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The STORY of... "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" Selected from the on-going online INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" ( http://www.terrific-tabs.com ) by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)
See related link: Habakkuk: "Write down the VISION. Inscribe it on TABLETS" And: RESPONDING to GOD (link) And: Doctrinal rigidity (link) And: Churchianity and Religianity (link) Initiated as an idea in 1991; documented here 2/17/06; "doctored" 2/18/06; 2/19/06; 2/20/06; 2/21/06; 2/22/06; 2/23/06; 2/26/06; 2/27/06; 3/1/06; 3/4/06; 3/8/06; 3/11/06; 4/16/06; 5/20/06 CLICK HERE to go to the "FRONT PAGE" of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" CLICK HERE for ALPHABETICAL INDEX of this entire WEBSITE CLICK HERE to EMAIL your thoughts to the author How the story of this book developed.... and how the name of the book "evolved". (This is a primitive first-step in recording the underlying story of my Internet book, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets". This is a personal story. I will edit and supplement this tale, as time passes.... and as more "truth" in my own existence becomes apparent. I ask that no one "borrow" my story.... or alter the details that I am reporting. The basis of the story of this book relates, obtusely, to "religion".... and to the various far-fetched rigid claims that are made for many of the religions of this world. In the fabricated story of this book, there is an implied comparison of "religion" with the perceived beneficial "placebo" effect of virtually all medications.... and all other forms of "treatment".... in use today. ( PLACEBO: [From Latin, meaning "I shall please"]: "an inert or innocuous substance used especially in controlled experiments.... testing the therapeutic efficacy of one substance against another.") So, here begins the rather simple tale of the basis of this evolving (link) Internet book: "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets... a Book about God, and God's People" (link). Amy (the younger daughter of the author).... you will remember the beginning of the story of "Dr. Todd's Turnip Tablets" (or, later, "Dr. Todd's Terrific Tablets"). It was in the early 1980's. You were about 15 years old. I was talking with you, one day, about some of my interesting patients, and about various forms of medical treatment. You and I laughed about some of the weird "treatments" that were being tried, at the time.... some believable, some ludicrous.... like "bee pollen" (for everything), and "copper bracelets" for "arthritis".... and others remedies just as silly, but widely tried.... and sold. I told you that I would bet you that I could design ("dream-up") some far-fetched medical product.... call it, say, "Todd's Turnip Tablets".... and that I could make my product a big success, by putting it on the market.... and then making certain exaggerated claims for it. Then, I speculated, that after an expected initial "success" with my "Turnip Tablets".... if some individuals found my claims for my "tablets" to have been magnified or exaggerated; or if they considered my product to be ineffective, the popularity of my "tablets" would probably fade. A lot of people who had "swallowed" the claims I had made for my tablets.... those who had hoped for certain inexplicable and miraculous benefits, would be disappointed.... and they would "migrate" to another man-made concoction. But, even so, I would have established my deceitful premise; and I would have won by "bet" (and I probably would have generated a monetary profit for myself). (You, Amy, liked my little story; and, so you painted for me the "logo" of "Todd's Turnip Tablets" on a plain glass medicine jar, and you gave it to me for a Christmas present. That jar, with "Todd's Turnip Tablets" painted on it, became one of my treasured possessions. I still have it .... and I still love it.) Now, to the reader of this tale: My naming this Internet book "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets", evolved from that same story about "Turnip Tablets".... but with a totally different implication, more like an "allegory". So how, one might ask, did I get from the anecdote about "Todd's Turnip Tablets", to a book about God, "religion", and the Bible? I will explain. (As you read this, remember the allegorical aspects of this tale. Compare, in your mind, the hoped-for "benefits" of taking a medication, with the hoped-for and claimed benefit (the placebo-effect) that can become a part of "swallowing" the tenets of many rigid religious organizations.) The next phase of my "story" is pure "novel". In this novel and allegorical version of the "Todd's Turnip Tablets" story, a mythical medical doctor, "Dr. Todd", decides to formulate and market his "turnip tablets" (actually made with what Dr. Todd considered to be inert and harmless ingredients), in order to prove his point that people will "buy" and accept and "try" a product if enough