- PERSPECTIVE -

- EVERYONE SEEMS NORMAL UNTIL YOU GET TO KNOW THEM! -

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Thursday, February 14, 2008

The Church of Allan. The evolution of religion. Part 3

A serialization of the Book; The Plain Truth About God! @2002

We now believe that cultural and sociological factors play a much bigger role in defining who we are, and where we are headed, than any other single factor.

For example, Tarzan was the king of the jungle. Unfortunately that was the only place he could have been anything since he was raised without any human contact or guidance.

The movies are fine for entertainment. In real life, sociologists tell us that a person growing up without the social and cultural interaction of other human beings would be more animal-like than human in spite of their modern brain.

The process for which we are biologically programmed by nature cannot take place unless subjected to the social and linguistic forces of human culture. Thus, the lack of contact with other members of our species prohibits the onset of logical thinking and reasoning.

It is a widely accepted fact that infants depend on the care and example of adults much more, and for a longer period than any other species. Without the influence of other human beings to help them form a coherent thought processes and personality development in the early stages of life, these children are unable to relate to anyone at all.

They will always behave in a sub-human way.

There are documented cases, some quite recently, where these “feral children,” who had been bereft of any human contact, used primarily the right half of their brains to function. The lack of interaction with other people and the development of language was necessary for the left (or logical) side of the brain to develop.

Early man had a much simpler way of life than that of people living today.

Modern relationships are more complex than those of thousands, or even hundreds of years ago. Our ancestors lived much as their forbearers did through many generations. Things did not change appreciably over the years and certain rules of conduct were worked out that slowly formed the basis for social interaction.

It was only the increasing rate of change over the last few millennia that started us on the road to being fully human in action as well as appearance.

There are many and varied characteristics that have been proposed over the years for the difference between humankind and the other species. Some might argue it is the use of fire, which separates us from our worldly co-inhabitants.

Others propose the influence of religion in our lives, and still more say it is almost certainly the fact that we have a soul and none of the other living things on this earth are so endowed.

Although the reasons for our differentiation from the “lower” animals are varied, we can go by some basic guidelines. One of the things that seem to be unique among humans is the ability to mentally travel outside of ourselves. To view our surroundings from a perspective other that what we actually see with our eyes.

We seem able to mentally check-up on others and ourselves.

We are not only the product of our feelings, moods and thoughts, but to a great degree we constantly do a “reality check” on how we present ourselves to others.

Then, (here is the good part) how they might see and think of us!

Actually, unless we take “how” we see ourselves into account, we are unable to understand how others see and feel about themselves, or even more importantly, how they feel about us!

Because of our unique human capacity for self-awareness, we not only live in this world, but can also transcend it!

The nature of humans seems to be controlled by three social factors. Independently or in combination, they explain how we relate to the world.

1. Genetic determinism holds that the actions and ways of our ancestors influence our behavior to a large extent.

In other words, if I have a temper, and also my great grandfather, my grandfather and my father all had a temper; it must be hereditary and passed down through the generations.

2. Psychic determinism is based loosely on the theories of Freud, in that “what we are” has a lot to do with how we were brought up.

Whatever happens to you in infancy and childhood governs your personality and character from then on. It regulates things such as our value systems, judgment, and work ethic, or lack thereof!

3. Environmental determinism is the effect of the world around us on our psyche!
What sort of day you will have is a result of the everyday joys and aggravations of living!

The three factors of Genetic, Psychic, and Environmental determinism are the stimuli that govern how we respond to the world.

The lower animals will almost always have the exact same response to certain stimuli.

It is the human trait of having the freedom to choose our response to it by the use of self-awareness that makes people more flexible and unpredictable. Here within this freedom of choice are the endowments that make us uniquely human.

We judge and shade our response to life and living with the implementation of a “conscience.” A sense of right and wrong governed by the principals that shape our behavior.

We also employ “imagination” to step outside the confines of here and now, and a healthy dose of “independent will” so that we can act free of outside influences.

Animals have none of these parameters. Their response to outside stimuli is on a basic level. They are like a pre-programmed computer that relies on instinct and training. They cannot change their programming to any degree because they are not even aware of it.

At the same time, history shows the greatest influences on us are the events and forces that have produced the ever-increasing complexity of modern society. This ability to make change occur is at the heart of humanities long struggle up the evolutionary ladder.

The recent leap to a new and different kind of evolution, life and intelligence, is a road that began many thousands of years ago. It has now turned into something of which our distant ancestors were only dimly aware!

