Lessons from the Past

2000-4-9 05:43:00

Claire in responding to my using Hitler as an example of what not to do says:
"Like I said, why use a negative to make a positive?"

JJ:
Have you heard of turning lemons into lemonade? You do this with two main ingredients - lemons and sugar, a combination of a positive and negative. You have to look at both the good guys and the bad buys in history to determine a wiser course for the future.

Claire:
"I don't know the history of Hitler nor do I want to learn it in this list. I can recognize plenty of contemporary bad guys. I don't intend to offend you, nor anyone else on this list, but my justification for that "stretch" comes from suspecting how deceitful Hitler must have been in order to convince so many that he was the only one in the "know" and that his methods were best. If Hitler convinced so many in his day, who is to say that the people on this list won't be convinced in a similar manner? The followers of Hitler believed themselves right. They wouldn't have followed had they not."

JJ:
What you say here demonstrates the importance of understanding the past to create a better future. Many suppose, as you do, that Hitler achieved power through pure deceit, but those who study history will understand that he wrote and openly taught, almost step by step, everything he eventually perpetrated upon unsuspecting humanity. Then after he did what he said he was going to do people were surprised that he did it.

It is interesting to note that in the ten years before World War II the English were more afraid of Winston Churchill than they were of Hitler. There were many in his own land who would have much rather had Hitler as their leader and few seemed concerned about the German dictator at all until war was actually on their doorstep. Then in the moment of their darkest night the whole nation turned to this suspected antichrist who in the end turned out to be their most trusted friend.

If the people would have studied the actual words and actions of the two men they would have clearly seen who was who, but as it was they were lead away by their unjustified fears into a dreadful war.

Thus it is that Isaiah's words are fulfilled again and again. People call good evil and evil good. They take darkness for light and light for darkness and in the end get themselves into terrible situations where their thoughtform is destroyed and the true reality is finally seen, but at what price?

If I remember correctly you came from Sterling's list which indicates you have Mormon connections. In the Mormon scriptures people are admonished "to obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, and all this for the salvation of Zion." (D&C 93:53)

To become aware of the past for the salvation of the future is good advice no matter what the source.

JJ quoted by Claire:
"It is also important that we be aware of the circumstances that lead to his rise and power so humanity can avoid making the same mistake twice."

Claire's comment on the quote:
"But you aren't talking to humanity; you're talking to 227 or 228 people on this list. Humanity is a 'stretch'. Are you saying that the people on this list are Hitlerites and you don't want them to make the same mistake twice?"

JJ:
Wow. What a question! Of course I do not think that of list members. It is true that history does repeat itself and the masses are deceived time and time again. Whether we be one person, 227, or a million strong we must all do our part to promote the principles of light, love and freedom. If each individual and group does their part to make the world a better place, then the time then comes that the majority see the benefit and the world does indeed become better and the masses see the path ahead more clearly.

Claire's comments on my archived writings:
"Earthbound and mental. Much of what I have read in the archives, and in the 'teachings' to the list feel so 'mental', lots of words and little Spirit. In other words, lifeless."

JJ:
In a way this is a compliment, for the mind is "the plane whereon the masters can be found." DK

As far as my words having little spirit and lifeless - I am glad most here do not feel that way or I would have to jump into the void and hide myself.