefs in common? THEO. What is meant by the Society having no tenets or doctrines of its own is, that no special doctrines or beliefs are _obligatory_ on its members; but, of course, this applies only to the body as a whole. The Society, as you were told, is divided into an outer and an inner body. Those who belong to the latter have, of course, a philosophy, or—if you so prefer it— a religious system of their own. ENQ. May we be told what it is? THEO. We make no secret of it. It was outlined a few years ago in the _Theosophist_ and “Esoteric Buddhism,” and may be found still more elaborated in the “Secret Doctrine.” It is based on the oldest philosophy in the world, called the Wisdom-Religion or the Archaic Doctrine. If you like, you may ask questions and have them explained. V. THE FUNDAMENTAL TEACHINGS OF THEOSOPHY. ON GOD AND PRAYER. ENQ. Do you believe in God? THEO. That depends what you mean by the term. ENQ. I mean the God of the Christians, the Father of Jesus, and the Creator: the Biblical God of Moses, in short. THEO. In such a God we do not believe. We reject the idea of a personal, or an extra-cosmic and anthropomorphic God, who is but the gigantic shadow of _man_, and not of man at his best, either. The God of theology, we say—and prove it—is a bundle of contradictions and a logical impossibility. Therefore, we will have nothing to do with him. ENQ. State your reasons, if you please. THEO. They are many, and cannot all receive attention. But here are a few. This God is called by his devotees infinite and absolute, is he not? ENQ. I believe he is.