claims are made for it, and about it.... and if the product is "hyped" enough.... even though the buyers do not understand the ingredients of the product, at all; and even though the "inventor" himself, the one who dreamed-up the concept.... may not truly "believe-in" his invented product. (Again, compare the remarks in this paragraph.... the dreamed-up medicinal effects of inert ingredients.... with the origin, and claims, and "hype", and inert ingredients of many religions.) As the story goes on, Dr. Todd proceeds to employ a glitzy pharmaceutical ("drug") organization.... housed in a marble building, with beautful stained-glass windows.... to manufacture, proclaim, push and "sell" his "Terrific Tablets".... using a powerless extract of an ordinary "substance", having no established beneficial effect.... and no known injurious "side-effects". So, to be brief (although there are ramifications to the story that I will divulge and extrapolate later), the tablets were made available through drug stores, and by mail order. And, sure enough, people bought the product.... and they "bought-into" the hype, and the deceit.... and they eagerly sought the promise of "amazing" and miraculous benefits.... to whatever problems they had. The fascinating thing, though, is this: some individuals actually began to report truly amazing effects, after ingesting and "digesting" the tablets. No one, including Dr. Todd, could explain "why". Those who "responded" to the tablets, stated that they felt better; and that they had more energy.... and fewer "worries".... and that they had a "different outlook" on life, and the "world". They were more pleasant to be around; and they experienced more "fun".... sometimes even a "joy" in their lives. Their friends noted a change in their "attitudes". Many "responders" were certain that they could "think" more clearly; and that they could "concentrate" better; and they claimed to perceive things differently, in their personal circumstances. Those who did not "respond" to the tablets ridiculed all the reports of those who experienced the mysteriously beneficial effects. The "non-responders" said it was all "placebo" effect, or frank "baloney"; and yet, they truly wished for the beneficial effects that they had heard about, or witnessed, in those who were getting the "positive" response to the "tablets". But.... since the "un-believers" felt nothing, themselves, they denied the "realness" and validity of the effect that the "responders" reported. A feeling of resentment, or alienation, developed in those who simply could not believe there was anything "real" about the effects of "T.T.T". And yet, many of them wished and hoped that they, too, could somehow, at some time, experience and "feel" that which seemed to be a "supernatural" effect of Dr. Todd's tablets. Some "non-responders" (those not believing the claimed benefit of the "responders") actually went so far as to "pretend" that they, too, were achieving the mysteriously beneficial effects.... hoping that by "pretending" or claiming beneficial effect, they might engender a true and believable response to the tablets. Although the non-responders did not truly believe or understand the apparently genuine effects of the tablets, they wanted to be included with those who did respond.... so they simply pretended a "belief", and a response. They wanted to "go-along", even though it did not make sense to them. After all, they thought, maybe there could be something "real" in claiming a benefit from "swallowing" these tablets. So, "just in case" there could be something "genuine" about the tablets.... and something factual about the promises of the "inventors" of the tablets.... they said to themselves: "Maybe, if I pretend to understand and respond, I may later get at least some of the inexplicable and miraculous benefits. After all, who will know that I am only pretending." (They discovered, later, that there is indeed no human-being.... no doctor, no lawyer, no preacher or priest.... and no "group" of human-beings.... who can identify the "pretenders". The "responders", however, readily perceived that there is ONE "being", who is able to identify the pretenders.) (Remember, now, as you read this, there is an underlying "allegory".) Some "nay-sayers" actually tried to "buy" an effect from the tablets (by doubling or tripling the number of tablets that they "bought", and forced themselves to swallow.... even though they admitted that the entire concept was, to them, "hard to swallow"). Others tried to pay an extra amount to the mysterious human-being, Dr. Todd, because they felt that there must be something "special" that Dr. Todd knew about the tablets.... something that he was not sharing with everyone. After all, the world's Dr. Todd, the leader who dreamed-up the concept of the tablets.... and who made all the claims of special benefits for those who accepted his convincing "sales-pitch".... surely this Dr. Todd could be "trusted", and believed. Some un-believers calculated that "If I donate more