Sokaren - 1965 No 01

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: No. 1, Volume 2
Date: January 1965
Publisher: SÖKAREN
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Cover Price: 1:80
Cover Headline: Vegetarismen ur etisk synvinkel (Vegetarianism from an Ethical Perspective)

SÖKAREN, a Swedish magazine, presents a diverse range of articles in its January 1965 issue, touching upon philosophy, ethics, history, science, spirituality, and the paranormal. The magazine aims to explore deeper questions of existence and knowledge, catering to those seeking answers beyond conventional understanding.

Vegetarianism ur etisk synvinkel (Vegetarianism from an Ethical Perspective)

By Olof Thorborg

This article argues for vegetarianism based on both health and ethical grounds. Thorborg posits that humans are physiologically adapted for a vegetarian diet, citing anatomical similarities with apes and the natural diet of early humans. He criticizes the modern human's choice to be omnivorous, leading to 'civilization diseases' absent in animals in their natural state. The ethical argument centers on compassion for animals, detailing the suffering involved in meat production. Thorborg references a French film, 'Le sang des bètes' (The Blood of Beasts), which depicted the horrors of slaughterhouses, leading to its censorship in Sweden. He asserts that by consuming meat, humans indirectly support this cruelty. The author quotes Leo Tolstoj, who famously stated, "As long as there are slaughterhouses, there will be battlefields," drawing a parallel between animal cruelty and violence towards humans. Thorborg concludes that nature itself intended humans to be vegetarians, and a humanity that evolves ethically would naturally reject killing for food.

Inkvisitionen – djävulens triumf (The Inquisition – The Devil's Triumph)

By Anna-Lisa Helle

Helle critically examines the history of the Inquisition, challenging the common excuse that it was merely a product of its time. She argues that the Church itself largely shaped the 'spirit of the age' and actively suppressed any opposition. The article highlights how theologians of the 13th century, including Pope Gregory IX and Innocentius IV, found theological justifications for persecuting 'heretics,' even misinterpreting Jesus' teachings to support the burning of dissenters. The author notes that 'heretics' were often members of opposition movements who sought a more spiritual path, contrasting with the Church's growing worldliness. Helle points out the contradiction between the Church's actions and the teachings of Christ, quoting Matthew 12:35: "A good person brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, but an evil person brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart." The article traces the evolution of the Inquisition from early spiritual discipline to the establishment of papal tribunals, the use of torture, and the infamous 'auto de fé' (act of faith) ceremonies. It also links the Inquisition's methods to the later witch hunts, describing the 'Malleus Maleficarum' (Hammer of Witches) as a key text that codified the persecution of suspected witches and heretics.

Bort med materialismen! (Away with Materialism!)

This editorial challenges the materialist worldview, particularly as espoused by figures like Professor Ingemar Hedenius, who argued that reality is strictly governed by natural laws, precluding the possibility of miracles. The article contrasts this view with phenomena that appear to defy conventional scientific understanding, citing examples like those surrounding Eleuterio Terte. It questions the absolute nature of natural laws, suggesting they might be superseded by new factors. The piece champions the idea that the mind has power over matter, referencing parapsychological experiments. It asserts that the magazine aims to present a new worldview, offering material that challenges materialistic assumptions and provides insights into phenomena that contradict the modern scientific worldview.

Den mystiska pendeln (The Mystical Pendulum)

By V. H. Mottram

Mottram discusses the history and practice of pendulum dowsing, also known as 'pendology.' He mentions historical figures and researchers who studied this phenomenon, including Goethe and Reichenbach, and contemporary researchers like V. Vallberg in Sweden. The article explains that pendulums are used to detect 'vibrations' emanating from objects or people, acting as a visible indicator of subtle energies. Vallberg's experiments, though not meeting the strict documentation standards of modern science, are presented as evidence for the validity of pendulums in areas like intelligence testing and even medical diagnosis. Mottram quotes Vallberg on the significance of 'higher frequencies' in colors and their potential application in spiritual environments. The article also touches upon the use of pendulums in medical diagnosis, suggesting they can help identify suitable remedies and foods, and potentially reveal the extent of food contamination.

