THE WAR

 It's time for a little update. First, let me say something about Covid. I don't want to underrate anyone's sufferings, but during these past two years I don't know anyone who's been hospitalized or even died because of Covid. I know one person who had it, and it was just a mild flu. I'm not saying it's not life-threatening for some people, and I still take it seriously: I have been vaccinated for three times, I wash or sanitize my hands frequently, and I think it's a good habit to keep up anyway, and I always wear a mask in public places indoors (like busses and stores), and I must say I actually like it! It has become an accessory (I always choose black). I will never shake hands again, and I think that was an unhygienic way of greeting anyway. However, in my previous post I wrote that Covid is yesterday's news, and I maintain that. We have learnt to live with it. 

The Center of Tampere, my hometown: Colors of Ukraine 
beautifully framed by the scene.

The war in Ukraine is the bigger issue right now. I wrote I was distressed and angry. That has eased a lot, since we have witnessed the success of Ukrainian army and failure of Russia. Of course I understand it might look like just another war from afar, but I can assure you we feel the enormous pressure of the events in Finland, as we have a long border with Russia, and a memory of their invasion in 1939, which is part of our story as a nation, part of collective consciousness. As you might already know from the news, a decision for Finland to join the Nato is very close, within weeks as I write this, and Sweden will likely follow - and I believe we will join and I support it wholeheartedly, with the majority of Finns. 

"Terve Ukraina" ("Hail Ukraine"): A poem by Finnish national poet Eino Leino in 1917:

A thread of nuclear war is quite marginal to me; after all, it would be a suicide. However, I have started to think it's not so unlikely we would be forced to war with Russia again, before the Nato membership is clear. But then we will fight and give them at least just as much of a resistance as the Ukrainians have! I have no military training, but I would not try to flee: I would do whatever I can. As a Buddhist, this is something I have studied recently:

Buddhist Views on War

The Buddha Taught Nonviolence, Not Pacifism

It is more problematic that Orthodox Christians kill Orthodox Christians, and the head of church of the aggressive party even dares to claim that it is about which side of god humanity takes, linking the war with objection to "sinful" homosexuality and pride-parades! Christianity has never seen a real problem with killing fellowmen, even though they have a strict command from their god not to do it. No, human sexuality with all its variety has always been a bigger issue, which needs to be controlled in any way, even with force if necessary. 

I admit I wasn't touched by the war in Syria. Not only it seemed distant, but there must have been a cultural gap as well: "us and them". Refugees from the Middle-East have met harsh criticism in Europe. Now it's completely different with the Ukrainians. It shouldn't be that way. 

Below is a different kind of approach: A Buddhist Response to Russia-Ukraine War, by member of Rissho Kosei-kai. He argues how anyone of us, despite of geographical distance, may contribute to ending this war by practicing nonviolence in everyday life. A hint of "practical mysticism", one might say...

The Russia I grew up in doesn't exist anymore; an excellent analysis of the development of post-Soviet Russia personally experienced by Russian YouTuber, temporarily relocated in Georgia at the moment:

In the end of 90's I was studying among the group of international students here in Finland, including a 16 years old girl from Russia, who was really shocked to learn that she had been taught propaganda at school. If I remember correctly, it was about the Winter War. Also, I went to gym with this guy, Kirill, who spoke Russian, but emphasized he was from Ukraine. There was another guy from Russia, whose room was next to mine at dormitory, and he often played "Wind of Change" by Scorpions. Wind of Change, indeed. Didn't last for long. Satan never left Moscow. As I have seen an old Ukrainian woman say in the news, after the horrific deeds of Russian soldiers: "Satan came in a form of Putin". Just like I wrote in my previous post how I honestly felt. 

Владольф Путлер

Document on Finnish Esoteric Organizations

 Towards the Light - Tales of Finnish Occultism and Esotericism

A document focusing on interviews with Finnish Esoteric organisations. Featured are Gnostic Society, Rosy Cross, Esko Jalkanen – Nature’s Powers Trust, Star of Azazel, Theosophical Society and Christosophia Supporters’ Association. The document is divided to four parts with different themes: The Societies, The Teachings, The Human Being and The Future. The document is subtitled in English.

Realized by Antti Kaipainen and Marko Forsten. 41:49 min. June 30 2021.