The mere fact that evolution favors the many and is hard on the individual also led to the first human cries of Lebenschmerz…………. or why me!

Since the dawn of our existence, it is this cry in the wilderness and the wonder and mystery of the human condition that eventually led to the advent of self-awareness and free will!

It is no wonder humanity’s united cry is; “Why me!”

To which God answers:

“Because!”

Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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The Church of Allan. The evolution of religion. Part 2

A serialization of the Book; The Plain Truth About God! @2002

Humans began to slowly dominate their environment several hundred thousand years ago, and since then our evolution has been developing at an ever-increasing rate.

This included the high point of the hunter-gatherer communities, the mass killing of herd animals on a many-band or tribal basis.

The hunt, and then the mass hunt, gradually declined as an activity essential to the community about ten thousand years ago with the invention of agriculture. This, and the invention of writing about five thousand years ago, may be taken as the official end to pre-history.

The last part of our long journey from pre-humans to modern man also includes the oldest traces of religion and art. Thus Man the philosopher was born.

The development of the human mind over the last hundred thousand years led to the unprecedented awakening of a new order and purpose to life that we are only now beginning to fathom. Our position with regard to the other animals centers around two apparently contradictory truths.

One is that we have much in common with them, indeed even more than is generally realized. At the same time, we represent an entirely different order of being that has never before been seen on this planet.

All species, with only the recent exception of humanity, evolved by a process of mutation and natural selection. This came about through the changes in inherited genes that were duplicated repeatedly during successive divisions of cells following the fertilization of an egg.

The duplication process at work on the molecular level of cells turns out millions of copies of itself within close biological tolerances. This process ensures a kind of natural conservatism that maintains the “status quo” and ensures a distinct and unchanging species.

Powerful biological forces make the cells resistant to change and it is only through the very rare slip-up of the chemical reactions that hereditary traits depart from the master plan that guides one generation of cells to the next.

Eventually a mutation does occur on the genetic assembly line, and although rare, these small discrepancies occur simply because nothing is perfect. The molecule departs in a small way from its inherited blueprint and this is what makes evolution possible.

As we said, Man is not only a different kind of species, but also the pioneer of a very recent and completely new kind of evolution.

But before we get into the reasons we stand apart from the millions of other species that are now alive, or have become extinct over the ages, let us look at the basic workings of evolution that can be demonstrated with a colony of ants.

Adding something poisonous to their environment, such as a pesticide, produces a catastrophic event that will kill off almost all of the millions or even billions of ants.

You will notice that we said almost all of the ants. If they all had identical genes, then they would all die. However, because of genetic error or mutation, we have an effective insurance policy against total disaster. The total population of ants is neither identical nor uniform.

Out of the billions of individuals, there might be a few - a very few - that through a rare combination of mutated or rare genes, will happen to be more resistant to the effects of the pesticide. Therefore, out of a population of a billion ants, the survival of as few as a handful will insure the future of their kind. They will pass on the resistance to that particular poison and give rise to a new population of individuals. Ants that can survive and multiply in what would normally be a deadly environment.

This process is at work in all species, because every population has individuals with a wide assortment of traits that make them capable of adapting to a wide variety of environments.

It must be said that this process plays havoc with the individual. Millions may perish from changes in the environment, climate, or available food supplies. They all die so that a few may progress to a better model of their species.

This in a roundabout way is God at work. Many are sacrificed for the good of the few. The long-term gain however, is the survival of the species.

Evolution works in terms of the entire population. Survival depends on being in the right place, at the right time, with the right genes.

All the living things on this planet, with the exception of humanity, have all the things they need to survive right on and in their bodies. Their genes alone determine what sort, shape, and size, they need to be in the daily struggle for survival.

People, on the other hand, do not only depend on just their genes to get by! They also learn and pass on accumulated knowledge from one generation to the next.

(Learning might play an important role amongst the lower animals, but it is always a one-generational / one-dimensional lesson.)

We, however, are the only animal that takes the accumulated knowledge of all previous generations and then uses this as a foundation to expand and build.

This was the very first step, in the mists of our distant past, which started to set us apart from what we now refer to as the “lower animals.”

The dominate influence of heredity on evolution is that given a reasonably stable environment, the focus is on the status-quo. People on the other hand may use their inherited brains to make their own shelters and weapons, and even their own environment. Learning and traditions acquire a new order of importance.

We can now say that cultural evolution has overtaken the importance of genetic evolution.

The progressive step that made humanity different from the great apes is that we no longer need any outside pressure to bring about change. At some time in the past we ceased to adapt to the world at large in the conventional way and became self propelled, generating our own internal pressure.

