Natural Light Network

Santa’s Kids

My earliest recollection of associating white people with supernatural powers did not originate with images of Jesus or other biblical heroes.

Like many of the kids I grew up with, I first learned about the existence of a super-powerful caucasian during the Christmas holiday season.

The Yule Tide celebration marked the time of year when an all-seeing, all-knowing deity would reward the “good” with gifts, and give the “bad” their just due. His image and likeness was represented as a kindly white grandfather who reigned from a magic village at the top of the Earth.

According to adults, he was truly amazing. He could appear in several different stores at the same time, and could be counted on to remember the names of every child that sat on his lap, or wrote him letters, as well as what they wanted for Christmas. He knew when everybody was asleep, when they were awake, what they were doing, and he had the power to visit every home in the world in a single night!

When children misbehaved, parents invoked his name to remind them of his ability to monitor their every move.

The proposition for young children who wanted to cash in on their gift lists was enticing: believe in him, be good, and receive the gifts you want.

If a child had doubts about the truthfulness of these teachings, the story became overwhelmingly convincing on Christmas morning when toys and gifts that weren’t there the night before, magically appeared beneath the Christmas tree.

And so, like many other Americans similarly indoctrinated, I became a true believer in the “god of Christmas,” the first supernatural being I trusted to fulfill my wishes.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t our Heavenly Father, or His Son Jesus, that I first placed my faith in. It was Santa Claus.

Some might argue that this is a harsh description of the ritualized story of Santa Claus and Christmas. They say it is merely a fable, a fantasy to nourish the imaginations of children.

But is this true? Is the legend of Santa Claus a harmless pastime for children?

A fable is most commonly defined as a story that ends with a lesson or moral instruction. The Hare and the Tortoise, for instance, teaches about the dangers of over-confidence, and the importance of staying focused. In The Ant and the Grasshopper, we learn about the value of hard work, and the folly of laziness. The Boy Who Cried Wolf offers a powerful lesson about personal credibility.

The most appealing attribute of a fable, however, is that it can provide insight that will help children of varying economic backgrounds gain a better understanding of life in the real world.

But can the same be said for the legend of Santa Claus? What lesson is there to be learned by the “good” child of poor parents who receives little or nothing for Christmas, or the “bad” child of wealthy parents who gets everything he wanted? This common scenario fails to deliver a meaningful message about positive behavior and self worth to both the rich child and the poor child.

But, enough about what the Santa Claus story fails to accomplish in modern society. Let us, instead, examine the manner in which this so-called harmless fable could possibly affect the developing mind and spirituality of a young child.

One of the most important responsibilities of any given human generation is to enhance existing knowledge and to improve methods of transferring accumulated knowledge to succeeding generations. It is the method by which mankind has evolved from cave dweller to space traveler.

An essential element of the successful transfer of information from one generation to the next, however, is the credibility of those providing the information. As is apparent in all human relationships, credibility, once damaged, is difficult to repair.

With this in mind, we should question the motivation of a culture that encourages its infants to believe in a mythical being that will eclipse the presence of God in their lives during the early, formative years. What is the upside, and the downside, of our children knowing far more about Santa Claus than they do about our Heavenly Father and Jesus?

The upside, according to many people who participate in the presentation of their children to Santa Claus, seems to be that they take pride in continuing a cultural tradition. The occasion also provides an opportunity for them to show family and friends that they are responsible parents who will sacrifice time, energy, money, whatever it takes to make sure their kids have a great Christmas.

But what is the downside of this practice?

Obviously, credibility is a vital part of any meaningful human interaction. And, in the case of parents and children, it should be as important as love and companionship.

Most people, however, never seem to appreciate the irony of a parent instructing a child not to lie because the parent wants to believe everything the child says, and then going to extraordinary lengths to orchestrate a hoax designed to convince the child of the existence of an imaginary being.

And what happens to a child’s relationship with parents and others entrusted with his or her development when the child discovers the truth?

Whether it is a huge disappointment, or merely a confirmation of something they already suspected, most children are able to rebound and carry on with their lives. But there will be a seed of doubt forever planted in their minds regarding the credibility of their elders, a subliminal reminder that information received from adults may, or may not, be factual.

And this seed of uncertainty, subconsciously embedded during a critical period of development, may come back to haunt the parent-child relationship at a time when the parent really needs the child to accept the parent’s instructions about the many dangers in the world such as drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, gambling, and so on.

While it may be true that there have been no scientific studies to determine if the celebration of the traditional American Christmas creates a negative impact on a child’s perception of adults, common sense would seem to indicate that programming our children from an early age to mistrust authority is not conducive to the successful transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next.

Another down side of the Santa Claus legend is the fact that parents don’t receive the gratitude and respect they deserve from their children for providing the toys and gifts they asked for. The truth regarding the often heroic efforts of parents to make their children happy is a much more inspiring story than the time-worn saga of “the jolly old elf.”

The most damaging consequence of perpetuating the Christmas myth, however, is that, once children realize they have been deceived about the existence of a supernatural being, they may become more inclined to question the existence of our Heavenly Father.

After all, if the Santa Claus they could see and touch turned out to be phony, how could anyone realistically expect them to readily embrace the concept of an invisible God?

© Paul Howard Nicholas

Election 2020

If the train you're riding

Jumps the track 

And you survive intact

It's time to find a better train

On a stronger track

And a brighter Engineer

-Paul Howard Nicholas

The Preacher's Mansion

                                                                                                                                            Photo by mymansion.com.au

As the sun slowly settled behind tall trees lining a well-kept street, the wealthy preacher turned his new Mercedes into the long driveway leading to his mansion.  Driving past the perfectly manicured lawns and lush shrubbery, he smiled, thanking God for helping him to rise far above the crowded trailer he shared as a boy with his parents and siblings in a mobile home park.   

He also thanked God for blessing him with another productive day of ministering to his huge flock: praying for the sick and misguided, coordinating a food drive, scheduling weddings and funerals, and putting the final touches on his next sermon. The preacher praised God for all that he had been given, and for inspiring him to give in return.

 

But suddenly his mood changed.  The closer he got to his home, the more he started to sense that something wasn’t right.  Gliding to a stop at the front entrance, the preacher noticed that the massive double door was slightly ajar.

 

“What’s going on?” he wondered aloud. 

