Sokaren - 1972 No 05

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Läkaren" from 1972, titled "'Hinduism' I WALT WHITMANS DIKTNING" (Hinduism in Walt Whitman's Poetry), is a Swedish-language magazine that delves into the spiritual and philosophical underpinnings of Walt Whitman's work, exploring its connections to Eastern religions, particularly Hinduism. The issue also features a broader discussion on the meeting of different religions and philosophies.

"Hinduism" in Walt Whitman's Poetry

The main article, authored by Brita Rodosi, examines the profound influence of Hindu philosophy on Walt Whitman's poetry, especially his seminal collection "Leaves of Grass" (first published in 1855). The article highlights that Whitman's "Song of Myself" (the first and longest poem in the collection) was an attempt to depict a symbolic human being, who is later identified as Walt Whitman himself. Despite its eventual acclaim as a masterpiece of modern poetry, "Leaves of Grass" initially faced significant criticism and condemnation, with many deeming its content obscene. The article suggests that the positive reception from respected figures like Emerson was crucial for Whitman's early career.

Malcolm Cowley is quoted describing Whitman as "overflowingly gifted as a human being rather than as a poet," and Knut Hamsun, in an essay on the "primitive poet Walt Whitman," suggests that Whitman's book would have been a "fiasco, and it would have deserved it" without Emerson's support.

The article draws parallels between Whitman's ideas and Indian thought, particularly the Upanishads, citing passages like "All that we see is filled with Brahman. All that we do not see is filled with Brahman." Whitman's concept of the self, where "Nothing, not God, is greater to one than one's self," is interpreted as a reflection of the Hindu concept of Atman, the universal soul.

Whitman's belief in the interconnectedness of all beings and his view of the divine immanent in everything are discussed. His poetry is seen as expressing a pantheistic view where God is not separate from creation, aligning with the concept of Brahman in Hindu philosophy. The article also touches upon Whitman's belief in reincarnation and karma, concepts central to Indian religions.

Comparative Religion: The Meeting of Religions

The magazine features a significant section on the dialogue between different religions, presenting interviews with individuals from various faiths. This section explores how different religious traditions can coexist and learn from each other.

Margit Sahlin (Church of Sweden): Sahlin, a church rector, emphasizes the value of dialogue and learning from other faiths. She believes that while Christianity offers the fullness of truth in Jesus Christ, other religions can provide valuable insights, such as meditation techniques from Hinduism and the practical application of love from Quakers. She advocates for open conversations to understand the appeal of other religions, suggesting that a lack of understanding of Christianity itself often leads people to explore other faiths.

Christina Odenberg (Church of Sweden): Director of S:ta Katharinastiftelsen, Odenberg, also highlights the importance of dialogue. She believes that while she holds firm Christian convictions, the search for truth is lifelong. She accepts that individuals from different faiths, like Hindus and Baha'is, can find their own paths to truth, but emphasizes that Christ is the core of the Christian message and the ultimate revelation of God's nature. She believes it is her duty to share this understanding while also learning from others.

Gunnar Gällmo (Buddhist): Gällmo, secretary of the Society for Buddhist Information, clarifies that Buddhists do not engage in "mission" but rather in spreading awareness of Buddha's teachings. He expresses skepticism towards Christian missionary efforts, viewing them as driven by ulterior motives. He notes that while dialogue is desirable, some Christian groups are unwilling to engage on equal terms, citing the Baha'i community's difficulties in securing Christian participation in interfaith events. Gällmo argues that Buddhism is superior to Christianity due to its rejection of violence, contrasting it with the Christian emphasis on sacrifice and atonement.

Pratiba Rampal (Hindu): Rampal, a Hindu, believes that all religions fundamentally convey the same message, differing only in their interpretations. She sees no alienation from other faiths and emphasizes that how a person lives is more important than their religious affiliation. She views God as a human construct, or as being present everywhere within individuals rather than in a specific location.

Paul Öjermark (Baha'i): Öjermark explains that the Baha'i faith recognizes all major prophets, including Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad, as divine messengers. He states that Baha'u'llah is the most recent revelation for humanity. He advocates for interfaith coexistence based on brotherly love and mutual respect, rather than proselytization. He believes that all religions share a common spiritual core, but that Baha'u'llah's teachings are the most relevant for the current era. He rejects the concept of physical reincarnation, viewing it as a spiritual rebirth.

