Fresh Air and Sunshine

The Solution to the Pandemic Causing Panic and Pandemonium

April 3, 2020

Latest Statistics supplied by Worldometer relating to the COVID-19 cases, globally. Worldometer is run by an international team of developers, researchers, and volunteers with the goal of making world statistics available in a thought-provoking and time relevant format to a wide audience around the world. It is published by a small and independent digital media company based in the United States.

Facts
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the name given to the 2019 novel corona virus. SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was first identified in 2003. SARS-CoV was believed to be from an animal host (civet cats and most likely bats), and was identified to infect humans in 2002, in Guangdong, China.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the corona virus are positive-stranded RNA viruses with a crown-like appearance under an electron microscope (coronam is the Latin term for crown) due to the presence of spike glycoproteins on the envelope. The subfamily Orthocoronavirinae of the Coronaviridae family (order Nidovirales) classifies into four genera of CoVs… Members of this large family of viruses can cause respiratory, intestinal, liver, and neurological (brain) diseases in different animal species, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. To date, seven human CoVs (HCoVs) — capable of infecting humans — have been identified. Some of HCoVs were identified in the mid-1960s, while others were only detected in the new millennium.1

Anatomy of the SARS-CoV-2
(Picture Source: Manuel Bortoletti on The Economist website)

The ‘Threat’ Factor
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) estimates that between 15,000 and 75,000 people die prematurely due to causes associated with seasonal influenza infection each year in the EU, the UK, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This is approximately 1 in every 1 000 people who are infected. Despite the relatively low mortality rate for seasonal influenza, many people die from the disease due to the large number of people who contract it each year. The concern about COVID-19 is that, unlike influenza, there is no vaccine and no specific treatment for the disease. It also appears to be more transmissible than seasonal influenza. As it is a new virus, nobody has prior immunity, which means that the entire human population is potentially susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.2

Thank God for History!
In 1918, a similar worldwide pandemic broke out known as the Spanish Flu. It was caused by the H1N1 virus which was genetically linked to birds. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), estimations range around 500 million people became infected with this virus globally. Additionally, the number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million, worldwide.3

Two of the unfortunate places to be during the 1918 pandemic, were military barracks and troop-ships. Overcrowding and bad ventilation put soldiers and sailors at high risk of catching influenza and the other infections that followed.

When the 1918 Pandemic plagued the East Coast of the United States of America, Boston city in particular was greatly affected. In response the national State Guard set up an emergency hospital; taking the worst cases among sailors on ships in Boston harbour. The hospital’s medical officer had noticed the most seriously ill sailors had been in badly-ventilated spaces. So he gave them as much fresh air as possible by putting them in tents. And in good weather they were taken out of their tents and put in the sun. At this time, it was common practice to put sick soldiers outdoors. Open-air therapy, as it was known, was widely used on casualties from the Western Front. And it became the treatment of choice for another common and often deadly respiratory infection of the time; tuberculosis. Patients were put outside in their beds to breathe fresh outdoor air. Or they were nursed in cross-ventilated wards with the windows open day and night. The open-air regimen remained popular until antibiotics replaced it in the 1950s.

Doctors who had first-hand experience of open-air therapy at the hospital in Boston were convinced the regimen was effective. It was adopted elsewhere. It is reported that deaths among hospital patients were reduced to 13 per cent. The Surgeon General of the Massachusetts State Guard stated,
`The efficacy of open air treatment has been absolutely proven, and one has only to try it to discover its value.’ 4

Putting infected patients out in the sun may have helped because it inactivates the influenza virus.5

Nothing New Under the Sun: Go Get Some Fresh Air
To conclude, to those panicking and fiddling around with a face mask and gloves and disinfectants, calm down! Get the necessary sunlight and fresh air. Boost your immune system with lots of dark green leafy herbs (preferably boiled), and start having home gardens to supplement with food (indoor gardens are an option! No excuses please!)

This virus is spreading at a rapid pace. It is a recognizable threat. But unfortunately  as is with all threats, history has already encountered it.
The Great Book declares, ‘Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls…’ (Jeremiah 6:16)

Also, the Bible informs us, ‘He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service (maintenance and trengthening of the immune system) of man…’
(Psalm 104:14)

Stop jumping up and down and buying tonnes of toilet paper. Calm down. Mainstream media is causing panic and chaos (which is what raw information does to people, without logic processing). You use your God-given logic and do your research.

Stay safe everyone. And remember the Creator demonstrated His love for the world that He gave His only Son (His only heir and beloved friend) to live and walk among humanity and offer His life (willingly), a perfect substitute for our death and disease and past mistakes; that whosoever believes and grounds faith in Jesus of the Bible, should not perish but have everlasting life.