 

The house should have been empty. His wife and children were out of town visiting relatives.  And he had given the servants the day off.

 

The preacher eased the front door open and crept through the foyer to the edge of the entry to his huge living room.  On the far side of the room, he encountered a shocking sight!  A lone figure, his back to the preacher, was snatching  framed photos, plaques and awards from a large walnut and glass trophy case, and loading them into a jumbo trash bag!  The precious mementos had been accumulated at various ceremonies over the years, honoring the preacher for his many achievements and contributions to the community.

 

“What are you doing?” yelled the enraged reverend.

 

The startled figure dropped his bag and turned around. 

 

The preacher froze, transfixed by the creature before him.  It was his arch enemy, non other than the devil himself!

 

Summoning courage, the man of God bolted across the room to the closet where he kept a special weapon for just such an occasion:  the golden shotgun with the sacred bullets!

 

The devil leaped toward the closet too, and managed to get a hand on the gun just as the preacher pulled it from its rack. As they stumbled out of the closet, each with a death grip on the gun, a mighty struggle ensued!  The two entities battled ferociously, turning over furniture, making a mess of the magnificently appointed home!

 

But the preacher would not give up.  Calling out to God, he gave one last heave and wrenched the weapon from the devil’s grip!  In a flash of motion, the preacher landed a powerful blow with the butt of the gun to the evil one’s head, knocking him to the floor! 

 

Stunned, the devil instinctively raised his hands to shield himself from the barrel of the golden gun, now aimed at his face.

 

“I’ve been waiting my whole life for this day,” gasped the preacher.  He struggled to steady the shotgun in his trembling hands.

 

“You better think about what you’re doing, reverend!” The devil lay on his back, one hand still shielding his face, the other gently inspecting the bump starting to rise near his temple.

 

“Shut up!” yelled the preacher, backing up slightly.  “Don’t move!”

 

The devil again raised both palms toward the shaking man with the gun.  “Okay, okay!” he stammered.  “But at least hear me out.  You are about to make one of the biggest mistakes of your whole life.”

 

“You are a liar!  The worst liar the world has ever known!”  Salty sweat streamed down from the preacher’s frazzled hair into his eyes, blurring the image on the floor. “Getting rid of you will be the best thing I have ever done. Every man, woman, and child will be so much better off without you.”

 

The preacher wiped his jacket sleeve across his eyes, trying to clear his vision.

 

“Do you really believe that?”  The evil one sat up slowly.  “What about you, Mr. Preacher?  Are you going to be better off when I’m gone?”

 

“Yes!” shouted the preacher.

 

The devil managed an uneasy smile.  “Don’t be naïve.  Who is going to need you if nobody’s afraid of me?  Who’s going to show up at your church, bringing donations and tithes?  How will you pay for this beautiful lifestyle you have grown accustomed to without me around to scare people into your fold?  Will your wife still be able to afford the clothes and the vacations she loves so much?  And your kids.  Are you ready to forget about the plans you’ve made for their college educations?  You have been preaching since you were sixteen years old, and you really don’t know how to do anything else!”

 

The preacher wiped his eyes again, struggling to focus on his target.  “Shut up!  I don’t care about that!” he yelled, his hands starting to tremble more violently.  “I’ve got to get rid of you, once and for all!”

 

Sensing a fracture in the man’s fortitude, the devil talked faster.  “If you don’t care about yourself and your own family, think about your friends, your golf buddies! What about the doctor?  Without me there will be no more sickness.  What’s he going to do? Would he forgive you if he knew you could have saved his career?

 

“And what will you tell the lawyer? With me out of the way, people won’t be inspired to commit crimes.  How will he take care of his family?”

 

The preacher tried to block out the words.

 

“Think about it.”  The devil sat upright on the floor, still facing the trembling man.  “You are going to cause a lot of grief if you shoot me.”

 

The preacher’s face was a mask of uncertainty.  And the golden gun was starting to feel like it weighed a hundred pounds.  “I can’t let you go,” he groaned.  “I just can’t!”

 

“Sure you can!”  Eyeing the man closely, the devil started to rise.  He remained in a slightly stooped, subservient position with his hands up.

 

The preacher took another step backward, still aiming the gun at the devil’s head.

 

“Look,” the devil continued, “nobody has to know what happened here. As far as I’m concerned, it never happened. You get to keep all your stuff, nothing got broken… And it’s dark outside now.  I can leave by the back door and slip into the woods.  Nobody has to know.”

 

The preacher’s eyes welled with tears as he glimpsed his front yard through a large living room window.  Daylight had indeed faded into the night. Without the automatic lights illuminating the estate, his home would be engulfed in darkness.  The preacher lowered the golden gun.  Tears streamed down his cheeks and dripped from his chin, disappearing into the plush carpet. 

 

The devil took a few tentative steps toward the rear of the house, still wary of the confused man.

 

“Wait!”  The preacher leveled the golden shotgun at the creature’s back. 

 

The devil stopped abruptly!

 

“I need to know something,” sobbed the preacher.  “Why would you steal things from my home that couldn’t possibly be of value to anyone except me and my family?”

 

“Because it’s what I do,” replied the devil.  “I steal things that can never be replaced.”

 

Again, the preacher lowered his weapon.  Then he walked over to the wall panel that controlled the exterior lights.  With the click of a switch, the area surrounding his home disappeared into the darkness.  “Go quickly,” he said, “ before I change my mind.”

 

Not wishing to press his luck, the intruder made a silent, hasty departure from the rear door of the mansion and escaped into the nearby woods.

 

The man stood quietly for a while, tears streaming down his face.  Gradually he regained his composure and placed the golden gun back in its special rack in the closet.  After a stiff shot of bourbon, he took off his jacket, and started straightening up his living room.

 

By the next day, both the preacher and the devil had resumed their respective careers.

 

© 2014 Paul Howard Nicholas

 

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Mr. Jack and Mrs. Rosie: Creole Color Games in L.A.

                                   Austin H. "Jack" and Rosie Marcella Nicholas, Silver Wedding Anniversary, 1955

In 1953 my father was the personal barber for a prominent family that wanted to expand their real estate holdings in Los Angeles.

With their assistance, my Creole mother, assumed to be white, purchased a beautiful, three bedroom home on a pleasant, tree lined street near the intersection of La Cienega Boulevard and Jefferson Boulevard in way-way West L.A.

