Some people confuse knowledge with belief--witness the children's song "Jesus loves me, this I now--for the Bible tells me so." This is not knowledge--certainty due to personal observation and/or intuition--but belief--accepting something unproven as true on the basis of bowing to authority, or peer pressure. This is so pervasive in the West that the Judeo-Christian mythos is largely accepted as truth by people--regardless of whether or not they are church-goers-- who have no conception of the numerous inconsistencies--not to say absurdities--in the Bible.

This mindset is a sort of hangover from the passing Age of Pisces, the keynote of which is "I believe." This age is dying, but dying hard--the current jihad being the most obvious death throe, along with the general worldwide climate of fear. Even a cursory examination of the three Abrahamic religions will show that they are largely founded on fear and denial.

What then of reality? First, we need to clarify just which reality we speak of. Our personal reality is self-created. (For more info on this and how it works, see "the law of attraction" thread in SotD.)

So-called subjective reality consists of "a chaos of quantum soup, and we ingest this soup through our five senses". This is from Chopra, who goes on to say that our senses then transfrom massless energy into sound and vibration, form and solidity, texture and color, fragrance and taste. The way we INTERPRET that energy soup structures our reality and creates our perceptual experience. Most of the time we do this unconsciously as a result of social conditioning , also known as the "hypnosis of social conditioning." When we live under this hypnosis, we believe the superstition of materialism. (See, AF--I SAID I'd get around to addressing this issue sometime.) The superstition of materilism relies on sensory experience as the crucial test of reality.

At the level of concensual reality, however, the superstition of materialism prevails.("Reality is a collective hunch"--Lily Tomlin) We depend solely on our senses for information, despite the fact that we can only perceive a miniscule portion--perhaps one billionth--of all the data that is available. Thus, for many years, we thought the world was flat because it looks flat, and thought the earth was the center of the solar system, and thought the world stood still. Today, we know better.

At the level of personal reality, we can choose. As one evolves and transcends the superstition of materialism, one perceives that we are, in fact, All One. The implications of this are enormous. For when one posits that we are All One, then no one is any better or any worse than anyone else. Hence, there is no reason to hate, fear, blame or envy any other person. This, however, does NOT mean we are identical--we are each of us a discrete individuation of the divine unity, the sum total of which constitutes God.

Thus we create our own reality, and this gives us, literally, godlike power. We need only to own it and use it. Realizing this, it is only a small step towards realizing that we are all ultimately responsible for our lives. There are no victims, no villains--just billions of people, many if not most of whom are largely motivated by hatred and fear, trying to find their way as best they can.

All of us are on the same path, however, and all of us will in time reach the same destination. The great danger for those who are farther along on the path than others is to fall into the error that this somehow makes them special, superior, and thus they turn away from the greatest truth--we are All One.

The dawning of the Age of Aquarius, however, stresses knowledge--more specifically, gnosis. That is, personal experience with ,and knowledge of divinity, without the need for priests or gurus. ALong with this comes a more clear, reasonable, and unlimited conception of God.

The god of the Piscean Age was a discrete divinity somehow set apart from his/her/it/their/whatever creation. The god of the Aquarian Age--as posited by numerous thinkers and writers including the Course in Miracles people, Neale Donald Walsch, Wayne Dwyer, Deepak Chopra, Muslim Sufis, Christian mystics, and Jewish cabballists--is the unifying spirit of the universe, a vast collective body of information and intelligence which animates and unites us all.

Thus--ironically--the theists of the Age of Aquarius are on much the same page as the atheists of the Age of Pisces--both reject the petty, cruel and mean-spirited deity as portrayed in the Bible.

Some people confuse knowledge with belief--witness the children's song "Jesus loves me, this I now--for the Bible tells me so." This is not knowledge--certainty due to personal observation and/or intuition--but belief--accepting something unproven as true on the basis of bowing to authority, or peer pressure. This is so pervasive in the West that the Judeo-Christian mythos is largely accepted as truth by people--regardless of whether or not they are church-goers-- who have no conception of the numerous inconsistencies--not to say absurdities--in the Bible.

This mindset is a sort of hangover from the passing Age of Pisces, the keynote of which is "I believe." This age is dying, but dying hard--the current jihad being the most obvious death throe, along with the climate of fear. Even a cursory examination of the three Abrahamic religions will show that they are largely founded on fear and denial.

