Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

 

“The battleline between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.” – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was a Russian individual who was a writer and poet. Solzhenitsyn would write freely about what he believed and would send his correspondence to friends. Up until the point when the Soviets took power and opened one of his letters. The clear intrusion of privacy did not register in the minds of the Soviets as it was known that Aleksandr was a writer. Like any group think ideology, the Soviet Communists decided that in order to prevent wrong think or "evil ideologies" from flourishing (evil as in everything that they, the Soviets, themselves did not believe in), they needed to invade Aleksandr’s privacy and bring him to social justice.

 

“Violence can only be concealed by a lie, and the lie can only be maintained by violence.” – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

 

After having his letter stolen and taken into the Soviet court, Aleksandr was charged with writing against the Communist government. He was sentenced to confinement and taken to multiple locations. It was there that he found out what the reality of Communism was. He made it his mission to find out the most he could from the people’s own mouths concerning the government. He found out at the reality was worse than he thought. People were silenced, tortured, used, abused, hated, envied, destroyed, all for the sake of the illusion of "unlimited power". Neighbor hated neighbor and soldiers used their power to get what they wanted.

 

“Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity. Those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience usually also recognize the voice of conscience.” – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

 

As he continued to live under the terrible management of the government, Aleksandr learned to understand those compatriots who had suffered the same fate. They all specified how they were lied to and how they never understood why. Aleksandr understood that the government was using lies as the only method of suppressing the truth. To the outside world, Russia was seen as a strong force, but inside the country, people were suffering. Many people were sent to labor camps where they worked for no pay and only a stingy meal. All was not well in the Soviet Union.

 

“For us in Russia, communism is a dead dog, while, for many in the West it is still a living lion.” Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Russians living in the Soviet Union knew what their truth was. They knew that it was a cannibal like led government that survived by eating its own citizens. Russians knew that in their day to day lives. Only the West was unaware of the reality of the roaring Bear. It is many years later and yet we see the influence that such a dangerous ideology leads many astray. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was able to speak the truth and was able to write the reality he lived in. For that, the West, should be greatful for the truth expressed by Solzhenitsyn.

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Describing the Lies and Deceit of Communist Propaganda

"It is not necessary during the interrogation to look for evidence proving that the accused opposed the Soviets by word or action. The first question which you should ask him is what class does he belong to, his origin, his education and his profession. These are the questions that will determine the fate of the accused. Such is the sense and essence of red terror." (page 21)

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn described in the Gulag Archipelago the manner that socialism and communism did not actually help individuals. We learn that the Soviets wanted to remove the intellectuals and believers in order to create a society without history, science, writing, Christianity, logic, truth, filial love, and genuine empathy. We learn that socialism and communism is actually the religion of envy and coveting. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn described that what "appeared" to be a "well intentioned" revolution to help the prolitariat was actually persecution. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn described that the communists of the 1918 "revolution" were actually trying to impose an unjust system that looked to get rid of what in its paranoic mind was opposition. We learn that communism and socialism are often romanticized in marxist literature while actually not showing the reality of the religion of envy and coveting. 

"For several decades political arrests were distinguished in our country precisely by the fact that people were arrested who were guilty of nothing..."- (page 9)

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn described that the strategies of the socialists and communists was to falsely accuse individuals so that they ended up in Gulag, or the prison system of the Soviet Union. We learn that there were informants everywhere including theater cashiers, railway operators, and taxi drivers that were ready to accuse anyone they did not like. We learn that the accusations were false and targeted individuals that were not a part of the Soviets. We learn that Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was a loyal soldier who was accused falsely of sedition because he wrote a letter to a friend in another country. The soviet informants disregarded the privacy of its citizens opening Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's letter and accusing him of criticizing Stalin. For this, he was sentenced to the gulag system. We learn that in prison, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn converted to Christianity seeing that there were individuals who were faithful and did not renounce their zeal despite the persecution. 

The Soviet Union Persecuted Priests, Nuns, Loyal Soldiers, Teachers, the Workers, and Parents

We learn from the writings of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in the Gulag Archipelago about the manner that the Soviets did not try to help individuals. While communism states that it tries to relieve the injustices that have occured helping the prolitariat workers, it actually does nothing but propagate envy and lies. In fact, the prolitariat workers were persecuted and envied. We learn that the soviets persecuted:

Priests and Members of the Clergy

Priests and members of the clergy describing their intolerance of the true faith. We learn that Christianity and communism are opposed because Christianity describes the need to obey the commandments of Moses while communism describes the need to disobey the commandments of Moses. We learn that communism taught the need to envy and covet other people's resources, talents, and virtues. This was one of the reasons why the communists envied the priests and nuns. We learn that socialism, marxism, and communism attempt to lead individuals to have negative emotions because they describe that there is the need to be atheistic meaning not professing faith in the Creator and nihilistic meaning not believing in meaning and purpose because they do not believe ir GOD Almighty. 

"For this reason the Patriarch Tikhon was arrested and two resounding trials were held, followed by the execution in Moscow of those who had publicized the Patriarch's appeal and, in Petrograd, or the Metropolitan Veniamin, who had attempted to hinder the transfer of ecclesiastical power to the 'Living Church' group. Here and there in the provincial centers and even further down in the administrative districts, metropolitans and bishops were arrested."- (page 22-23)

If there is no faith in GOD Almighty, then there would be no need to obey the commandments according to socialist and communist propaganda. Instead, the worship goes to idols and idolatry. We learn that this is something that happens when there is no faith in GOD Almighty. The Soviets attempted to create a "church" that was actually supposed to replace existing true faithful leadership with that which would prioritize communism over the true faith. The Soviets would then persecute any true priests and faithful believers who trusted in GOD Almighty over the state. We learn that the true faith in GOD Almighty allows individuals to prosper while everyone improves. In socialism and communism where there is envy and coveting, there are attempts at preventing others from improving. The Soviets taught the need to falsely accuse others whenever they coveted or wanted what other people had. Private property was a difficult concept for socialism and communism because it teaches the need to envy and covet. 

Loyal Soldiers

"They took those who were too independent, too influential, along with those who were too well-to-do, too intelligent, too noteworthy; they took particularly, many Poles from former Polish provinces. They arrested officers everywhere."- (page 30) 

Loyal and capable soldiers were persecuted in 1939-1940s from Czechoslovakia, Ukraine, Byelorussia and Poland who were deemed too independent and capable. There were also loyal Soviet soldiers that had fought against the nazi socialists in the 1940s who were persecuted. We learn that loyal and good soldiers were also persecuted by the Soviets because of envy. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was an example because he was a loyal and good soldier who was envied. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was falsely accused of sedition. We learn that his private letters were opened and read by Soviet soldiers without consent. We learn that not only is private property a difficult concept for socialists and communists but also privacy. We learn that Aleksandr described how he had to tell the Soviet soldiers where the gulag prison was because they did not know the directions. We learn that this was interesting being that there was envy and hate, yet a lack of needing to improve and better oneself. Another example, described Soviet soldiers who fought in the Second World War and ended up in Sweden. In Sweden, they were given freedom and autonomy and treated well. When they were returned to the Soviet Union, they were arrested for speaking good about Sweden and capitalism.

"For example, during the first days of the war one of our destroyers went aground in Swedish territory. Its crew proceeded to live freely in Sweden during all the rest of the war. After the war, Sweden returned them to us along with the destroyer. Their treason to the Motherland was indubitable-but somehow the case did not get off the ground. They let them go their different ways and then pasted them with Anti-Soviet Agitation for their lovely stories in praise of freedom and good eating in capitalist Sweden. (This was the Kadenko group)."- (page 32)

There where Soviet soldiers who ended up in Sweden during the Second World War and were given the freedom to live in Sweden for a specific amount of time until the war ended. They were returned to the Soviets and were arrested for Anti-Soviet Agitation or speaking well of autonomy and freedom in capitalist Sweden. This describes the incongruency that existed in communism during the 1940s in the Soviet Union where individuals could not have the freedom to speak well of Sweden because it was capitalist and respected autonomy. This was with the intention to suppress any information that allowed individuals to learn about the benefits of capitalism and autonomy. There were also Soviet soldiers who had fought against the Germans in the Second World War and instead of being received with gratitude, they were sent to the gulags after surviving the war. 

