Sokaren - 1973 No 06

Magazine Overview

Title: SÖKAREN
Issue: NR6
Date: 1973

This issue of Sökaren, a Swedish publication, features a prominent article on the ancient mystery cult of Mithraism, titled "MITHRASKULTEN I ANTIKEN" (The Mithraic Cult in Antiquity) by Olle Hjern. The cover image depicts a Mithraeum (Mithraic temple) in Rome.

Mithraism in Antiquity by Olle Hjern

The article by Olle Hjern provides a comprehensive overview of Mithraism, exploring its origins, spread, practices, and eventual decline.

Origins and Spread

During the period of the Roman Empire's expansion and the rise of Christianity, the Mediterranean region was a melting pot of diverse religious beliefs. Alongside established state religions, numerous mystery cults flourished, drawing adherents from various backgrounds. The cult of Mithras, originating from ancient Persia, was one of the most significant of these mystery religions.

Mithras, the god of covenants, justice, and righteousness, was believed to be an all-seeing celestial deity. The cult's origins are traced to the worship of the Iranian and Indian god Mithra. Early worship was likely associated with bull cults, symbolizing the "primordial bull" that created life. This practice may have been at odds with the teachings of the Persian prophet Zarathustra.

The article suggests that the "Magi," the priestly class in ancient Iran, were key proponents of this religion. These Magi were interested in astrology and were known to follow a star, as mentioned in the New Testament, to find the newborn savior.

The Hellenistic-Roman mystery god Mithras retained strong military associations, suggesting the cult initially organized among soldiers. It is believed that remnants of Mithradates' army, a ruler who resisted Rome, may have introduced the cult to areas like Cilicia. After Pompey's campaigns, captured soldiers brought the Mithraic mystery cult to Rome, where it gained considerable attention.

Practices and Symbolism

The true flourishing of Mithraism occurred between the 2nd and 4th centuries AD, with temples established in most major cities of the Roman Empire, especially in military centers. Archaeological evidence of Mithraic temples exists in places like Dura-Europos (Syria), Rome, Ostia (Italy), and London and Newcastle-on-Tyne (England).

Mithraic temples were typically small, fostering a sense of community among initiates. They were often built in the form of caves, a practice that later influenced the construction of early Christian churches. The cult emphasized military virtues such as courage, endurance, truthfulness, and social responsibility.

Mithras was depicted as a divine mediator between the celestial sun and earthly communities. Emperors sometimes associated themselves with the sun god and Mithras. Emperor Aurelian even promoted sun worship as a state religion in the late 3rd century AD.

At the center of each Mithraic temple was an image of Mithras performing his central act: slaying the bull. This act symbolized the renewal of life and the cosmic creation. The cult's mythology depicted a transition from chaos to cosmos, with Mithras as the divine hero bringing order. He was often shown emerging from a rock (the "birth stone") and was characterized by his Phrygian cap, a knife, and a torch.

The mythology also included scenes of shepherds worshipping the divine child and offering gifts. Mithras's struggle against evil forces (symbolized by a scorpion, ant, and snake) and his pact with the sun god, who bestowed upon him a radiant crown, were also key elements. The bull's sacrifice led to the proliferation of life-giving plants and the transformation of its blood into wine, central to the cult's sacred meals.

Initiation and Degrees

Mithraic initiates underwent a series of seven degrees, as mentioned by church father Hieronymus. These degrees likely involved rigorous trials and spiritual discipline. The article mentions the "taurobolium," a ritualistic baptism in the blood of a sacrificed bull, which was believed to bring about spiritual rebirth ("in aeternum renatus").

The degrees included: Raven, Bridegroom, Soldier, Lion, Persian, Sun-runner, and Father. These stages symbolized a progression towards spiritual enlightenment and overcoming earthly attachments.

Decline and Legacy

The rise of Christianity led to the persecution of Mithraism. By the late 4th century, the cult was largely suppressed. However, Mithraism left a significant mark on Western culture. The concept of the 25th of December as Mithras's birthday (associated with the winter solstice and the increasing daylight) is often cited as a possible influence on the date of Christmas.

The cult's emphasis on the "unconquered sun" (Sol Invictus) and its association with the birth of light also resonated with Christian symbolism. The Mithraic calendar, with its seven-day week named after planets, is believed to have influenced the Western week.