References:

  1. Cascella, Rajnik, et al., ‘Features, Evaluation and Treatment Coronavirus (COVID-19)’, National Center for Biotechnology Information, March 20, 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554776/
  2. ‘Q & A on COVID-19’, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 31 March, 2020,
    https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/questions-answers
  3. ‘1918 Pandemic (H1N1 virus)’, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 March, 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-pandemic-h1n1.html
  4. Anon, ‘Weapons against influenza’, American Journal of Public Health October 1918; 8(10): pp. 787–8. doi; 10.2105/ajph.8.10.787
  5. Schuit M, Gardner S, Wood S et al., ‘The influence of simulated sunlight on the inactivation of influenza virus in aerosols’, The Journal for Infectious Diseases January 14, 2020; pp. 221(3):372–378; doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz582

Parenting Tips – for babies

July 22, 2019

Anyone who has had to carry and lull a hysterical toddler to sleep for more than an hour, repeatedly, every single day, knows that the cuteness and the beady adorable eyes soon loses its appeal after the first six months. That moment when you’re rocking that screaming toddler, not knowing what to do – taking into consideration so many factors: unsure whether the child is hungry, going through another teething moment, is in a wet diaper or napkin, or just had a bad dream, and so forth – is one of the most torturing experiences any adult may be obliged to endure in a lifetime. But in acknowledgement of all those sleepless nights and throbbing headaches, here are some super simple tips to get you started off on the right track. Aspiring and planning parents, newbies to parenthood, and grandparents mentoring two soon-to-be parents; this is for you:

Rear up a child correctly from the start, and avoid unnecessary stress
in the years that follow. (Photo: Danielle MacInnes)

Control the feeding content, quantity and frequency

Jumping straight into it, the feeding habits for a young infant within the initial two years of development, reciprocates into an ease and orderly upbringing of the child.

According to Dr. David Benton (Department of Psychology at the University of Swansea in Wales), “In developing countries, there is consistent evidence that the adequacy of diet has lasting implications for cognitive development…In industrialized countries…a few well-designed studies have reported that [varied amounts of] multivitamins and mineral supplementations influence anti-social behaviour and intelligence.”
(Benton, The Influence of Dietary Status on the Cognitive Performance of Children, 2010)

Furthermore, a book entitled Child Guidance by Ellen White, published in 1954, states ‘The importance of training children to right dietetic habits can hardly be overestimated. The little ones need to learn that they eat to live, not live to eat. The training should begin with the infant in its mother’s arms. The child should be given food only at regular intervals, and less frequently as it grows older…Care and regularity in the feeding habits of infants will not only promote health, and thus tend to make them quiet and sweet-tempered, but will lay the foundation of habits that will be a blessing to [children] in the after years.’
(White, Child Guidance, 1954: p. 379)

24/7 Monitoring of the company and location of the child

A few tips from personal experience: young infants and toddlers (right up to the tender age of 6 – 8 years) are vulnerable and easy targets for abuse and mistreatment; be vigilant as to their whereabouts 24/7; who is with them, and who carries or minds them – every single moment of the day.

Better be alert now for the primary stage of their lives and avoid all sorts of nonsense; than wait until they are young adults to hear about their traumatic childhood experience of molestation, or being physically abused by close relatives and friends.

Additionally, teach young toddlers to be self-occupied with appropriate toys, books, or being left to lie down or in a pram for short periods of time. This allows you to have extra fractions of time to do certain tasks while caring for them. But also, avoid isolating the child or negligence for long periods of time. This does not develop healthy emotional characteristics for your child. Also, avoid exposing your young child to excessive or readily available media devices, such as television, computers, smartphones, and other handheld devices.

I find it immature to hear countless parents boasting that their two or three-year-old can open up YouTube and search for ‘Pep pa Pig’ or ‘Shaun the Sheep’ all by their little selves.
With the recent ‘Mo mo will kill you’ episode that unfolded and traumatized thousands of neglected children worldwide, I think there is sufficient reasons as to why parents and guardians should be extra careful around unattended media and ignorance concerning our child’s entertainment. Also, with recent shocking investigations into Netflix child pornography, extra precautions need to be made with young children and entertainment media.

In conclusion, a lot of concerned parents would agree with me that not all so-called children’s shows are innocent and beneficially applicable for their developing toddlers and children.

Hope this information is beneficial to you, and as usual, I appeal to you my blogging kings and queens, drop some feedback  in the comments; or even email us and help us bring you BIG LIFE topics which stimulate awareness and learning.