What then of reality? First, we need to clarify just which reality we speak of. The so-called subjective universe is a sort of vast chaotic ocean of quantum soup. At the most fundamental level, subatomic particles flash into being from the Void, interact, and return to the Void. This concept is hardly new--Einstein wrote of it, pointing out that so-called solid matter is really 99.999 % empty space. At this level, everything is unity, separation is an illusion, and we are truely all one.

At the level of concensual reality, however, the superstition of materialism prevails. We depend solely on our senses for information, despite the fact that we can only perceive a miniscule portion--perhaps one billionth--of all the data that is available.

At the level of personal reality, we can choose. As one evolves and trancends the superstition of materialism, one perceives that we are, in fact, All One. The implications of this are enormous. For when one posits that we are All One, then no one is any better or any worse than anyone else. Hence, there is no reason to hate, fear, blame or envy any other person.

Thus we create our own reality, and this gives us, literally, godlike power. We need only to own it and use it. Realizing this, it is only a small step towards realizing that we are all ultimately responsible for our lives. There are no victims, no villains--just billions of people, many if not most of whom are largely motivated by hatred and fear, trying to find their way as best they can.

All of us are on the same path, however, and all of us will in time reach the same destination. The great danger for those who are farther along on the path than others is to fall into the error that this somehow makes them special, superior, and thus they turn away from the greatest truth--we are All One.

The dawning of the Age of Aquarius, however, stresses knowledge--more specifically, gnosis. That is, personal experience with ,and knowledge of divinity, without the need for priests or gurus. ALong with this comes a more clear, reasonable, and unlimited conception of God.

The god of the Piscean Age was a discrete divinty somehow set apart from his/her/it/their/whatever creation. The god of the Aquarian Age--as posited by numerous thinkers and writers including the Course in Miracles People, Neale Donald Walsch, Wayne Dwyer, Deepak Chopra, Muslim Sufis, Christian mystics, and Jewish cabballists--is the unifying spirit of the universe, a vast collective body of information and intelligence which animates and unites us all.

Thus--ironically--the theists of the Age of Aquarius are on much the same page as the atheists of the Age of Pisces--both reject the pety, cruel and mean-spirited deity as portrayed in the Bible.

How do you "know" of these ages such as the "age of pisces?" Isn't this in fact just your belief?

How does the fact that atoms are composed mostly of empty space prove that we are "All One"? It may be that we all have the same building blocks, but how does that make us "One"?

Each astrological age lasts roughly 2000 years, and are due to the procession of the equinox. For more detailed info, google it.

Even less than being a justified true belief is a true belief or a justified belief. In this case, it seems we only have one component of knowledge, that being only a belief. It seems it is not justified, as it is merely making an appeal to authority and not true according to correspondence theory.

Many times people will use the word 'know' in various ways, not always making an appeal to actual knowledge. Such as 'I know I will make it home safely', this is in fact a justified belief, while it cannot be true as it is a proposition pertaining to the future. Yet, in your example, it seems Christians do actually mean that they KNOW Jesus loves them. This seems delusional at best.

As for all the hodgepodge on 'personal realities' (oxymoron?) in the latter half of the post, I can't say I agree with any of it.

Each astrological age lasts roughly 2000 years, and are due to the procession of the equinox. For more detailed info, google it.

Perhaps I should have worded it differently. How do you know that these "ages" have a real effect on the way our world operates?

Perhaps I should have worded it differently. How do you know that these "ages" have a real effect on the way our world operates?

Years of research and personal observation.

Years of research and personal observation.

Can you cite any sources to support your view?

Can you cite any sources to support your view?

I am curious also. ArmsMerchant, how does one such as yourself come to the conclusion that 'psychic readings' and such actually work? How do you rationalize your new-age esque beliefs?

And what might I look into to reach these conclusions? (assuming i did come to those conclusions after looking into it)

Quantum theory is one thing I plan on looking into via. New Scientist magazine.

But maybe you've just been reading too much Aleister Crowley...

Of course he can't cite any sources, and any that he did cite would be typical psuedo-scientific bullshit. The movements of celestial bodies have no bearing on anything that occurs, its a superstition, like prayer, and the propagation of its theories are harmful to those who unknowingly embrace it as science.

Don't believe any theory that doesn't allow for itself to be disproved.

Of course he can't cite any sources, and any that he did cite would be typical psuedo-scientific bullshit. The movements of celestial bodies have no bearing on anything that occurs, its a superstition, like prayer, and the propagation of its theories are harmful to those who unknowingly embrace it as science.

