User talk:Phebe Baltazzi

Dr Evan Serge Baltazzi, the Scientist and Athlete - and (Nellie) Despina Biorlaro - Baltazzi - Phebe Baltazzi (talk) 06:24, 2 July 2012 (UTC)
The Baltazzis are of a very old Venetian origin; their name is derived from the Venetian Baldo. The Baltazzi Coat of Arms can be found on page 94 of the "Collezione rara di stemmi gentilici italiani" by Edgardo Mattei. It has been authenticated and registered by the Committee on Heraldry of the "New England Genealogical Society", on 6/1/1981. Evan is the direct descendant of the main branch of this family, which counts among others, Bernardo, Commander of the Venetian galleys against the Turks in 1573, Gian Battista, who was killed at the battle of Lepanto, Pietro, Secretary of the Republic of Venice, Marino eminent philosopher and theologian, and many others. Until the first half of the 15th century, the Baltazzis of the main branch were not "hellenized" and remained stout Catholics and 100 percent Venetians. It is only after the family was established in Crete, then left for Chios to escape Turkish oppression that they became Greek Orthodox. A work, including the genealogy of the Greek branch of the Baltazzis, was published in 1946 by Greek historian A. Benaki. Aristide Baltazzi donated Greek antiquities found on his property to the Louvre Museum (Paris).

The Coat of Arms of the Prussian side of the family, von Pilgrim-Baltazzi, can be found in "Siebmacher's Preussiche Adel, vol.35 table 177 (Cleveland Library)" ; while the Gotha mentions the Ritter (Knight) von Baltazzi was the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire before WWI, and the uncle of the tragic Baroness Maria Vetsera who died in Mayerling with her lover Archiduke Rudolf, heir to the throne.

On the American side of the family, Captain Harry Warner Baltazzi U.S.N.(Ret.) died in 1972 at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, leaving three married daughters, but no son. He was the descendant of Xenophon Baltazzi, Consul General for the Ottoman Empire in New York who married an American lady and remainded in the United States (1836-1895).

Evan's grandfather, George (1859-1919), married Despina Anagnostopoulou in Smyrna in 1886. They had two sons: Evanguelos (1888-1918), who died a bachelor in the U.S., and Evan's father, Phocion (1892-1963), who married Agnes Varda (1901-1994) in 1920. Phocion and Agnes had three sons and one daughter: Evanguelos - Ευάγγελος Σ. Φ. Μπαλτατζής (gr.) (11 April 1919, Smyrna - 27th June 2012, Obituary on the 5th of JULY 2012: "Sts Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd Cleveland Hts,  OH 44118 U.S.A), Helen (1923-1989, Athens), George (1926, Athens), and John (31th July 1931, Athens).  Phebe Baltazzi (talk) 03:04, 1 July 2012 (UTC)There might be found slightly different dates of birth: e.g. His mother married in 1917, Evan born in 1921, John born in 1930.

The over 200-year-old mansion where Evan was born, Smyrna of Asia Minor, is now a museum. During the catastrophe that befell Smyrna in 1922, George Warner Baltazzi was in command of a U.S. destroyer in the Aegean and, was able to find and save Evan's grand-uncle Theodore. Evan's maternal grandfather, Jean Varda MD - Surgeon and Gynecologist, was separated from his children and left under French protection on the warship "Jean Bart", while Evan's parents and paternal grandmother escaped on an Italian ship.

Following a brief stay in Belgium and France, Phocion, a civil engineer, returned to Greece. Evan studied Chemistry at Athens University, joined the Greek Army during WWII, and served as a chemist for the International Red Cross Committee in Thessaloniki during the German occupation. There he met and married, on July 17, 1945, Despina (Nellie) Biorlaro, daughter of a Russian landowner refugee who had studied marine engineering in Genoa, Italy, and a Greek mother, Maria Stringo. They have three children, Agnes Vittoria (Paris, 1949 - Ohio, March 28 2012), James Phillip (Oxford) and Maria-Irene (Chicago).