Björn Ericsson (Muslim): Ericsson expresses a strong sense of kinship with Jews and Christians, based on the shared belief in one God. He sees Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as sequential revelations of the same divine truth, with Islam being the final one. He views the Baha'i faith as an offshoot of Islam. Ericsson states that Islam does not practice mission in the same way as Christianity and emphasizes the Quran's directive to respect other religions. He believes that religious forms are outdated and that the principle of superiority is incompatible with modern values.

Theodor Katz (Jewish): Katz, a Jewish teacher, prioritizes actions over dialogue, believing that while understanding religious differences can reach a limit, there are no boundaries in practicing religious principles through actions. He sees common ground in moral understanding across religions and believes that people of different faiths can find community through shared values and actions.

Lechard Johannesson (Roman Catholic): Johannesson, who has studied Indian religions, finds significant commonalities between Hinduism and Christianity, particularly in Bhakti devotion and meditation practices. He interprets the Hindu concept of multiple deities as different aspects of a single God. He views the Christian concept of eternal life as analogous to the Hindu concept of Nirvana, both representing a state beyond earthly experience. However, he firmly believes that Christ is uniquely the Son of God, distinguishing Christianity from other religions. He advocates for interfaith dialogue to combat materialism and believes in actively sharing Christian truths.

Other Articles and Features

Yoga-Jonson: Stirring the Spiritual Pot

This section features Bert Jonson, a yoga instructor in Göteborg, who integrates yoga with theater, lectures, and discussions on various spiritual and philosophical topics, including Martinus cosmology, comparative religion, and environmental issues. Jonson emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to yoga, moving beyond mere physical exercise to explore deeper spiritual and existential questions. He also discusses the risks of forced meditation and the importance of a solid foundation in yoga practice.

Book Reviews: Foreign Book Wandering

Roland Adlerberth reviews several books, including Karl F. Kohlenberg's "Enträtselte Vorzeit" (Enigmatic Prehistory), which explores theories of ancient astronauts and alien intervention in human history, and Pieter Coll's "Geschäfte mit der Phantasie" (Business with Fantasy), which critically examines such theories. He also reviews Eric Norman's "Gods, Demons and UFOs" and Timothy Green Beckley's "The Shaver Mystery and the Inner Earth," which delve into more esoteric and speculative topics. Fritz Felbermeyer's "Sagen und Überlieferungen der Osterinsel" (Legends and Traditions of Easter Island) is reviewed for its anthropological insights into Easter Island culture. Finally, Roland Gööck's "Die grossen Rätsel unserer Welt" (The Great Riddles of Our World) is presented as a broad overview of historical and scientific mysteries. The section also includes reviews of books on vampires and Victorian death customs.

Immanuel Kant and the Seer

This article by Birger Qvarnström examines Immanuel Kant's complex relationship with Emanuel Swedenborg. It details Kant's initial interest in Swedenborg's alleged spiritual visions and his correspondence on the matter, as well as his later critique of Swedenborg's writings, particularly "Arcana Caelestia," which Kant described as "madness." The article explores the philosophical and personal reasons behind Kant's shifting views.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes interfaith dialogue, spiritual exploration, and a critical yet open-minded approach to various belief systems and philosophical ideas. There is a clear emphasis on understanding the common ground between different religions while respecting their unique tenets. The editorial stance appears to be one of intellectual curiosity and a desire to bridge divides between diverse spiritual and philosophical traditions, encouraging readers to engage in thoughtful inquiry and personal reflection.

This issue of UFO Investigator, dated July 1971, features a prominent cover story titled "KVÄLLEN DÅ TEFATEN INTE KOM" (The Evening When the Saucers Didn't Come), detailing a peculiar incident involving a claimed UFO encounter that did not materialize. The magazine also includes an investigative report on a Swedish UFO case, "Rapport om 'rymdgläntan'" (Report on the 'Space Clearing'), and an article critically examining religious truth criteria, titled "SM: SANNINGSKRITERIER" (SM: Truth Criteria).

