Approach - Vol 1 No 11 - 1959 02

Magazine Overview

Title: APPROACH
Issue: Vol. 1, No. 11
Date: February, 1959
Publisher: Sagittarius Publishers, Pretoria, South Africa
Editor: Edgar Sievers

This issue of APPROACH, a monthly review focusing on 'Man in Life and Space,' presents a blend of spiritual philosophy, social commentary, and UFO-related news. The cover story, "FALLEN MAN FREE TO RISE," explores themes of free will, spiritual development, and humanity's potential for self-elevation within a divinely ordered, dynamic universe. Other articles address contemporary concerns such as the dangers of atomic bomb testing, the nature of UFO claims, and the broader implications of extraterrestrial contact.

Fallen Man Free to Rise

The lead article posits that man, having fallen from a higher state, possesses free will to choose his path, whether to remain fallen or to strive for elevation. It suggests that while deviation from the universal course leads to suffering, an effort to understand and align with 'the All-Father's universal Laws' is man's proper task and will inevitably lead to his rise. The article emphasizes that creation is a dynamic process, not a static one, and that individual actions, even errors, occur within a vast, regulated range of possibilities.

Fall-Out Danger

This section voices strong opposition to proposed A-bomb tests on the French Kerguelen Islands, citing physicist E. W. Hutton's protest. The authors express concern that such tests pose a significant threat to Africa and its surrounding oceans, highlighting the potential for freak storms to carry fallout and the long-term health risks, referencing the suffering of the Japanese and the statistical risk of atomic cancer. The article urges African governments to protest and calls for an end to such 'folly.'

A Hoax? The Answer is Simple

This article critically examines a claim published in Switzerland, originating from a man in Chile, about 'Venusian Space Forces' planning to take over Earth's governments in 1958. The author dismisses this as a ridiculous and feeble plan, arguing it goes against universal law and the principle of non-interference with another's fate. The magazine suggests that the claimant, despite any intellectual capacity, demonstrates a low level of spiritual enlightenment and a lack of understanding of universal considerations. It posits that such claims often stem from psychic phenomena, where individuals, convinced of receiving 'messages,' wrongly interpret their material due to a lack of knowledge about the deceptive nature of psychic processes and the illusory nature of sensory worlds. The article contrasts this with the 'objective truthfulness' of genuine knowledge and criticizes organizations like NICAP for branding such events as mere hoaxes without understanding the underlying psychic mechanisms.

GA and His World Tour

This piece questions the effectiveness of George Adamski's (GA) world tour, particularly the idea of him traveling in a scout ship. The author suggests that such a spectacle might only create temporary amazement, forgotten amidst daily worries, or potentially incite revolutionary demands that governments would resist, possibly leading to bloodshed. The article advocates for a peaceful, evolutionary approach to awakening humanity to the presence of 'space people,' rather than a sudden, explosive event. It implies that the 'space people' themselves follow this gradual, reticent approach, evidenced by their sparse landings and 'unsensational' appearances.

Africa Region Liaison Group

This section announces the formation of an 'Africa Region Liaison Group' with organizers Mr. C. A. Bunton in Pretoria and Mr. A. van Stolk in Cape Town. They have agreed to act in these capacities and have called meetings, with an invitation for friends in the Johannesburg and Rand area to attend a meeting in early March.

The UFO News Stand

This segment provides brief updates on UFO-related activities:

• George Adamski has left New Zealand for Australia after a tour.
• 'The Little Listening Post' reports that the Air Force captured 2 hours of film during a famous Adamski contact near Desert Centre (his first meeting with Orthon in 1952).
• The US Air Force, in a letter to NICAP member Zan Overall, disclosed that 'gun-camera and radarscope photographs' were taken of a UFO during an incident near Ellsworth AF Base, South Dakota, on August 12, 1953, where two jet pilots chased a UFO for 100 miles.
• The 'Australian Saucer Record' quotes a communication from GA stating that 'men from outer space' would not land on Earth en masse until Earth people were 'perfected enough in mental ability.'

Book Review: Today as in the Days of Noah

This review discusses Charles Lathrup Warn's book, 'Today as in the Days of Noah (Prophecies of Jesus).' The reviewer praises the book as 'exciting,' 'small,' 'cheap,' and 'unassuming,' yet 'packed with knowledge and insight.' It highlights the author's translations of old manuscripts, suggesting that Matthew's Gospel implies Jesus would return immediately through atmospheric phenomena, accompanied by 'Great Teachers from Other Universes' to restore Earth's vibration. The reviewer notes that Warn's work on this topic predates the modern Flying Saucer phenomenon of 1947, indicating his prescient understanding. The review also touches upon Warn's interpretation of ancient languages and scriptures, particularly the Old Testament, suggesting that much of its original scientific teachings, recorded in symbols and 'unpointed text,' have been lost or misinterpreted through revisions. The author's translation of Genesis 6, 7, 8, and 9 is presented as revealing the 'fall and rise of eight preceding periods of civilization.' The book is recommended for its elucidation of cyclic laws and prophecies concerning the end of the current cycle, urging readers to 'attain knowledge' to avoid fear of future tribulations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around spiritual growth, the nature of reality, and the interpretation of phenomena through a lens of universal laws and higher consciousness. The magazine appears to advocate for a non-materialistic, spiritually-oriented worldview, viewing UFOs and other unexplained events not just as physical occurrences but as potential indicators of deeper, cosmic processes. There is a clear skepticism towards sensationalist claims, particularly those lacking a spiritual or philosophical foundation, and a preference for evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, change. The editorial stance seems to be one of encouraging critical thinking, spiritual awareness, and a deeper understanding of universal principles, while also expressing concern for global issues like nuclear proliferation.