En vetenskaplig grundval för Gudstro (A Scientific Basis for Belief in God)

By V. H. Mottram

This article, a translation of a BBC radio talk, presents a scientific argument for the existence of God, challenging the theory of evolution. Mottram acknowledges the explanatory power of evolution but questions its ability to account for the origin of life itself. He highlights the immense improbability of complex organic molecules like proteins forming through random chance, citing statistical calculations. The author suggests that the complexity and order observed in nature point towards an intelligent designer rather than blind evolutionary processes. He argues that the 'missing links' in evolution, particularly between non-living matter and life, remain a significant challenge for evolutionary theory. Mottram concludes that while science may struggle to prove God's existence, the evidence from nature strongly suggests a purposeful creation.

I skogen (In the Forest)

By Pälle Näver

This is a poem depicting a tragic hunting scene. It describes a mother deer and her fawn grazing peacefully, only to be gunned down by hunters. The poem contrasts the hunters' boastful and callous behavior with the suffering of the surviving fawn, emphasizing the cruelty of the act.

Om meditation (On Meditation)

By Josephine Ransom

Ransom offers guidance on meditation as a path to spiritual experience. She emphasizes the need for a simple yet effective method, free from overly complex techniques, suitable for the fast-paced modern world. The article explains that meditation helps individuals detach from the restless activity of the lower mental plane and access higher spiritual awareness. It outlines eight rules for meditation, attributed to Patanjali, focusing on non-violence, self-control, contentment, and concentration. Ransom addresses the common excuse of lack of time, suggesting short, focused sessions and the importance of maintaining a sense of the sacred throughout the day.

Eldklot (Fireball)

This article discusses the phenomenon of fireballs, comparing their behavior to the 'foo fighters' observed during World War II. It cites historical accounts, including those from Camille Flammarion, describing fireballs entering rooms, interacting with people, and exiting through solid structures before exploding. The author questions Dr. Menzel's theory that fireballs are a conventional explanation for UFOs, suggesting that the reverse might be true: that what were once called fireballs are now identified as UFOs. The article notes the mysterious nature of these phenomena and the lack of definitive scientific explanation, hinting at a possible connection to consciousness or 'mind bubbles' in the universal consciousness.

Planeten Kazik (Planet KAZIK)

By Albert K. Bender

Bender recounts his alleged experiences with extraterrestrials from the planet KAZIK. He describes being contacted telepathically and physically, with beings appearing in his room and communicating messages. Bender details his initial fear and the strange phenomena he experienced, including glowing eyes, a sulfurous smell, and a sensation of levitation. He recounts a telepathic message from the beings, warning him to cease his UFO research and stating their presence among humans for a special mission. Bender describes a visit to a central laboratory in Antarctica and a depiction of the planet KAZIK, which is older than Earth and has underground cities. He details the KAZIK inhabitants' physiology, social structure, and their need to extract a substance from Earth's seawater. Bender also describes a disturbing personal experience where he seemingly used a newfound psychic ability, possibly granted by the aliens, to cause harm to individuals who wronged him, leading to his fear of this power.

Nya böcker (New Books)

This section reviews several books:

• Rösterna från rymden (Voices from Space) by Friedrich Jürgenson: Jürgenson, an artist, claims to have recorded mysterious voices from space on magnetic tape and through radio. These voices, speaking a 'polyglot' language, allegedly belong to deceased individuals traveling in spaceships. The reviewer expresses skepticism, suggesting the voices might be manifestations of Jürgenson's own psyche.
• Vägen till hälsa och lycka genom Zen-makrobiotiken (The Path to Health and Happiness through Zen Macrobiotics) by Nyoti Sakurasawa-Ohsawa: The book presents a macrobiotic diet based on the principles of Yin and Yang. While acknowledging the author's claims of curing various diseases, the reviewer notes the book's generalizations and lack of detailed methodology. The reviewer suggests the diet might be healthier than the standard Swedish diet.
• Mu – den sjunkna kontinenten (Mu – The Sunken Continent) by Elizabeth Wilcox: This lavishly illustrated book explores the theory of the sunken continent of Mu. The reviewer notes that the author provides little information about her sources or the nature of her research, leaving the reader to question the validity of her claims.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the paranormal, spiritual inquiry, and alternative explanations for phenomena that challenge conventional scientific and religious paradigms. There is a clear skepticism towards materialism and a leaning towards spiritual or esoteric interpretations of reality. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation into unexplained events and beliefs, encouraging readers to question established norms and seek deeper knowledge. The magazine features a mix of personal accounts, historical analysis, and speculative theories, often presenting controversial ideas without definitive judgment, but with an underlying encouragement to explore these topics further.