Obviously, it's not very deep, only the very basics, and as such, nothing new to me. Frankly, I'm confused how come the Theosophical Society is included among these groups. They are international, not particularly Finnish. However, three out of five other organizations are directly involved with Theosophical world view, and they readily admit it; undoubtedly remaining two organizations are influenced by Theosophy as well, simply because it has had such a wide influence on Western Esoterism. 

Pekka Ervast

On my link list on the sidebar, you can find Pekka Ervast, a man who is said to have brought Theosophy to Finland in Finnish language, and who later founded the Finnish Rosicrucian Order, Rosy Cross. He was my spiritual mentor for many years. His books were revelation to me, combining head and heart, solving contradictions in Church Dogma. It was through his work that I found the version of Christianity I could approve of. 

Obviously, I also know Christosophy, a word Pekka Ervast first used in his books. It's a fact that without Pekka Ervast, Finnish Esoterism would miss a lot. However, I have never understood the point of this movement, started by Ervast's co-worker J.R. Hannula after his death. They seem to emphasize Ervast's role to the extreme, explaining how Buddha expressed Logos as Reason and the Holy Spirit; Jesus expressed Logos as Love and the Son; Pekka Ervast supposedly expressed Logos as Good Will and the Father, and he declared the new religion based on the Sermon on the Mount, which according to Ervast was the most essential teaching of Jesus. 

I became familiar with the Star of Azazel on my Luciferian period - see my previous post. They are heavily based on Theosophy too. Since Blavatsky, Theosophy has always reinterpreted the symbolism of Lucifer/Satan, Star of Azazel just makes it their main doctrine. 

Esko Jalkanen - Nature's Powers Trust (link to English pdf file) I don't know personally; I have a friend who has received spiritual help from them and was happy about it. 

Gnostic Society (unfortunately, there seems to be no English pages) is interesting to me. Among other things, they conduct equal weddings for same-sex couples too. I would like to visit their Gnostic Mass, which is not Christian - a fact that I as non-Christian gladly welcome (since there are also many Gnostic Christian Churches around the world, you know), but they are held only in Helsinki (I live in Tampere, and go to Helsinki less than once a year). 

This document missed two particularly Finnish organizations based on Theosophy: 

Ihmisyyden Tunnustajat ("Confessors of Humanity"), a commune, where I visited in the 90's and bought my first books by Pekka Ervast. For a while I even dreamed of living there myself, but that was a passing phase and it soon became clear it was not for me. I read the founder (now deceased), who used to be involved in Christosophy until her claimed communications with the Masters of Wisdom were  rejected, was considered a reincarnation of Helena Blavatsky, and that really bothered me; I met her, and she didn't impress me much. Yet the fact that this commune is really long-lasting, seems to prove there is something about it that is working. They are very strictly focused on one ideal - maybe it is their strength, but to me it seems too narrow. 

Via-Akatemia ("Via Academy"; no English!): They say they teach Rajayoga, or "thought yoga", through their correspondence course, logical positive thinking, through which it is possible to attain inner peace and happiness, and expanding of the consciousness and connection to Higher Self by repeating positive phrases or mantras. I have read old magazines from the 70's, when this organization seemed to be a little controversial; nowadays they have renewed their image (since both of the original founders have passed away) and become quite presentable. One of the founders also said she was a  reincarnation of Helena Blavatsky: how many are they? (Globally there have been many more.) Their background was on Theosophical Society, Rosy Cross and Christosophy, and initiative for their work allegedly came from the Adepts of White Brotherhood, of course. 

Also worth a mention is a mystical artist, a rosicrucian and contemporary of Pekka Ervast, who didn't start her own movement, even though she supposedly was in contact with the Masters: Aleksandra Ionowa. 

See also:

Theosophically inspired movements in Finland by Kennet Granholm

In the Middle of Helsinki there is a Temple of secret information known to few - the crowd gathering in the basement does not make a large number of its doctrines that exude mysticism

Independence Day

On the 6th of December it is the Independence Day of Finland, the 90th one this year (2007). Former generations fought for it, so it is a matter of great respect and pride. Today we have top education, good health care and social security for all, and Finland is known for high technology (NOKIA for instance). But here in this writing I will examine some spiritual aspects as revealed by Pekka Ervast.

