Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Is Theosophy a Religion?


 * The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review).  No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was keep.  Sandstein  10:20, 1 November 2018 (UTC)

Is Theosophy a Religion?

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An article about an apparently non-notable 10 page article similar to Articles for deletion/Occult or Exact Science?. The page has extensive references, but none of it seems to establish notability - there appears to be zero significant coverage in reliable sources independent of the subject. It has as some trivial mentions in a couple of PhD theses and a section in another PhD thesis. Beyond the general notability guidelines, none of the WP:SNG seem to apply. tronvillain (talk) 13:11, 16 October 2018 (UTC)
 * Keep I think it is unlikely that this essay (which is what it is, rather than an encyclopedic article) will be sufficiently supported by mainstream sources to achieve notability in WP terms. That being said, it is my considered belief that this is one of the exceptions that Jimmy Wales speaks of in his concept idea, "Break all rules."  I came here looking for clarification about modern (Blavatskyan) theosophy (which is normally NOT capitalized unless referring to a particular organization's doctrine, and there are several), and I personally find the essay quite helpful in that regard.  My understanding is that by policy Wikipedia aims to inform and facilitate readers of no more than highschool education, at which level almost all readers would be inquiring for the first time about the subject.  My overall response is to KEEP.  rags (talk) 18:19, 17 October 2018 (UTC)
 * I think you could achieve as much or more by merging into Theosophy (Blavatskian), without having to ignore WP:N. --17:20, 18 October 2018 (UTC)
 * I think you could achieve as much or more by merging into Theosophy (Blavatskian), without having to ignore WP:N. --17:20, 18 October 2018 (UTC)


 * Note: This discussion has been included in the list of Spirituality-related deletion discussions. tronvillain (talk) 13:22, 16 October 2018 (UTC)
 * Note: This discussion has been included in the list of Religion-related deletion discussions. Sam Sailor 15:07, 18 October 2018 (UTC)
 * Note: This discussion has been included in the list of Journalism-related deletion discussions. North America1000 22:44, 19 October 2018 (UTC)

 Relisted to generate a more thorough discussion and clearer consensus.

Please add new comments below this notice. Thanks, Sam Sailor 11:48, 24 October 2018 (UTC)
 * Preserve content, at least in part. I'm almost tempted to say merge, but I won't because I'm not personally prepared to undertake it.  If this editorial was an important milestone in the history of Lucifer (magazine) then there should be some coverage there, but there isn't (other than a see also).  If it was an important milestone in the thinking of Helena Blavatsky, then her article should have some coverage, but there is not even a mention.  If it was an important milestone in the development of [Theosophy (Blavatskian)]] then there should be some coverage there, but there isn't.  It doesn't look like a standalone page is entirely justified but the material has some merit.  The close should therefore be "keep with no restriction on future merging or other refactoring". SpinningSpark 13:52, 24 October 2018 (UTC)
 * Keep or merge to Theosophy - there's definitely reliably sourced content here but I'm indifferent as to whether it needs an independent article. Simonm223 (talk) 15:33, 24 October 2018 (UTC)
 * Keep, historically significant explanatory article. Well referenced and sourced, it was included in Blavasky's collected writings volume. Randy Kryn (talk) 08:46, 31 October 2018 (UTC)


 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.