The Rise of the Cardboard Box

14 July, 2019

The ever convenient cardboard box.
(Photo: chuttersnap)

Ever since its inception, cardboard or paperboards have been used for a wide range of purposes. From packaging containers, artwork, building materials, fashion, and even agriculture. Due to its lightweight mass, durability, efficient handling, and is cheap to manufacture, it is a preferred material in the freight and manufacturing industries.

The earliest known usage of cardboards was in the second century B.C., in the Han Dynasty of ancient China. Mulberry tree bark, dried hemp and other plant fibres were mixed with water, and spread onto a frame. When it had formed a thin tissue, it was then pressed to make paper. The paperboards, as it was referred to, was then used to wrap and preserve foods. [1]

Furthermore, the first documented usage of cardboard packaging was in Germany, in the year 1817. It was used to package the popular board game known as “The Game of Besieging”.    

The first commercial company to begin manufacturing and selling cardboard boxes is the English company, M. Treverton & Son, also in 1817.[2]
Cardboard boxes further evolved in France, in 1840. The cardboard box manufacturing and sales thrived in Valreas, France. It was used to transport silk moths. [3]

The foldable cardboard box was invented in 1890 by Robert Gair; he was a paper printer from Brooklyn, Manhattan in the United States of America.

Some amazing trivia about cardboard boxes are firstly, that there was an area in London, known as the Cardboard box City during the period of 1983 to 1998. Near the Waterloo Train station, it was occupied by hundreds of homeless people. They all lived in cardboard boxes, until they were evicted and re-located by London authorities.

Secondly, another interesting fact about cardboard boxes, the United Kingdom is the highest producer of cardboard boxes. According to cardboardhelp.com, ‘The UK produces 5 billion of cardboard boxes every year. This is equal to a stunning 83 boxes per individual…’ [4]
The cardboard industry in the United Kingdom is believed to be worth £4 billion, and employs close to 30,000 people.

Also, fashion designer Jeremy Scott created a whole collection of cardboard-inspired outfits. This was launched during the 2017 Moschino Fall fashion show in Milan, Italy.

Since the 1980s, cardboard box packaging has almost driven wooden crates to extinction, and the cardboard industry globally is still growing – especially with the ease of online purchasing.
With the inevitable rise in consumerism and urban re-settling, cardboard materials and boxes will continue to stamp its relevance and necessity amongst civilization.

References:
1) Hook, P., & Heimlich, J. E. (2002). Paper and Paper Products: A History of Packaging. Columbus: Ohio State University.

2) Little Known Facts about Cardboard You Didn’t Knew. (2019, July 14). Retrieved from cardboardhelp: http://cardboardhelp.com/little-known-facts-about-cardboard/

3) Sacharow, S., & Griffin, R. C. (1970). Food Packaging: A Guide for the Supplier, Processor, and Distributor. Westport, Connecticut: AVI Publishing Company.

4) Vancluse le Departement. (n.d.). Le musée du Cartonnage et de l’Imprimerie à Valréas. Avignon: Vancluse le Departement.



The God Encounter

Encountering God is not as complicated and so far away, as most of us think.
(Photo: Motoki Tonn)

In his epic manuscript, ‘Where Do We Go From Here – Chaos or Community?’, Martin Luther King Jr. writes in the sixth chapter of the book, entitled ‘The World House’, and I quote: “Every man lives in two realms: the internal and the external. The internal is that realm of spiritual ends expressed in art, literature, morals, and religion. The external is that complex of devices, techniques, mechanisms, and instrumentalities by means of which we live.”

The “internal ” of which MLK discusses is the inner person. The Control Panel; The ‘Who, What, When, Where, Why or How’ foundation of every individual.

With that being said, every mechanism is engineered and constructed for a specific purpose, function and limited durability – as it is with human beings. We are not the conception, or the intermediate offshoot of an ongoing evolution. Organised religion is the result of vast collections of people realising this and responding in their own customised perceptions and rituals. But despite the colour and variability in all of these, the common reasoning – which is all things are created with purpose and a definitive function – affirms the undeniable, that there is an Absolute One Truth. And There is an Absolute God. The plurality or singularity of this God is a separate issue (one that I may discuss in the future, exclusively).

Most people agree that it’s wrong to steal, murder, rape, and disrespect and/or assault another human being. These morals are universal. Therefore, there must be a Universal Ultimate. With that being said, there are two possibilities that can result from this universal ultimate; it’s either all truths are true, or there are just multiple versions and perceptions of the One Particular Truth. And I articulate that the latter is the most likely. Please understand, this is not discriminatory or segregation; it is just plain reasonable logic.