After his trip to America, Pekka Ervast's novel "Suuri seikkailu" - The Great Adventure, which he called his "swan song", was to be his last book because he suddenly died at the age of 58 in the year 1934. He had told he was going to travel next to Egypt and the holy land, and that's what he did! Spiritually speaking.
In this novel a main character dr. Kotka ("Eagle") also goes to America and there he meets Professor Batory and Duke Carignan in a luxurious castle. During the night he is lead to mysterious ceremony on another level of existence.
..."Professor said in solemnly sonorious voice: - Brothers, our work is coming to a new phase. We have to help the Christendom of Europe and we start from the North because there is a country, from where the light will come. There are several members of the Brotherhood, and today we have one of them as our guest, whom now will help us by creating the living map of his country before us. Brothers, call forth the spirits you govern to assist, and bless Finland.
First of all, inspire with peace and good will the heart of its nation, even though its individuals are awakened and thinking, they are not unanimous in any issue. The Church and religion still capture many souls, yet we hope the reformation could begin. When Professor had said these words, everybody straightened up while sitting, and closed their eyes. I did the same, and invoking the map of my country to the sight of my soul, I started to enliven it and mark with red roses a few towns and villages where I knew the friends of reformation lived in. Then I listened and watched how the waves of the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland rippled against the shores in a sun shine, how trains were speeding through the forrests and steamboats crossing the lakes. People were walking in the streets of the cities, working in the factories and offices, fields and roads, while children were playing in the yards and lawns, and mothers worked at homes. Everything was alive before me.
Then suddenly I heard distant choir and from the North came through the air countless number of angelic and spiritual beings, who slowly glided above all Finland, and small fairies sprinkled pink roses all over. Then the angels organised along the shores and borders facing inland and in the middle appeared suddenly the wonderful guardian angel of Finland, gliding in the North side of Päijänne. It was old and wise Väinämöinen, but when all angels greeted him, he turned from old to young and his face full of sorrow and concern was brightened to look happy and joyful. He gave thanks smiling blissfully and tears dropped from his eyes. Thousands of fairies were rushing to collect the tears and brought them - Oh wonder! - to the red roses I had created and layed them on the petals as the bright dewdrops.
The circle of Light surrounding Väinämöinen was increasingly expanding, colored as the dome of heaven, and his heart was singing with mighty faith and trust. I thought I heard the words: 'My high friends, come from heavens, what misery I could have, a cause for sorrow in my soul, when there are thousands of you friends from above to support me, to help me in agony. I see the time opening up, the long day peeking - then there is summer in my Finland, forever happiness for people, peace on earth worth a gold, good will in hearts, all men givin' praise to the mighty Heavenly Father.' While watching and listening to all this, my own heart was also full of prayer and thanksgiving. Eventually, I felt weakening, my vision got blurry, the map of Finland was covered with fog, angels and Väinämöinen disappeared, the singing ceased to resound and I myself collapsed unconscious."

In his book The Key to the Kalevala (available in English; following is however my translation), Pekka Ervast describes how...
"Väinämöinen represents the spirit and soul of Finnish nation, our so called national spirit. He personifies, as we just said, the deepest endeavor, the deepest faith, and the deepest love of our nation. But it means something else too. It means that Väinämöinen as a "pagan" deity is not dead but alive, and representing the national spirit of Finland he is not merely a poetic fantasy but the living personal reality." [...]
"Now the reader must not shout, 'Is an old pagan Väinämöinen supposed to be our guardian angel, is he come back, is he taking the place of Christ!' Who shouts like that has not understood us at all. Väinämöinen is not 'pagan' or 'Christian' more than Christ himself. Väinämöinen as our national deva is a living secret reality, and if we mean by Christ for instance the Logos, Väinämöinen is of course his servant. And if we mean that great initiate who as a person of Jesus walked on earth a couple of thousands of years ago, he is - the Christ - completely different being than Väinämöinen as a national deva, who doesn't belong to our human race at all, and his work is in no way contradicted to influence of Väinämöinen manifested in the unique development of Finnish nation. In the reality of life, in the development of nations and individual, there is no question of this or that 'faith'. There all religions and world views are sisters, leafs and branches in the same tree of wisdom of life; we are only asked how is each individual and nation, and what does each one do."