In other words, we not only adapt to change, but in our own way we “make” change occur.

Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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CONNECTIONS!

Another in the riveting series about how and why things work the way they do!



Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

GUN VIOLENCE

This was sent in by one of our readers. She makes a good point about violent guns in the States!
Editor -

I am not sure who writes the headlines to articles that come from the Associated Press, but after reading one from an article in yesterday's paper my eyes were opened to a problem I had never heard of. The mental health of our nation's guns.

The headline on page A2 reads: Gun who killed officer said to have mental problems.
With the cuts in the mental health budget I suppose that mentally ill guns have fallen through the cracks.

Can't anything be done? If this goes on, won't there be more gun violence. My friends and family have been talking about what needs to be done on a grass roots level.

Thank you for opening our eyes to this problem.

Samantha Weiland

Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site http://www.god-101.com/

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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The Great Trivia Contest, or, Ya Don't Say!

The phone rings and a guy answers it. "Hello! Ya! Ya don't say.......ya don't say...... ya don't say ............ YA DON'T SAY! O.K. Goodbye."

His buddy says; "Who was that?"

He replies; "I don't know! He didn't say!"

With that I probably lost a few readers but the joke is so stupid I find it outright hilarious! (Especially when Sid Ceasar says it!)

Be that as it may kids, it's time for the Great Triva Contest!

And what do you have to do, pray tell? GUESS WHO SAID THIS! (Or what movie it's from.)

I don't expect you to get them all (50) but the person who gets the most by the end of the week wins a free copy of my book! (No expenses spared on this site eh!!!!)

Mail me your answers, allanjanssen@rogers.com READY? SET? GO!

-"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse."
-"Here's looking at you, kid."
-"I wish I knew how to quit you."
-"You talking to me?"
-"I want these motherf---ing snakes off this motherf---ing plane."
-"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."
-"I'll be back."
-"My mama always said, 'Life was like a box of chocolates...........
-"Get busy living or get busy dying."
-"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."
-"Don't knock masturbation. It's sex with someone I love."
-"I could've been a contender."
-"Do I make you horny?"
-"As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster."
-"Show me the money."
-"You're gonna need a bigger boat."
-"E.T. phone home."
-"I see dead people."
-"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore."
-"I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."
-"If you build it, they will come."
-"Go ahead. Make my day."
-"Greed, for lack of a better word, is good."
-"I'm the king of the world!"
-"Bond. James Bond."
-"They call me Mr. Tibbs."
-"Snakes! Why did it have to be snakes?"
-"I love the smell of napalm in the morning."
-"Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me."
-"Yippee Ki Yay, motherf---er."
-"They're heeeeere."
-"Get your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!"
-"He slimed me."
-"Houston, we have a problem."
-"Say hello to my little friend."
-"Me Tarzan, you Jane."
-"May the Force be with you."
-"Heeeeeere's Johnny!"
-"I feel the need -- the need for speed!"
-"I'm walking here!"
-"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man."
-"What we've got here is a failure to communicate."
-"The greatest trick the devil ever did was convincing the world he didn't exist."
-"No, Luke, I am your father."
-"Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown."
-"I'll have what she's having."
-"I am big. It's the pictures that got small."
-"Badges" We don't need no stinkin badges!
-"Im afraid, Dave"
AND ONE OF MY FOVORITES!
-"All those moments will be lost in time like tears in the rain. Time to die."

NOTE; NO USING THE INTERNET TO GET THE ANSWERS! MY STAFF IS GOING TO BE MONITORING ALL OF YOU AND ANY CAUGHT CHEATING WILL BE DISQUALIFIED! A dead give away would be if you got them all........... right?

P.S. If you like this blog tell your friends! Allan

Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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CONNECTIONS!

Another in the riveting series about how and why things work the way the do!



Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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The Church of Allan. The evolution of religion. Part 1

A serialization of the Book; The Plain Truth About God! @2002

When the ancestors of humanity made their first tentative journeys from the treetops of Africa down to the savanna at their doorstep, it was a step that made any other human endeavor, before or since, insignificant by comparison.

It was the first and original “Giant leap for mankind.”

Let’s call the leader of one of these groups that made their way to the savanna Urk!

The current thinking is that food was more plentiful on the savanna and that is what brought them out into the open.

Things finally got to the point where Urk and his wife “Lucy” journeyed out onto the plains to make a better life for themselves.

