Organized religion – Blog – Jaclyn Holland-Strauss

Amphiist 83: Halloween: God and Lucifer

November 1, 2018October 3, 2021

Amphiist: Someone who sees BOTH sides of issues Believes in reaching their full potential And allows others to do the same Amphiist: Civil rights advocate Amphiist: Philosopher, Historian, Psychologist Amphiist: Emotionally intelligent, naturally aristocratic, self-actualized Or at least trying… […]

We are not just one thing…human beings are nuanced. We can be Christian conservatives, GLBT supporters, libertarian, etc!

August 16, 2013October 3, 2021

Hi, my name is Jaclyn. I’m about to write a very personal blog in the hopes of trying to explain who I am to people. There’s a point to this blog, and it is that people cannot be categorized in […]

Loneliness and insecurity, Part 2

May 18, 2013October 3, 2021

I wrote an article about a year ago about my loneliness and insecurity. That article, and this one I am about to write, are both very personal and I feel a bit uncomfortable sharing this information about myself but I […]

My new book cover for He Talks To Me, Too!

February 6, 2013October 3, 2021

This is the book cover for my new book, He Talks To Me, Too. This is a story that draws upon the literature of bildungsroman, a journey about the character and moral development of a young person. It also […]

I am an amphiist, which I define as someone who looks at both sides of issues (it's a Greek word). However, I have my own expanded definition, which means that I believe in three interrelated concepts, which, when taken together, inform an amphiist viewpoint. Abraham Maslow talked about self-actualization, a person reaching their highest potential. Thomas Carlyle discussed natural aristocracy, which is a principle the Founding Fathers created with regard to the United States, that a person did not have to be of royal birth to have merit; it was the content of their character that counted. And scholars Mayer and Salovey came up with the concept of emotional intelligence, an idea popularized by Daniel Goleman. We should have control over our emotions, and see the bigger picture. All of these together make up an amphiist, and I apply this reasoning to politics, entertainment, etc. I defend the oppressed by offering an alternative perspective. I am currently raising funds for publication of an Amphiist newspaper, the primary focus of which will be anti-extremism. We need to find common ground. We need to stop thinking in terms of liberals against conservatives. Right against left. Men against women. One race against another. One religion against another. If you would be interested in contributing, please consider supporting my work at Paypal via jaclyncarter2005@gmail.com.

Testimonials

Just finished. I am humbled by your story (Catherine's story). My mind is left in a whirlwind of thoughts. I understood the pain, the misery. The path from victim to victor, I applaud you (Catherine). Really, I am speechless. You have a brilliant mind. Your talent is astounding. You were sent to this earth to be a positive influence for others, that I am certain of.

I'm sitting in a restaurant in Green Bay Wisconsin and just finished your book. WOW WOW WOW! So freaking amazing. You have so captured the nature of the marginalized...your postscript at the end WAS ABSOLUTELY GREAT. Your book spoke to me at a heart level and encouraged me about my own feelings of insignificance. Thank you so much for writing this very heart touching work of art. You are an amazing person who I would be proud to have not just living on but running my island all day every day. In short, your book is AWESOME!!!!

One of my favourite things about this book is how the author described the characters. I rate this 5 out of 5 stars. It's such an important message. No matter what our religious beliefs—even if we have no religious beliefs—He is aware of us, He loves us and He talks to each of us. We are His. The author did a fantastic job with it!