Related Articles and Themes

The issue also includes articles on other related topics:

• "Fallet Barbro Karlén" (The Barbro Karlén Case): This article discusses the controversial case of Barbro Karlén, who claimed to have been Anne Frank in a past life. It examines media reactions and the ethical implications of such claims, particularly in relation to the Holocaust.
• "Den farliga reinkarnationen" (The Dangerous Reincarnation) by Nils-Olof Jacobson: This piece explores the phenomenon of reincarnation memories, cautioning against obsessive pursuit of past lives and highlighting the potential for delusion and psychological distress.
• "SWAMI NARAYANANANDAS BUDSKAP" (Swami Narayanananda's Message) by Claus Oreskov: This article introduces the teachings of Swami Narayanananda, a South Indian yogi and spiritual leader, focusing on his philosophy of self-realization, the practice of "sadhana" (spiritual discipline), and the concept of Kundalini Shakti.
• "TVÅ DAGSEDLAR AV PERCIVAL" (Two Daily Notes by Percival): These are poetic reflections on societal issues, peace, and nature.
• "UTLÄNDSK BOKVANDRING MED ROLAND ADLERBERTH" (Foreign Book Review with Roland Adlerberth): This section reviews several books on popular occultism, UFOs, and related topics, including works by Brad Steiger, Rex Dutta, and reviews of books on UFO sightings in Spain.
• "Intervju med JESUS" (Interview with Jesus): A fictionalized interview with Jesus, presented from a modern perspective, exploring his teachings and their relevance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to focus on themes of spirituality, ancient religions, parapsychology, and alternative philosophies. The editorial stance seems open to exploring these subjects with a critical yet engaged perspective, as evidenced by the detailed analysis of Mithraism and the cautionary notes on reincarnation claims. The inclusion of diverse articles, from historical religious cults to contemporary spiritual leaders and paranormal phenomena, suggests a broad interest in the esoteric and the unexplained.

Title: Sökaren
Issue: No. 6, Volume 10
Date: 1973
Publisher: Sökaren
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish
Cover Headline: FINNS GUD? (Does God Exist?)

This issue of Sökaren magazine, published in 1973, is dedicated to exploring the complex question of God's existence, examining various arguments, critiques, and related phenomena.

Does God Exist? (FINNS GUD?)

The main article, "FINNS GUD?", delves into the multifaceted concept of 'God,' which can represent divine providence, a creator, higher justice, Jesus Christ, or a universal consciousness. It posits that the primary question is whether a God created the universe, with subsequent inquiries focusing on God's attributes like omnipotence and benevolence.

The article highlights the difficulty of definitively answering the question of God's existence, noting that it requires knowledge across various disciplines, including biology, physics, astronomy, philosophy, psychology, and parapsychology. It acknowledges that many intelligent individuals have believed in God, while equally learned individuals have been atheists, leading to the conclusion that the problem remains unsolved.

Swedish Perspectives on God's Existence

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to a report from the Religionssociologiska Institutet in Stockholm, based on 94 letters responding to a 1966 newspaper ad asking for proofs of God's existence. The respondents were predominantly women (60%), with a notable percentage belonging to Jehovah's Witnesses (26%).

• Several classic arguments for God's existence are presented:
• Physico-theological argument: The idea that the purposefulness and beauty of the world point to an intelligent creator. This was the most popular argument among respondents, cited by 13 individuals. Philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Tertullian, Augustine, Leibniz, and Wolff are mentioned as proponents.
• Moral or ethico-theological argument: This argument suggests that moral law and the ethical order of the world imply a divine origin. Seven respondents favored this view, with Calvin and Melanchton cited as supporters. One letter illustrates this with the concept of conscience and intuition guiding difficult decisions.
• Religious experience: 26 respondents emphasized personal religious experience as proof. This includes a sense of God's personal presence and 'spiritual touch.' Some also mentioned external signs like miraculous healings and answered prayers.
• Experimental evidence: Several letters refer to experiments like prayer, Bible reading, and meditation as means to gain personal certainty. Examples include advice to pray for faith and to study the Bible with prayer.
• Biblical references: 13 letters cited the Bible, particularly its prophecies and the existence of Jesus Christ as a testament to God's presence and divine plan.