(On a side note, it is interesting to remember that Lucy made her own headlines many years later when scientist discovered her remains and termed her the ‘mother’ of humanity!)

After this, our forbearers lived as one of the great number of species of animals on the African savannas.

The great herds of Africa had a way of life not that far removed from ours. Our ancestors have spent millions of years foraging the savannas as one amongst the many, while we, (modern humans) have only spent only a few thousand years getting to know the ropes of civilization.

The human story is told in broad sweeps. We, in our humble way, were once part of the endless procession of herds and flocks that waited their turn at the watering hole in times of thirst. We came to drink, and occasionally, bolted in panic at the approach of lions or other predators.

Our ancestors of some two to three million years ago were small, hairy, ape-like creatures. Less than human but certainly more than their simian cousins.

They used sticks for digging and clubs for protection as they walked upright through the tall grass of the savanna.

Not only were the clubs protection, (Many carnivores considered hominids a tasty lunch!) but they were also weapons used to supplement their diet of plants and berries with a growing taste for meat.

Coming out of the ancestral forest, where game was scarce at best, to the abundance of herd and grazing animals on the wide plains, men found a whole new world open to them.

As they became bolder and more resourceful men started to compete with other savannah predators. This change to hunting larger animals no doubt had an effect on what was also taking place in our development as a species.

Although small in numbers at first, people spread out and developed to the point where they ranged over large portions of Africa, Southern Europe and points eastward through the Middle East, India, China, and present day Malaysia.

By the time they had migrated to these far away lands, the cooperation that was necessary for big game hunting had also put extreme evolutionary pressures on the wandering tribes.

There was a need to develop larger brains that were capable of the organizational and rudimentary linguistic tasks required for the systematic hunting of large game.

In simpler terms, humanity changed from just “being dinner” to a group of hunters who went and “got dinner.”

This major evolutionary jump was an expansion of the human brain due to increased competition with other animals and a more intricate cooperation amongst the hunters.

It was also during the process of becoming better hunters that we, at the same time, also became more human.

At one time small bands of people lived together mainly for mutual defense against other humans and the larger predators. They were considerably safer in small groups for the purpose of defense, but still-hunted individually when obtaining small game and other food.

With the shift to hunting larger animals, a new level of cooperation was required between the males actually on the hunt and the non-hunters back at home base.

Adult male hunters had to develop ways to work together. This meant a need to communicate more readily, and even more important, to temper their tendency to behave in selfish and self-serving ways.

We can safely say that the rise of Homo Sapiens culture goes hand in hand with the rise of big game hunting.

Not only did the human brain gradually increase in size to handle the complex tasks of organization and co-operation, but it also increased the level of contact with a multitude of individuals.

This necessitated a need to develop a framework of social rules and skills.

Quite simply, the birth of what made us human.............. Culture!

Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

A word to the wise.


First of all I would like to personally thank the Perspective research staf for another fine job they did in coming up with some of these marvelous inventions and ideas that make our life so much easier.

We, as a race, have been around a hundred thousand years, but it's only in the last few that so that we hav shown much creativity in snacking utility items to make the job easier. We will feature one of them here!


Are you fed up with bringing bananas to work or school only to find them bruised and squashed? Banana Guard allows you to safely transport and storage individual bananas letting you enjoy perfect bananas anytime, anywhere.






Now, unfortunately, I have a more difficult job that concerns the entire "Perspective" staff. I hope that for the sake of a pleasant working environment they take this message to heart!


I hope we can all get along and since I know you are all intelligent people, one word to the wise should suffice! Settle down people, the office is starting to look and sound like a three ring circus!

Allan W Janssen

President and CEO

Perspective

Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site http://www.god-101.com/

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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Should I write this or not.

I agonized over whether I should comment about this news story for quite a while for obvious reasons and then I decided to go with a shortened version so I could give a thought at the end. (Try not to cry.)

The story from AP News went like this: (Abbreviated)

Kim Sjostrom wanted a real-life version of the film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," which played in the background as friends fixed her hair and makeup before her own marriage ceremony.

But less than an hour after she and Teddy Efkarpides were wed, Sjostrom crumpled in her husband's arms during a Greek song that means "Love Me."

At 36, Sjostrom was dead from heart disease.

During the couple's first dance, Sjostrom complained of being lightheaded. Efkarpides thought his wife, a diabetic, needed sugar, but she collapsed.

Wedding guests, paramedics and doctors at a nearby hospital were unable to revive her.

She had a previous cardiac episode in her 20s and was a poster child — literally — for juvenile diabetes, relatives and friends said.