Evan and Nellie left for France on February 21, 1946, where Evan earned a Doctorat ès Sciences Physiques (Sorbonne). While working for the French National Research Center, at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, he was sent in England in 1952 (D. Phil., Oxford, Chemistry, 1954). Following completion of his work at Oxford, Evan, at the recommendation of sir Robert Robinson (Nobel Prize winner) won an assignment to the Canadian National Research Council (Ottawa) in 1955. His academic research involved synthesis of chemotherapeutic agents, natural products (penicillin precursors, porphyrins) and identification procedures via ultraviolet and infrared spectra. Evan accepted an offer by Alco Chemical Company of Chicago, Ill., and came to the United States, with Nellie, on March 29, 1959. On July 21, 1964, the Baltazzis became U.S. citizens.

Evan was named "Citizen of the Year (1964)" received the Distinguished Service Award (Science, 1965) and had several publications and patents to his credit. These include the patent on the first table-top copier using organic photoconductors. He has organised and chaired several national and international conferences and symposium on Organic Photoconductors (Cleveland, 1974), the first Gordon Research Conference on the same topic (1976), and was a consulting engineer to major American, European, and Japanese (Toshiba) companies for ten consecutive years until his retirement in 1988. A fellow of the "Royal Chemical Society", the "American Institute of Chemists" , the "New York Academy of Sciences" , and other learned societies. Evan served on the "10-member U.S. Currency Commitee of the National Research Council". Evan is listed in "Who's Who in America", Fifty-Fourth Edition 2000. See also in Who's Who in America"® 66th Edition 2012...

In April 1999 he received, by the "International Biographical Center of Cambridge of England", the Certification of his inclusion in the "2000 Outstanding Scientists of the 20th century", in honor of an Outstanding Contribution in the field of "Organic Materials Science".

Highly trained in the fighting arts, Evan was a member of the fencing team of the Faculty of Sciences at the Sorbonne, and Captain of the Oxford University Judo team (1952-54). He and his team remained unbeaten, were awarded the colors, and Judo was recognised for the first time as a major varsity sport in Oxford. Evan served on the U.S. Olympic Judo and A.A.U. Committees for two Olympiads (1965/1974) and was an official at the "Paramerican Games, Winnipeg, Canada, in 1967". In 1999, he received the ''Ohio Spl. Olympics Gold medal volunteering award''.

He developed a system of general applicability to the combative arts and sports, which received international recognition. Evan published a book on this subject under the title "Self-Protection Complete. The A.S.P. System". He has also published articles in the "Journal of Physical Education", four books on the same topic, and chaired the "Health and Physical Education Research Methods Conferences" ,(Chicago, 1970-71). Between 1967 and 1974 he was a member of the Judo Committee of U.S. Olympic. While until almost his death, with his son James, were/(is) VIP's (Volunteers-in-the-Parks), working with physically challenged people at the CV NRA.

Evan is the author of a novel, ''Dog gone West. A Western for Dog Lovers, and most recently completed a free translation of Plato's Apologia'', with commentary for general public. It has been accepted for publication by the A.H.E.P.A.

Nellie attended the French school, Calamari (Thessaloniki), and studied French Civilisation at the Sorbonne (Paris). She holds a B.A. and LL.B. (Chicago) and is active in civic societies, such as the International Training in Communication (ITC). She served as president of the ITC Great Lakes Council III. A member of the "National Association of Parliamentarians" and the "Ohio Association of Parliamentarians" (vice president, Nellie Cooley Unit). Nellie was the president of the "Northern Summit County Multiservice Center" ,(1994). She has taught Sunday School and was a Cub Scouts... Nellie is an avid downhill skier, tennisplayer, and swimmer. Her oil paintings received a second place prize at a Montreal, P.Q., Canada, exposition.