Don't believe any theory that doesn't allow for itself to be disproved.

Deosn't the moon effect the mentstrual cycle or some shit? I'm sure there is some support into the moon etc having effects on people's behaviour. When there is less sun some people get depressed and vice versa.

The celestial bodies have an effect on us, I don't see that it is completely impossible for the movements and arrangements of all that shit in the sky to have an effect on us.

Deosn't the moon effect the mentstrual cycle or some shit? I'm sure there is some support into the moon etc having effects on people's behaviour. When there is less sun some people get depressed and vice versa.


It's also weird how the menstrual cycle can be altered by two women living in the same house. There is a phenomenon where it's been shown that their monthly cycles get closer and closer together.

Also, my ex-mother-in-law was a flight nurse at a hospital for over three decades. She always testified about how during a full moon, there seemed to be more numerous trauma cases.

The studies done on Seasonal Depression (http://mentalhealth.about.com/cs/depression/a/seasonal.htm) seem right in line with your last point:

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) include:

* Depressed mood
* Fatigue and lack of energy
* Sleeping much more than usual, increased need for sleep, or difficulty awakening in the morning
* Increased appetite, often including carbohydrate craving
* Weight gain
* Reduced work productivity

These symptoms are not present in the late spring and summer months. SAD seems to be more common in northern latitudes (and in southern latitudes in the southern hemisphere) because the winter day gets shorter the closer you travel toward the polar regions. Estimates are that SAD affects less than 1% of the population in Florida, while in Alaska as many as 10% of people may suffer.

Many experts believe that many more people suffer from "subclinical SAD" - that they get more sad and lethargic in the wihter, but not actually depressed. The treatments used for SAD may be helpful for these people too. The most important factor in seasonal depression seems to be day length. Some research suggests that the brain may produce less serotonin in some people during short days.

How is seasonal depression treated? One of the most effective treatments is bright light therapy. Sitting under a high intensity bright light for 30 minutes every morning can help people who get depressed in the winter. These lights are available from a number of sources, and research suggests that they do not have to be "full spectrum" lights in order to improve mood. The most important ingredient seems to be the intensity of the light. The light should mimic the brightness of being outdoors on a sunny day.

Years of research and personal observation.

UH Huh, right. The old, "im older than you therefore im smarter than you!" argument.

Biggest fucking fallacy ever to hit the world. It is the result of old men who have done nothing with their lives in the pursuit of the truth, who are terrified of younger people being smarter and better than them, therefore they resort to this nonsense as a type of alpha male behavior so they feel better about their lives. They think, "these kids don't understand" when they do and you are the fucking idiot.

Take your bullshit to sotd, and leave the real science to the smart people idiot.

Take your bullshit to sotd

Oh, c'mon now. His bullshit is just as welcome here as any other strain of bullshit.

Grumpy! :p

The age of Picses was ushered in by the birth of Christ, almost exactly. The bible is more astrology than it is theology, at the very least it is a near equal combination of both...thus making it a rip-off of a much more primitive concept.

Heaven help us.

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) include:

* Depressed mood
* Fatigue and lack of energy
* Sleeping much more than usual, increased need for sleep, or difficulty awakening in the morning
* Increased appetite, often including carbohydrate craving
* Weight gain
* Reduced work productivity


Yes but perhaps it's just because less sunlight means less Vitamin X to make you feel good. Or perhaps less light just makes people feel bad. This doesn't mean that the position of jupiter is somehow affecting your molecules in a predestined way.

Look ArmsMerchant, I'm not just trying to be a dick and go against you. I think we are all "one" as well; I'm just trying to figure out exactly how it works. Don't assume that we're all here to disprove you; that should be the thing you avoid doing about people: making assumptions.

Yes but perhaps it's just because less sunlight means less Vitamin X to make you feel good. Or perhaps less light just makes people feel bad. This doesn't mean that the position of jupiter is somehow affecting your molecules in a predestined way.

With you all the way, Anirak. I'm all about finding the natural causes versus the mystical ones. And it's no big secret that I think astrology and predestination is horseshit.

The full-moon phenomena is just that - phenomena. I'm satisfied with there being no explanation (versus a mystical explanation) until science finds why accidents seem to trend on the side of plentiful during certain lunar phases.