At the time, due to racial covenants in California property deeds, this lily white conclave was worlds beyond the boundaries that constrained Black home buyers in inner city L.A..

As soon as the deal was signed, real estate agents canvassed the whole neighborhood, warning home owners that "coloreds will be moving in soon."

When the rest of our very clearly Black family, my father, my two sisters, two brothers, my niece, and I showed up to move in with mom, panic stricken white folks staked "For Sale" signs in their front yards overnight and vanished in droves.

The real estate family, as planned, made a killing, snapping up premium properties at fire sale prices from desperate "evacuees."

My parents did okay too.

© 2017 Paul Howard Nicholas

The Christmas Tree

                                                                                                                                           Photo by Malene Thyssen

 

The custom of decorating a tree to celebrate Christmas, or Christ’s Mass, as it was originally called, is believed to have originated in 16^th Century Germany. Church records from 1539 in the Cathedral of Strasbourg contain the earliest known account of a tree being erected to commemorate the birth of Jesus.

 

The use of decorated trees in religious rituals, however, according to the Old Testament of the Bible, predates Jesus’ arrival on Earth by at least 600 years.The prophet Jeremiah, in condemning the practice, offered this message to his followers:

 

"Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." (Jeremiah 10:2-4, KJV).

 

As the tradition of celebrating the “return of the sun,” or winter solstice, with feasts, festivals, and decorated trees spread to pre-Christian Europe, the evergreen tree became the tree of choice to mark such an important event.

 

Pagan worshipers believed that evergreen trees possessed supernatural powers because they did not die during winter like other trees and plants. And they believed that if they adorned an evergreen with precious metals and images of their gods, they could absorb the magical life force of the tree.

 

With the emergence of Christianity, and the absolute failure of its leaders to deter converts from participating in certain winter solstice rituals, tree decoration eventually merged with Christian practice after the Church proclaimed December 25^th as the birth date of Christ.

 

This year, as we prepare to celebrate another “return of the sun” with elaborate feasts and wild parties, Americans will cut down millions of perfectly healthy evergreens to help keep the customs of our pagan ancestors alive.

 

The following “Parable of the Christmas Tree” is dedicated to a better understanding of what we’re actually doing.

 

On a cold, windy December morning, a man set out to find the perfect Christmas tree for his family.Trudging through the snow near his new mountain cabin, the man spotted a magnificent Douglas Fir, standing about seven feet tall, in a group of lesser trees.

 

With a well-practiced smile, the man approached the trees, and made a proposition to the Douglas Fir.

 

“I’ve come to take you away from such a boring life and make you a star.” said the man.“You will dwell comfortably for the remainder of your days in my home, adorned with the finest decorations. And you will be cherished by my family.”

 

The smaller, scrawnier trees looked on with suspicion.

 

“And why would you do such a thing for me?” asked the curios Douglas Fir, its branches swaying away from the man in a sudden gust of wind.

 

The man knew exactly what to say:“Because any family would be honored to welcome a beautiful tree like you into their home. Here…” he continued, retrieving a glossy magazine from his jacket pocket, “take a look.”

 

Standing next to the tall tree, the man flipped through the magazine’s Holiday issue filled with beautifully lighted trees in well-appointed homes.

 

“But how would I live if I am separated from my roots?” inquired the Douglas Fir, obviously impressed by the healthy looking, gorgeously adorned trees in the photos, many of them standing over brightly wrapped packages, in the company of adoring men, women, and children.

 

“Take a good look,” responded the man.“Do these trees seem to be deprived of anything? We have watering and nutrition systems that can provide you with everything you need.”

 

“Don’t do it, Doug!” one of the smaller trees blurted out. “It doesn’t sound right!”

 

The man shot a menacing glare in the direction of the other trees, but quickly regained his composure. He turned to a marked page in the magazine.

 

“Look at this one.This is a picture of America’s First Family with their tree,” he said, holding the magazine up to the big tree.“Now you’re not quite as big as your cousin here, but then again, I’m not the President of the United States. You would be perfect for my home.”

 

The Douglas Fir felt a flush of excitement as he pictured himself surrounded by adoring fans, living a glamorous new life.

 

“Snap out of it, Doug!” another little tree yelled. “There’s something wrong with this man’s story. We need our roots to live.”

 

The man moved in to close the deal. “Are you going to listen to these losers, and miss out on the chance of a lifetime? Look at your so-called friends. Who would want to take pictures with them? They’re jealous! Can’t you see what they’re doing?”

 

Folding the magazine and stuffing it back into his pocket, the man started to walk away, but stopped after a few steps.

 

“If you’re not interested, I’m sure there’s another tree around here that will be happy to accept my offer.”

 

The man turned away from the trees and started walking again.

 

“Wait!”shouted the Douglas Fir over the roar of the wind. “I’ll go with you!”

 

“That’s better,” the man replied. He hastily pulled a wood saw from its sheath and started to cut the tree away from its base.

 

The tingle of the saw blade as it sliced through his skin, awakened something in the Douglas Fir that made him wonder it he had made the right decision.

 

Of course, we all know the ending of this fable.The man, true to his word, did present this beautiful tree to his ecstatic family. And together they did adorn and adore the tree, and place treasures at its feet.

 

But what the tree didn’t know, and what the man failed to tell him, was that the tree, like all living things, would grow weaker by the day after being disconnected from its source of life, and that, following a brief period of being worshiped, the once magnificent Douglas Fir would be unceremoniously discarded as a needle-shedding nuisance and a dead pile of trash.

 

With the world losing trees at an unsustainable rate, and considering the enormous strides human beings have made in overcoming the spiritual misguidance of our pagan ancestors, perhaps the time has come for an honest evaluation of whether the preservation of an ancient tradition, based on a belief in magical evergreens, is more important than the health of our planet, and our freedom from superstition.

 

"The Parable of the Christmas Tree" is an excerpt from Extinguishing the Flames of Hell: A Journey of Spiritual Evolution

 

© 2006 Paul Howard Nicholas

 

 

 

Cemeteries, Inc.

Why are you storing the remains

of departed souls in fertile soil?

How can you fail to see apple blossoms

or acres of golden grain here or

a park filled with laughter

and bouncing balloons

instead of this morbid warehouse

packed inside the Earth,

filled with cocoons that will never contain

anything again?