Business Owners and Workers

"Who was arrested in the 'gold' wave? All those who, at one time or another, fifteen years before, had had a private business, had been involved in retail trade, had earned wages at a craft, and could have, according to the GPU's deductions, hoarded gold. But it so happened that they had no gold... They had high hopes, of course, in arresting dental technicians, jewelers, and watch repairmen." (page 25)

Business owners and workers that had gained sufficient resources were persecuted. The Soviets did not produce resources because there was slothfulness and envy instead of discipline and industriousness being exemplified. We learn that the Soviets cared about the class and professions of individuals so that they could obtain resources. They wanted to persecute dental technicians, jewelers, and watch repairmen with the intention of confiscating gold and previous metals. They also persecuted anyone who had received wages for fifteen years, had a business, and was involved in retail trade, and whom soviets thought may have held gold. 

“Here is one vignette from those years as it actually occurred. A district Party conference was under way in Moscow Province. It was presided over by a new secretary of the District Party Committee, replacing one recently arrested. At the conclusion of the conference, a tribute to Comrade Stalin was called for. Of course, everyone stood up (just as everyone had leaped to his feet during the conference at every mention of his name). The small hall echoed with 'stormy applause, rising to an ovation.’ For three minutes, four minutes, five minutes, the 'stormy applause, rising to an ovation' continued. But palms were getting sore and raised arms were already aching. And the older people were panting from exhaustion. It was becoming insufferably silly even to those who really adored Stalin. However, who would dare be the first to stop? The secretary of the District Party Committee could have done it. He was standing on the platform, and it was he who had just called for the ovation. But he was a newcomer. He had taken the place of a man who'd seen arrested. He was afraid! After all, NKVD men were standing in the hall applauding and watching to see who quit first! And in that obscure, small hall, unknown to the Leader, the applause went on-six, seven, eight minutes! They were done for! Their goose was cooked! They couldn't stop know until they collapsed of heart attacks. At the rear of the hall, which was crowded, they could of course cheat a bit, clap less frequently, less vigorously, not so eagerly- but up there with the presidium where everyone could see them?”

There is the story of a businessman who had a factory who was taken to gulag because he failed to keep applauding Stalin's speech after more than 10 minutes of clapping. No one wanted to stop clapping for the fear of being sent to gulag. We learn that even sycophants were fearful of persecution in the Soviet Union. The factory owner decided to sit down after more than enough clapping after a tribute to Stalin. The interrogator had given him advice that "one should never be the first person to stop applauding". This describes the sheer madness of socialism and communism. We learn that individuals were not given the ability to have autonomy and independence. This describes why socialism is not a good philosophy and the manner that the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s.

Students and Professors

"In that same year the practice of arresting students began... Also in 1921 the arrests of members of all non-Bolshevik parties were expanded and systematized. In fact, all Russia's political parties had been buried..."- (page 22)

Students, professors, and historians who were not a part of the Bolshevik parties in the 1920s were persecuted. Essentially, the Bolsheviks did not want any other party to exist. We learn that students who were not members of the Bolsheviks were arrested and persecuted for not belonging to socialism and communism. In the 1920s, there were historians who were arrested because socialism and communism did not want individuals learning. This describes the perils of socialism and communism of attempting to prevent self-improvement through learning and education. 

There was also a story of a professor that was arrested during Stalin's time as leader for mentioning Lenin and Marx in his lecture but not citing Stalin. To this an informant that was a student decided to accuse the professor of failing to mention Stalin in his lecture while having mentioned Lenin and Marx. The professor was not seen after he conducted that lecture. This describes the insanity of socialism and communism. 

                       Parents of Children

"In the 1920s the religious education of children was classified as a political crime under Article 58-10 of the Code- in other words, counter-revolutionary propaganda! True, one was permitted to renounce one's religion at one's trial: it didn't often happen..."- The Gulag Archipelago (page 23)

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn described that the Soviets attempted to prevent parents from teaching their children about Christianity. Individuals were able to have faith, yet were not allowed to voice their belief. There were cases where parents of children were falsely accused of sedition against the state when we know that they were instructing their children on the true faith. This allows us to know why we can not believe any of the romanticized versions of marxism that are actually false and either make its supposed "heroes" appear "benevolent" when in reality they persecuted their citizens and offered nothing but envy and temporary lies. We learn that the Soviets did not want true Christianity to be preached because the worship of GOD Almighty allows people to better themselves and their children. 

We learn that Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn described that people who were faithful believers did not renounce their faith. While in prison, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn decided to renounce socialism and communism for King Jesus Christ. We learn that this is important because while in the gulag system, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote about the truth of the Soviet Union without any lies. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote about how communism and socialism were nothing good. We learn that the writings of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn were another main reason why the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s. The Gulag Archipelago described the reality of the false system of socialism and communism that offered nothing but envy, temporary lies, and fakeness while persecuting the individuals that were helping and improving society describing its own soldiers, family structure, and priests. For this and too many reasons that can be described, the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s.

The Soviets Also Arrested Based on Quotas

"The real law underlying the arrests of those years was the assignment of quotas, the norms set, the planned allocations. Every city, every district, every military unit was assigned a specific quota of arrests to be carried out by a stipulated time." 

We learn from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn that the Soviets also arrested individuals based on quotas. This describes that there was no real explanation or cause other than to increase the numbers of individuals in gulag. This describes that the selection was based on arbitrariness and totalitarianism and not based on actual breaking of the law. We learn that the charges were based on false accusations and not on actual truth. We learn that essentially anyone could be falsely accused with breaking Article 58 section 10. We learn that there were Soviet soldiers who returned from Sweden after fighting in the Second World War who were arrested for speaking good things about the autonomy and freedom they enjoyed in capitalist Sweden. Also just possessing literary materials like the historian mentioned previously could have caused envy. There was a historian who was arrested for having literature and books about history. This was obviously not to help its citizenry and instead was to keep individuals from understanding the truth and improving themselves through learning.

"There was no section in Article 58 which was interpreted as broadly and with so ardent a revolutionary conscience as section 10. Its definition was: 'Propaganda or agitation, containing an appeal for the overthrow, subverting, or weakening of the Soviet power... and, equally, the dissemination or preparation or possession of literary materials of similar content.'"- (page 27)

Goodness of Individuals Despite Persecution and Envy

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn described how there were righteous individuals who persevered despite the persecution. We learn of a priest in 1934 that went to "Alma-Ata to visit some believers in exile there". While he was visiting the faithful believers in another region, the Soviets went to his Moscow apartment to arrest him multiple times. We learn that the priest was able to persevere despite persecution. When he returned, righteous faithful individuals met him at the transportation station and "refused to let him go home and for eight years hid him in one apartment after another." 

The priest was able to persevere despite the persecution from the Soviets. We learn that he was arrested years later and was glad that he did not have to hide from the Soviets anymore. We learn that he sang hymns of worship to GOD Almighty. This describes that the worship of GOD Almighty is greater than the circumstances or persecution. We learn that there were individuals that despite the obstacles, envy, and difficulties imposed by the persecution of the Soviets, they were able to worship GOD Almighty through it all. We learn that the righteous Christians did not renounce their faith in King Jesus Christ. This is impressive seeing the manner that even amidst the sheer number of informants of the Soviet Union, righteous Christians persevered and the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s.