In 1917 when Finland became independent (which Pekka Ervast foresaw), he wrote: "In Finland we have a lot to learn from war and revolution. Now it has come the day of our freedom and independence, now at the same time it has come the day of our national and international resbonsibility. Now the world will watch how we can manage to organize our conditions. Can we do so that our action will benefit the world? Can we be an example and model for the nations, which have fallen to pain and hopelesness, which have seen all old vanishing and now with all yearning of their soul long for something new - new life, new society, new people? Destiny provides us an opportunity - are we not as a nation of Finland to use it?
'Oh You, the Father and God of the worlds, help us at this our work for the coming of your kingdom!' Because 'the Kingdom of God' on earth would be the real state!
First of all, we have to beware that our joy for the gift and sign of the destiny won't overflow: Our joy musn't raise in us a wrong self-esteem and pride. We must not think that this is only about our independence, freedom, and happiness; that we don't need to care for the rest of the world, and first of all, that we don't need to care for the great ideals and ideas of the time. Then we would perish!
If we wanted to isolate from the rest of the world, if we selfishly seeked only for our own imagenary happiness and wellfare, if we were deaf to persuading suggestions of God in our spirit and heart, then who would guarantee that the hand of destiny would not take back that gift, the value and holiness of which we were not yet able to comprehend? Therefore, let us remember that when building the society we truly take into consideration the signs of the time, that we won't mock the ideals of the time, or close our eyes from those vast and wonderful visions that now finally after the thousands of years of battles and pain have been opened to the nations.

Thoughts after the School Shooting in Finland

Yesterday Finland rose to the Headlines globally, and unfortunately in a tragic way. I won't repeat the story and I don't try to speculate the reasons...
Violence is never acceptable, yet I may have a point of view which some people might find offensive, and I'm sorry for that but it has to be stated too: If it is true what was said, that the shooter was harshly bullied at school, then - in a strange way - I can sympathize with him.
For me the last three years at primary school - at the ages of 14-16 - were just living hell, every single day! I was quiet and that was enough to make me a target. I can affirm that no punches hurt like words - they make deep wounds which take time to heal, perhaps the rest of your life! The Student Counsellor treated me as a problem. Teachers just laughed at the bullies and their ongoing joking in the class-room. They didn't see or didn't want to see what was going on. So, you could say they were partly responsible.
Somehow I managed to survive through those three years but immadiately after that I got very depressed and wanted to kill myself. However, I was not left alone and I got help. Since that one fall and winter I have never been depressed again and suicide would be totally out of the question. For same reason my younger brother later stopped going to school for good and completed his degrees from home!

Much has changed in my life - not least the fact that I found that "one special person" by my side. My self-esteem was crushed for so many years and I was convinced that I'm ugly and nobody could love me. Making friends and trusting people is not easy even today.
Over twenty years have passed. Last year there was a class re-union. I didn't go. I e-mailed to my old buddy that I would only come with a bomb. That was a bad joke of course. I never recollect those days. Never! If sometimes a memory comes to mind, I feel anger and I've even had killing fantasies at that moment. The only way I was able to protect myself back then, was to withdraw to my own inner world. I didn't allow myself to show that I was hurt. I cried alone at home and in turn treated my younger brother badly - thing I regret the most in my past! I didn't want to admit to any adults that I was bullied so much, because I felt it was my weakness! And another defence mechanism I created was to start to think that I was in fact intellectually above those who bullied me!

What comes to the extreme world view of the shooter, like idealising Hitler and Stalin... Well, on my behalf I can say I have learnt to understand the conclusions upon which Anton LaVey based his satanic philosophy, according to which there is no Supreme Power above man; man is just the highest animal; Satan is a symbol of his bestial side; The weak shall perish and only the strong survive, and so on. I'm not saying I believe any of that - no way! And neither this is to suggest that an average satanist is not a decent citizen just as much as any atheist!
However, when such a tragedy occurs, there is another perspective to be considered seriously: The sphere of invisible forces that effect our material world and some of which we can call demonic. Person who is able to do an evil act like that, is not quite himself - his I amness is ousted and he's "possessed". It is indisputable fact that there is a connection between similar acts in America and elsewhere, only it's not on material level but spiritual. One could imagin it's like a supernatural virus infection. I think those who lack the spiritual concepts of world and man in their thinking, are more vulnerable: For instance, young people who can't find any meaning of life.
We need to put on a full armor of God as St. Paul says in his epistle, because the dragon was hurled to the earth with his angels (Rev.12).