Lift your sights to the true meanings of

life and transition.

Behold the splendor of the butterfly

in flight, floating so freely

upon sun warmed currents

of fresh spring air,

shedding not one tear over

the caterpillar’s death.

© Paul Howard Nicholas

Jesus Christ, The Ultimate Volunteer

(This is an excerpt from "Extinguishing the Flames of Hell")

In accordance with His love and concern for mankind, God continued to send volunteers from Heaven to minister to receptive individuals and groups during the period between the fall of Adam and Eve, and the arrival of Jesus Christ. 

These brave Messengers struggled diligently against overwhelming spiritual ignorance to introduce God to pagans, and to keep His presence alive among those who knew of His existence.

Due to the dangers inherent in a mission to Earth, however, volunteers for extended assignments were not plentiful.  Those that did commit to making our world a better place came as either materialized Angels, or infants born of human parents. 

To protect themselves against evil spirits still roaming the Earth, and murderous human beings, the vast majority arrived as incarnated Angels.  The courageous few that chose to experience life as mortals among men understood that they would become much more vulnerable to evil and pain and suffering than materialized Angels, but the promise of greater rewards for these prophets and teachers upon their return to Heaven proved to be a huge incentive.

Many of these humanized Angels, however, suffered untimely termination of their Earthly careers when their teachings threatened to upset the status quo.

And so it should come as no surprise that when Jesus volunteered to enter our strife-torn world as a helpless infant for the purpose of uplifting mankind, Heaven stood still.  As one of the highest-ranking Sons of God in the entire Universe, he could have sent a personal representative, or he could have chosen to arrive as an awe-inspiring Angel of Light.

But, in light of the slow progress being made on Earth, and because of his compassionate concern for all human beings, he decided to make the journey himself under the most challenging circumstances.

Historical evidence suggests that Jesus was born in the fall season in the town of Bethlehem.  His Earth parents, Joseph and Mary, had journeyed from their Nazareth home to register for the regional census and to pay their annual taxes to Caesar and King Herod when Mary, shortly after their arrival, went into labor.  The only available shelter, due to the large number of people in Bethlehem to pay taxes, was an innkeeper’s barn.

Fall would be the logical time of Jesus’ birth simply because taxes in ancient times were collected after the annual harvesting of crops when people were more likely to have money.  It is, therefore, inconceivable that Jesus could have been born in the dead of winter at a time when people would have been less inclined to part with their funds, and when inclement weather would have made travel more difficult.

In spite of these facts, church leaders in the third century after the death of Jesus, proclaimed that he was born on December 25^th, a day that coincides with the birthday of the Roman sun “god” sol invictus and the observance of yule, the celebration of the winter solstice, one of the oldest pagan holidays in history.

Except for his insightful intelligence, Jesus grew up in Nazareth as an ordinary child.  He worked as an apprentice to his father, Joseph, a respected carpenter and building contractor, until he became a master craftsman in his own right. And, just like every other Jewish boy, he received religious instruction in the Jewish tradition at the local temple.

Because Jesus volunteered to experience life as an average human being, he did not become fully aware of his status in the Universe until he matured into manhood. At the appropriate time, God revealed to him his true identity, and the purpose of his mission.  His cousin, John the Baptist, another highly respected Heavenly Messenger, marked the occasion with the ceremonial baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.

From that day forward, Jesus set about his Heavenly Father’s business, confronting evil and erroneous religious teachings wherever and whenever he encountered them.  He healed and comforted the mentally and physically afflicted.  He fed the hungry with Earthly foods, and strengthened the downtrodden with spiritual nutrition.

As mentioned earlier, Jesus also introduced the concept of loving God rather than fearing Him, and he erected an effective prayer barrier to protect the innocent from supernatural assault.

Like most revolutionaries, however, Jesus incurred the wrath of the power elite. The rising popularity of his radical teachings about a loving, compassionate God, as opposed to a jealous, vengeful God; his willingness, as a spiritual teacher, to work for a living rather than obligate his followers to support him; and his disapproval of blood sacrifices and other pagan rituals were viewed by political and religious leaders of the day as a direct threat to their wealth and authority.

To understand the vehement opposition to the growing influence of Jesus during his ministry on Earth, one need look no further than the economic implications of his teachings.

By the time Jesus stormed the Temple in Jerusalem and disrupted the operations of the money changers and animal vendors, the sacrificial slaughtering of animals had become a thriving business.  The doves, lambs, goats, and cattle offered to God had to be without blemish according to law.  So most worshipers, rather than risk the humiliation of having their sacrificial offerings rejected by the temple priests, simply purchased their animals from authorized Temple dealers.

The priests also feared that if people accepted the notion that it is possible to worship God at any time and any place, such as the outdoor settings Jesus used, financial support for the Temple and its ruling members would be substantially diminished.

Political leaders, equally obsessed with maintaining the status quo, worried over the possibility of Jesus recruiting a large enough following to remove them from power.

Jesus fully understood the motives of those who worked to undermine his ministry.  And he accepted the probability that his enemies would resort to violence to try to silence him.  But he continued his courageous mission, undeterred, secure in the knowledge that his soul, the part of him that would return to God, would remain immune to the weapons of man.

This is an important message for all human beings: nothing built by man can destroy that which is created by God. The soul is bulletproof, bombproof, poison-proof, etc. As a matter of fact, it comes with an eternal warranty against any and every man-made weapon. The only being with the power to destroy the soul is the soul itself.

Since his death, mankind has failed to fully understand the messages Jesus brought from Heaven.  After more than two thousand years since his untimely departure, the human race remains mired in spiritual stagnation. Empires have appeared and disappeared, crushed by rivals that value competition over cooperation. The only things that seem to change are the weapons humans use to destroy each other. They become more lethal with every passing generation.

Instead of helping man to rise above the primitive mindset of ever escalating violence, the most advanced religions on Earth still teach that God Himself is more like a warrior than a compassionate father, and that fear is the most important element of man’s relationship with God.

Without question, mankind has reached a point where nothing short of Divine Intervention will save us from extinction. Left to our own devices, the human race would surely self-destruct.

Until Jesus puts God’s plans for the rescue of mankind into action, however, we must re-evaluate his teachings in order to become more receptive to his instructions when he returns.