   Righteous Individuals Persevering With                                           Courage

"Only the man who has renounced everything can win that victory. But how can one turn one's body to stone? Well, they managed to turn some individuals from the Berdyayev circle into puppets for a trial, but they didn't succeed with Berdyayev. They wanted to drag him into an open trial; they arrested him twice; and (in 1922) he was subjected to a night interrogation by Dzerzhinsky himself. Kamenev was there too. But Berdyayev did not humiliate himself. He did not beg or plead. He set forth firmly those religious and moral principles which had led him to refuse to accept the political authority established in Russia. And not only did they come to the conclusion that he would be useless for a trial, but they liberated him." (page 64)

While in the Soviet Union there were attempts to discourage individuals from professing their faith, there were righteous individuals who did not fear and persevered with high courage. There was the story of an individual that was hated and envied by the Soviets, yet persevered. He did not speak lies and refused to accept the coercion and false authority of the Soviet informants. Instead of having fear, he decided to keep to his religious and moral principles that allowed him to persevere so much so that he was liberated by the Soviets.

"After all, you are afraid of your bosses, and you are afraid of each other, and you are even afraid of killing me.' (They would lose contact with the underground railroad.) 'But I am not afraid of anything. I would be glad to be judged by GOD right this minute.'" (page 64)

We learn of another story of an older woman who had helped a metropolitan by hiding him from the Soviets. The metropolitan fled to Finland and received refuge from the persecution of the Soviets. We learn that the old woman was arrested and interrogated on the whereabouts of the metropolitan. The older woman did not tell them where he fled to and was not afraid of the Soviets. There were also individuals who did not speak lies nor betray anyone. There were individuals that chose to be martyred than practice wickedness. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was able to speak and write about the valor and high courage of righteous individuals who persevered despite the discouragements and envy from Soviet informants. We learn that there were individuals that did not renounce their faith and persevered despite persecution. 

There is the story of a woman named, Vera Korneyeva, who when arrested and given the '206' form by her interrogator describing what she was being accused of, decided to describe the truth and the difficulties that were existing. She was placed in another room with other employees in order to read the form. While she read the file in another room with other employees, she began to preach. People from other offices including "typists, stenographers, and file clerks" filled up the room. She was speaking the truth concerning the injustices of a system that had apparent incongruencies and deficits. 

"It is impossible to reconstruct her monologue. She managed to work in all sorts of things, including the question of 'traitors of the Motherland'. Why where there no traitors in the 1812 War of the Fatherland, when there was still serfdom? It would have been natural to have traitors then! But mostly she spoke about religious faith and religious believers. Formerly, she declared, unbridled passions were the basis for everything- 'Steal the stolen goods'- and, in that state of affairs, religious believers were naturally a hindrance to you. But now, when you want to build and prosper in the world, why do you persecute your best citizens? They represent your most precious material: after all, believers don't need to be watched, they do not steal, and they do not shirk. Do you think you can build a just society on a foundation of self-serving and envious people? Everything in the country is falling part. Why do you spit in the hearts of your best people? Separate church and state properly and do not touch the church; you will not lose a thing thereby. Are you materialists? In that case, put your faith in education- in the possibility that it will, as they say, disperse religious faith. But why arrest people? At this point Goldman came in and started to interrupt rudely. But everyone shouted at him: 'Oh, shut up! Keep quiet! Go ahead, woman, talk.' And Vera continued in the presence of her interrogator.

We learn that the people in the room where listening attentively to the sermon that Vera Korneyeva was giving. She kept on speaking truth concerning the importance of justice and equity. When people from other rooms were filling up the room listening to her speak, the interrogator, Goldman, attempted to interrupt her. The people in the room told the interrogator to be quiet and for Vera Korneyeva to keep speaking truth.

Envy and Division in the Soviet Union

We learn from the story of the Soviet Union how individuals did not have genuine empathy for one another. We learn that Stalin hated Lenin, and Lenin hated Stalin. Stalin hated Trotsky, and, most likely, Trotsky hated Stalin. We learn that Hitler hated Stalin, and Stalin hated Hitler. We learn that Stalin sent Lenin into exile and later Stalin would also be placed in exile. We learn that Hitler attacked Stalin being that both practiced socialism. We learn that for this and so many reasons, we are not supposed to believe the temporary lies of socialism and communism that want to lead far from the obedience to the commandments of Moses. We can guard our heart and mind from the temporary lies of evil that want individuals to doubt GOD Almighty. Instead, we can doubt the false lies of evil. 

This is understood by the manner that there were informants in the Soviet Union who spoke lies and slander. Their job was to accuse and slander individuals that they thought were against the Soviets or also whom they envied. This describes that there was a lot of slander and lies spoken by Soviet informants. We learned that an informant had complained about the manner that a professor had cited Marx and Lenin in a lecture while not including Stalin. The professor did not instruct additional lectures and most likely was taken to gulag. We learn that this describes the insanity that exists in socialist and communist dystopias that attempt to lead individuals to become sycophants instead of independent thinkers and individuals. Solzhenitsyn questioned what the fate of the professor could have been had he not cited any of the communism leaders. 

Saint Thomas Aquinas

 Saint Thomas Aquinas

"May all transitory things, O LORD, be worthless to me and may all things eternal be ever cherished by me."

Saint Thomas Aquinas was an individual that lived in the 1200s and was faithful to GOD Almighty. We learn that he was able to be both a believer and a student who kept learning about the worship of GOD Almighty. Saint Thomas Aquinas was able to describe about the importance of the faith and the need to develop virtues for the glorification of GOD Almighty. We learn that Saint Thomas Aquinas also described the importance of logic and reasoning allowing for individuals to know that there is meaning and purpose in the worship of GOD Almighty. 

"I praise Your compassion extended to me for so long a time and Your gentleness appearing in the guise of correction."

Saint Thomas Aquinas was able to teach and also preach about the importance of GOD Almighty. Saint Thomas Aquinas was born in Naples, Italy and was able to choose to worship GOD Almighty. He was able to instruct and write about the importance of the faith. Saint Thomas Aquinas was able to write more than hundreds of volumes instructing the importance of the faith in Christianity. We learn that Saint Thomas Aquinas described the importance of logical reasoning in understanding that the Scriptures speak truth.

"I praise Your tenderness calling out to me, Your kindness welcoming me, and Your mercy forgiving my sins."

Saint Thomas Aquinas described the importance of prayer and making sure that we recognize the importance of GOD Almighty in our lives. We learn that GOD Almighty is a loving Father that cares about his children. We learn that GOD Almighty cares about the righteous and wants us to pray to GOD Almighty. The Scriptures describe the importance of prayer in our day to day lives. We learn from the Sacred Scriptures that GOD Almighty listens to our prayers and helps us persevere with fidelity to GOD Almighty.

"I praise Your humility that consoles me, Your patience that shelters me, Your eternity that preserves me, and Your truth that rewards me."

Saint Thomas Aquinas described the importance of practicing humility and virtues that allow us to persevere in the worship of GOD Almighty. Saint Thomas Aquinas has prayers that describe the importance of acknowledging GOD Almighty being the source of all things good. We learn that we develop virtues when we decide to worship GOD Almighty with sincerity of heart and obey the commandments of Moses. We are supposed to repent of sin with sincerity of heart and persevere developing virtues for the worship of GOD Almighty.

Quotes from The Aquinas Prayer Book

Pope John Paul II

 Pope John Paul II

"In order to set man free from every manifestation of a servile fear... it is necessary to pray fervently that He will cultivate in his heart the true fear of GOD, which is the beginning of wisdom."- Crossing the Threshold of Hope (page 228)

Pope John Paul II described the importance of worshiping GOD Almighty with zeal and fidelity. We learn that he was able to be a priest and then was able to be pope in 1978. Pope John Paul II described the importance of obedience to GOD Almighty and also genuine empathy to mankind. We learn that Pope John Paul II preached about the importance of responsibility. While Pope John Paul II preached about the importance of King Jesus Christ and obedience to the commandments, there was opposition from communism and socialism.

"This fear of GOD is the saving power of the Gospel. It is a constructive, never destructive fear."

Pope John Paul II kept preaching and speaking truth even when there was opposition seen in communism. We learn from his book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, about the opposition that existed in the socialists and communists that did not want him to preach at universities. We learn that even when they attempted to prevent him from preaching and speaking truth, Pope John Paul II persevered preaching Christianity. We learn that Pope John Paul II decided to honor the Creator, GOD Almighty, instead of listening to the discouragements and envy of the communists. We learn that Pope John Paul II was led by the worship of GOD Almighty and not by fear. We learn that instead Pope John Paul II chose to worship GOD Almighty than listen to the discouragements of a flawed communist false belief.