EDUCATION

University of Athens, Chemistry.

University of Paris, France, Docteur ès Sciences Physiques, Grade d' Etat (U.V. Spectroscopy of Organic Molecules-Hétèrocycles), 1949.

University of Oxford, England, Doctor of Philosophy (Organic Reaction Mechanisms, IR Spectroscopy) 1954.

Has worked under Professor Jacques Tréfouël, Member of the French Academies of Sciences and Medecine, Nobel Prize winner, and Professor Sir Robert Robinson, F.R.S., Nobel Prize winner.

WORK HISTORY
 * Attaché de Recherches, French National Research Centre: 4 years
 * Chargé de Recherches, French National Research Centre: 6 years
 * Senior Group Leader, Organic and Polymer Synthesis, Nalco Chemical Co: 2 years
 * Manager Organic and Analytical Chemistry Section, IITRI: 2 years
 * Director Research Laboratory, A.M. International: 14 years
 * President Consulting Consortium, Evanel Associates: 1977 - to present (2012)
 * President Consulting Consortium, Evanel Associates: 1977 - to present (2012)



AWARDED HONORS AND OFFICES HELD


 * Captain, Oxford University Judo Team 1953-1954, Colors
 * British council Fellow, 1952-1954; Fellow, the Chemical Society (1954)
 * NRC (Canada) Fellow, 1955-1956
 * New Citizen of the Year, 1964
 * Distinguished Service Award (Science) 1965
 * Chairman, Sports and Physical Education Methods Research Conferences, 1970-1971
 * Vice-president, American Institute of Chemists (Fellow) Chicago Chapter 1970-1971. Nominee and runner-up for President of the AIC, 1970
 * Chairman, AMA Research Management Seminar, 1970
 * Member Committee on Manpower Policy, ACS, 1973
 * Member of a 10-man Committee on U.S. Currency of the NAS/NRC, 1985-1986
 * Initiator and General Chairman, Summer Symposium on "Photoconductor Image Technology-Theory and Practice", sponsored by the S.P.S.E., Cleveland, 1974
 * Initiator and chairman of the first Gordon Research Conference on the "Chemistry and Physics of Photoconductive Molecules", 1976
 * General Chairman of the 30th S.P.S.E. Annual Conference, North Hollywood, 1977
 * Senior Member S.P.S.E., 1980
 * Chairman International Committee of the S.P.S.E 4th International Conference on Electrophotography - was instrumental in securing substantial foreign participation. Washington, D.C., 1981
 * Director, S.P.S.E. Cleveland Chapter, 1974-82; Electrophotography sessions Chairman Contributing Editor and reviewer, J. Imaging technology, 1980 - President, S.P.S.E. Cleveland Chapter, 1980-82.
 * Member National AAU Judo Committee, 1966-1972
 * Chairman National YMCA Judo Committee, 1970-1972.
 * Member U.S. Olympic Committee (Judo), 1966-1972.
 * Judo Black Belt V (Godan), Aikido Black Black Belt V (Godan) Life Member U.S. Judo Association
 * President and founder of the American Self-Protection Association, 1965.
 * President and founder of the American Self-Protection Association, 1965.