The next chapter contains messages that assess the current status of various human groups and suggestions for those who seek to qualify for spiritual enhancement.

Wishing you all Peace, Love, Health, Prosperity, and an Abundance of Blessings!

-Natural Light Network

© Paul Howard Nicholas

Adam and Eve: Where Are They Now?

 

(This account of the failed mission of Adam and Eve is an excerpt from "Extinguishing the Flames of Hell.")

The assignment of these two highly respected Missionary Angels to the difficult task of getting Project Earth back on track resulted from an urgent call from the highest levels of Heaven for volunteers.  The request made it clear that the mission to the disconnected planet, plunged into spiritual isolation at the start of Lucifer’s insurgency, would be challenging and dangerous.  Bands of angry, fallen angels still roamed the Earth, tormenting the savage inhabitants and sabotaging the work of Angels loyal to God at every opportunity.

After studying the ill-fated planet’s history, and assessing the pros and cons of such an assignment, Adam and Eve decided to commit their energy and talents to the betterment of mankind.  As members of an elite order of Angels that only work in pairs to enhance the living standards of ascending mortals, they had successfully completed missions on many distant normally evolving worlds. 

The courageous couple was not deterred by the infamous history of the beautiful blue jewel of a planet.  Despite the long list of angels that had been overpowered by evil while working on Project Earth, Adam and Eve, in accepting their new assignment, vowed unshakable allegiance to the furtherance of God’s will.  And they expressed their profound faith in the ultimate power of light over darkness.

  Thus did another negative chapter in the story of man begin.  Following several thorough briefings by superiors, as well as Angels with on-the-ground experience on the rebellion-torn sphere, the well intentioned couple was transported to a beautiful garden residence constructed by Builder Angels and their advanced human students in what is now North Africa.

A temporary commission of materialized Administrative Angels and human representatives from tribes living in close proximity to the garden welcomed them to their new home.

The Garden of Eden was an impressive estate.  Nestled among the lush vegetation and flowing streams were the official residence, a temple, classrooms, and guest quarters for live-in staff and students.  A high, sturdy wall encircled the whole compound.

Surveying the grounds and structures, Adam and Eve declared their Earthly home perfect.   They praised the administrators, the builders, and their human assistants for a job well done.

The next phase of the tour, however, was not quite so pleasant. 

Nothing could have prepared Adam and Eve for their first encounter with the world beyond the garden wall.  Wild beasts and savage humans roamed the countryside, fiercely competing for food and territory.  Superior wit and strength separated the winners from losers in an environment that devoured the slow, the weak, and the passive. 

Led by human guides, and accompanied by several Administrative Angels, Adam and Eve explored the forest surrounding Eden en route to a nearby primitive settlement. 

Nearly two feet taller than the average human being of that era, and attired in flowing, glowing raiment, the party of materialized Angels inspired fear and awe in their savage brethren.

As they entered the first settlement, panic erupted.  A cacophony of screams and wails announced the arrival of the “gods.”  Terrified men and women clutching children fell to their knees, begging for mercy. 

Because most of their contacts with the supernatural had resulted in injury and death at the hands of fallen angels, these unfortunate savages had every reason to be terrified of the strange visitors. 

Adam and Eve walked among them, offering these wretched souls, in their own primitive language, assurances of their beneficial intentions.  Their guides, advanced students of the Builder and Teacher Angels, assisted in comforting the fearful savages, introducing the Angels as friends. 

Living conditions in the squalid communal dwelling sites were discouraging, far worse than Adam and Eve had imagined.  Whether composed of mud huts, lean-tos, or animal hide tents, every one of the villages they visited reeked with disease, desperation, and death.  A malodorous mixture of smoke from primitive cooking fires and fumes from open sewer trenches hung in the air like fog.  And the filthy, frightened inhabitants were only slightly more advanced than animals.

By the end of their first venture outside Eden, Adam and Eve accurately concluded that their mission would be much more difficult than they had envisioned. 

In fact, the job of attempting to improve mankind physically, mentally, and spiritually soon proved to be the biggest challenge of their careers.   

It should be noted here that, while the dominant religions on Earth teach that Adam and Eve were the original parents of all peoples, the Book of Genesis clearly indicates the existence of human cultures outside Eden.  In chapter four, we learn the fate of Cain, the elder son of Adam and Eve, after he murdered his brother, Abel:

“And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.  And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.”

Based on this biblical narration, one would have to conclude that Cain left the Garden of Eden, relocated to an established human settlement, found a mate, and moved on with his life.

And there is overwhelming scientific evidence, chronicling the gradual evolution of mankind, to dispel the notion that our original human parents were created in the image of modern man.  The people Adam and Eve discovered upon arriving to assume their missionary duties on Earth were closer in intellect and mannerisms to animals than spiritual beings.  Repercussions from the mass desertion by Lucifer and his followers had left the majority of mankind isolated, tormented by evil spirits, hunted by wild beasts, susceptible to famine and disease, and dominated by their more ferocious and cunning brethren.

While the magnitude and complexity of the challenges they faced in seeking to improve the human condition may have contributed to their eventual downfall, the reason their mission was declared a failure is not clear at this time.  Except that they disobeyed direct orders from Heaven, I am not prepared to offer an explanation of the exact nature of their offenses.

As veterans of many successful assignments on normal planets, Adam and Eve had volunteered to teach human beings better methods of hygiene, sanitation, medical procedures, animal husbandry, agriculture, and light industry, as well as other important survival skills.  Improvements in these areas would lead to higher living standards and the opportunity to introduce primitive people to the goodness of God. 

Another important aspect of their mission was to act as role models, representing the many benefits of an ideal partnership between a male and female working side by side, as opposed to the brutish domination of men over women.

Adam and Eve fully understood that volunteering to assist in the transformation of animal man to spiritual man was a serious commitment.  And they agreed to abide by the rules and guidelines established by their superiors and approved by God.

The biblical version of Adam and Eve’s transgression is explained in the well-known account of their deliberate consumption of forbidden fruit.  A serpent, perhaps possessed by a fallen angel, is said to have convinced Eve that breaking this rule would not result in her death or the death of her husband, as they had been led to believe. 

In fact, according to the serpent, eating the fruit from this particular tree would elevate them to the status of gods. (SEE Genesis, chapter 3, verses 4-5.)  Eve then supposedly persuaded Adam to join her in partaking of the illicit produce.