"The fear of GOD creates people who allow themselves to be led by responsibility, by responsible love."

We learn that Pope John Paul II had an assassination attempt in 1981 in Moscow when a sniper rifle bullet hit Pope John Paul II. We learn that Pope John Paul II was able to recover from the assassination attempt and was able to keep preaching truth. We learn that Pope John Paul II even visited the individual that attempted to take his life. Pope John Paul II visited the individual in prison in Moscow. We learn that Pope John Paul II forgave the individual and described the power of forgiveness, genuine empathy, and preaching King Jesus Christ Eternal LORD and Savior. We learn that Pope John Paul II was able to persevere describing that there is no need for negative emotions describing hate, envy, resentments, and bitterness. 

"Responsibility and responsible love creates set apart men and women-true Christians- to whom the future of the world ultimately belongs."

Pope John Paul II kept preaching even after the assassination attempt, and we learned that the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s. We learn that while there are multiple reasons describing why the Soviet Union collapsed, one of the main reasons included the positive example of Pope John Paul II being able to preach the filial love and genuine empathy of Christianity amidst the bitterness and hate that attempted to prevent Pope John Paul II from preaching. We were able to see that love conquers hate and that GOD Almighty is very active in the lives of human beings that are righteous. We learn that Pope John Paul II was able to keep preaching decades later and describes the importance of having zeal, humility, responsibility, and most important of all fidelity to GOD Almighty.

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The Right to Life

"For man, the right to life is the fundamental right. And yet, part of contemporary culture has wanted to deny that right, turning it into an "uncomfortable" right, one that has to be defended. But there is no other right that so closely affects the very existence of the person! The right to live means the right to be born and then persevere to live..."- Crossing the Threshold of Hope (page 204-205)

Pope John Paul II described the importance of fighting for the right of human life. We learn that Pope John Paul II fought for the rights of newborns and the importance of obeying the commandments. We learn that the socialists and communists opposed Pope John Paul II attempting to prevent him from preaching in the universities of Poland. Pope John Paul II also described that the media attempted to argue against pro-life arguments with the intention to lead to the use of abortions in cases of unwanted pregnancies in the 1980s. We learn that Pope John Paul II fought against these irresponsible and foolish arguments that attempted to lead individuals to think that abortions are an option. Pope John Paul II fought against abortions and the killing of innocent unborn human life. 

"The question of conceived and unborn children is a particularly delicate yet clear problem. The legalization of the termination of pregnancy is none other than the authorization given to an adult, with the approval of an established law, to take the lives of children yet unborn and thus incapable of defending themselves. It is difficult to imagine a more unjust situation, and it is very difficult to speak of obssession in a matter such as this, where we are dealing with a fundamental imperative of every good conscience-the defense of the right to life of an innocent and defenseless human being. Often the question is presented as a women's right to free choice regarding the life already existing inside her, that she carries in her womb: the woman should have the right to choose between giving life or taking it away from the unborn child. Anyone can see that the alternative here is only apparent. It is not possible to speak of the right to choose when a clear moral evil is involved, when what is at stake is the commandment Do not kill!"- (page 205)

Pope John Paul II did not waver in his commitment to speak truth and is one of the reasons why the socialists and communists did not like Pope John Paul II. We learn that Pope John Paul II kept preaching and writing truth that led to individuals learning about the filial love and genuine empathy that exists in the worship of GOD Almighty. We learn that Christianity describes the importance of human life and that each individual has the right to live based on the commandments of Moses. We learn that the socialists kept attempting to persecute Pope John Paul II and when they could not prevent him from preaching, they attempted to assassinate him. Yet, he was able to persevere preaching, writing, and worshiping GOD Almighty recuperating from the gun shot wound of a socialist. Pope John Paul II did not become resentful or discouraged and instead persevered with high courage and unbreakable valor.  

Guarding Human Rights and Fighting Against Disinformation and Deceit

"What are the human rights? It is evident that these rights were inscribed by the Creator in the order of creation, so we can not speak of concessions on the part of human institutions, on the part of states and international organizations. The Gospel is the fullest confirmation of all of human rights. Without it we can easily find ourselves be far from the truth about man."- (page 197)

We are able to understand that socialism and communism does not offer much to individuals seeing the manner that socialists and communists could not stand the reality of Pope John Paul II preaching truth, logic, wisdom, and filial love. We learn that he fought for the life of the unborn and even went through persecution for his faith. This allows us to understand why we can not be a part of evil, tyranny, and deceit that attempts to prevent individuals from seeing the beauty and wonders that GOD Almighty is able to accomplish. We learn that Pope John Paul II was able to help individuals realize that GOD Almighty is a loving Father who cares about humanity. We learn that GOD Almighty wants to help us persevere and that we can not believe the temporary lies of the snake that want to cause negative emotions and resentment to lead to disobedience. 

"The Redeemer confirms human rights simply by restoring the fullness of the dignity man received when GOD created him in His image and likeness."- (page 197)

In the 1990s and 2000s after the collapse of the Soviet Union, there were also preachers and pastors that described how they attempted to preach in churches and how there was opposition. Despite the opposition, preachers described that they would be able to preach in churches in Russia and different nations that were formerly of the Soviet Union, and described how GOD Almighty allowed them to persevere speaking truth amidst hate and envy from false apostles and idolators that did not want preachers to speak truth. We learn that Pope John Paul II gave us an important example of how we can persevere with bravery and courage despite opposition, persecution, and envy.

Logic and Reason Confirm the Existence of GOD Almighty and Refutes Atheism and Nihilism

"The visible world, in and of itself, can not offer a scientific basis for an atheistic interpretation of reality. Instead, honest reflection does find sufficient elements in the world to arrive at the knowledge of GOD. In this sense the atheistic interpretation of reality is one-sided and tendentious."- (page 198)

Pope John Paul II described that he was able to speak with scientists and professors about the manner that we can understand that GOD Almighty exists. We learn that this wisdom prevents us from believing in false philosophies of hate and lust describing atheism and nihilism that socialism and communism derive from. We learn that Pope John Paul II was able to preach about the manner that atheism does not make much sense from a point of view with logic and reason. We learn that Pope John Paul II described that atheism could not be argued for since there is logical reason and order that confirms the existence and absolute sovereign authority of GOD Almighty. 

"I still remember those discussions. I also participated in many meetings with scientists, in particular with physicists, who, after Einstein, were quite open to a theistic interpretation of the world."- (page 199)

Pope John Paul II described that atheism is very one sided because there is no logic, reasoning, order, or filial love. There is arbitrariness and authoritarianism seen in the past regimes of socialism and communism that have never worked. We learn that we can persevere acknowledging the importance of logic, reasoning, truth, and order that exists. We learn that the creation of the world and the world has order. We know that GOD Almighty has established the order of creation concerning the earth seeing the sun, moon, stars, rivers, oceans, weather, seasons, and even with the planets and the universe. We learn that GOD Almighty established order in creation that allows us to acknowledge with learning and studying science that GOD Almighty is in absolute, infinite, and eternal authority over everything. 

Figures of History and Individualism allows us to persevere knowing that throughout history there have been righteous individuals that decided to practice good and not practice sin. We are able to persevere knowing that there is no need to fear nor have negative emotions knowing that we trust in the Creator and not in idolatry. We are able to learn about righteous individuals that decided to speak truth and help others even when there are lies being told that attempt to lead individuals to disobedience and the practice of sin. We can persevere without practicing sin and idol worship.

Dr. Viktor E. Frankl

 Dr. Viktor E. Frankl

 

“He who has a why to live for, can bear almost any how.” – Viktor E. Frankl

One of the mentally strongest men of history. This individual was wronged multiple times by a society that felt the need to embrace national socialism and fascism and yet continued to survive and thrive. Amid all the odds of life, Dr. Frankl was able to muster the strength to resist any or all of the insults, injuries, hatred, and group think that was set against him. His story should be a great example of the perils of following the group for the sake of following the group and the importance of individual will to liberty, self-determination, and a firm belief in GOD.