 * PUBLICATIONS


 * 1)  "Sur l' absorption de certains hétèrocycles de la série naphthalènique (I)" , Comptes rendus, Vol. 230, p. 2207, 1950.
 * 2)  "Sur l' absorption de certains hétèrocycles de la série naphthalènique (II)" , Comptes rendus, Vol. 231, p. 156, 1950.
 * 3)  "Sur l' équilibre tautomèrique des nitrosonaphtols", Comptes rendus, Vol. 232, p. 987, 1951
 * 4)  " Synthèse de certains hétèrocycles de la série naphthalènique", Comptes rendus, Vol. 233, p. 691, 1951.
 * 5)  " Antipodes optiques du mannose et du sorbose comme source de carbone pour diverses bactéries", Comptes rendus, Vol. 233, p. 1696, 1951
 * 6)  "Synthèse de certaines combinaisons hétèrocycliques de la série du naphtalène" Bulletin de la Société Chimique de France, p. 792, 1952.
 * 7)  " Synthèse de dérives β-ménaphtyliques à partir de la tétraline", Bulletin de la Société Chimique de France, p. 167, 1953.
 * 8)  "The Reduction of certain 2-Phenyl 4-Arylideneoxazolones by means of LiAIH4 (4 is in index)",Chemistry and Industry, p. 541, 1953 (with sir Robert Robinson).
 * 9)  "The Reduction of 2-Phenyl 4-Isopropylideneoxazolones by means of LiAIH4 (4 is in index)", Chemistry and Industry, p. 868, 1953 (with sir Robert Robinson)
 * 10)  "The preparation of certain Azlactones", Chemistry and Industry, p. 191, 1954 (with sir Robert Robinson).
 * 11)  "The Chemistry of 5-oxazolones", Quarterly Reviews, Vol. IX, No. 2, 1955.
 * 12)  "Synthèse de la dl-cystine", Comptes rendus, Vol. 240, p. 208, 1955 (with J.W. Davis)
 * 13)  "A propos des deux formes géométriques de l' a-phenylacetamino-b-pipéridinoacrylate d' éthyle", Comptes rendus, Vol. 240, p. 1711, 1955.
 * 14)  "A propos de l' action du diazoacétate d' éthyle sur le phénol", Comptes rendus, Vol. 241, p. 321, 1955.
 * 15)  "Hydrazides de la série phenoxyacétique et dérives",  Comptes rendus, Vol. 241 p. 663, 1955 (with R. Delavigne).
 * 16)  "Uroporphyrin III", American Chemical Society Meeting at San Francisco, Spring, 1958, 87 N p. 148;  The Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 82, p. 4389, (with E.J. Tarlton and F.S. MacDonald).
 * 17)  "A propos d'une réaction de McFadyen-Stevens modifiée dans la série du pyrrole", Comptes rendus, Vol. 254, p.702, 1962.
 * 18)  "Remarques sur certaines réactions des ylidéne-4-oxazolones-5", Comptes rendus, Vol. 254, p. 2375, 1962.
 * 19)  "A propos de certaines réactions des alcools benzoylamino-2-allyliques", Comptes rendus, Vol. 254, p. 2375, 1962.
 * 20)  "Cyclodehydrations with complexes of Sulfur Trioxide.  Synthesis of Azlactones", Chemistry and Industry, p. 929, 1962 (with E.A. Davis).
 * 21)  "Cyclodehydrations with Complexes of Sulfur Trioxide.  Sunthesis of Butenolides", Chemistry and Industry, p. 1653, 1962 (with E.A. Davis).
 * 22)  "Cyclodehydrations with Complexes of Sulfur Trioxide.  Synthesis of 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles", Chemistry and Industry, p. 1080, 1963 (with A.Wsocki).
 * 23)  "Substituted Phenoxyacetohydrazides as Reagents for Carbonyl Compounds", Comptes rendus, Vol. 256, p. 5159, 1963 (with J.W. Garner)
 * 24)  "Organometals", Industrial Research, p. 40, March 1963.
 * 25)  "Recent Advances in the Chemistry of Pyrrole", Chemical Reviews, Vol. 63, p. 511, 1063 (with L.I. Krimen).
 * 26)  "A chemical Shorthand", Frontier, Vol. 24, p.14, 1963.
 * 27)  "Acrylic Polymers as Binders for Electrophotographic ZnO Coatings", Phot. Sc. and Eng. 16, No5, p. 354 (with R.G. Blanchette, and Ralph Minnis).
 * 28)  "Some Aspects of the Structure-Reactivity Relationship in Aromatic Diazo-Compounds", (with E.E. Daily, H. Printy, P. Data and W. Warner)Phot. Sci. and Eng., Vol. 18, No 22, March/April 1974*
 * 29)  "Benzocarbazole Polymers: A new class of organic photoconductors" Gordon Research Conferences, 1976, New Hampshire.
 * 30)  "Novel Azlactones and Butenolides as Acceptors in Organic Photoreceptors", S.P.S.E Symposium, Tokyo, Japan, 1977*.
 * 31)  "Cumulenes as Organic Photoconductive Pigments", IEEE/IAS Cleveland, 1979*.  "A New Class of Pigmented Organic Photoreceptors", Chemistry and Industry, p.34, 1981.
 * 32)  Recent Developments in Electrophotographic Processes, Materials and Related Fields, J.A.P.E., Vol. 6, p. 147, 1980 (invited paper)
 * 33)  Recent Trends in Electrography and its Applications, id., Vol. 8, No.5 p. 224, 1982 (invited paper).
 * 1)  Recent Trends in Electrography and its Applications, id., Vol. 8, No.5 p. 224, 1982 (invited paper).