Efkarpides recalled seeing the poster featuring her on New York subways.
Now the point I want to make is this! Don't feel too bad for Kim because she died happy!

"Howard" did us a great favor by not letting us know when our time is up, and if Kim went during one of the happiest moments of her life, then none of us could ask for much better.

That's not to say it's not devastating for her family, and especially her husband of 1 hour.

That's where the real tragedy lies, but then it's always the one's left behind that really do the suffering.

I will give two quick examples. When my father died it was a Labor Day weekend and mom and dad had spent a few quite days together in the garden under beautiful late summer weather.

On the Monday afternoon he complained that he didn't feel too well.

My mother asked if he wanted to go to the hospital to get checked and to her surprise he said yes!

She drove him to emergency and dropped him off at the front door while she parked the car!

When she got back 1 minute later there was my father, dead on the sidewalk from a heart attack.

We were naturally devastated, and with the shock of such a sudden death I vaguely remember going on a four day drunk to try and get it out of my mind.

I didn't sober up till after the funeral, but weeks later after much deliberation and contemplation, I came to the realization the my dad was one lucky guy.

He had lived happy and healthy into his seventies, and then died a quick and painless death!

That my friends is the most any of us can hope or pray for.

My wife, on the other hand, has terminal Lymphoma and she almost died once already about 10 months ago.

This is a strange disease that leaves the victim and the family hanging in the air because you don't know if she is going to live another couple of years or another couple of weeks. The strain of not knowing is incredible and you get to the point where you just cope the best you can and take that old "one day at a time!"

Each of us has to face our own death alone, as the old saying goes, and the best any of us can hope for is a quick and easy death.

I personally hope I go like my uncle, who died peacefully in his sleep..... not screaming in terror like his passengers.

Your humble servant;
Allan W Janssen

Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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The Church of Allan. Reflections on the Human Condition!

A serialization of the Book; The Plain Truth About God! @2002

Humanity is on an incredible journey of which we are only now slowly becoming aware.

Whether our universe has been around for seven thousand or more than ten billion years is not relevant to this journey, this book, or people in general.

Let me explain; the common thinking now is that our universe is some ten to fifteen billion years old, with the most likely figure somewhere around thirteen and a half billion.

Meanwhile, the thought, (sorry, the belief) among some North American Fundamentalist Christians is that we are some seven thousand years on this planet and no more!

Although this line of thinking is patently absurd, it really has nothing to do with the basic reason we are here. Or, why so many people devote so much of their time to wondering about it.

It is the mere fact that we can, and do wonder about it, that sets us apart from all the other creatures of this planet.

As far as we know, not even the great apes, dolphins, whales, dogs, cats, or any other living thing has ever given even the slightest thought to our reason for being!

** You will never hear fido say to you, “What’s it all about - Alfie?”

People, on the other hand, spend an inordinate amount of time and effort on the question of purpose. So much so, that it seems to influence almost every aspect of not only our lives, but also everything around us.

It is a feeling everyone has felt at some time or other, to a greater or lesser degree. These are but small examples of the Divine spirit of God that is within us all.

There are many grand and spectacular wonders to be seen no matter where we look.

Nevertheless, it is the quiet affirmation of a loving God, and that sense of peace and tranquility, that is a constant reminder that we are not alone!

After all is said and done, the crux of the matter is that we do not want to be alone with the knowledge of our own mortality.

There is a basic human belief that is a common denominator among every culture and group on this planet. It is a sense that in a universe this grand, and even overpowering, there is a purpose to it all. We cannot imagine that we are here by random chance or luck and that our existence is dependant upon a simple roll of the dice!

**”God not only plays dice with the universe, He sometimes throws the dice where they cannot be seen.” - Steven Hawking

When viewed from space our planet is in stark contrast with everything else we have so far observed. Yes, we are minuscule in comparison to the rest of the universe, and no, we are not at the physical centre of things as was once believed.

We are however, central to creation in a very special way.

We, alone as human beings, are able to look out at the rest of creation and reflect upon it.

Whether anyone else on some other planet is in the position to observe and reflect upon this majestic universe is unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Sure, it would make it a little less lonely if there were other intelligences' out there, but the mere fact that our planet Terra is a harbor of self-awareness makes us a very rare and precious jewel in the vast empty reaches of the universe.

** “I AM.” – GOD”
**” I Think, Therefore I am.” -Descartes
**” I yam what I yam, and that’s all what I yam.” – PopeyeAll the different worlds we have studied seem bereft of life. Terra, on the other hand, is recognized as something quite different and out of the ordinary, no matter from what distance it is viewed from.