The Evening When the Saucers Didn't Come

The main article recounts an event from February 28, 1968, in Vienna, Virginia, USA, where a man, previously known for claims of contact with extraterrestrials, had invited press and witnesses to observe a spaceship landing. The author, a member of NICAP, attended with a photographer, a journalist, and an astronomer. However, the promised landing did not occur. The man explained that the extraterrestrials had detected a conspiracy among the assembled humans, fearing for their safety and deciding not to land. He claimed that one of the attendees was a traitor, an 'orm' (snake), who intended to harm the visitors.

The atmosphere turned tense and confused, with attendees questioning if they were the traitor. The man, described as tired and with a rough, reddish face, seemed resigned. He stated that the extraterrestrials had communicated this information telepathically. The press, initially eager, began packing up their equipment. The man later claimed he had been attacked by two men with knives, showing an alleged scar on his stomach as proof of this conspiracy.

A group, including the author, moved to a nearby bedroom to examine the scar. The man, appearing tired and detached, unbuttoned his shirt. He claimed the scar was in the shape of a cross. However, upon close inspection, no scar was visible. When asked to point it out, he seemed uncertain. Reporters urged him to show it, and he traced an imaginary cross on his stomach. The film crew then entered, setting up lights and directing the man, who passively complied, becoming a spectacle. The article concludes that the event was a macabre scene, devoid of any actual UFO evidence, and that the man's claims seemed to be a desperate attempt to prevent his guests from leaving.

Report on the 'Space Clearing'

This section, referencing a "G.I.C.O.F.F.-information" from November-December 1971, details an investigation into the 'rymdgläntan' (space clearing) near Ängelholm, Sweden. The report, signed by Alf Tollhag and Sven-Olof Fredrikson, addresses claims made by Eugen Semitjov in the magazine "Allers" about a "flying saucer" sighting by Gösta Carlsson in 1946.

The investigators visited the site and confirmed the presence of a large circle, approximately 8 meters in radius, with two smaller circles and a "fin" marking. They noted that these markings appeared to have been recently dug and filled with fine sea sand. Semitjov had claimed these markings were not present during his visit. Gösta Fasth, who visited the site the day after the "Allers" article was published, confirmed that the markings were dug up at that time. This suggests the digging occurred between Semitjov's visit and Fasth's.

Crucially, the report reveals that aerial photographs taken over the area in 1963 clearly show the circular markings. Further investigation with the National Land Survey provided photographs from 1947, which also show the circles, albeit faintly. However, aerial photographs from 1939 show no such markings in the clearing. This evidence suggests that the phenomenon, or at least the markings, occurred between 1939 and 1947, predating the widespread public awareness of "flying saucers."

A G.I.C.O.F.F. member, Tony Eckhardt, examined the 1939 photograph and confirmed the clearing was empty of circles at that time. The magazine's commentary notes that the concept of flying saucers did not exist 25 years prior to 1947, making it impossible for the markings to have been created as part of a later UFO narrative. While acknowledging that experiences can be embellished over time, the parallels with other cases lead the authors to believe that Gösta Carlsson likely experienced something significant.

SM: Truth Criteria

This article, written in Swedish, critically examines the basis of Christian belief, arguing that the extraordinary claims made about Jesus and the Bible are not supported by normal standards of evidence. The author contends that the core tenets of Christianity, such as Jesus' virgin birth, miracles, death, and resurrection, are presented without sufficient investigation or corroboration.

The article questions why ordinary criteria for truth do not apply to religion. It points out that claims like the Bible being "God's word" or Jesus being "God's only begotten son" are presented as ideas or interpretations rather than proven facts. The author argues that the resurrection claim, in particular, should be viewed with skepticism, suggesting that apparent resurrections are more likely cases of mistaken death (skendödstillstånd).

The article concludes by stating that if normal truth criteria were applied to religious matters, the tenets of Christian dogma would be impossible to accept.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue demonstrates a strong investigative and skeptical stance towards UFO phenomena, particularly evident in the detailed debunking of the Virginia incident and the thorough historical analysis of the Swedish "rymdgläntan" case. The magazine appears to prioritize factual evidence and logical reasoning, even when examining claims of extraterrestrial contact. Furthermore, the inclusion of the "Truth Criteria" article indicates a willingness to critically examine deeply held beliefs, including religious ones, suggesting an editorial stance that values rational inquiry and challenges conventional assumptions across various domains.