 * *Note: Evan S. Baltazzi has been active in the field of reprography since 1963. Due to the policies of his former employer, AM International, the majority of materials and processes developed by him or under his direction are unpublished; some are even unpatented.  During his employment with AM he was constently responsible for the following areas:

EXPLORATORY RESEARCH. This included superfast diazos, novel alkaline complexes for thermal diazo development, new toners, new surface treatments for magnetic carriers, new organic photoconductors for homogeneous electrophotographic systems, (poly-vinylcarbazole and benzocarbazole families), new photoconductors for heterogeneous electrophotographic systems, (cumulene family), new optical sensitizers for zinc oxide coatings, new binders for electrofax and for the new systems he developed, new acceptors (sensitizers) for photoconductors of the donor-acceptor type, new evaluation methods for photoconductive polymer precursors, polymerization methods for new photoconductive monomers, liquid development methods creating simultaneously a positive and a negative image, new electrostatic imaging processes, and three machine prototypes: one for reflex copying, one table-top copier, and one copier-duplicator, all based on organic photoconductors.

APPLIED RESEARCH. This effort was aimed at improving the understanding of existing supplies and processes in order to upgrade them. It included troubleshooting involving raw and manufactured supplies, evaluation of raw materials, and extensive internal consulting.

34. Update on Electrophotography and its Applications, J. Imag. Techn. Vol. 10 No. 1, p. 11A-14A.

35. Outlook for the Copier Market in the U.S.A., J. Imag. Techn., Vol. 10, No 2, p. 30A-32A, 1984.

36. Technical Trends in Electrophotography and Related Fields, id., Vol. 10, No. 6, p. 120A-123A, 1984

37. Electrophotography, ibid., Vol. 11, No. 5, p. 6A, 7A and 12A, 1985

38. Electrophotography and Hard Copy Generation in 1985, ibid., Vol. 12, No. 2 1986.

PATENTS


 * 28 US and FOREIGN Patents (see list -OTHERS PENDING...Phebe Baltazzi (talk) 19:59, 30 June 2012 (UTC)). Baltazzi is one of the pioneers in the development and uses of organic photoconductors in Electrography.  He holds the Patent on the first table-top copier using organic photoconductors.  Organic photoconductors have largely displaced the use of toxic selenium

ISSUED FOREIGN PATENTS:

BELGIUM: 752,122; 748,412; 728,778

CANADA: 912,330; 887,579; 820,891

FRANCE: 70.11437; 1596622

GREAT BRITAIN: 1,256,143; 1,236,056; 1,161,104

ITALY: 855,458

PRESENTATIONS, SEMINARS, LECTURES

Taught courses in Organic and Polymer Chemistry, gave numerous graduate seminars and talks on technical topics. Was interviewed several times on TV in Chicago and Cleveland

Was a contributing editor for Electrophotography, and on the review board of the Journal of Imaging Technology (till 12/31/1989).