money to the Doctor's organization, I will be able to achieve the special benefits of this seemingly miraculous product." Other non-responders thought there might possibly be something that they could do, personally.... some "deed", or "work", to cause themselves to "respond", or at least to make themselves "seem" better to others.... so that they would "give the appearance" of a "positive" response to the tablets. Maybe, they figured, they could "work" hard, or dress differently, or study psychology, or volunteer in the "soup-kitchen", or read books about "magic", or study the great "religions", or even read the Bible.... all to give the outward appearance of truly believing the effects of the tablets. Maybe, they hoped, they could befriend a group of true "believers", or "responders", and perhaps join their "club" (or their "church"). All of these "hopes" of the non-responders turned out to be futile, and useless; but the "non-responders" continued to "pretend".... and to hope, anyway. Finally, it became apparent; and many informed and alert people agreed: there was no discernible humanly way to force the hoped-for effects of the tablets to develop in an individual. There was nothing that an individual could do, himself, to cause himself to attain these strange, seemingly supernatural, and miraculously beneficial effects. The human-being, Dr. Todd, who devised the inert "tablets", admitted that he, himself, could not explain the strangely helpful effects of his fabrication. He knew of no scientific explanation for the results.... "positive" and helpful benefits in some.... and no benefit, in others. No one could detect anything unusual about the personal attributes of those who "responded" to Dr. Todd's tablets. Those who "improved" were found alike in rich and poor, black and white.... and from various ethnic groups and races, and even from foreign countries (see link The Nation of God's people). Some responders were "religious" people, and many had "leanings" toward "spiritual" thoughts and behavior. Many read and "enjoyed" the Bible. ALL of the responders, though, felt a "drawing", an attraction, toward learning more about life, and death; and where they came from; and how they happened to be on Earth; and how they had become "positioned" in their particular place in this life; and what the reason was for their existence.... and they pondered about who created them, and why they were created. Strangely, all of those who took the doctor's tablets, and responded beneficially to them.... all became more interested in getting "answers" about the things in life that really matter. It was as if all the "responders" spoke the same language (link). Other stories got around. One thing became evident: Dr. Todd's Tablets were not a "cure-all". Even in the "responders, there was no magical "healing" of medical ailments, no guaranteed freedom from the complexities of life, and the world. The responses to the tablets were more "internal"; that is, in the heart, and mind, and "soul". Several patients with fatal illnesses took "T.T.T.". None of these individuals clearly had a prolongation of life, but those who "responded" seemed to suffer less. And all responders seemed more understanding, more tolerant of their dying (mortal) circumstances; and seemed able to impart, or project, to their families and friends, a sense of peace.... or perhaps a joy. All of these "effects" were clearly beyond human understanding. At last, Dr. Todd and others were able to decipher, after much thought and contemplation, that the real "creator" of the "positive" effects of the tablets was not Dr. Todd. That is, the beneficial "effects" of the tablets were not due to the imagination, design, and concoction of a human-being. It finally became evident (to those who really searched for answers) that the true CREATOR of the idea.... the "designer" of the "ingredients" of the tablets.... is the only One who decides who will "accept" and swallow the tablets; and who will absorb and assimilate the contents of the tablets; and when in life an individual will awaken, and respond (link).... and become aware of the genuinely miraculous and divinely ordained effects. Almost everyone realized, finally, that it was not the earthly ingredients of the tablets that generated the miraculous effects, and the inexplicable changes in the "responders". They realized that the tablets had been only a stimulant, a trigger, a discovery-mechanism to "prepare for awakening" those who had been mysteriously "selected" to respond.... to achieve the desired effects. How were the "responders" selected? That is where the allegory leads us to God, and His mechanisms for selecting His people. God's decision about who will "respond" to Him, and "when" one will respond.... is beyond human understanding.... and beyond human effort. And so it is with many "religions". There are those religious organizations, throughout our world, that promise great benefits to those who "swallow" their beliefs. It is said that there are 30,000 