 

“Decisions, not conditions, determine what a man is.” – Viktor E. Frankl

 

Viktor E. Frankl was taken by the German Nazi soldiers who embraced nationalist socialism. They worked together to ascribe all their ills on a common enemy. This illogical hatred was used as fuel to continue the assault on individuals that did not share the Nazi beliefs or their appearance or bloodline. Yet, no one rose up and spoke out against the onslaught of precious human life. There was rarely any dissidents because they would feel the fury of the evil empire. So great was the fear of people of Germany that even prominent English politicians feared from afar. They would have rather capitulated to the growing strength of the hateful yoke than speak against it. Only a sane English individual by the name of Winston Spencer Churchill believed on the need to defend life from death and to show strength where weakness abounded.

 

“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by the lack of meaning and purpose.” Viktor E. Frankl

 

Through the organization of oratory and lies, did the empire gain strength. Attacking and destroying human life that they deemed different from themselves. Jewish individuals were taken into captivity and destroyed in a show of force that can only be described as unrestricted hatred and a dedication to the eradication of human life. While these changes occurred, few individuals dared to challenge the authority that was demonstrating unrestrained destruction. Qeue Viktor E. Frankl. The individual who demonstrated in his recollections, “Man’s Search For Meaning,” just how vicious and cruel ideologies can be. While suffering from the unfair captivity of Nazis, Viktor E. Frankl was able to take all the abuse, all the suffering that he was witnessing, and demonstrate a stoic nature so few could muster under those circumstances. Rather than lose his will to live as many did in the concentration camps, Frankl must have thought, “He that has a why can bear any how.” He continued regardless of the circumstances and regardless of everything that he had endured.

 

“Life is not primarily a quest for pleasure, as Freud believed, or a quest for power, as Alfred Adler taught, but a quest for meaning. The greatest task for any person is to find meaning in his or her own life.” Viktor E. Frankl

 

Although he was publically ridiculed and beaten, he continued showing that he was in control of his own destiny. Even in the worst circumstances he demonstrated that no one was to take the sovereignty that he was endowed with. He alone defied the order that he was living in from within. Even after being accused and whose life was changed drastically, he continued on as if nothing changed. He placed himself in a mentality where he was able to withstand any insult, any hurt, any problem, because he was more than the circumstances. He was more than his enemies. He was much more than all of these combined. His book gives so much hope to humanity as a whole. Yet, his living example of strength and high courage shows us what it means to have peace of mind and character even in the midst of a world that wants to embrace cruelty and hatred.

Viktor E. Frankl's Book, Man's Search For Meaning, Describes the Importance of Positivity, Gratitude, Meaning, and Purpose

After Viktor E. Frankl had gone through the difficulties of racism due to nazi socialism, his book, Man's Search For Meaning, describes the importance of finding meaning and persevering having a purpose. Frankl's book describes the importance of having meaning and purpose in this life so that there is no meaninglessness and purposelessness. Even after going through hate and envy, Viktor E. Frankl was able to practice psychiatry and instruct on the importance of keeping a positive outlook in life. Viktor E. Frankl kept learning and did not let the envy and hate of socialist nazism lead him to hate. Viktor E. Frankl kept learning throughout his life being able to keep practicing Psychiatry and was able to receive a Doctorate in Philosophy. We learn that he wrote many books on Logotherapy and that Positive Psychology is derived from Viktor E. Frankl's writings. In 1983, he was able to go to West Germany to give a symposium about Positive Psychology and the need to have meaning and purpose in one's own life. 

Viktor E. Frankl describes in his book the manner that nihilism attempts to lead individuals to a state of emptiness were there is no meaning and purpose. This abscence of meaning and purpose leads to negative emotions, neuroticism, and difficulties. We learn that the Sacred Scriptures remind us of the importance of having meaning and purpose in the worship of GOD Almighty. This prevents us from having negative emotions describing frustrations, fear, bitterness, resentment, anger, and envy. Positive Psychology describes the need to keep being positive and having gratitude that acknowledges the importance of meaning and purpose. Viktor E. Frankl described that individuals can have meaning and purpose by being creative in their own work, having filial love, and acknowledging that even obstacles and circumstances can be used to find meaning and purpose. This describes the manner that we can not allow negative emotions, false philosophies, and the practice of sin lead to meaninglessness and faithlessness. We are able to find happiness and goodness when we decide to persevere with righteousness in the worship of GOD Almighty. Viktor E. Frankl is able to help us understand the manner that we can keep faith and courage because there is meaning and purpose.

Acknowledging the Importance of Meaning and Purpose Prevents the Existential Vacuum

"To life he can only respond by being responsible. Thus logotherapy sees in responsibility the very essence of human existence."- Man's Search for Meaning (page 131)

Viktor E. Frankl describes that one of the biggest dangers of his times was the threat of nihilism. This specific philosophy that states that life has no meaning. We know that this false philosophy leads to lack of meaning, lack of purpose, and lack of faith. We learn that nihilism can lead to the existential vacuum where individuals do not have meaning and purpose that leads to negative emotions, depression, aggression, and addiction. Viktor E. Frankl describes that logotherapy helps individuals be able to remove the negative emotions because logotherapy has the intention of helping individuals understand the importance of having meaning and purpose. We learn that life has meaning and purpose when there is creativity meaning being able to create or work, have filial love, and persevere amidst obstacles and circumstances. This requires individuals to have responsibility. We learn that nihilism wants to lead to irresponsibility, slothfulness, intemperance, envy, anger, and hate among other vices.

"In fact, freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibility. That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the east coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the west coast. "- (page 156)

Viktor E. Frankl describes that individuals who have meaning and purpose are able to persevere even amidst opposition and difficult times. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl was able to persevere even when placed in four different concentration camps because he was able to keep a positive demeanor, placed a responsibility on himself to publish his first book's manuscript even when the book was confiscated, and have the responsibility to take care of his patients in the concentration camp. In one specific circumstance, Viktor E. Frankl was given the option to flee the concentration camp and leave his patients behind. Viktor E. Frankl decided to keep responsibility and stayed with his patients. This decision to be responsible also allowed him to persevere. Viktor E. Frankl described that after the removal from captivity, he had statistically calculated the probability of survival in a concentration camp. The odds were not very inspiring. Yet, Viktor E. Frankl persevered knowing that he had responsibility to keep going despite set-backs, opposition, and envy. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl kept being positive and described the importance of having gratitude, faith, a sense of humor, and perseverance amidst not so good times. This is because individuals have meaning and purpose that allows them to know that they can persevere. 

The Worship of GOD Almighty Allows For Improvement, Meaning, Purpose, and Development of Virtues

"The more one forgets himself-by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love- the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself. What is called self-actualization is not an attainable aim at all, for the simple reason that the more one would strive for it, the more he would miss it. In other words, self-actualization is possible only as a side-effect of self-transcendence."- Man's Search for Meaning (page 133)

We know that the worship of GOD Almighty helps us persevere regardless of times, obstacles, or circumstances. We learn that worshiping GOD Almighty and obedience to the commandments allows us to acknowledge that there is a Creator that is greater than ourselves. We learn that when we accept and confess King Jesus Christ Eternal LORD and Savior we have filial love that prevents us from having negative emotions. We know that we begin to improve in virtues because faith prevents us from believing the temporary lies of sin. We learn that in the existential vacuum, individuals that believe in nihilism are led to boredom seeing that having no meaning and no purpose leads to boredom. The boredom then causes individuals to have a negative triad describing depression, aggression, and addiction. We learn that nihilism attempts to lead to falsely believe that pleasure or power helps. We learn that instead of helping, the illusion of power and attempting to use lust to derive pleasure leads to even greater difficulties. Viktor E. Frankl described that finding meaning in one's life is far more important and actually allows individuals to persevere amidst pleasant times or not so pleasant times. Having meaning and purpose allows individuals to have satisfaction, true joy, and develop resiliency.