Understanding this basic concept, though it may not be identified clearly, drives the human urge to acquire moral perfection. A personal endeavour to appease this Divine Authority, with the limited abilities and resources available in our means. There is either going to be a final outburst of discovering self-inability to attain righteousness, and finally resign the effort altogether; or, evolve into a person of self-righteousness and self justification.
All religions teach “do and don’t do” to gain a favourable impression and approval from God. But only the Bible proclaims that we can only attain reconciliation with God, not by any holy performance, lest any person should boast; but by the simple confession of personal moral imperfection, and a realisation of the personal capacity of limited abilities. Then following that, there is an urgent request for the removal of the guilt and shame; and the imparting of a spiritual anointing to supernaturally empower a resistance to evil, and its diverse appeal to our lusts; and resulting ultimately in gradual destruction. Fortifying the mind with evidences and life lessons from the Bible now becomes the foundation to “keeping the faith”. It is also important to understand, the God of the Bible invites individuals to a development of an intimate relationship. The Bible is the profile and history of the unchanging, ever-loving Creator God.

The Ten Commandments is then the marriage covenant between a person and God. It is the “please don’t, coz I won’t” summary of the mutual trust between God and an individual.

In conclusion, God is a personal and relatable Divinity. Not a deity that requires human obsession and radicalism, but an intimate God, “not willing that any should perish, but that all might come to repentance.”

If you like the stories you’ve read, and it motivates, provokes analysis, inspires you to search for the answers to Life’s Big Questions, please leave a comment, like, follow or give us direct contact at big.life.questions.101@gmail.com

Also check out Tevita Mataika’s new books, Sex. Hell? Evolution and Religion and The Holy Ghost – an Introduction. Cheers! We need your support. Vinaka!

Overcome The Fear of Flying

July 10, 2019

Many people suffer from fears concerning air travel…
(Photo: jeshoots)

Aerophobia or Aviophobia, is the fear of flying in a plane, helicopter or other flying aircrafts. Persons experiencing aerophobia may show symptoms of severe anxiety, shaking, intestinal distress, sweating, shortness of breath and a fast heart rate. Aerophobia may be caused by many reasons: fear of crowded and narrow spaces, turbulence, fear of heights, ear discomfort when changing altitudes, reminiscing upon a scary story or news article about flying, and also the fear of dying.

The BIG QUESTION here is, how does one overcome Aerophobia?

There are various measures one may take in order to overcome Aerophobia.
But at the basis of it all, Aerophobia is a mentality; With proper analysis, a cause must be defined and identified. Once the root issue may be identified, proceeding to a practical and relevant solution is then selected.

Identifying the establishing reasoning behind this mentality may help the healing process. Sometimes, the underlying factor may stem from childhood experiences.

Some ways to overcome aerophobia include: therapy, medication, or seeking another alternative form of travelling. Some experts also recommend sedatives (not medication, neither are they harmful substances: but alcohol or herbs such as kava, or green tea) or mental diversions (such as reading, listening to calm music, preparing and watching funny T.V. shows) while on the plane.  

Therapy would be the most effective and potent remedy for Aerophobia. Talking about the issue and allowing others to acknowledge your fear of flying enables you to realise that the fear is just in your mind.

Furthermore, it is fair to mention that there are obvious risks in travelling by flight; mechanical malfunction, human error (in regards to the technicians, engineers and pilots), terror threats, travelling with annoying people, and so forth.

But the success and convenience of air travel should be the most viable proof – that air travel is safe, comfortable and the fastest way to travel to distant locations. It would be an utter disadvantage not to engage in air travel.

Aditionally, some of the most breath-taking sceneries are observed from an air flight; and also, the most beautiful and exotic places in the world are only accessible by air travel.

In conclusion, aerophobia affects thousands of people. Therefore, it is not unique or a personal issue, but it affects all kinds of people. With the given prescriptions, such as therapy, travelling with some close friends, or travelling by road or sea – aerophobia can be overcome.

God exists? Really?

A humorous topic…some find theology as fairytales, while the majority don’t.
( Photo: Kurt Kleeb)

Some find the discussion of deity and theology, humorous and irrelevant. Tell that to the majority of humanity – of present and of yonder. Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life (a research team based in Washington D.C.), finds that there are 5.8 billion adults and children who are practicing religion. This represents 84% of the 2010 world population of 6.9 billion people. Are they all a bunch of losers? Depends on your definition, facts and motives.

It is fair to say that religion has helped societies maintain a fair level of civility, especially in the developed countries. But what about the existence of God? Are there any evidence? In my book, Sex. Hell? Evolution and Religion, I address many false evidences presented by mainstream science, in support of Darwinian Evolution.