Terra, through incredible luck or Divine intervention, is not only just the right distance from the Sun, but has an amazing list of fortunate events that led up to our development. It is beyond imagination, let alone comprehension. It is a list far too long to have happened merely by chance.

Does this mean that we are unique in the universe? No! We are however, certainly so rare that when life does occur, it is to be cherished and celebrated.

There is a feeling of purpose that seems to pervade all of creation.

It is a feeling of connection felt by everyone who has ever lived. It is a feeling that will continue to carry us down through the ages and is a need that is inherent in all of humanity. It is the basis of all our religious beliefs and superstitions.

Since our ancestors first huddled together around a fire so many hundreds of thousands of years ago, we collectively tried to protect ourselves against the dangers and terrors of the world.

Then, with the advent of a rudimentary language, blind acceptance of our lot in life gradually gave way to questioning the meaning to all of the suffering that fell upon us. With the gift of awareness however, also came the curse of knowledge.

The knowledge of our own fate!

By taking the responsibility for life’s hardships from our own shoulders and putting it onto some Higher Power, Humanity’s misfortunes became easier to accept. “It’s not our fault,” became the haunting cry of humanity as it echoed down through the millennia!

The concept of a Supreme Being, whose pleasure / displeasure could influence how life treated us, was a thought that gradually evolved over time. When we had a feeling that we were being punished for some presumed misdeed, like a small child that was being admonished, we could make it right again with the proper thought or attitude!

If this great God, or many gods for that matter, could be appeased, then it put us into a position where we finally had some measure of control over the worst that life could throw at us.

Sure life was tough. Our fate hinged on the whim of a Deity we could never really know or understand. But, if we followed some simple rules and kept our nose clean, then we would at least have some hope that the human condition would eventually improve. If not in this life, then certainly in the next!

Naturally, our lot in life usually stayed the same, or if anything got even worse! In the natural order of things, events always seemed to go from bad to worse.

If, despite the constant homage and sacrifices made to the Great Spirits, things did not improve, then a crisis of confidence would develop.

This meant some other means of comfort was required and this is where early humans developed one of the most remarkable and insightful theories about how the world works.

By showing how well we could suffer and still carry on, we showed the gods our courage, tenacity, --- and above all, our Faith!

Everyone soon realized that our willingness to suffer for a higher cause was all that was required of us to gain the promise of reward at some time in the future.

“Voila,” the afterlife was born.

Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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CONNECTIONS!

Another explanation on how and why things work the way they do, and how they are connected in the most surprising way!



Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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Monday, February 11, 2008

Insurgents

I've had a few people in the last few weeks ask to see this again, so why not!


Funny Terrorist Interview! - Click here for more home videos

Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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CONNECTIONS!

Another in the riveting series about how and why things work the way the do!



Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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Sunday, February 10, 2008

They did WHAT!

Normally I am going to try and keep The Church of Allan out of social issues and just concentrate on explaining our doctrine and creed, but this issue goes so far out of line that I am going to line up behind the mainstream churches.

(You know........ the one's with members!)

As we all know, California is where everything that is loose rolls to whenever America tilts a bit.

This has been happening for years but the latest episode makes even liberal minded, seen everything and done everything Allan shake his head in disbelief!

Although the term "Mom" and "Dad" have not been banned per se, as the more radical right would have us believe, what has happened is almost as bad.

We are talking about Senate Bill 777 which states that ALL descriptions of parents and care givers have to be used to avoid discrimination! (It requires only positive portrayals of homosexual, bisexual, transgender and other alternative lifestyle choices.)

The law itself technically bans in any school texts, events, class or activities or ANY discriminatory bias against those who have chosen alternative sexual lifestyles, Meredith Turney, legislative liaison for Capitol Resource Institute, said!

What this means is there has been a gradual erosion of family values by increments.

"First, the law allowed public schools to voluntarily promote homosexuality, bisexuality, and Transsexuality.

Then, the law required public schools to accept homosexual, bisexual, and transsexual teachers as role models for impressionable children.

Now, the law has been changed to effectively require the positive portrayal of homosexuality, bisexuality, and Transsexuality to six million children in California government-controlled schools," said Randy Thomasson, chief of the Campaign for Children and Families.
Now here comes the paradox in this whole mess in this quote from Meredith.

There are no similar protections for students with traditional or conservative lifestyles and beliefs, however.

Offenders will face the wrath of the state Department of Education, up to and including lawsuits.