"A statistical survey recently revealed that among my European students, 25 percent showed a more-or-less degree of marked existential vacuum. Among my American students it was not 25 percent but 60 percent. The existential vacuum manifests itself as a state of boredom."- Man's Search for Meaning (page 129)

Logotherapy Allows Individuals to Find Meaning and Purpose

"Having shown the beneficial impact of meaning orientation, I turn to the detrimental influence of that feeling of which so many patients complain today, namely of the feeling of the total and ultimate meaningless of their lives. They lack the awareness of a meaning worth living for."- Man's Search for Meaning (page 128)

We learn from Viktor E. Frankl that logotherapy is the name given to the therapy that occurs that allows individuals to find meaning and purpose in their lives. We learn that logotherapy helps because logotherapy goes to the heart of the problem when individuals have an existential vacuum. We learn that logotherapy sees the manner that individuals find meaning and purpose in their lives so that there is no existential vacuum, negative emotions, nor boredom. We learn that having meaning and purpose prevents individuals from having ingratitude, anger, envy, the existential vacuum, depression, aggression, and addiction. 

We learn that logotherapy can help individuals not have negative emotions and instead there is gratitude and improvement. Dr. Viktor E. Frankl states that he had seen the manner that individuals are able to significantly improve when they acknowledge and understand that there is meaning and purpose in their lives. We are able to know that we can not allow false lies of sin to lead to nihilism that attempts to question the importance of meaning and purpose. We learn that we do not question having meaning and purpose and instead we question nihilism and false philosophies of sin that do not help, do not improve individuals, and lead them to an existential vacuum. 

Persevering Amidst Obstacles, Persecution, or Tribulation

"We must never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation, when facing a fate that can not be changed. For what then matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a human achievement."- Man's Search For Meaning (page 135)

Viktor E. Frankl described that individuals are able to persevere amidst difficult times because they have meaning and purpose. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl was able to persevere amidst persecution and four concentration camps because he knew that he had to persist having meaning and purpose. We learn that even amidst obstacles, individuals are able to turn difficulties into something good. We learn that instead of seeing the negative, we are able to see the good in everything knowing that there are lessons to be learned and that can allow us to persevere without practicing sin, idol worship, and vices that lead to destruction. Even amidst the persecution from German nazi socialists, Viktor E. Frankl turned the difficulties into a learning experience. He was able to describe that human life has dignity and sovereignty.  He also described that individuals are able to persevere with courage that allows us to withstand adversity and not so good times. 

"It is one of the basic tenets of logotherapy that man's main concern is not to gain pleasure or to avoid pain but rather to see a meaning in his life. That is why man is even ready to suffer, on the condition, to be sure, that his suffering has a meaning. But let me make it perfectly clear that in no way is suffering necessary to find meaning. I only insist that meaning is possible even in spite of suffering-provided, certainly, that the suffering is unavoidable."- Man's Search For Meaning (page 136)

We learn that Viktor E. Frankl was able to turn the difficult circumstances that he lived into therapy for individuals. We learn that logotherapy is based on the need to keep positivity even amidst difficult times. We learn that finding meaning and purpose allows us to persevere even amidst tribulation. Viktor E. Frankl described that individuals are able to persevere even amidst difficult circumstances because they acknowledge that their life has meaning and purpose, they are able to remain creative, and are able to acknowledge the importance of filial love and genuine empathy. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl turned all the negativity and hate into therapy that helped individuals see the manner that they can persevere. We learn that he was able to survive four concentration camps, write and publish his first book despite the book being confiscated, was able to write additional books on logotherapy, provided logotherapy to patients, went back to school to get a Doctorate of Philosophy, and held a conference in West Germany to instruct the importance of having meaning and purpose. He was able to allow individuals to know that having meaning and purpose prevents there from having meaninglessness, faithlessness, a negative triad, and the false belief that there is no sovereignty seen in nihilism and atheism. There are specific cases in his book that describe the manner that individuals can always see the good in everything and that having meaning and purpose prevents discouragements, demotivation, and a lack of discipline and determination. 

Being Positive Amidst Difficulties

We learn from Viktor E. Frankl that individuals can decide to see life in a positive manner. Even when there are difficulties or circumstances that are not favorable, individuals can still persevere with gratitude and determination. Viktor E. Frankl described in specific cases where individuals were able to see the positive of everything and were able to persevere without sadness, lack of meaning, or lack of purpose. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl described the manner that a widower was able to see the best of life regardless of difficulties. We learn that a doctor who had seen Viktor E. Frankl was saddened by the fact that his wife had died. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl helped the individual know that he could reframe the situation so that instead of seeing the negative, he could persevere seeing the positive. Viktor E. Frankl questioned the physician about how he would feel if instead of him being the survivor, it was his wife who had survived him. The doctor answered that it would not have been favorable or positive. The doctor was able to see that while his wife had died, he could see the manner that it was he who had to mourn the loss of his wife instead of her. This manner of thinking allowed the doctor to acknowledge that there was meaning and purpose in his life and that he could have gratitude knowing that it was he who had to mourn his wife and not the other manner.

In another situation, we learn that there was a mother of two children. We learn that one of the children of the mother of two had died at the age of eleven. We learn that the mother had another child that was unable to walk because of lower limb paralysis. We learn that the mother wanted to commit suicide because one of her children had died at an early age, and she would have to take care of the child that could not walk. We learn that the mother had decided to commit suicide and encourage her child to also commit suicide. We learn that the child that had lower limb paralysis loved living. He did not want to commit suicide even when his legs were not functioning. We learn that the child prevented the mother from commiting suicide. At this, the mother was admitted to a clinic because of her depression and suicidal ideation. We learn that a doctor had created a logodrama where they were able to act out specific situations in order to help find meaning to their difficult situations. Viktor E. Frankl helped participate in the logodrama where questions were asked to help individuals find meaning. Viktor E. Frankl asked a woman how old she was and the woman responded 30. Viktor E. Frankl described that she was not 30 but rather 80 and lying on her death bed. He told her that she had extensive wealth and fame yet was without children. Viktor E. Frankl asked her how her life was? We learn that the woman stated that she had lived an extravagant life, flirted, and enjoyed her easy life. However when describing the manner that she was childless, she described that she did not know what all that was for. She had failed to see meaning in her life and described that her life was a failure. Then Viktor E. Frankl asked the mother of the child with paralysis to imagine the same scenario. That she was 80 and on her deathbed. She had raised her child and had done the best for her boy. Viktor E. Frankl asked her how she felt and how was her life? The mother of the boy said that she had decided to have children and this possibility of having a family was given to her. She had two boys, and one of them died at an early age. The other while having paralysis of the legs was still her boy. She did the best to help her boy and was able to take care of him without resorting to an institution. We learn that she understood that her life still had meaning and purpose. She had understood that while her life was not easy, she did have meaning and purpose in caring for her child. She no longer had negative emotions and instead decided to persevere with meaning and purpose. Viktor E. Frankl also described that the life of the young boy who died at 11 years of age could have still had more meaning and purpose because of the filial love and joy lived that could be greater than a life that lasted 80 years allowing the mother to see the positive side of life. We learn that even amidst difficult circumstances, there is the manner to see the positive in everything. 

There was another example described in the story of a rabbi that had gone through difficulties due to persecution by the Nazi socialists. We learn that he had been persecuted along with his family. We learn that his wife and six children had died in the concentration camps. The rabbi had remarried after being a widower. In his story, the rabbi described that he was unable to have children because his wife was unable to conceive. We learn that he was saddened at the fact that he could not have children and did not have a male son to say Kaddish. Viktor E. Frankl describes that there was still meaning and purpose in his life despite the difficulties. When further asked about his life, the rabbi described that he was really saddened about the fact that his children that had died at the concentration camps died being martyrs and therefore would be in the Highest Heavens. The rabbi described that he was saddened that he would not be able to live with his children because they would be in the Highest Heavens while he was a sinful man. 