OTHER PUBLICATIONS


 * Published several articles on aspects of physical education and sports, mostly in the Journal of Physical Education. Also four books on related topics.
 * 1)  J. Phys. Ed. March-April 1968, p. 118
 * 2)  American Judoman, September-October 1969, p.10
 * 3)  J. Phy. Ed., March-April 1971, p. 89
 * 4)  id., January-February 1973, p. 47
 * 5)  ibid., July-August 1973, p. 137
 * 6)  Inside Kung-Fu, Vol.4, No. 4, p. 28, June 1977
 * 7)  id., No 5, p. 13, July 1977
 * 8)  ibid., No. 6, p. 32, August 1977
 * 9)  Super Banzai (Italy), December 1981, p. 25
 * 10)  id., January 1982, p. 48
 * 11)  ibid., February 1982, p. 30
 * 12)  ibid., March 1982, p. 36
 * 1)  ibid., March 1982, p. 36


 * BOOKS
 * 1)  Basic american Self-Protection, Evanel Associates, 1972; second printing, 1976; third printing 1982; fourth printing 1987.
 * 2)  Kickboxing.  A Safe sport.  A Deadly Defense, Chas. E. Tuttle (Vermont); second printing, 1981, third printing 1984
 * 3)  Self-Protection at Close Quarters, 1981.
 * 4)  Stickfighting for Men and Women, Chas. E. Tuttle (Tokyo, Japan), 1983.
 * 1)  Stickfighting for Men and Women, Chas. E. Tuttle (Tokyo, Japan), 1983.


 * 1)  Self-Protection Complete.  The A.S.P. System, Evanel 1992.
 * 2)  Dog Gone West: A Western for Dog Lovers, 1994
 * 3)  Plato and Socrates Trial, 1995
 * 4)  Alternative:  Tai Chi Chuan, 2004-05
 * 5)  Concentration/Relaxation Motion: A Roadway to Wellness, 2007-2009
 * 6)  Wellness Three Concentration Relaxation in Motion, 2008

OPINIONS AND BELIEFS - Article written by, Dr. Evan S. Baltazzi (Phebe Baltazzi (talk) 16:18, 8 July 2012 (UTC))

“I am not afraid to die and I do not believe in life after death. If there is one I will be very surprised”, said a friend of ours. She is in her nineties and lives alone. She also confined to us that she had lost all faith in God after the horrors she had seen during WWII as a nurse and the senseless destruction of millions of human beings by natural and manmade catastrophes. An easy but unconvincing reply is that man cannot fathom the will of God, answer that can be handy to “explain” a host of events and circumstances as well as the existence of “Gods” of diverse character.

The deeply embedded desire in humans to continue life has led most civilizations to believe in life after death. In all cases proof is subordinate to a strong desire to believe. Also there are some strange and hard to explain facts.

It is not rare that people seem to recognize places that they never seen before. During his North African campaign General Patton claimed to know several places he had seen as a Roman soldier, places he described in detail before reaching them. My wife Nellie and I experienced such feeling in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin, and I felt it strongly in St Petersburg, Russia.

I was in Chicago driving a red Dodge convertible on Mannheim road and had stopped for a red light at an intersection with Ogden Avenue, when I got a fleeting, yet overwhelmingly real feeling of my father’s presence at my side. He was happy and conveyed to me that all was well. Later, I was told that this was the day he died in Greece. My brother George had a harrowing experience with a dead close friend of his who visited him in a dream and touched his hand. These are neither inventions nor fantasies and yet hard to explain.

The Bible is not the only one to attest that life after death exists as proven by the teachings and resurrection of Jesus; others also claim to have evidence for life after death in a variety of contexts. Scientific proof in this realm in not possible and only faith gives us the certainty of evidence. It is true that even in the so-called exact sciences scientists may agree on experimental facts and yet differ widely in their interpretation. In the realm of beliefs there cannot be any convincingly objective argument because belief is based precisely on lack of tangible material evidence, but results from subjective interpretations. I do not need to believe in daylight if I can look out the window.