This account is most certainly a parable that disguises an actual account of this pivotal event in the history of our planet.  The writer makes it clear, however, that Adam and Eve committed an unacceptable breach of trust.

Regardless of what the real story may be, Adam and Eve suffered a severe penalty as a result of their disobedience.  In addition to losing their beautiful home in the Garden of Eden and access to the “tree of life,” they were condemned to a life of hardship on Earth.  Once immortal emissaries from Heaven, they were instantly reduced to the status of mortal humans, susceptible to pain, disease, injury, and death.  People and animals no longer feared them.  And, abandoned by the Angels that had welcomed their arrival, they became dependent on their own physical labor to acquire food and to erect protective shelters.

With a large following of loyal human staff workers and students, Adam and Eve did eventually build their own new dwelling site in an area with natural protective boundaries.  While vastly superior to other contemporary encampments, their new home was a far cry from the luxurious trappings in the Garden of Eden. 

And because they now feared neighboring savages, the peace loving pair was compelled to improvise an effective system of defensive warfare to ensure the security of their village and food supplies.  

Sadly, in contrast to the enthusiasm with which they arrived on Earth, Adam and Eve lived out the remainder of their days on Earth in virtual isolation with their offspring and subordinates.

As for their fate, it is difficult to determine at this time what became of them when they experienced mortal death.  Without knowing if their rebellious actions were motivated by ignorance, weakness, or defiance, one cannot even begin to guess how they were judged when their time on Earth ended. 

Hopefully, in light of their well intentioned desire to assist in the salvation of mankind, they have received forgiveness for their errors, and achieved re-admittance to God’s Heavenly Kingdom.

 The failed mission of Adam and Eve signaled another lost opportunity for the advancement of mankind, and may have discouraged other potential volunteers.  Instead of benefiting from the instructions of a well-respected Angelic couple, primitive man would remain mired in spiritual darkness and savagery for many more thousands of years.  

In all fairness, however, it should be noted that, while Adam and Eve did fail to execute their duties responsibly, their mission was not a complete failure.  Their superbly educated descendants and students gradually established a number of missionary compounds in areas where people were receptive to advanced teachings.

And these self-sustaining outposts, created by people empowered with knowledge of their relationship to God, and endowed with superior skills in government, warfare, building technology, agriculture, and animal domestication, would become important seeds of civilization from which advanced societies would eventually develop. 

“Adam and Eve” is an excerpt from “Extinguishing the Flames of Hell.”

© 2006 Paul Howard Nicholas

 

For The Love Of Money

 
Photo by Paul Howard Nicholas

Of the many things on Earth that human beings will lay their lives on the line for, love, money, and vengeance, though not necessarily in that order, are generally found near the top of the list.

People of every creed and color constantly demonstrate that they are willing, if necessary, to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of love, the love of money, or the satisfaction of vengeance:

A man risks his life to save loved ones from a burning building; thieves risk their lives in daring robberies; a gangbanger, seeking to avenge a homeboy’s death, is gunned down on enemy turf.

Without question, love, money, and vengeance are powerful motivators. Money, however, is in a category all its own. Of the three, it is the only tangible. It can be piled up, counted, and stored in banks or blown on a spree. Money is also unique in that it can be helpful or hurtful, depending on who employs it.

True love is always positive. Vengeance is always negative. But money can be either. Used to open a much needed hospital or school, money becomes a blessing for the community these institutions will serve.

Money used to promote misleading messages, however, or to suppress human rights, is a curse to those who seek truth and freedom.

The bible offers various statements about money and material wealth.

King Solomon, in the 10^th chapter of Ecclesiastes, verse 19, says, “A feast is made for laughter. And wine maketh merry; But money answereth all things.” (KJV)

While it may seem ironic that Solomon, considered one of the wisest men of his time, could have arrived at such an indefensible conclusion about the virtues of money, his words, from a king’s perspective, make sense.

If enemies threatened to unseat him, money would buy the spies, the armies, and the weapons he needed to defeat them.

When key allies showed signs of wavering in support for his causes, monetary gifts usually brought them back into the fold.

And when it came to maintaining harmony among the members of his harem of two thousand wives and concubines, money made it possible for Solomon to provide them with a lavish lifestyle.

The problem with King Solomon’s statement about money being the answer to everything is that it is patently false. It won’t open the gates of Heaven and it can’t buy love. And If happiness could be purchased with money, rich people would never commit suicide.

The only instructional value of such a misleading message is that it serves as a reminder that the holy scriptures were written by, and subsequently translated by, imperfect human beings.

And while much of the information found in the bible provides sound advice for spiritual enhancement, it is important to pray for God’s guidance whenever it becomes necessary to sift jewels of truths from the shifting sands of an author’s personal agenda.

The new testament of the bible offers more fact-based counseling about the accumulation of wealth. First Timothy, chapter 6, verse 10 says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil…”

This statement is as accurate today as it was when it was written thousands of years ago. History is littered with the mental, physical, and spiritual wreckage of perpetrators and victims who got caught up in obsessive quests for material gain.

In Luke 12:48, Jesus is quoted as saying, “…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…” The message here is clear: The bigger the  material blessings, the more God expects the blessed to share in making the world a better place.

The most troubling statement in the Bible regarding the accumulation of wealth, however, is found in the 19^th chapter of Matthew, verse 24, where Jesus says that “…It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

Jesus made this statement to his disciples after counseling a wealthy young man who claimed to be living in harmony with the commandments, but wanted to know what more he could do to
achieve eternal life.

Jesus tells the young man in Matthew 19: 21 that he would have “treasure in Heaven” if he would sell all of his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow him. Matthew 19: 22 says that the young man, upon hearing this, “…went away sorrowful: for he had great
possessions.”

Jesus makes it clear in this passage that material wealth on Earth, if valued more than Heavenly treasure, can become a stumbling block in the middle of the path to spiritual enlightenment and weaken a rich person’s desire to stay connected to God.

A lot of wealthy people don't pray for God’s will to be done on Earth because they are all the way okay with the way things are There’s no need to ask God for help in securing their daily bread because they're already eating the finest food available. They hire security professionals to take care of trespassers, and if they happen to trespasse against someone, their top-notch legal firms will minimize the consequences.

