Sokaren - 1970 No 02-3

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: Nr 2-3
Volume: 7
Date: 1970

This issue of Sökaren magazine, dated 1970, presents a diverse range of articles exploring spiritual, philosophical, and ethical themes. The cover prominently features the question "VAD ÄR GUD?" (What is God?), inviting readers to consider different perspectives on divinity.

Key Articles and Themes

What is God?

The central theme of the issue is the nature of God. The magazine interviews three individuals from different religious backgrounds to understand their concept of God. Leo Torgny, a 70-year-old spiritualist and former editor, describes God as the entire universe perceived as a living organism, emphasizing interconnectedness and the pursuit of the greater good over personal salvation. He likens individuals to 'micro-beings' within God's vast being, all working together for the whole.

Walther Eidlitz, a Hindu author who spent nine years in India, finds the deepest revelation of God in Hindu scriptures. He explains that God is the inner foundation of all existence, encompassing the entire universe, yet also transcendent. Eidlitz clarifies that while everything is within God, God's true essence is beyond time, space, and natural laws. He suggests that true understanding of God comes not from desire, but from serving and pleasing Him, leading to a direct experience of divine insight.

Nordfrid Moersberger, a Christian Scientist, refers to the Bible and the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy, defining God as Spirit, infinite Mind, Love, Principle, Life, Truth, and Understanding. He views Jesus as the highest human expression of God, not God himself. Moersberger emphasizes that God is not a physical place but a state of consciousness, and that heaven and hell are mental states.

Vivisection: The Ethics of Animal Experimentation

This section presents a critical debate on vivisection. Professor Börje Uvnäs from Karolinska Institutet's pharmacology department defends the necessity of animal experiments for developing effective medicines, stating that such procedures are conducted under anesthesia and that animals do not show signs of distress. He argues that the benefits to human health outweigh the concerns for the animals.

Conversely, Johan Börtz, chairman of the Nordiska Samfundet (Nordic Society for the Prevention of Cruel Animal Experiments), strongly condemns vivisection. He provides evidence of painful experiments, citing testimonies and research findings that suggest suffering occurs even when anesthesia is used. Börtz highlights cases of animal mistreatment during transport and storage, and criticizes the legal framework that he believes offers insufficient protection to experimental animals.

Other contributors to this debate include Gösta Knutsson and Nils-Olof Jacobson, both members of the Nordiska Samfundet, who express their firm opposition to vivisection, emphasizing the ethical implications and the potential for alternative research methods. They argue that the suffering inflicted on animals is unacceptable, regardless of potential scientific gains.

Other Articles and Sections

Birgit Lange discusses the concept of a "new age" where the division between the natural and supernatural will dissolve, with telepathy being a potential future development. She links prayer to telepathic phenomena.

Thor-Leif Dahnielson contributes an article titled "Kärlekens sång" (The Song of Love), emphasizing love as the fundamental cosmic force that brings order and harmony to the universe. He advocates for unconditional, selfless love as the key to understanding and achieving cosmic balance.

Gerda Rörbaeck Nielsen writes about "Serum mot lidande" (Serum Against Suffering), suggesting that love, compassion, and understanding are the true remedies for the world's suffering, rather than external interventions. She calls for a radical shift in human consciousness to address the root causes of suffering.

The magazine also includes a section on "Politik" (Politics), discussing issues like pacifism and the Vietnam War, and a "Kan man tro på medier?" (Can one believe in mediums?) article, which questions the authenticity of spiritualist mediums and their communications.

Listings of various organizations related to spiritualism, parapsychology, UFO research, and vegetarianism are provided, along with contact information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Sökaren are the exploration of spiritual and philosophical truths, the search for a unified understanding of existence, and a critical examination of ethical issues, particularly concerning animal welfare. The magazine appears to advocate for a holistic worldview, emphasizing love, interconnectedness, and the importance of ethical considerations in scientific and societal progress. There is a clear leaning towards alternative spiritual and philosophical perspectives, contrasting with conventional scientific and religious doctrines. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, presenting diverse viewpoints while encouraging critical thinking and ethical reflection.

Title: Sökaren
Issue: Nr 2-3
Volume: 1970
Date: 1970
Publisher: Sökaren
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of Sökaren, dated 1970, focuses on themes of peace, critical thinking, and ethical considerations, particularly concerning animal experimentation. The cover prominently features the headline "FÖRSÖKSDJUREN" (Experiment Animals) accompanied by an illustration suggesting compassion.

Peace Activism and Conscientious Objection

The issue opens with an excerpt from an interview with UN Secretary-General U Thant, who advocates for redirecting global military spending towards social and economic programs. This sentiment is echoed in a report about Thor-Leif Dahnielson, a 20-year-old conscientious objector from Eksjö, Sweden. Despite his request for an alternative to military service being rejected, Dahnielson is determined to establish a peace school in Nässjö. The school's curriculum will initially focus on "cosmic philosophy" to foster a deep understanding of existence and a sense of universal belonging, believing that harming those one feels connected to is unnatural. This philosophical grounding is intended to support peace work. The school also plans to address differences in religious and political views, emphasizing commonalities over divisions, and will cover topics like crime, drug problems, and the right to free development. Dahnielson acknowledges the risk of imprisonment due to his conscientious objection but remains committed to the school's launch, planned for April 1970.

The Importance of Critical Thinking

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the theme of "TÄNK!" (THINK!), exploring the challenges and importance of clear, rational thought. The article critiques common human tendencies towards illogical thinking, driven by emotions, fantasies, and desires that lead to self-satisfaction rather than truth. It references Rupert Crawshay-Williams' book "The Comforts of Unreason" (original title: "The Comforts of Unreason"), which encourages self-awareness regarding wishful thinking and warns against cognitive biases. The author notes that clear thinking requires practice and effort, and many people are passively or actively resistant to its demands because they dislike the conclusions it may lead to.

