In January of 1776, Thomas Paine published a 79-page pamphlet entitled, "Common Sense." The booklet supported independence of the Colonies. More than a half-million copies were sold, which helped unite the people to win the war with England.
Today in the 21st Century, I have written a short book about human life on earth and the journey of our souls (intelligent energy) to God's realm - heaven. I was brought up in a religious family and, as an adult, have enjoyed a career as a scientist focused on earth's past. I've put together facts and historical information from both religion and science to help understand that what we do and how we treat each other on earth not only ensures togetherness here, but also for our external existence in the beyond.
With a global virus war impacting all of us, the peaceful future we envision for our children is now on the brink of destruction. While it is encouraging to see young people standing up for their rights and protections, we must work together with them to stop hatred, harm and random killing of fellow citizens. We all have differences but need to remember we are all God's children.
Our short life on earth is only the beginning. Our souls continue on to another existence we call heaven. And, we all know good is better than evil and love is better than hate, as is fundamental within the principles we were taught as children; love your neighbor, respect one another and be kind.
This short book is a reminder that our behavior on earth will have an effect on our journey to the beyond. With all that is going on around us and incidents of hostility via social media and on our streets, many have forgotten the words of God and the teachings of Jesus.
The nation and our democracy are at stake. Hopefully, this book will inspire us to remember the most important goal is the future for our children. Please read and pass the message forward. With 90-percent of the population believing in God, we citizens should all be hopeful and teamed up in our quest for peace and unity now and forever.
Barry James, M.S., is a vertebrate paleontologist as well as a civil rights and animal rights activist. He was brought up in a religious family and has studied various spiritual disciplines in addition to his professional scientific career, in partnership with his wife April, preparing and display-mounting real dinosaur skeletons for museums around the world.
In New York during the 1970's, he worked with college students to rally for peace. During the 1980's in California, he spoke out and led demonstrations to protect animals in research labs. For the past 35-years, he and his family have rescued hundreds of abandoned animals.
As residents of Pennsylvania, in 2002 he and his wife worked with then-State Representative, Merle H. Phillips and then-Senators Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum to establish protections for citizens from overzealous prosecution.
And, currently, he is working with State Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver and PA. State Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.
Barry embraces basic kindness and respect for all with a goal of promoting mutual understanding, acceptance and unity.