different religions in this world.... including 3,000 different "Christian" divisions. Each religion claims that it has "the only way" to acceptance by Almighty God. Effectively, each rigid doctrine attempts to circumvent or "by-pass" our Creator-God.... by claiming that God accepts only those individuals who have "signed-up" with their particular "church".... or those who have memorized and recited their specific "creed".... or those who have bowed-down before certain statues and symbols.... of human design and "creation". (Surely it can be agreed that no "church" organization can "by-pass" or circumvent Almighty God.... and almost everyone will agree that Almighty God, Himself, can "by-pass" any-and-all man-made restrictions concerning whom God can accept, or "save", or "redeem".... or include in His Kingdom. Can't we all agree that salvation is from God; not from human-beings [see link]). My understanding is, that if there is a true spiritual "benefit" from "swallowing" the promises of any specific rigid "doctrine", the benefit comes not from the "religion".... but from Almighty God, who guides and "supervises" the spiritual development of each individual "Godsperson".... on a schedule pre-ordained by God. Joining a certain denominational church, like taking a "placebo", may give an individual a sensation of satisfaction, for a while.... but, it must be realized that no ultimate acceptance by God can be granted by a "church", or by a group of humans. Only God can "save" an individual, according to God's own criteria. That's why it becomes so absurd, in this world, for human-beings to continue killing, maiming, raping, belittling, and hating each other.... all in the name of God.... and all because of misguided religious claims. Now you see, in this story about "Terrific Tablets".... the doctor's marvelous "tablets" represent, allegorically, the power of God, and the truths of God.... and the truth about God. Those individuals who "respond" to the "tablets".... or to the promises and claims of a "church".... are selected by God, for God's own reasons. The awakening and awareness of God's people to the presence of God, in their individual lives, can be brought-about in various ways.... by God.... on God's time-table.... but "acceptance" (salvation; inclusion) by God cannot be forced or "generated" by the urging and pleading of human-beings.... or through the hell-threatening of institutional groups of humans. I will mention other parts of the story later.... especially the part when "Dr. Todd" decided that he should take the tablets, himself, to find out about their "effect" on him. Would he be a "responder"? Then, of course, a most important part, and another main reason for this "book". More than anything else, Dr. Todd wanted to find out, to try to know, what the response to these "tablets" would be, in those who were dear to him, those "given" to him.... his wife and his children, and others very "special" to him. Dr. Todd knew very well that some of those persons to whom he would recommend the tablets would not take them; some would throw them away; some would take them just to "humor" Dr. Todd. He found, though, that some of the dear ones were indeed able to "see", and "hear" and understand the potential effects of what Dr. Todd's "tablets" could possibly bring about. Others, in the "family", simply didn't "get the message", and opted to refuse the "tablets". They thought they "had a better way" to achieve all that they expected of themselves, in this world, and in this life. And so, dear readers of my book, I am offering you this "bottle" (this book) of God's "tablets".... "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets". My hope is that you will "hear" what the book says (especially the Bible references), and that you will "see" or "feel" the importance of "swallowing" these valuable tablets. I am also hoping that you will be able to "assimilate" the message of the tablets into your very selves. And, I deeply hope that you will be a responder (link) to God. But, I am smart enough.... no, "wise' enough.... to understand that the decision about who will "respond" is not mine. And even more wisely, I know that the "responding" is not yours to choose or claim.... and I know that the "responding" is beyond all of us humans.... beyond preachers, beyond institutional churches, and beyond any other worldly effect that any earthly human can imagine or invent. The "decision" about who will "respond" to the TRUTHS of God.... and when that response will come.... is in the hands of Almighty God, only. John 3: 6 (NRSV) What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is BORN of the SPIRIT is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be BORN from ABOVE.' 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it.... but you do not know where it comes from -- or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is BORN of the SPIRIT. 