With you all the way, Anirak. I'm all about finding the natural causes versus the mystical ones. And it's no big secret that I think astrology and predestination is horseshit.

The full-moon phenomena is just that - phenomena. I'm satisfied with there being no explanation (versus a mystical explanation) until science finds why accidents seem to trend on the side of plentiful during certain lunar phases.

Oh, I see. Right now I'm at the point in my life where I need to figure out the meaning of life before it drives me insane.

UH Huh, right. The old, "im older than you therefore im smarter than you!" argument.



Wrong again.

More experienced, surely.

Better educated, possibly.

More highly evolved, probably.

Smarter, no.

Better, no.

With you all the way, Anirak. I'm all about finding the natural causes versus the mystical ones. And it's no big secret that I think astrology and predestination is horseshit.



There is no dichotomy between so-called "natural" and "mystical." Everything is part of the natural world and therefore everything is "natural," including discarnate entities, oracles, miracles, and angels.

However, I am 100% with you on the "predestination" issue. It is a bogus and irrelevant theological artifact of the Piscean Age.

God--or the Universe, if you prefer--same thing--gave us many great gifts, the two greatest being life itself--which is eternal--and free will--which is absolute.

Wrong again.

More experienced, surely.

Bettr educated, possibly.

More highly evolved, probably.

Smarter, no.

Better, no.

... More highly evolved?

Oh, I see. Right now I'm at the point in my life where I need to figure out the meaning of life before it drives me insane.

It's up to you. Life in general and your own life in particular has only such meaning as you chose to ascribe to it. We all create our own reality.

However, I have been taught and accept as true--because it resonates so deeply with me--that we are All One--'we' including God. Our mission in life is to create ourselves--decide what is out highest, greatest, grandest conception of ourselves--and then live so that every thought, word, and deed we manifest is in accordance with that decision. To do so is to attain mastery.

For when one attains that, one is free from fear, envy, and hatred, and we find that the universe itself conspires to fulfull our every desire. Life becomes effortless, every moment is filled with joy and wonder, and every morning is like Christmas day.

It's up to you. Life in general and your own life in particular has only such meaning as you chose to ascribe to it. We all create our own reality.

However, I have been taught and accept as true--because it resonates so deeply with me--that we are All One--'we' including God. Our mission in life is to create ourselves--decide what is out highest, greatest, grandest conception of ourselves--and then live so that every thought, word, and deed we manifest is in accordance with that decision. To do so is to attain mastery.

For when one attains that, one is free from fear, envy, and hatred, and we find that the universe itself conspires to fulfull our every desire. Life becomes effortless, every moment is filled with joy and wonder, and every morning is like Christmas day.

This sounds interesting. What did you decide is your highest, greatest, grandest conception of yourself?

... More highly evolved?

That muthafucker has claws and shit.

Can you cite any sources to support your view?

Don't take my word for it--do some research. Get a list of the past astrological ages and compare them to a historical timeline. (I find the correspondence between the Age of Taurus and the history of Cretan metaphysics particularly interesting.)

Of course he can't cite any sources, and any that he did cite would be typical psuedo-scientific bullshit. The movements of celestial bodies have no bearing on anything that occurs, its a superstition, like prayer, and the propagation of its theories are harmful to those who unknowingly embrace it as science.


http://eprintweb.org/S/authors/All/sh/Shnoll

ON THE CHARACTERISTIC FORM OF HISTOGRAMS APPEARING AT THE CULMINATION OF SOLAR ECLIPSE (http://arxiv.org/ftp/physics/papers/0603/0603029.pdf)


Fine structure of histograms of alpha-activity measurements depends on direction of alpha particles flow and the Earth rotation: experiments with collimators. (http://arxiv.org/ftp/physics/papers/0412/0412007.pdf)
(December 2004)

What this evidence appears to suggest is that the histogram measurements of PU239 alpha-activity vary in relation to the celestial sphere over the period of a sidereal day.

That is the biggest load of pseudo-scientific bullshit I have ever seen delivered unironically. Congratulations.

That is the biggest load of pseudo-scientific bullshit I have ever seen delivered unironically. Congratulations.
No reasons as to why, unsurprisingly.

UH Huh, right. The old, "im older than you therefore im smarter than you!" argument.

Biggest fucking fallacy ever to hit the world. It is the result of old men who have done nothing with their lives in the pursuit of the truth, who are terrified of younger people being smarter and better than them, therefore they resort to this nonsense as a type of alpha male behavior so they feel better about their lives. They think, "these kids don't understand" when they do and you are the fucking idiot.