To this Viktor E. Frankl described from the Psalms of David that GOD Almighty sees our tears and places our tears in a bottle and are in his book Psalm 56: 8. GOD Almighty is aware of the difficulties and does not forsake us. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl saw meaning in the rabbi's suffering because he was being purified through the difficulties so that he would be able to be with his children in Heaven. Viktor E. Frankl allowed the rabbi to see that his sufferings had meaning because they were purifying him. Even through the affliction of having to survive his children, although the rabbi was not innocent and pure like his children, the years of suffering allowed him to purify himself so that he may be worthy of joining his children in Heaven. Viktor E. Frankl described that for the first time in many years, the rabbi was able to see the positive side and find relief from his difficulties. Even amidst difficulties and circumstances, we learn that there is perseverance when there is the acknowledgement of our lives having meaning and purpose despite difficult times, circumstances, and even amidst persecution. 

Persevering Being Industrious and Avoiding Laziness

"Logotherapy, keeping in mind the essential transitoriness of human existence, is not pessimistic but rather activistic. To express this point figuratively we might say: The pessimist resembles a man who observes with fear and sadness that his wall calendar, from which he daily tears a sheet, grows thinner with each passing day. On the other hand, the person who attacks the problems of life actively is like a man who removes each successive leaf from his calendar and files it neatly and carefully away with its predecessors, after first having jotted down a few diary notes on the back. He can reflect with pride and joy on all the richness set down on these notes, on all the life that he has already lived to the fullest. What will it matter to him if he is growing old? Has he any reason to envy the young people whom he sees, or wax nostalgic over his own lost youth? What reasons has he to envy a young person? For the possibilities that a young person has, the future which is in store for him? 'No, thank you,' he will think. 'Instead of possibilities, I have realities in my past, not only the reality of work done and of love loved, but of sufferings bravely suffered. These things are even the things I am most proud of, though these are things that can not inspire envy.'"- Man's Search For Meaning (page 144)

Viktor E. Frankl describes the importance of being industrious and appreciating our past while persevering. We learn from a proverbial saying that those that live in the past are bound to develop depression while those that live in the future are bound to develop anxiety. We learn that we are supposed to live in the present and know that we have encouragement of a future while having learned from our past. We learn that the worship of GOD Almighty allows us to know that we can persevere with fidelity to GOD Almighty to make it to Shabbath Millennium and New Jerusalem. We learn that we can persevere being industrious preaching, writing, and worshiping GOD Almighty above everything. We learn that being industrious allows us to live in the present while having meaning and purpose that allows us to persevere amidst everything to make it to New Earth and New Jerusalem. We learn that we can keep going because we trust in GOD Almighty. We learn that our past is the past and that we were able to learn important lessons that allowed us to keep in the path of eternal salvation having gratitude to GOD Almighty instead of resentments, anger, and bitterness that evil tries to cause in individuals.

We learn that instead of being passive, slothful, and lazy concerning the present, we can keep worshiping GOD Almighty. Viktor E. Frankl describes that the individuals that are industrious and have gratitude each day are able to persevere acknowledging that each day allows us to learn about the importance of gratitude, gladness, virtues, and having meaning and purpose. We learn that instead of being sad about each passing day, there is the need to have gratitude that we can persevere. Instead of being envious and resentful of others, we can keep practicing gratitude to GOD Almighty knowing that we are utilizing our time, virtues, resources, and talents to worship GOD Almighty. This wisdom prevents us from comparing ourselves to false "comparisons" that are never true describing the need to compare oneself falsely in order to lead to the practice of idol worship, sin, temporary lies, envy, anger, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and vices when we know that those things are not helpful, necessary, needed, or beneficial. Instead of comparing ourselves to others based on lies and deceit, we can persevere acknowledging that we have everything that we need in GOD Almighty. 

The Importance of Humor and Avoiding Negativity

"The neurotic who learns to laugh at himself may be on the way to self-management, perhaps to cure." -Man's Search For Meaning (page 148)

Viktor E. Frankl describes in logotherapy the importance of using humor to remove negativity. We learn that having a sense of humor allows us to know that we can detach ourselves from negative situations and instead learn to laugh at the negativity. We learn that there are situations that can be made better and improved with humor. We learn that having a sense of humor can help our health in the long term. There are health studies that have shown that people who have a sense of humor are able to have decreased depression, anxiety, and neuroticism. We learn that having a sense of humor requires that individuals remove the ego and learn to laugh at themselves, situations, or negativity. This allows individuals to remove neuroticism from their lives where individuals are self-centered and egoistic. Instead, a sense of humor helps us persevere acknowledging that everything works out for good, and we can make light of not so good circumstances. 

We have seen in the past decade how there have been attempts to prevent comedy and humor from being created. Part has been due to the manner that humor is able to help people persevere amidst not so favorable circumstances or times. We have to learn to keep a sense of humor and not be so sensitive seen in cases of neuroticism and neurotic individuals. Viktor E. Frankl decribed that having a sense of humor decreases the likelihood of being neurotic. We learn that humor can help us see the positive even in difficult circumstances. This helps us know that humor can be important and can help us. We learn that humor has positive health effects with medical studies having shown that laughing everyday for some minutes watching a stand up comedy routine or funny sketches can help individuals increase blood circulation, decrease stress hormones, and improve well-being. This describes the importance of being able to keep a sense of humor even amidst the times that we are living in. 

The Importance of Sovereignty

"Man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be. By the same token, every human being has the freedom to change at any instant."

Viktor E. Frankl described the importance of acknowledging that we have sovereignty describing the manner that individuals have a choice to improve themselves and rise above their conditioning. This describes that we are able to repent of sin and choose to accept and confess King Jesus Christ Eternal LORD and Savior. We are able to remove sin from our lives and choose to worship GOD Almighty above everything. We know that evil wants to make individuals believe that they have no sovereignty with the intention to lead to the practice of sin and vices. We know that each individual is given autonomy and the freedom to decide if they want to worship GOD Almighty above everything or not. This describes that we can not believe the temporary lies of evil that say that individuals do not have sovereignty and autonomy. We know that Viktor E. Frankl was able to persevere amidst persecution having the autonomy to decide to acknowledge the importance of meaning and purpose and persevere with courage. 

"Man is capable of changing the world for the better if possible, and of changing himself for the better if necessary."

We learn that Viktor E. Frankl chose to have valor and courage to persevere writing his books for the betterment of individuals. This is so that we choose to practice goodness and righteousness instead of wickedness and sin. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl was able to give logotherapy and provide the basis of Positive Psychology that helps us understand that we can improve each day instead of believing the temporary lies of evil that want individuals to think that they have no choice, autonomy, or freedom. We know that individuals are able to turn difficulties and obstacles into learning opportunities that help us improve and get better each day instead of having resentments, anger, and hate. We can choose to improve in the worship of GOD Almighty and keep persevering knowing that we grow in autonomy and sovereignty that prevents us from believing the temporary lies of evil that does not want individuals to improve themselves and help others. We know that evil prefers that individuals quarrel, hate, and envy so that they do not acknowledge the importance of serenity, sovereignty, and wisdom in the worship of GOD Almighty.

The Importance of Goodness

"In the concentration camps, for example, in this living laboratory and on this testing ground, we watched and witnessed some of our comrades behave like swine while others behaved like saints. Man has both potentialities within himself; which one is actualized depends on decisions and not on conditions."

Viktor E. Frankl described that while Sigmund Freud stated that based on similar circumstances, everyone would act the same, we learn from Viktor E. Frankl's experiences that individuals are actually quite different. Individuals are unique and different unlike Freud's assumptions. We learned that Viktor E. Frankl stated that individuals in the concentration camps either behaved like swine or like saints. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl saw individuals that similar to himself refused to participate in envy, hate, and corruption. We learn that there were righteous individuals that decided to persevere being righteous rather than be wicked. We learn that while there are false notions and false information that has attempted to say that, 'Everyone practices sin,' this is not the case. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl was able to persevere without forsaking his patients when given the option to flee from the concentration camp, hid three patients from another camp so that they were not killed and could be transported to freedom when the war was almost over, and offered encouragement and motivation when times were not good. 