"SB 777 will result in reverse discrimination against students with religious and traditional family values. These students have lost their voice as the direct result of Gov. Schwarzenegger's unbelievable decision.

The terms 'mom and dad' or 'husband and wife' could promote discrimination against homosexuals if a same-sex couple is not also featured," she said.
Karen England, chief of CRI, told WND that the law is not a list of banned words, including "mom" and "dad."

But she said the requirement is that the law bans discriminatory bias and the effect will be to ban such terminology.

"Having 'mom' and 'dad' promotes a discriminatory bias. You have to either get rid of 'mom' and 'dad' or include everything when talking about parental issues," she said.

"The promoters of sexual alternative lifestyles consider that discriminatory.

Now children will be told that their sexual orientation and gender are relative, too. No longer will children raised in these schools understand that we were made male and female with different, but complementary roles.

Instead, children will be taught that sexual orientation and gender are merely a matter of personal choice," he said.

"Thus, children will be told that because there are many sexual orientations and gender identities, they simply have to reach their own conclusions about which sexual orientation and gender 'possibilities' are 'right for them.'

Along with this will come the message that you really can't tell whether you like something unless you have tried it.

The likely consequences of this for children, the institution of the family, our churches, and our culture are horrendous," he said.
I myself have said repeatedly that gender preference has no effect on me since I have straight, queer, and weird friends and even an alien or two, but what I object to is the misinformation that the gay community disseminates in order to gain greater acceptance.

The best example of this is false statistics they keep throwing out that 10% of the population is homosexual since this would make it more mainstream and acceptable than the 2 or 3% percent it really is. (Actually it's 2.5%)

NOW GET THIS......Officials with the Gay-Straight Alliance Network and the Transgender Law Center already have outlined what they believe to be nondiscriminatory treatment in the school system.

"If you want to use a restroom that matches your gender identity … you should be allowed to do so," the groups advise. "Whenever students are divided up into boys and girls, you should be allowed to join the group or participate in the program that matches your gender identity as much as possible."

Further, the groups advise, "If you change your name to one that better matches your gender identity, a school needs to use that name to refer to you."

The advocacy group also warns schools against bringing parents into any such discussion with students.
The California plan still is facing a court challenge on its constitutionality and a possible vote of the people of California if an initiative effort succeeds but I wonder when someone is going to yell "I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE." (Thank you Peter.)


You realize that all this started when some asshole said it was child abuse to spank your kid!


Your "sometimes I wish it was the plain and simple 50's again" scribe;
Allan W Janssen

Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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Dear President Bush.

Dear President Bush;

I have been doing some research for my blog publication "Perspective" (http://god-101.blogspot.com ) and in my studies of the war of 1812, (You know, the last time we had a tiff!) I found out that even though you guys started it, we Canadians went a little to far by marching into Washington itself and burning down the White House and most of the town.

As a typical Canadian this seems a little drastic to me and if it's not too late I would like to apologize for our overzealousness since we are now the best friends we each have.

I realize that some people here in Canada are still miffed about the war and as a result have invaded and taken over most of Hollywood and some of the music industry, but after all, business is business..... right?

Anyway, just wanted you to know we should stay friends.

By the way, I see you've re-built the White House............. it's very nice!

P.S. Who is the asshole who suggested you put up a wall between Canada and the U.S.?

Kindest Regards

Allan W. Janssen
London, Ontario

Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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Sunday Morning Funnies #36

A SIGN OF THE TIMES!

Sign over a Gynecologist's Office:
"Dr. Jones, at your cervix."
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In a Podiatrist's office:
"Time wounds all heels."
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On a Septic Tank Truck:
Yesterday's Meals on Wheels
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At a Proctologist's door:
"To expedite your visit please back in."
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On a Plumber's truck:
"We repair what your husband fixed."
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On another Plumber's truck:
"Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber.."
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On a Church's Billboard:
"7 days without God makes one weak."
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At a Tire Shop in Milwaukee :
"Invite us to your next blowout."
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At a Towing company:
"We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."
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On an Electrician's truck:
"Let us remove your shorts."
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In a Nonsmoking Area:
"If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."
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On a Maternity Room door:
"Push. Push. Push."
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At an Optometrist's Office:
"If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."
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On a Taxidermist's window:
"We really know our stuff."
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On a Fence:
"Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!"
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At a Car Dealership:
"The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment."
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Outside a Muffler Shop:
"No appointment necessary. We hear you coming."
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In a Veterinarian's waiting room:
"Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"
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At the Electric Company
"We would be delighted if you send in your payment.
However, if you don't, you will be."
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In a Restaurant window:
"Don't stand there and be hungry, Come on in and get fed up."
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In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
"Drive carefully. We'll wait."
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At a Propane Filling Station:
"Thank heaven for little grills."
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And don't forget the sign at a Chicago Radiator Shop:
"Best place in town to take a leak.
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On top of religious themes and humor and comments on life in general, this blog does get political at times, since here in Canada we are so pre-occupied with America and it's politics, customs, culture, idiosyncrasies etc.