Take your bullshit to sotd, and leave the real science to the smart people idiot.

I am siding with Arms here, I do so because, most of the new school kids nowadays have no respect and think there the shit as well. I am part of the new school generation, but I take the old school teachings into consideration as well. As for "Alpha Male" the idea is based of the sexually active and physically stronger being, in your youth (the new generation) you are likely to be that.

I do so also because, I believe in the Ages of the Constellations as well, 2000 years will bring a significant change for us, as 2000 years did before that and 2000 years did before that...

This sounds interesting. What did you decide is your highest, greatest, grandest conception of yourself?

Most spiritual followers, seek to eminate there spiritual teacher... To a Gnostic it is Christ, Sufi is Mohammed, Kabbalist is Moses, Buddhist is Buddha, Hinduism is Atman... etc

No reasons as to why, unsurprisingly.

Yup, because its nothing but fake scientific-sounding terms thrown together in an attempt to convince the ignorant.

Think if there's more zomg alpha particles (which are stopped by paper, by the way) your outlook on life and interactions with other humans will change in the slightest? Humans are ridiculously complex, if making someone do something was as easy as mimicking extraterrestrial radiation, it'd be the next waterboarding for the US DoD.

I love the blunt and condescending attitude Prometheum beings to each forum.

Especially because he's usually right.

I love the blunt and condescending attitude Prometheum beings to each forum.

Especially because he's usually right.

Just doin' my job.

Most spiritual followers, seek to eminate there spiritual teacher... To a Gnostic it is Christ, Sufi is Mohammed, Kabbalist is Moses, Buddhist is Buddha, Hinduism is Atman... etc

One small quibble--I have been reading the teachings of the Buddha lately, and it seems that Buddha isn't necessarily a specific person--anyone may attain Buddahood. And Atman--at least to some Hindus--isn't even a discrete deity, much less a person.

But I do aspire to spiritual perfection, which could include--but not be limited to--transcending fear, manifesting universal unconditional love, and attaining unity consciousness. As far as specific human exlamplars go, I'd have to say Jesus, although we don't know much about his life, and much that is written is wrong or highly debateable--like what the Urantia Book says about his time in India, for instance, or what Sylvia Browne recentlywrote about the women in his life.

One small quibble--I have been reading the teachings of the Buddha lately, and it seems that Buddha isn't necessarily a specific person--anyone may attain Buddahood. And Atman--at least to some Hindus--isn't even a discrete deity, much less a person.

But I do aspire to spiritual perfection, which could include--but not be limited to--transcending fear, manifesting universal unconditional love, and attaining unity consciousness. As far as specific human exlamplars go, I'd have to say Jesus, although we don't know much about his life, and much that is written is wrong or highly debateable--like what the Urantia Book says about his time in India, for instance, or what Sylvia Browne recentlywrote about the women in his life.

Exactly, its not this one figure it is many, put into a metaphor of one person. It makes it easier to understand when this is not all over the place but unified and this is a feature all spiritual teachers are unified.

Which ever spiritual teacher you seek to emulate so be it, they all are different parts of the same truth.

Which ever spiritual teacher you seek to emulate so be it, they all are different parts of the same truth.

??? What exactly does this mean? The same "truth"? Which is what? Does this mean a 'spiritual teacher' teaching a personal god and one teaching a non-personal god are complementary? One teaches love and another hate, the same 'truth'? If we are presented with many conflicting ideas, how is one to know what 'the same truth' is? Sounds like Nietzschean nonsense.

??? What exactly does this mean? The same "truth"? Which is what? Does this mean a 'spiritual teacher' teaching a personal god and one teaching a non-personal god are complementary? One teaches love and another hate, the same 'truth'? If we are presented with many conflicting ideas, how is one to know what 'the same truth' is? Sounds like Nietzschean nonsense.

Can you explain to me how the fuck that sounds Nietzschian?

??? What exactly does this mean? The same "truth"? Which is what? Does this mean a 'spiritual teacher' teaching a personal god and one teaching a non-personal god are complementary? One teaches love and another hate, the same 'truth'? If we are presented with many conflicting ideas, how is one to know what 'the same truth' is? Sounds like Nietzschean nonsense.

