Do Not Worry Be Happy
A few years ago Prof. Lionel Tiger, who lives in New York City, and teaches anthropology at Rutgers University in New Jersey, began to take another look at religion. As a young man he had turned his back completely on organized religion but as a scientist, he was fascinated by the persistence of religious systems throughout human history. He estimates that religious systems are practised by 80% of the world’s adults.
Given that, he decided the subject was worthy of serious scientific scrutiny, leading him and co-author Michael McGuire, a California researcher and psychiatrist, to write God’s Brain.“We wanted to understand the mechanism in the brain that fosters religion,” “We’re really interested in what is going on in humans that stimulates, permits and codifies the endurance of religion. It’s a major scientific mystery. Our intent was to describe what might animate and support this notion of the sacred in such a complex set of different societies and circumstances.”
He said the title was meant to suggest that the brain might actually be God’s instrument. Though Prof. Tiger does not believe in a divine presence — “I don’t live with the perception of a god over my shoulder” — he feels if there is a god, then the brain would be the instrument a god would have to use. “It can’t be the elbow or the pancreas,” he said. “The brain defines who we are.”
Jesus said in Matthew 6: 25 - 34
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
RECIPES
Chickpea Sandwich Spread
1 can of chickpeas, roughly mashed
1 stalk of celery, chopped
1 medium carrot, grated
2 stalks of green onion, chopped
Mock-chicken seasoning, to taste
Soy mayonnaise
- Mix all of these together and serve either on whole-grain crackers, in a pita, or in a sandwich. Any way you serve it, this is delicious and oh so nutritious!
Chickpea/Zucchini Pasta Sauce.
1 can of chickpeas
2 medium zucchinis, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic
Your favourite herbs – oregano, basil, Italian blend
Whatever quantity of your favourite tomato sauce you want to use
Saute the chickpeas, zucchini, onion, and garlic in 2 Tablespoons of water until the zucchini is just a little bit soft. Add your favourite herbs. Add the tomato sauce and simmer for about 10 minutes so the flavours all blend together fragrantly. Serve this delicious sauce with whole wheat pasta. Leftover sauce is really yummy on toast.
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