As a matter of fact, for a Canadian publication that attempts to cater to a world-wide readership, we usually spend most of our time writing about American stuff, so when I ran across this piece it only seemed appropriate that we balance things out a bit.

Especially since Americans in general know so little about Canada, who happens to be your closest neighbor, best ally, biggest trading partner (by far) and in spite of some differences....... your biggest supporter and cheerleader! (Note; There will be a small personal comment at the bottom of these and I would appreciate some responses from Americans. Thank You!)

Here are some reasons to be proud to be Canadian:

1. Smarties
2. Crispy Crunch, Coffee Crisp
3. The size of our footballs fields and one less down
4. Baseball is Canadian
5. Lacrosse is Canadian
6. Hockey is Canadian
7. Basketball is Canadian
8. Apple pie is Canadian
9. Mr. Dress-up kicks Mr. Rogers ass
10. Tim Hortons kicks Dunkin' Donuts ass
11. In the war of 1812, started by America, Canadians pushed the Americans back...past their 'White House'. Then we burned it...and most of Washington, under the command of William Lyon McKenzie who was insane and hammered all the time. We got bored because they ran away, so we came home and partied...Go figure..
12. Canada has the largest French population that never surrendered to Germany.
13. We have the largest English population that never ever surrendered or withdrew during any war to anyone, anywhere.
14. Our civil war was a bar fight that lasted a little over an hour. (True, really!)
15. The only person who was arrested in our civil war was an American mercenary, who slept in and missed the whole thing... but showed up just in time to get caught.
16. Contrary to American claims, the telephone is a Canadian invention.
17. The Hudsons Bay Company once owned over 10% of the earth's surface and is still around as the worlds oldest company.
18. The average dog sled team can kill and devour a full grown human in under 3 minutes.
19. We still know what to do with all the parts of a buffalo.
20. We don't marry our kin-folk.
21. We ALL have frozen our tongues to something metal and lived to tell about it.
22. A Canadian invented Superman.
23. Just SOME of the things we invented - ski-doos, jet-skis, velcro, zippers, insulin, penicillin, zambonis, the telephone, Pablum: radio broadcasting, snowmobile, Trivial Pursuit, paint roller, farm Combine, zipper, heart pacemaker cobalt bombs and of course…….. CANADIAN BEER!

BUT MOST IMPORTANT!
24. The handles on our beer cases are big enough to fit your hands with mitts on. OOOoohhhhh Canada!!

Oh yeah... our elections only take one day and I see you've re-built the White House, ......it's very nice!

O.K. On a personal note; I realize the U.S. has a problem with border security and illegal immigrants so they are building a fence along the Mexican-American border.

This seems a bit drastic to me since the Mexicans are doing all the jobs that ordinary US citizens don't want to do but then I'm only giving a third party opinion.

However, there are some asshole, idiotic, stupid, tunnel visioned politicians (mostly from the southern states) that actually suggest putting a FENCE between Canada and the US as well!

These idiot don't realize that this border has the largest bilateral trade in the WORLD as well as the most tourist traffic of both countries. For example, Florida has NO native Floridians........ the population is 60% Spanish and 40% Canadian. (How about a trade? Quebec for Florida!)

Please leave a comment on what you think of these ideas and take the polls to the left.

Thanks
Allan

OH YEA, I almost forgot! We have also almost completed our take over of the American entertainment industry!

It started many, many years ago with such advanced scouts as Marie Dressler, Glenn Ford, Walter Huston, Louis B. Mayer, Mary Pickford, Ruby Keeler, Mack Sennett,Jack Warner, and Fay Wray.

Then, after preperations were complete the actual invasion and take-over started with Lorne Green and Paul Anka in the fifties and advanced until today we control most of Hollywood and a good part of the music Industry. (RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!)


Allan W Janssen is the author of the book The Plain Truth About God (What the mainstream religions don't want you to know!) and is available at the web site www.God-101.com

Visit the blog "Perspective" at http://God-101.blogspot.com

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