1 Corinthians 2: 12 (NRSV) Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the SPIRIT that is FROM God -- so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 13 And we speak of these things in words not taught by HUMAN wisdom, but taught by the Spirit -- interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. 14 Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit -- for they are foolishness to them; and they are unable to understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. Acts 17: 24 (NRSV) The God who made the world and everything in it; He who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything.... since He Himself gives to all mortals life and breath, and all things..... 28 For 'In Him (God) we live and move, and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are His offspring.' 29 Since we are God's offspring, we ought NOT to think that The DEITY is like gold, or silver, or stone.... an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. James 4: 12 There is one Lawgiver and Judge who is able to SAVE, and to DESTROY. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor? Matthew 9: 7 (NASV) Jesus speaking (quoting Isaiah 29): You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 8 "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 In vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines." Isaiah 29: 13 (NRSV) The Lord said: Because these people draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me.... and their worship of me is a human commandment.... learned by rote; 14 so I will again do amazing things with this people, shocking and amazing. The wisdom of their wise shall perish.... and the discernment of the discerning shall be hidden. Luke 16: 15 (NRSV) So Jesus said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts.... for what is prized by human beings is an abomination, in the sight of God. 2 Timothy 4: 3 (NRSV) For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth -- and wander away to myths. Ephesians 4: 14 (NRSV) We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro, and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery -- by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. Psalm 118: 6 (NRSV) With the LORD on my side, I do not fear. What can mortals do to me? 7 The LORD is on my side to help me. I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in mortals. Romans 8: 31 (NRSV) What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us.... who is against us? So, now you see how the name "The Doctor's Terrifc Tablets" came about. And you see, as I said before, that much of what I am relating is about God, and God's Bible. I will try to state my understanding about what the Bible means to me (The Gold Standard of spiritual knowledge [link]). Then, in the various chapters ("tablets") in the book, I will select a number of Biblical concepts.... like "salvation", "the chosen", the "Kingdom of God", etc.... that are extremely important.... to me. (See link Personal beliefs of the author.) Obviously, you may disregard my thoughts and remarks in these writings.... but pay close attention to the precise Biblical quotations that are included. I doubt that I will divulge anything "new", or anything that some spiritual "explorers" have not already observed, during the thousands of years that individuals have been writing about God. But, anyway, I want to record my "discoveries", and my "decipherings". I will not "invent" anything from, or about, the Bible. The precise quotations I have selected from the Bible are, I believe, clearly worded, and unambiguous. You see, the book, "Dr. Todd's Terrific Tablets" represents what I consider to be "truths" about God, from the Bible -- not speculations of mine, but clearly-stated principles.... in God's Bible. If you find that what is stated in this book is incorrect, in your opinion (after you have reviewed the scripture-statements), let me know. Write-down your thoughts.... your "beliefs". Share with me. I am certainly eager to have my own knowledge of God and the Bible to grow and evolve; and I will always be willing to learn more, and to change.... if I am so led by God. One other interesting thought, about "tablets".... the stone tablets on which various messages and laws were "chiseled", in ancient days.... quoting from Habakkuk (link): Habakkuk 2 (NEB) 1 I will stand at my post. I will take up my position on the watch-tower. I will watch to learn what He will say through me -- and what I shall reply when I am challenged. 2 Then the LORD made answer: "Write down the VISION -- INSCRIBE it on TABLETS.... made for a herald to carry, with speed. For there is still a VISION for the appointed time. At the DESTINED hour, it will come in breathless haste. It WILL NOT fail. If it delays.... WAIT for it.... for when it comes will be NO TIME to linger." I enjoy the message in that quotation.... and I have fun with the part that says, "Inscribe it on tablets, made for a herald to carry, with speed." I like to imagine that the "herald", carrying my "inscribed" tablets, with "speed" -- in today's world.... is the amazing and miraculous Internet. |