I'm happy in my present day life and my attitude towards the future is positive. Only my past is shadowed by the dark cloud. Even though I sincerely believe I have needed also all those painful experiences to become the one I am today; An easier life could have made me a shallow person - a kind I wouldn't like. As a christian, "love your enemies" and "forgive those who have tresspassed against us", mean the world to me, and God knows I have tried! But being a christian does not make you less human.

What I am trying to say is, obviously that person was a very disturbed young man and there is absolutely nothing to justify what he did... And at the same time I can possibly comprehend what kind of circumstances led him to the dead end. It could have been me in the 80's. It might be anyone who's been bullied hard enough, long enough, til something irreplaceable finally breaks in one's soul and the hell is breaking loose - the same hell one has been living in... When the vessel is broken it can no longer hold the contents.
How about a little bit of Compassion to the school life - to the lifes of each one of us - in stead of competition, criticism, comparison..?

Nowadays News reach the whole world in no time at all - bad news even faster, and it seems as if the bad news were the only good news. Is this constant flow of images from wars and disasters - not to mention the violent movies and games we call entertainment - made us to get used to it all, so that if something is to catch our attention and make us care at all it has to be huge? Minor personal tragedies happen everyday, everywhere, they just don't make it to the news and even if they did, they don't touch us; we have seen too much already. And the world didn't stop this time either.
Modern world is becoming increasingly artificial, effective, and faster. I know what I am talking about. I only need to look back to my childhood in the 70's.
In my early years we didn't even have a television, and when we got it, it was black and white and there were only two channels in Finland at the time. I didn't have much toys but I practised my imagination a lot. And my mother taught me to love books. One memory I cherish is when we had relatives visiting and ex tempore we made up a play of The Sleeping Beauty; Both adults and children alike were participating joyfully and we had so much fun!
Now there are TV-channels more than enough, children's cartoons are full of "Crash! Boom! Bang!"-action, and if nothing is on TV there is always DVD. They have plenty of ready-played plastic junk as toys. Almost everyone in Finland has a mobile phone (even I think my friend who doesn't want one, is just being difficult!). There is internet and console games. Don't tell me it doesn't effect children! This is why I very much support steinerpedagogy - my heart tells me it's right!

I just learnt that Finland is ranked third among the most-armed nations: I have never seen a real gun in my life!

Tonight I will pray for the victims and I will also pray for the killer - a kind of victim too. And he will have to face the results of his action in the Afterlife and that's not going to be easy! He has created his own hell - that's the only hell there is, a state of mind. His victims instead will be embraced by the angels and passed loved ones, in their tender and loving care!
Those of us who believe in reincarnation and karma, know that the consequences of his action won't end in the spiritual world - the bitter fruits of his deed come back to himself and he will reap what he sowed here on earth. It will come as a lesson to learn, an opportunity to grow, tough love as Lord will use his rod and staff as stated in Psalm 23.

His parents were threatened after the incidence and they needed police protection; For heaven's sake - did they not lose their child, too?! As if they didn't have a right to grieve in peace. Like it woudn't be enough that they must be accusing themselves and feeling shame. Local people were quoted saying that Jokela is such a small place where everyone knows each other - as if it was a good thing: I grew up in a place like that and it was distressing. People were nosy and gossiping and they thought they knew you! Lord have mercy, if you are somehow different - or feel different.

I don't believe that violent death is God's plan for anyone, it is always premature and meaningless; but that's exactly why it will be balanced for the victims of such a death in the future and their cups will overflow with gracious happiness, and they may be born again rather soon (usually we would talk about hundreds of years in earth time, between death and new birth). I know this won't comfort their families. I can only say: may God bless them.

For a few days afterwards I was feeling distressed; Am I a bad person, because all I could think of were my own painful experiences? Then, in The Act of Consecration of Man, I felt just immensely relieved: Christ Jesus took my burden away. And after that I met a friend of mine, with whom I was able to talk about the issue; He had similar experiences and feelings, so he understood me, unlike my partner (whose love is my primary source of comfort anyway, right after the love of my Lord).

Christmas and Easter

I like both Christmas and Easter. Christmas in the darkest time of the year here in the North, when all life of nature has withdrawn into invisibility; at the same time Christmas celebration is outwardly rich. During Easter nature is waking up again, together with the sun. But the inner side of Easter is much, much larger than meets the eye!