In the Christian religion on goes once through life and if he messes up that is it, unless there is remission of sins through sincere repentance and faith in the fact that Jesus died to atone for our sins. To counteract this finality Roman Catholics believe in Purgatory, an ultimate resort to salvation.

In the Hindu religion and its derivatives it is believed that the soul reincarnates or transmigrates upward or downward in the scale of being as many times as necessary to get it right, then comes Nirvana where one is either absorbed into deity or retains his identity, but becomes at one with the God-head, depending on one’s belief and school of thought. Hence the strong respect of Hindus for all forms of animal life. Several specific cases are given where the subject has vivid memories of past lives in great detail and recognizes people that otherwise should be alien to him. The selection of the Dalai Lama is a case of belief in the transmigration of the soul. Western psychiatrists were supposedly able to get a subject to regress into many past lives. All of the above is firmly believed by many to constitute convincing evidence for not one but many lives after death.

St Paul’s rationale that non believers will be judged according to their behavior in tune with their beliefs is open to question for several reasons. All major religions have many denominations and Christianity most of all. Roman Catholics tolerate Orthodox as schismatic but point the finger at all others as heretic. And heretics were burned at the stake in earlier times to save their eternal soul, but mainly to silence any dissent with Roman Catholic doctrine. The vast majority of people on this earth are not Christian or Christians of the right denomination. The Supreme judge has also to decide which denominations of other religions are the right ones as well, else most everyone is right.

Assuming that one has a direct link with God who opens his mind so that he acquires a complete understanding of the Truth of Being, how is this person to communicate his knowledge and experience to others except through the very imperfect tool of the human language? A tool that could be and is interpreted according to upbringing, circumstances, bias, or self interest. Hence the many denominations.

Is not religion essentially determined by the environment one is being born into? Are a sincere faith, any faith, and life in accordance with it sufficient for salvation? This is most improbable given the host of existing malignant beliefs. Is God partial and creates the vast majority of people only to destroy them or condemn them to eternal torment? And how compatible is the character of such God with one of infinite mercy and loving kindness?

Do any of the above constitute proof or is faith and belief based on wishful thinking? Explanations vary and choice is highly subjective. In this realm, not only do we not have the means to objectively investigate, but it is also doubtful that we are capable to really understand the results of such investigation were it possible. Yet is strong faith in a belief gives us solace, hope, and courage to go through the valley of sorrows that is life, why not nurture it and treasure it?

The Bible addresses this topic extensively, not only in terms of one’s own death but also in the case of bereavement. Here are some excerpts:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16'

“For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this is mortal nature must put on immortality.” John 15:53

'''“And Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me though he die, yet he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11: 25, 26.'''

'''“…so what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” II Cor. 5:4.5'''

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 22 (23):4

'''“But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep. That you may not believe as do those who have no hope. For once we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” I Thess. 4:13, 14'''

'''Faith brings strength, solace, hope, and inner peace, peace with God and one’s self, “peace that surpasses all understanding.” It is also salvation by faith in one of many ways. Semantic, administrative, and ceremonial squabbles recede into the background. Inner peace is not arrived at through intellectual process, but results from an intuitive feeling of God’s presence in one’s life.'''

And this is always strictly personal.

'''“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strong-hold of my life,  of what shall I be afraid?”  Psalms 27:1'''

'''“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be frightened, neither be dismayed,  for the Lord our God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:7'''

'''“I waited patiently for the Lord: he inclined and heard my cry. He drew me out of the desolate pit, out of the miry bog and set my feet upon a rock making my steps secure.” Psalms 40:1, 2'''

'''“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6'''

KOINONIA, APRIL 2011