So, if Darwinian Evolution is on unstable foundations, then raises the open dialogue for a consideration of Intelligent Design. A simple example is DNA. The language structure and coding and execution of those genetic codes is a red alert, in itself! The distinctive thumbprints, retinal structures and unique patterns on each flake of snow is just mind-boggling, if you may!

I mean, I don’t have to be a genius to come to these conclusions.

But what about pain, suffering, sickness and poverty? These areas heavily affected by such plagues and infestations usually don’t practice good hygiene, moral tolerance and respect for human life. Places such as large portions of Africa, India and the Middle East subscribe to a religion that does not address the basic elements of daily life.

A fine example of Social Darwinism in full execution was Nazi Germany. If the Holocaust didn’t happen, with all due respect to all the individuals and families who were in direct involvement, humanity would’t fully comprehend the DANGERS OF SOCIAL DARWINISM, and we would continue in beliefs of what makes the minority elite feel happy; while the majority suffer.

And looking also at ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Why does God allow them to live and do the things that they do? These vigilantes profess a certain basis of beliefs that are obviously promoting violence, and oppression of those who think and believe differently. And yet the majority continue to follow those creeds and religious forms.

Therefore, with life – forced obedience, love, and civil order, is not realistic. There needs to be a process of having all other alternatives explored or allowed to grow, but by their fruits you shall know them. As for the dead, they are in a much better place then a living-breathing middle class worker struggling to keep the bills paid, or a person on I.V. in a hospital bed unconscious in a coma.

The Bible sheds some light on the existence of a just and fair God, in Matthew 13: 24-30, which says “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Likewise, God allowed Lucifer to dwell in His Presence in Heaven, until “iniquity was found” in him. (Ezekiel 28:15)
Iniquity, the willful act of sins, and an accumulation and repetition of it despite knowing the wrongfulness.

God does exist. Open up your eyes and see that our planet floats on NOTHING! It is upheld by NOTHING visible! God is allowing every man to live the life of which they want to live, but know this: God will bring all actions into judgement. The fruits of every person’s life choices will determine their destiny! Not only after death, but every single day ahead!

If you like this, please show some love. Please also check out my new book, Sex. Hell? Evolution and Religion. It’s a fairly logical book based on the major religions and the various aspects of life. Connect with us via e-mail: big.life.questions.101@gmail.com

A Religious Influence in Society

June 17, 2019


































  • Religious Influence…Music artist Rihanna poses in a papal stylized outfit for the 2018 Met Gala in New York.
    (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/ Getty Images)

Religious practice and worship of deities and supernatural beings, have been the foundations of human history and society ever since. This is proven by history and archaeology.

For example, in 1994, German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt, in collaboration with the Turkish Şanlıurfa Museum, excavated the Göbekli Tepe temple site in Southeastern Turkey. They unearthed the first few pillars of what archaeologists claim to be the site of the oldest megaliths ever discovered in human history. It is presumed to be older than the Stone Henge (measuring through stratigraphy, or the observation of rock layers and stratification). The ancient site contains 200 large pillars all above six metres in height and weighs up to 10 tonnes (10,000 kg) in weight. This would have required hundreds of people to construct. National Geographic writer Charles Mann, in his article The Birth of Religion (which appeared in the June 2011 National Geographic magazine) writes, ‘As important as what the researchers found was what they did not find: any sign of habitation. Hundreds of people must have been required to carve and erect the pillars, but the site had no water source—the nearest stream was about three miles away. Those workers would have needed homes, but excavations have uncovered no sign of walls, hearths, or houses—no other buildings that Schmidt has interpreted as domestic. They would have had to be fed, but there is also no trace of agriculture. For that matter, Schmidt has found no mess kitchens or cooking fires. It was purely a ceremonial center. If anyone ever lived at this site, they were less its residents than its staff.’ This reveals that the gathering of worship sparked civilization – not agriculture.1

  • Massive pillars at the temple Göbekli Tepe, (more than 5,000 years old) in Southeast Turkey.
    Claimed to be the oldest megalith ever discovered in human history (Picture: Vincent J. Musi)

Atheism and its rise to fame, owes a lot to the Greek philosopher Protagoras (B.C. 481-411) who famously preached, “As to the gods, I have no means of knowing either that they exist or that they do not exist. For many are the obstacles that impede knowledge, both the obscurity of the question and the shortness of human life.” For this ideology, the Athenians rejected him for thinking nonsense and burned his books. 2
On the other hand, modern agnosticism was publicly defined by Thomas Henry Huxley at the meeting of the Metaphysical Society in London, in 1869. Huxley, a British biologist and a Darwin-evolutionist, stated, “It came into my head as suggestively antithetical to the ‘Gnostic’ of Church history who professed to know so much about the very things of which I was ignorant.” 3 Modern atheism, agnosticism and skepticism are concepts meditated upon by certain influential individuals, but does not reflect the beliefs and affirmations of the majority of humanity.