Really, what teacher do we immortalize and worship that preaches hate and destruction? I am talking the spiritual teachers: Jesus, Mohammad, Buddha, Abraham, Atman... etc

These teachers are preach and follow a message of good will towards each other and other natured things. TRUTH is singular but while in the world it is hidden in types and images, it becomes a plurality, there are many truths!

Imagine: The Sun, in the center of the sun is the glaring light to dangerous to look at, of to the sides you have the suns rays. Imagine truth like that, one truth going forth as many truths. Each ray or truth has its source though at one truth. DONT BOTHER ASKING ME THE TRUTH, I DONT KNOW THAT!

Nietzsche if anything, being the father of Nihilism, believed that in a world w/o meaning than the truth itself is meaningless. I never suggested truth is meaningless, truth sets us free, something even an existentialist would believe!

One small quibble--I have been reading the teachings of the Buddha lately, and it seems that Buddha isn't necessarily a specific person--anyone may attain Buddahood. And Atman--at least to some Hindus--isn't even a discrete deity, much less a person.

But I do aspire to spiritual perfection, which could include--but not be limited to--transcending fear, manifesting universal unconditional love, and attaining unity consciousness. As far as specific human exlamplars go, I'd have to say Jesus, although we don't know much about his life, and much that is written is wrong or highly debateable--like what the Urantia Book says about his time in India, for instance, or what Sylvia Browne recentlywrote about the women in his life.

I like you,this may sound weird but i had dream this morning and you were in it. Its probably because i read all of your posts.and thats funny because i have no clue what you look like.
peace

"reject the petty, cruel and mean-spirited deity as portrayed in the Bible."

I once wondered why I was so miserable. It was because I rejected what God made me. I rejected the idea that wrath can be used properly. That combat can be used to benefit. I had castrated myself and used the Mother Spirit as justification. The Mother Spirit is a wonderful part of IHVH...but I'm imbued first with the Father Spirit, second the Mother. The OT God isn't petty, cruel, or mean...He's the Father. He makes the calls, hands out the discipline, and comes through on what he promises, and he doesn't put up with SHIT from people he doesn't favor. The OT God is the epitome of Fatherhood - first a warrior, second a lover. The NT God, the Mother Spirit of IHVH, is first a lover, second a warrior. These two halves make a complete God, just as a man and woman provide completion of the life cycle so that it can begin anew.

Or, as the Chinks call these halves: Yin and Yang.

Or, as the Chinks call these halves: Yin and Yang.

Where is your compassion? Promoting a stereotypical slang of a group of people, yet you call yourself a Christian, a representative if you will of those who worship Christ... Surely, you cannot follow two masters and I am disappointed that you would stoop so low as to use such language against a race of people.

I should hope that this was not some attempt to fit it with the rest of the people on this forum by using a racial slang to sound cool, if so you are truly a sheeple minded Christian. *Sigh*

Where is your compassion? Promoting a stereotypical slang of a group of people, yet you call yourself a Christian, a representative if you will of those who worship Christ... Surely, you cannot follow two masters and I am disappointed that you would stoop so low as to use such language against a race of people.

I should hope that this was not some attempt to fit it with the rest of the people on this forum by using a racial slang to sound cool, if so you are truly a sheeple minded Christian. *Sigh*

so long as their souls are lost to that shinto devilry, it doesn't matter what you call them, they're all just satan.

SATAN SATAN SATAN.

Perhaps I should have worded it differently. How do you know that these "ages" have a real effect on the way our world operates?

Enough people believing in astrological bullshit goes a long way.

The only reason it has an effect is because people believe it does, kind of like the placebo effect on a massive scale.

Bumped as a rsult of an inquiry from Hare Geist.

Bumped as a rsult of an inquiry from Hare Geist.

Yes and this thread does not deliver on its promise of showing how materialism is a superstition.

Q 24:35 -- God is the Light of the heavens and the Earth. The example of His
light is like a niche within which there is a lamp, the lamp is
encased in a glass, the glass is like a radiant planet, which is lit from
a blessed olive tree that is neither of the east nor of the west, its oil
nearly gives off light even if not touched by fire. Light upon light,
God guides to His light whom He pleases. And God sets forth
parables for the people, and God is aware of all things.

The only reason it has an effect is because people believe it does, kind of like the placebo effect on a massive scale.

Exactly. As I have stated many times before, we all create our own reality.

The placebo effect is real, and powerful, not to be idly dismissed.