Some respondents rejected the need for proof, aligning with the views of Luther, Kierkegaard, and Barth, stating that faith must come first, followed by understanding.

Teleology and Biological Arguments

The article explores teleology, or arguments from design, in nature. It questions whether complex biological structures, like the trapping mechanism of the sundew (Drosera) or the bee's venom production, could have arisen solely through random chance and natural selection, as proposed by Jacques Monod in "Slump och nödvändighet" (Chance and Necessity). The author suggests that the intricate coordination and purposefulness observed in biological systems might imply an underlying intelligence.

An excerpt from W. B. Cannon's "Kroppens visdom" (The Wisdom of the Body) is included, detailing the remarkable healing processes within internal organs, which are difficult to explain through evolutionary training alone. The article also highlights the unique property of water, which is densest at +4°C, preventing lakes from freezing solid and thus preserving aquatic life – a phenomenon that could be interpreted as a deliberate design for life.

Critiques of Atheism and Materialism

The magazine questions whether the phenomena of parapsychology (telepathy, clairvoyance, psychokinesis) can be reconciled with a purely materialistic worldview. It notes that individuals who adhere to atheistic-materialistic views often resist parapsychological research. The work of engineer George de la Warr and his concept of an 'organizational force field' is mentioned as potentially supporting a non-materialistic aspect of life.

Book Reviews and Related Topics

• The issue features reviews of several books:
• "Secrets of the Great Pyramid" by Peter Tompkins: Praised for its detailed exploration of the Great Pyramid, pyramidology, and a theory suggesting advanced ancient astronomical and geodetic knowledge.
• Danish editions of Nostradamus and Flammarion: Reviews of "Den rigtige Nostradamus' spådomune" and "Flammarions Spådomune om verdens undergang," focusing on prophecies and doomsday predictions.
• "Red Tree" by Christine Hayes: A book offering insights into the lost continents of Mu and Atlantis, presented as a history of humanity spanning over eight million years, though criticized for its narrative style and geographical inaccuracies.
• "The Hollow Earth" by Eric Norman: A review of theories about subterranean civilizations and hollow earth concepts.
• Works by John Macklin: Books like "Beyond All Reason" and "Caravan of the Occult" are described as collections of ghost stories and occult tales.
• Works by Hans Holzer: Reviews of "Charismatics" and "Psychoecstasy," criticizing Holzer for shifting from documented paranormal investigations to self-help and occult practices.
• "Prophets Without Honor" by Max Hassel: A collection of famous prophecies.
• "Folklore of the Ulster People" by Sheila St. Clair: A positive review of a book on Irish folklore, including banshees, customs, and folk remedies.

Other Sections

• Contact: A section for readers to connect with others interested in life philosophy and parapsychology.
• Letters (BREV): A letter from Per Ragnar addresses a previous discussion about a mummy in Kemi, clarifying his personal belief that it was not a supernatural phenomenon but rather a historical narrative about reincarnation.
• Donations (GAVOR): A list of reader donations.
• Horoscope: An advertisement for a horoscope calendar.
• Classifieds: Advertisements for a small course/leisure property and a horoscope service.
• Basilius Valentinus: An advertisement for a book on alchemy.
• Scientology: An explanation of Scientology's goals and a recommendation to read L. Ron Hubbard's book "TANKENS GRUNDER."
• Bruno Mertens: An update on plans for a Swedish meditation collective led by Bruno Mertens, seeking land and financial support.
• Opinion Poll: Results of a survey on attitudes towards the Swedish state church, indicating a willingness to belong but a reluctance to pay higher fees.
• Poetry: A poem titled "SKADANDETS TRÄD" (The Tree of Seeing) by Elin Lagerkvist.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the paranormal, ancient mysteries, alternative spiritualities, and philosophical questions about existence. The editorial stance appears to be open to exploring these topics critically, presenting different viewpoints, and encouraging reader engagement, while maintaining a degree of skepticism towards sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims. There is a clear interest in challenging conventional scientific and religious paradigms, inviting readers to consider alternative explanations for phenomena and the nature of reality.

The issue reflects a growing interest in the 1970s in ufology, ancient astronaut theories, and the broader spectrum of spiritual and esoteric thought, alongside traditional theological and philosophical debates.