A demographic study of more than 230 countries and territories, done by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life (a research team based in Washington D.C.), finds that there are 5.8 billion adults and children who are practicing religion. This represents 84% of the 2010 world population of 6.9 billion people.4
While on the other hand, another recent Pew Forum research study found that about 1.1 billion (16% of the world’s population) have no religious affiliation. But ‘Surveys indicate that many of the unaffiliated hold some religious or spiritual beliefs (such as belief in God or a universal spirit) even though they do not identify with a particular faith.’ 5

But religious non-affiliation (atheism, agnostic, skeptic) does not mean absence of religious practices such as belief in a god, use of or in reference to a god, rituals, or prayer. Another ironic finding was that non-religious atheists were actually MORE religious than Christians – specifically in the United States of America. In fact, in the United States of America, the secular society have adapted and used religious themes in social gatherings on numerous occasions. The biggest example recently was the 2018 Costume Institute Gala at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is the biggest annual event on the fashion fundraising calendar. Started in 1948, today brings together the most famous faces from fashion, film, music and art to celebrate the launch of the Institute’s latest exhibition. The 2018 fashion exhibition was themed Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.

The BIG LIFE QUESTIONS here is Why is there insufficient evidence of an existing god or gods? If God so exists, who is it/he/she? how are they/them/it/he/she , in terms of personality? Or, if there is a God, why is there so much suffering and killing?

Please look forward to the second part of this article where we will answer these questions. Also, we are launching an e-book at the end of this month entitled, ‘Seven Religious Doctrines Not Found in the Bible.’ The short book will simply discuss pilgrimages, sexual obsession and perversion in religion, blind faith and the Force, among other interesting Food For Thought topics. If you are interested, email us at big.life.questions.101@gmail.com. We would be happy to converse and get in contact with you!

Citations
1. Manns, C. (2011). The Birth of Religion. The National Geograhic. [online] Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2011/06/gobeki-tepe/ [Accessed 17 Jun. 2019].

2. Laertius, Diogenese (2013). Lives of Eminent Philosophers (English Translation). 9th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp.464, 465.

3. (AGNOSTICISM Encycloaedia Britannica: Encyclopaedia Britannica Deluxe Edition. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2011)


4. https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2014/01/global-religion-full.pdf


5. https://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-exec/ 3. (AGNOSTICISM Encycloaedia Britannica: Encyclopaedia Britannica Deluxe Edition. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2011)

Finishing Strong

June 6, 2019

Everyone has the desire to look good and feel good. I believe our bodies (exceptions for those in a hospital bed of course!) represent our mental strength – whether we strive for excellence, are overwhelmed with insecurities, or that we are living disorderly lives.  

Science reveals that physical wellbeing is possible, even in old age. (Photo: composita )

The BIG LIFE QUESTION here is, ‘Is physical frailty directly proportionate to older age?’

Published research by the University of Pittsburg (September, 2011) provide some answers. The ‘study [findings] contradicts the common observation that muscle mass and strength decline as a function of aging alone. Instead, these declines may signal the effect of chronic disuse rather than muscle aging.’ Also, that the ‘maintenance of muscle mass and strength may decrease or eliminate the…functional decline…that are commonly seen in aging adults.’  But that’s not the only scientific research providing answers. Echoing similar findings is a much recent research study conducted by Dr. Arora Duggal of the University of Birmingham, Dr. Ross Pollock of King’s College in London and other leading scientists in the United Kingdom. Published early last year, it was concluded ‘…that many features of immune-senescence (deterioration of the immune system) may be driven by reduced physical activity with age.’

Whatever age bracket or era we may be in our lives, as long as there is breath in our nostrils, there is still a chance – an opportunity to finish strong. And a living example of this is Dixon Hemphill. Introducing Mr. Hemphill, a US Navy veteran, a car crash survivor (aged 74 at the time) and currently a 93 year old world class athlete runner. In 2016, at 91 years old, the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the George Washington University, conducted studies on his physicality. It was found that Mr. Hemphill had 14.2% of body fat, which is equivalent to a 20-year old athlete. Also, a VO2 max test conducted on him (reviewing his body’s efficiency in oxygen usage) revealed that he had better physical fitness than many people thirty years his younger.