• Common thought traps discussed include:
• Wishful Thinking: Preferring conclusions that are pleasing rather than accurate.
• Emotional Reasoning: Allowing feelings to dictate beliefs.
• Group Suggestion: Accepting opinions endorsed by one's social group (culture, religion, family) without critical evaluation, as described by Trotter.
• Selective Argumentation: Choosing only information that supports pre-existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.
• Semantic Ambiguity: Misunderstanding the meaning of words and their context, highlighting the importance of semantics.
• Self-Suggestion: Convincing oneself of something by suppressing doubts and focusing on feelings.
• Rationalization: Justifying a pre-determined stance by seeking supporting evidence after the fact, rather than letting evidence shape the opinion.
• Mental Laziness and Habit: Following the path of least resistance and avoiding effortful thinking.

The article emphasizes that while these tendencies are common, a truth-seeker must develop mental discipline to distinguish between fantasy and insight. It also touches upon the human desire for meaning, noting that living in a meaningless world is unbearable, which can lead to the premature acceptance of explanations.

Health and Alternative Medicine

Stress and Well-being: A section titled "STRESS - DÅLIGT MINNE - SVAGHET och TRÖTTHET - HUVUDVÄRK (även migrän) – SÖMNLÖSHET - REUMATISKA BESVÄR" offers advice on alleviating these common ailments through natural principles. It promotes "Yerba Matte" as a healthy alternative to coffee and provides a coupon for a free sample and catalog from Teknisk Medicin in Linköping, which offers a range of medicinal herbs, blends, and natural health products.

SERUM MOT LIDANDE (cont.): This continuing article discusses the internal source of suffering, suggesting that love, understanding, and compassion are the antidotes. It posits that these qualities exist within everyone, suppressed by the lower self, and can be unleashed to transform the world. The author encourages readers to tap into their innate capacity for goodness and peace.

• BREV (Letters):
• A letter clarifies the light phenomenon observed on the Swedish coast on October 6, 1969, identifying it as the launch of the Soviet weather satellite "Meteor 2". Civil engineer Sven Grahn investigated the reports and confirmed this explanation. The phenomenon was visible due to the dark night in Norrland and the satellite entering sunlight at higher altitudes.
• Björn Högman, Chairman of G.I.C.O.F.F. (a UFO organization in Gothenburg), confirms that a phenomenon in Hällesåker was indeed a UFO, based on his own investigation. G.I.C.O.F.F. aims to objectively collect and investigate reports of strange aerial phenomena, seeking natural explanations.
• A brief note mentions that the U.S. Air Force has ceased its investigations into flying saucers, citing that the studies could not be justified by national security or scientific interests.

Book Reviews

• "HAR MÄNSKLIGHETEN EN FRAMTID?" (Does Humanity Have a Future?) by Barry Commoner is reviewed as a factual and sober analysis of humanity's survival prospects, addressing scientific errors, environmental destruction, and the responsibility of scientists and politicians. It suggests cooperation and outlines possible solutions, questioning whether humanity is willing to act before irreversible damage occurs.

• "HOT MOT VAR VÄLFÄRD" (Threat to Our Welfare) by Professor Georg Borgström is summarized as a critical look at Sweden's current situation regarding natural resources. It argues that the "welfare" enjoyed by affluent nations is built on a fragile foundation, with nature being depleted by short-sighted planning and exploitation.

• "FLUORIDERING EN HÄLSOFARA" (Fluoridation a Health Hazard) is mentioned in relation to the ongoing debate about adding fluoride to drinking water for caries prevention. The review points to odontologist Dr. Gunnar Bergström's book "Attio maximal-doser" (1968), which warns against water fluoridation and suggests business interests are behind it.

• "THX-DOKTORNS BOK" (The THX Doctor's Book) reviews Elis Sandberg's book "THX." The reviewer, Nils-Olof Jacobson, expresses skepticism about Sandberg's statistical methods and diagnostic approach, particularly concerning his treatment of anxiety neuroses. However, Jacobson acknowledges the remarkable case histories presented in the book, including apparent recoveries from severe conditions like cancer and blindness attributed to THX. He argues that despite the lack of clear scientific explanation and the unconventional source (a veterinarian), the reported effects warrant objective investigation by hospitals, especially given Sandberg's claim of being denied such research.

Animal Experimentation

The cover story, "FÖRSÖKSDJUREN" (Experiment Animals), is introduced on page 23. The article discusses the ethical implications of using animals in research. It notes that while scientific progress is often cited as a justification, the use of animals raises questions about our relationship with other living beings. The text suggests that a deeper understanding of "cosmic philosophy" and a sense of interconnectedness could lead to a re-evaluation of such practices. The article implies that the current approach to animal experimentation may be driven by a lack of empathy or a failure to recognize the intrinsic value of animal life. It poses the question of whether humanity is truly acting as the "crown of creation" when it subjects other beings to suffering for its own perceived benefit.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes critical thinking, advocating for a rational and evidence-based approach to understanding the world. There is a strong undercurrent of pacifism and a critique of militarism, evident in the coverage of U Thant and Thor-Leif Dahnielson. The publication also shows a keen interest in alternative health practices and a questioning of established scientific or medical orthodoxies, as seen in the discussions on Yerba Matte, "THX," and fluoridation. The overall editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging readers to question societal norms, think independently, and consider ethical implications, particularly concerning peace, human well-being, and the treatment of other living beings. The theme of "cosmic philosophy" suggests a spiritual or holistic perspective informing some of the content.