But Jesus leaves no doubt that, while it may be difficult for a rich person to earn salvation, it can be done. In clarifying his statement about the camel and the eye of a needle, Jesus says in Matthew 19:26: “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

And so the message for rich people who want to establish a better relationship with God is clear. As stewards of one of the most formidable powers on Earth, it would be wise for them to determine whether the current status of their money is positive or negative and make the necessary corrections.

Are their investments being used to lift people up, or push them down? To enlighten the less fortunate, or keep them in darkness? To line the pockets of the oppressor, or to feed the oppressed?

And most importantly, the rich should always keep the true value of their material wealth in its proper perspective. For as much as money is cherished on Earth, it will never be allowed in Heaven.

© Paul Howard Nicholas

Serial Cheaters: Why Are There Double Standards For Men And Women?

                                                                                                                                       

In the wake of recent scandals involving prominent men who can’t seem to be satisfied with one woman, we often hear that men are “wired” to seek relationships with many women, or that these men are “just being men.”

But what does any of this mean? Are there any truths to these assertions—essentially that men are incapable of living up to modern social standards--or are they merely excuses for character flaws?

Any attempt to unravel the riddles of human behavior always starts with one question: why? Why would so many men, from the seemingly happily married professional, to the skid-row bum whose girlfriend shares her food stamps with him, find it so easy to betray their significant others at the drop of an eyelash, or a flash of a thong? Is the pursuit of sexual pleasure hopelessly ingrained in their DNA, or are they trying to live up to the image of a “real” man?

The following is an excerpt from a Natural Light Network interview with a remarkable woman who provided an intriguing perspective on the origins of infidelity, and the universal double standard applied to male and female cheaters. She identified herself simply as “Angel” and agreed to participate in this discussion provided there would be no further questions about her identity.

NLN: Opinions on why men are more prone to sleep around than women vary widely. Some say it’s a matter of biology—that men are “wired” to seek multiple partners. Others believe that young males are socialized to look up to the guy who “has a way with women.” And then there are those who define unfaithful men as selfish, uncaring individuals, lacking in character. Are any of these conclusions accurate?

Angel: Actually, all three are accurate to a degree. The man whose biological heritage includes an above average level of testosterone will probably cheat at some point in a relationship. But odds are that the man who learned to keep and compare scores of sexual conquests at an early age, and the man incapable of caring enough to remain faithful to his other half, will do the same thing. The more of these categories a man fits into, the more likely he is to cheat.

NLN: When we compare living standards in countries where polygamy is still practiced with countries that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, monogamous societies appear to be the clear winners in all areas. And since men were responsible for the creation of laws mandating monogamy, why do countless men, after centuries of social and religious indoctrination, still seem to find the concept of having more than one woman irresistible?   

Angel: Understanding the state of human affairs in the modern world requires a basic knowledge of a seldom discussed disaster on Earth that, more than any other, created repercussions that continue to confound, confuse, and impede mankind’s progress thousands of years later.

NLN: Are you referring to the Lucifer led rebellion against the Authority of Heaven on Earth?

Angel: Exactly. Nothing before or since has had a more lasting and devastating effect on the course of human history. But before we get to that, it may be helpful to begin with a basic explanation of what it means to be a human being.

NLN: We're listening.

Angel: Thank you. While it is true that no two people are exactly the same, the normal life cycle of every human being is a carefully orchestrated example of evolution, a unique re-telling of mankind’s collective history.

Like the original seeds of life implanted in the Earth’s oceans by Almighty God eons ago, every man, woman, and child that has ever lived started life as a single-cell organism in a nourishing, liquid environment. And from the moment of conception the tiny fertilized seed begins to grow and change, evolving into a much more complex life form capable of self-propelled movement.

Eventually, the fetus reaches a point of development that allows it to emerge from its watery world onto dry land, equipped with everything it needs to breathe air. Under the constant supervision of those entrusted with its care, the infant continues the growth process, learning to use its rapidly developing limbs to crawl around on all fours.

The next phase of evolution, a celebrated event in the life of every human being, gives the infant the ability to stand and walk upright. And as communication skills improve, the child soon learns to respect, obey, and imitate those in authority.

Subsequent stages of development elevate the child even farther above the animal kingdom. He/she starts to acquire a sense of humor, an appreciation for beauty, and a basic knowledge of right and wrong.

With the continued assistance of teachers, guardians, and role models, young males and females learn to overcome an initial aversion to each other and to socialize in mutually beneficial relationships.

Next comes the ability to address other social, intellectual, and spiritual challenges such as food production, housing, creating and maintaining stable governing bodies, the transfer of knowledge from one generation to another, and establishing an eternal union with the source of all creation, our Heavenly Father.

But what might happen if this process of evolution were abruptly interrupted during a critical phase of social instruction? What if adolescent children were suddenly abandoned by their elders, left on their own to survive or die, advance or regress, sink or swim?

Unfortunately, this is precisely what happened to the fledgling human race with the outbreak of the Lucifer insurrection.  Of all the disasters mankind has had to overcome, this bold, brazen challenge to the authority of God led by a once highly regarded leader of a prestigious order of Angels has created more havoc than all others combined.

 

 A biblical account of this episode in the history of mankind can be found in the 14^th chapter of Isaiah, beginning with the 12^th verse.

 

In the ensuing confusion caused by this unimaginable act of treason, when Angels loyal to God were evacuated, and work on Project Earth was suspended, primitive human beings were left to fend for themselves at a critical juncture of developmental guidance.  Cut off from the wisdom of God and His representatives, mankind began a rapid descent.

 

Males formed bands of roving hunters dominated by the strongest members.  Weaker males performed menial jobs and, like timid males in all-male environments, were forced to function as substitutes for women.

 

When these groups encountered other nomadic males, a fight usually ensued.  The outcome was generally the same: the stronger group would kill their rivals, run them off, or absorb them into their own group.

 

The female groups were also ruled by the most dominate members, women capable of devising weapons and executing plans to protect the group from wild animals and marauding men. Docile females, like their male counterparts, spent their time preparing food, creating shelters, and looking after the children.

 

NLN: Did you say children?

 

Angel: I see you’re paying attention. We’ll get to where the children came from in a moment.

 

NLN: Sorry for interrupting.