Finishing strong… 93 year old Dixon Hemphill against his good friend 100 year old Orville Rogers. Dixon won this US Athletics Track and Field Masters 60m sprint by 0.12 seconds.
(Photo: Dave Albo)

And finally, I have learned that coupling a healthy diet, adequate sleep and mental (and spiritual) enlightenment, with daily physical activity has helped me become goal oriented and purpose driven. Through about five minutes to an hour of bodyweight exercises, I maintain a flat tummy and a lean built physique just by targeting the upper and lower body interchangeably on every other day. And if I have a busy and tiring week, I strive to hit at least one day of upper body and another day of lower body workouts. But if worst comes to worst, a day of (an hour’s worth) full body workout per week.

It is therefore safe to say, that physical activity daily (with healthy lifestyle habits and nutrition) is enough to keep you finishing physically strong, even long into the twilight years of life.

The Need to be Right – All the Time!

Most people naturally develop a need to be right, all the time! From two headstrong individuals who are always arguing in a relationship, to a strongly persuasive individual in a group – we all portray narcissism in various amounts.

In a 2004 press conference, two years after the beginning of the Iraq war and still no evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, President George W. Bush, Jr. was asked if he could identify any mistakes made as U.S. President; he struggled over the question, failing to admit the disappointing reality of the Iraq invasion. A war which spanned over 9 years, claiming the lives of thousands of innocent Iraqis, multinational troops and journalists altogether.

George W. Bush during his video conference in April, 2004
Geroge W. Bush at Southern Methodist University, Texas on May 19, 2022

For some small mistakes that we involuntarily commit, it is easy to resolve. But what about major mistakes involving more than one, five, hundred or a thousand people, which WE may have caused physical and emotional harm, without seeking resolve? Can our conscience let us sleep peacefully at night? What about karma? realising that all these mistakes will be recompensed back to us many times over (this has been my experience).

 The BIG QUESTION to ask here is, Why do we continually strive over being right?

NPD, or Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental health condition. Symptoms include a self projected sense of self importance, need for constant admiration and an excessive need for attention from others; also, self acclaimed superiority without reasons and achievements to support it, behave in an arrogant manner, boastful, have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others; and being envious of others and believe others envy them. According to Health Direct Australia, causes may vary: but from known cases, some causes are over-praising and excessive pampering – when parents focus intensely on a particular talent or the physical appearance of their child; insensitive parenting, childhood trauma (left unresolved), excessive criticism from a young age, and abuse.  According to Mayo Clinic,  people with narcissistic personality disorder may not want to think that anything could be wrong, so they may be unlikely to seek treatment. If they do seek treatment, it’s more likely to be for symptoms of depression, drug or alcohol use, or another mental health problem. But perceived insults to self-esteem may make it difficult to accept and follow through with treatment. Treatment recommended initially is talk therapy.

I recently sought forgiveness from some dear people that I had hurt many years earlier because of my narcissistic obsession to be right. And because of the accumulated years, finally receiving their forgiveness was like rebirth. I just felt a renewed freedom. Carrying that guilt for so long!

My advice for those maybe sensing their personal struggle with being narcissistic, and wanting to recover, is to strengthen current relationships. People need people.

And that first step involves being a listening ear; consider an alternative opinion besides your own. Don’t think critically at first when people talk to you, just listen. Be sympathetic with others. Don’t entertain bullying or demeaning comments towards you, but learn to listen more and speak less.

I strongly believe forfeiting a friendship or an important relationship, just for the sake of being right is tragic! I have come to the conclusion that it is more important for me to concede a disagreement or difference of opinion, rather than prove myself all the time and lose relationships. The Bible suggests to us to avoid petty arguments.
(Titus 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:23-26)

Well, anyway, if you need professional advice (for anxiety or depression), talk therapy, or just a listening ear, you can contact beyondblue.org.au for online chat, or call them on  +1300 22 4636 in Australia.  In the UK, you can reach out mentalhealth.org.uk
or in the U.S., you can link up with talkspace.com

Like always, connect with us and we’ll be very happy to chat with you, answer any BIG Q’s you might have, and just develop a relationship! Email us at biglifequestions27@gmail.com

The Lake of Everlasting Torment

On Sunday the 8th of October, 1871, a horrific tragedy occurred that devastatingly affected Chicago city, Illinois and shocked the nation of the United States of America. From a barn house located on the south west of the city of Chicago, a fire spread to the main business district of the city. Coinciding with the intensely dry summer season that year, the fires destroyed over six squared kilometres of area; this included over 17,000 buildings and homes, and leaving thousands homeless and hundreds killed.