My Congregation meets in the modest surroundings, an old residential building, renovated to chapel. No matter how humble a place might be, in The Act of Consecration the roof is lifted up to heavens and the great invisible world is present. Much of the same it must have been the case in that stable where baby Jesus was born. A star was shining like candles on the altar. We hear the Good News from the realm of angels. Shepherds honored the child (shepherd=pastor) and the Magi brought their gifts; as the cup of gold is elevated and the smoke of insence mixed with Myrrh is rising. Ultimately, we will experience Easter and Pentecost as well, through Transsubstantiation and Communion!
Even the destiny of Earth as a whole is concentrated in eternal present at this threshold of two worlds, from the creation to the prophecy of future: God said: "Let there be light" and candles are lighted in the beginning of the Service; Seven days of Genesis - seven golden lampstands of Revelation - seven candles on the altar.

For over a decade it has been a pleasure for me to cook a special Christmas dinner with plenty of courses, first for me and my mother and brother, nowadays for me and my partner. The food I make, is always enough for the whole week! I don't make many traditional Finnish Christmas dishes - I prefer creating my own traditions. For the dinner we dress up smartly.
In Finland presents are unwrapped on Christmas Eve. By the way, did you know Santa Claus lives in Lappland, Finland - not North Pole!? And reindeers that fly - what a ridiculous idea! But they taste good: one of my Christmas courses is made of reindeer meat.

In the midnight before Christmas day we go to Church; it's the only time of the year when my partner is with me (that's just because he doesn't want to get up early on Sunday mornings).
After the service we still visit the cemetary on the way home. There is the sea of lighted candles as it is a tradition in Finland. This particular cemetary is located partly on the hill, and below you may see the city lights. There are the lights for the living and the lights for the dead, and yet those cold electric lights in the world of the living make me wonder which is which after all...

Already for the past three years on Maundy Thursday evening we have organized at home an Agape Meal or the Feast of Love among small circle of close friends. It is a simple ritual meal (we offer vegetarian soup) with Scripture reading, prayer, meditation, and hymn. I've made up this ritual from several sources and now it finally seems to be complete: there's nothing to add and nothing to remove. This is our Easter tradition.

Alphabets of my life

You know those silly but rather entertaining celebrity inquiries in women's Journals? Here's a deep analysis of my personality...

Agape: divine love. It's not emotion, it's action. It is unconditional love, impersonal good will expressed in selfless action. You don't have to like everybody - you just have to love them. That has been a good lesson for me to learn. When you pray for someone - even an enemy - you apply the golden rule: it is deed of love.

Books: and especially The Good Book.

Cats: our furry friends and members of the family. They each have a character of their own and they sincerely show their love to their humans.

Death - a part of life and I love it!

Europe: I consider myself a European - it's something to be proud of. United States appears as a protagonist of democracy and freedom, but seen from here that's rather questionable.

Friends & Family. No explanation needed.

Gnosis. Inner knowlidge. Main concept of my faith.

Home. No place like it!

I - I am that I am. He must increase and I must decrease: not I but Christ in me.

Jesus Christ. My older brother and closest friend. He is always with me and within me.

Karma - and grace. Not one without another.

Love. In everyday life more than great emotions it's a kind of decicion: this is the person with whom I want to share my life.

Movies. I don't go to movies often; I went to see The Lord of the Rings and now I must see The Simpsons Movie. I prefer DVD's.

Nature. Couldn't live without it!

Our Father: my daily devotion.

Pekka Ervast, my spiritual teacher.

Queer - proud and happy!

Rudolf Steiner, another spiritual teacher who has influenced me.

Suomi - Finland.

The Christian Community - The Act of Consecration of Man: The Center of my life.

Universalism. Eternal punishment in hell - it's not only beyond love but all reason as well! And christianity can't be the only truth; there is not the one and only truth even among christians!

Voluntary work.

World - we share it, let's try to save it!

X as in sex. Greatly overvalued nowadays as it has been made a part of cunsumption. But a big mistake in judeo-christian tradition has been to see that sex had anything to do with the fall of man!

You - yes, you! Who are you?

Zarathustra. Prophet and founder of religion that influenced judaism & christianity more than some people would like to admit. I don't see it decreasing the meaning of christianity - I see how God has always worked in this world! Christ is just wearing the clothes of old cultures, as Rudolf Steiner has said.