Viktor E. Frankl stated that there were also those that behaved like swine deciding to be envious, hateful, and spiteful. There were individuals that decided to go along with the hate of the nazi socialists gaining short term benefits in exchange for being envious and causing conflict. In spite of this, Viktor E. Frankl noted that there were righteous individuals that cared about others and helped others despite the circumstances that were not very positive. This allows us to know that even amidst persecution, discouragements, and envy, there are individuals that choose to be righteous and persevere with integrity. This is wisdom because the temporary lies of the world attempt to make individuals think that there are no righteous individuals. We learn that this is a blatant lie to try to cause individuals to sin and cause strife and conflict. Viktor E. Frankl described that even amidst circumstances, there are righteous individuals that are good. 

The Dignity of Being Human

"A human being is not one thing among others; things determine each other, but man is ultimately self-determining."- Man's Search For Meaning (page 157)

Viktor E. Frankl described the manner that he was a Psychiatrist that was able to see thousands of patients. We learn that Viktor E. Frankl was able to describe about the importance of the dignity that exists in human life. We learn that GOD Almighty creates each human life to have meaning and purpose. We learn that this describes the importance of not only seeing the importance of having significance and purpose in our day to day lives in the worship of GOD Amighty and respecting humanity, but also seeing the importance of dignity in each human life. This wisdom allows us to resist and fight against sin that tries to lead to arrogance and wickedness seen in failed belief systems of the past century describing socialist nazism, socialism, and communism. We are able to understand that we do not need false systems that attempt to lead to the practice of sin and idolatry. We have seen the manner that the false systems caused difficulties, stagnation, and envy in the past.

"A doctor, however, who would still interpret his own role as mainly that of a technician would confess that he sees in his patient nothing more than a machine, instead of seeing the human being behind the disease!" (page 157)

We learn that Viktor E. Frankl described that he saw his patients being more than a machine that needed to be repaired. We learn that he described that there is human dignity that allows us to acknowledge our Creator, GOD Almighty, and also the importance of humanity. We learn that instead of seeing medicine as psychologized medicine, he saw the importance of humanizing medicine. We learn that this is very important in the sense that Viktor E. Frankl sought to help his patients practicing logotherapy that allowed individuals to know that there is meaning and purpose in life. We learn that logotherapy was able to help his patients improve and acknowledge the importance of having meaning and purpose and that there is dignity in being human. This is important realizing that we can improve ourselves each day acknowledging that there is meaning and purpose so that we do not believe the temporary lies of evil that wants individuals to hate others for no reason and lead to disobedience to the commandments of Moses. We learn that instead we can improve each day having gratitude and true joy practicing positive emotions and acknowledging that we have eternal meaning and purpose in the worship of GOD Almighty.

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Figures of History and Individualism allows us to persevere knowing that throughout history there have been righteous individuals that decided to practice good and not practice sin. We are able to persevere knowing that there is no need to fear nor have negative emotions knowing that we trust in the Creator and not in idolatry. We are able to learn about righteous individuals that decided to speak truth and help others even when there are lies being told that attempt to lead individuals to disobedience and the practice of sin. We can persevere without practicing sin and idol worship.

Priest Kazimierz Kłósak

 Priest Kazimierz Kłósak

"In the years following the war, I remember what a comfort the writings of Father Kazimierz Kłósak- a distinguished professor in the Faculty of Theology in Krakow known for his extraordinary erudition- represented for Catholic intellectuals." (page 198)

Pope John Paul II described the importance of arguing for the truth and not believing the temporary lies of evil. We learn that prior to the Second World War, there were individuals in Poland that fought against the nazi socialists. We learn that after the Second World War, there were individuals that fought against socialism and communism. 

We learn that Pope John Paul II was among the righteous individuals that fought for truth and argued for autonomy, freedom, respect, values, integrity, morality, and responsibility. Pope John Paul II described righteous individuals that were able to also speak truth and argued against socialist and communist lies. Priest Kazimierz Kłósak was another individual that argued based on logic and reason that we can believe that GOD Almighty created the heavens and the earth.

We learn that atheistic arguments did not hold up to the truth of logic seen in the order that exists in creation. Pope John Paul II described that Priest Kazimierz Kłósak was a professor that allowed individuals to know that GOD Almighty exists and is in absolute authority and dominion over the order that exists in the heavens, universe, and the earth. We learn that there were righteous individuals that preached truth even amidst the opposition from socialism and communism. 

"In Kłósak's scholarly writings, Marxist natural philosophy was challenged by an innovative approach that allowed for the discovery of the Logos-creative thought and order-in the world."

We learn that Pope John Paul II had opposition in the manner that marxist communists attempted to prevent him from preaching, yet was able to keep preaching truth. Pope John Paull II described that when he had written another book, the Acting Person, the socialists and communists were the first to critique the book out of envy while the arguments for marxist socialism and communism were not very consistent, congruent, or logical. The marxist socialists actually disliked and critiqued the arguments concerning morality and integrity. Pope John Paul II was able to describe that individuals are created so that they can love GOD Almighty and have filial love towards others. We learn that filial love and genuine empathy allows us to obey the commandments of Moses so that there is justice, equity, and equality instead of conflict, division, and strife. Pope John Paul II was able to describe that Christianity allows us to persevere with favor, blessings, goodness, serenity, justice, equity, and equality instead of hate, envy, and hostilities. 

Dietrich Bonhoffer

 Dietrich Bonhoffer

"So long as the world is without GOD, there will be wars."

Dietrich Bonhoffer was a Lutheran theologian that preached and wrote about the importance of the worship of GOD Almighty. We learn that Dietrich Bonhoffer wrote during the times of nazi socialism in Germany. Even amidst persecution, envy, and hate, Dietrich Bonhoffer was able to write and preach about truth in Germany. We learn that even amidst the struggles and tribulation, Dietrich Bonhoffer described the reality that there can only be true pacifism in the worship of GOD Almighty.

We learn that there have been wars in the world because of idolatry. We learn that when individuals decide to practice idol worship, this leads to hostilities, resentments, and envy instead of calmness, gratitude, and serenity. We learn that the worship of GOD Almighty allows us to know that we can not practice idol worship because it leads to hostilities and foolishness. We learn that Hitler attempted to cause hostilities based on racism and envy. We learn that there were false stories from propaganda that stated that the nazi socialists were Christian, when in reality, they were envious, hostile, and bitter. We learn that true Christianity does not advocate idolatry, hate, envy, adultery, and coveting. Christianity also does not advocate for hostilities. 

We learn that there were righteous Christians in Germany that kept believing in filial love and genuine empathy that is King Jesus Christ without practicing hate, envy, bitterness, and coveting. We learn that the nazi socialist's false ideology was flawed because they even persecuted Germans. This describes that nazi socialism was not based on only hating ethnicity but also hate based on hostilities, envy, and bitterness. We learn that while Hitler and Stalin were communists, Hitler hated Stalin. We learn that Hitler attacked Stalin prior to the Second World War.  

Dietrich Bonhoffer became a martyr, yet did not renounce his faith in GOD Almighty. This is impressive describing that Dietrich Bonhoffer was an individual that resisted nazi socialism indoctrination for the true autonomy and freedom that exists in King Jesus Christ. Dietrich Bonhoffer described that true pacifism and peace can only occur when individuals worship the GOD of gods, GOD Almighty. C. S. Lewis also described that the practice of idolatry is the reason why there are hostilities, difficulties, and injustices in the world. This is consistent with truth from Scripture that describes that the worship of GOD Almighty and obedience to the commandments of Moses allows individuals to persevere with civility, humility, responsibility, and serenity. We learn that there are false philosophies of hate and lust that attempt to deceive individuals to practice sin that leads to hostilities and anger. 

Dietrich Bonhoffer quote from ESV The Bible and Christian Living: Ethics Article