Two days after…the residents of Chicago slowly picking up the pieces.
Source: New York Times (on the National Geographic website)

With strong southwesterly winds during that dreadful night, spirals of fire spewed in all directions, burning building after building. Rain had extinguished the fire more than 24 hours later, but majority of damage had already been done. Fortunately, the railroads, wharfs, lumberyards, stockyards, mills and especially the city’s world-famous meat processing plants were spared; which were able to provide employment for many of the victims and residents. Renewed efforts were made after to build fireproof buildings.

This imagery relatively depicts the hell-fires preached in most churches. But the well accepted concept that an existing underworld with an everlasting flowing lake of volcanic lava, and tormenting waves of giant flames forever burning sinners when they die, is far from what the Bible, and Jesus taught.

The eternal lake of everlasting burnings is not an exclusively modern church concept, but is also shared in Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and many African and Asian ethnic forms of religion.

For instance, in the Quran, the sacred writings of Islam, it states in Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:37, “They (those that refuse godly teachings) will wish to get out of the fire, but never are they to emerge therefrom, and for them is an enduring punishment.”
Furthermore, the Quran states in Surah Al-A’raf 7:40-41, “indeed, those who deny our verses and are arrogant towards them – the gates of heaven will not be opened for them…they will have from hell a bed and over them [coverings of fire] …”

Another revered text, the Bhagavad Geeta, of Hinduism has a fair bit to say about hell. In the Shree Krishna 16:16-22, the Bhagavad Geeta states, “…These people who are confused by many foul thoughts and evil influences, entangled in the net of unending darkness and obsessive desires for material gains, they are blackened souls who fall down into a foul hell in the end…These devilish people who are cruel, whose soul is filled with hate, and who are among the worst men on earth, are ultimately thrown into destruction by Me the Supporter (Shree Krishna, Hindu Lord)…these people constantly remain in this vast cycle of constant birth and rebirth…Furthermore, they are reborn into lower life forms and into corrupt and evil families. They do not attain the highest state which is refuge in Me, O Arjuna, Instead, they choose to take the darker, lower path which leads to hell… should a man free himself from these three doors, to hell, darkness and destruction, he discovers what is best for his inner spirit (or soul).”

An illustration of Hell (Source: Christian Truth Center)

The BIG QUESTION here is WILL SINNERS BURN ETERNALLY IN HELL, UPON THEIR DEATH?

According to the Quran, the answer is yes; and the Bhagavad Geeta defines a re-incarnating cycle of a living hell. So the Bible states eternal burnings also then, right?
I’m here to tell you today that THAT IS NOT TRUE!

The teaching of the immortal soul and everlasting hell burnings did not appear in Christian doctrine until the early third century. It was mainly accredited to Tertullian of Carthage. He adopted many pagan philosophies into Christianity from Greek and Roman philosophy. He said, “For some things are known even by nature: the immortality of the soul, for instance, is held by many; the knowledge of our God is possessed by all. I may use, therefore, the opinion of a Plato, when he declares, ‘Every soul is immortal.’” (Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh, 7308)
Tertullian was directly inspired by Plato, the Greek philosopher, and not the Bible. Consequently, this lake of fire concept has caused great fear and obsession among Christians for the last two thousand years, rather than an increasing belief and love for Jesus.

The most important Bible fact that must leave us peacefully assured, is that no human is or was ever cast into a lake of everlasting burnings upon their last breath. The Bible does teach that there will be an elimination of all those who fail to acknowledge the Creator’s sovereignty and great love for all people, but it won’t be everlasting burnings. But rather, a consuming fire which will entirely consume Satan and his angels, and all those who refuse the laws of God’s government and who mock at the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

To break down in very simple terms what the Bible has to say exactly regarding the wrath of God’s judgement upon the wicked and the stubbornly disobedient, it is vital to understand the composition upon which God formed a human being.

In the first book of the Bible, Genesis 2:7, it states, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

Another Bible verse that is in connection to this subject is, “…and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” Therefore, from these two Bible verses alone, we start to see an illustration of the composition of a human being.

Dust + Breath of God = Living soul. Living soul – Breath of God = Dust. And this is also for the deduction of dust from a living soul. From these two verses, we can deduce that immortality is not given to every person. Which is further supported by the Bible verses Ezekiel 18:4, 20 which states that, “the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” The soul does not live on when someone has died. It is the separation of the living breath gifted by God Almighty and the mere dust of the ground. This is then amplified in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” In other words, immortality is a gift from God THROUGH Jesus Christ the Lord. Interestingly, the Bible further mentions in Psalm 115:17, “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.”

In conclusion, how does the destruction of the wicked tie into this? The Bible tells us in Malachi 4:1,3, “ Behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. Not a root or branch will be left to them…” (Burned entirely to ash and dust) “Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty.”

It is crystal clear here that God will destroy the wicked by fire to the extent that they turn into ashes.