 

Angel: No problem. The biggest difference in the lifestyles of males and females during this period was that males traveled endlessly in search of game, and females constructed dwelling places that they would spend their whole lives in unless they were forced to leave. 

 

And while some groups of females may have been more successful in protecting their homes than others, the discovery of a female dwelling by a group of males usually resulted in the same scenario:  the males would force the females into submission, rape them, eat their food, shelter themselves against inclement weather, steal their garments, blankets and containers, and leave with male children, if there were any old enough to bear burdens.

 

Fundamental changes in the way males and females related to each other occurred when they, because of repeated contacts, began to notice the resemblance of children to parents, and realized that heterosexual intercourse was the cause of pregnancy. 

 

Prior to this period of enlightenment, neither gender had a clue about human reproduction simply because the lengthy period between a sexual encounter and the birth of a baby made the connection of the two events impossible.

 

Once this relationship was understood, however, the most intelligent males of the era began to recognize the obvious benefits of a heterosexual union. At the top of the list was the ability to produce warrior/hunter sons and gatherer/nurturer daughters to help in the struggle for survival. 

 

A close second was the superiority of a comfortable, permanent home over the haphazard temporary dwellings of the nomad.   And there was no denying the fact that the female gatherer’s vegetables and fruits went quite well with the hunter’s meat, or that intimate relations with a willing female was much more fulfilling, and a lot less dangerous, than forcing a woman (or a man) into submission.

 

Likewise, females soon realized that strong males could offer much greater protection for themselves and their children than females could ever hope to provide alone.   And they also came to appreciate the nourishing supplies of meat the hunting males brought home.

 

Needless to say, the ability of the human race to survive this incredibly negative period in history can only be described as miraculous.  It is a true testament to God’s love for all His creations that He did not abandon these orphaned souls when they needed Him most. Through a cadre of persistent and talented messengers He continued to minister to the most receptive of these primitive free-will beings until they were able to understand that men and women were meant to live together in mutually beneficial partnerships.

 

But in a world where numbers were the key to a tribe’s strength and stability, it didn’t take long for ancient tribal leaders to start doing the math: one wife, excepting cases of multiple births, could produce one new member a year; two wives could produce two a year; and on and on to as many wives as a man could provide for.

 

Numbers were also important to individual families.  As men evolved from hunters into farmers and merchants, it became clear that more offspring meant more help in managing family enterprises. Greater production resulted in greater wealth.

 

Another incentive for men to seduce as many women as possible materialized when less successful males began to realize that a short cut to wealth could be achieved by simply impregnating a prosperous man’s wives with heirs.  If blood proved thicker than water, the real father, upon revealing the truth to his children, could conceivably move to share or control his offspring’s inheritance.

 

And with this development, the economic implications of human sexuality soon became clear:  a man’s amorous escapades could create an empire, but an unfaithful woman could lose one.

 

Unfortunately, this heightened sense of reproductive awareness led directly to women being defined and treated as property in male dominated societies, and it helped create a universal double standard regarding male and female promiscuity that exists to this day.

 

And so, during the dawn of civilization, the seeds were sown in the vast majority of cultures on Earth for an acceptance of, and in most cases the encouragement of, relationships consisting of one man and as many women as he could handle. The all time record holder, ironically, is one of the authors of the holy bible, King Solomon, who at one point maintained a harem of two thousand wives and concubines. Can you even imagine having to deal with two thousand cases of PMS every month?

 

NLN: Not in my wildest fantasies.   

 

Angel: The upside of this pivotal point in human history is that men evolved from roving rapists to stationary husbands. The reality, however, is that men simply graduated from one form of infidelity to another.

 

But don’t be discouraged. There are a number of plans being implemented as we speak to help men break free from the evolutionary time warp they have become trapped in, just as there are numerous proposals being considered to address other negative consequences of historical events over which human beings had no control.

 

And if you should find yourself becoming impatient with the pace of progress, try to remember that a thousand years of Earth time adds up to less than one day in God’s Kingdom.

 

NLN: This is one of those times when words are inadequate to accurately express Natural Light Network's appreciation. And so I will simply say, thank you for sharing your knowledge and your wisdom.

 

Angel: Thank you for inviting me.

-Stay connected to Natural Light Network for updates on in depth conversations about People, Perspectives, and Points of Interest.

© 2016 Paul Howard Nicholas

Sexual Healing: A Brief History of Romance and Seduction

Back in the day, a young guy’s chances of talking a girl out of her clothes were a lot more unpredictable than they are today.

First of all, you had to find a place that would allow you enough time to dazzle her with your charm, and work your way up from a friendly smooch on the cheek to a full blown, heavy breathing, passionate, lip locking kiss.

And since the urges of horny teenagers back then were adequately monitored in most households by stay-at-home mothers and extended family members, finding a place to get frisky was a real challenge.

But suppose you were lucky enough to have an older sibling or friend that would be willing to let you use his car or, (if you were really fortunate) apartment, for a romantic rendezvous with your intended lover.

The next step would be to try to calm her fears about being in an unfamiliar environment. Familiar music, either on the car radio or hi-fi living room record player usually helped to soothe her nerves.

But then, If you were successful in talking, caressing, and kissing her into submission, you soon discovered that the real work of seduction had just begun.

Now you had to figure out how to unbutton, unclasp, unsnap, and unhinge all the layers of garments females wore back then: blouse and skirt (or dress), slip, bra, garter belt, stockings, girdle (if she was on the plus side), and very large drawers.

And, since no self-respecting young lady during those days would help you undress her, you were pretty much left to get her out of a pile of clothes all by yourself before she changed her mind.

A lot of times, though, somewhere between the point where she said “okay” and the time it took you to tug on that last banner of elastic, the words of her parents, and the warnings of her pastor, would overtake the girl's runaway emotions, and it would be game over!

Enough time to think about the situation, and a cooling of passions, would often lead to the words no sexually aroused guy wants to hear: “Stop… I can’t do this… I want to go home.”

In today’s world, things are a lot easier for young men. Before a girl has time to think about the consequences of her actions, all she has to do is shimmy out of a tank top, slip out of her jeans or shorts, flip off a thong, and it's on.

The jury is still out on whether this is a positive cultural development for females. But it does seem to improve the odds of success for males on the prowl.

© 2017 Paul Howard Nicholas