The Real-Life Influence of Mythical Creatures in Ancient Cultures

Gary Manners

For centuries, many ancient civilizations were truly fascinated by mythical beings and beliefs that they thought were nothing short of real. In fact, mythical creatures are present in virtually every ancient culture, and span from believable to those bordering something truly alien. From dragons, sea monsters, and griffins, all the way to fauns, centaurs, and minotaurs, these fantastical beings usually mirrored the fears, beliefs, and aspirations of ancient societies. In this way, they often shaped their literature, art, and lifestyles, showing how ideals can be embodied in things imagined. But could there be a real-life origin to these beliefs and creatures? Could they have been inspired by real-world phenomena, or simply misinterpreted natural events?

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Guardians, Destroyers, Prophets

Amongst the most enduring mythical creatures, which were present in so many ancient cultures, are the dragons. Appearing frequently in folklore and tales from China in the east to Europe in the west, and elsewhere, these mighty creatures continue to captivate even today, in the modern age. What makes them so popular, and how did they influence cultures? In China for example, and in East Asia in general, where civilizations flourished for thousands of years, the dragon (known as lóng (loong)) usually symbolized wisdom, wealth, prosperity, and power. Usually depicted as serpentine and brooding, they were connected with the water, rain, fertility, and good fortune in general. Their influence was so great that even emperors adopted them as symbols of divine authority and might. Their garments, thrones, and palaces were decorated with flowing dragons, both carved and painted. In this way, the dragons became intermediaries between the heavens and the earth.

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Long dragon. Fragment of the Nine Dragon Wall in Forbidden City, Beijing

(Jakub Hałun/CC BY-SA 4.0)

In stark contrast, however, the dragons of the Western world were not benevolent creatures. Instead, they were often seen as destructive and greedy, hoarding great treasures and devastating the peaceful countryside. In many European legends, heroes arose to slay dragons and put an end to their devastation. Notable such legends are Siegfried in the German heroic tales, or Saint George the Dragonslayer. Their victories over dragons symbolize the triumph of good over evil and the human conquest of chaos. These contrasting perceptions highlight cultural differences in humanity’s relationship with nature: Eastern traditions revered balance, while Western myths often portrayed nature as a force to be subdued.

Saint George and the Dragon by Gustave Moreau, 1889/1890.

(Public Domain)

The myth of the dragons often had real-life origins. In Europe, the ancient cultures personified the destructive nature of the summer sun, which caused droughts and crop failures, with dragons - fire breathing monsters. Their appearance, which endures to this day, could have been inspired by fossils of large prehistoric animals, or through exaggerated tales of encounters with crocodiles and monitor lizards. Early mapmakers placed dragon illustrations in unexplored territories, reinforcing fears of the unknown and cautioning against venturing into uncharted lands.

The Fear of the Unknown

Mythical creatures in the ancient world often influenced real-life experiences as symbols of danger or something to be cautious about. This often pertains to early maritime navigation, as the oceans - and the lands beyond them - were often perilous to explore. This gave birth to the myths of sea monsters. In imaginations of ancient maritime cultures, these beings were aplenty, symbolizing the dangers of the sea. In Greek mythology, for example, there were creatures such as Scylla and Charybdis, posing as major threats to all sailors, just as seen in the Odyssey. These tales, however, were reflected in real life. They highlighted themes of perseverance and ingenuity, teaching mariners to respect the unpredictable power of the ocean and to, paradoxically, motivate them to persevere in maritime exploration.

Painting of Odysseus's boat passing between mythical creatures, the six-headed monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis. Scylla has plucked Five of Odysseus's men from the boat. The painting is an Italian fresco.

(Public Domain)

Such myths existed even in the murky ages before the Greeks arose. In Mesopotamian mythology, the sea monster Tiamat represented the primordial chaos, the salt water, and the creation. Her defeat by the god Marduk, as recounted in the epic tale Enūma Eliš, marked the establishment of order and the birth of the cosmos. Similarly, the Leviathan in Hebrew scriptures symbolized divine power and judgment, underscoring humanity’s vulnerability in the face of the divine.

There is no doubt that many of these sea monster myths were inspired by real-life encounters with large marine creatures. For example, ancient mariners who sighted giant squids or the enormous oarfish, might have described mighty krakens. Similarly, sightings of whales, walruses, or narwhals could have sparked the imaginations of any who saw them. But ultimately, they served as cautionary tales for would-be navigators, and influenced ancient cultures to preserve their own territories, instead of venturing into the great unknown.

Imagination Running Wild

To better convey real-life lessons and concepts, ancient mythical creatures were often larger-than-life, extraordinary beings, with inexplicable and impossible features. How else were the people to fear them and, after all, believe in their existence? And so it was that unique, “hybrid” creatures, which combined the elements of several beings, came to play a significant role in ancient art and belief. A notable example is the griffin, a mythical creature with origins in Ancient Greece. With the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, this mighty being symbolized strength and vigilance. Revered in Persian, Greek, and Scythian cultures, griffins were often depicted guarding treasures or sacred sites. Their protective role extended to royal power, as seen in gold artifacts adorned with griffin motifs. Interestingly, the Greeks fervently believed that these creatures actually existed, particularly in the northern lands, amongst the Scythians.

A similar creature is the chimera, also originating in Greece, which had the heads of a lion, goat, and serpent. This abhorrent being represented chaos and danger, serving as a warning in real-life concepts. Mythical heroes such as Bellerophon, who defeated the chimera with the help of the horse Pegasus, embodied the virtues of bravery and resourcefulness. In this way, these mythical beings served as a way to promote good virtues in real life, contributing to an orderly and noble society. By reinforcing cultural values and providing tales of human triumph over evil and hardship, these creatures influenced men to always strive to do better, and to fight and protect what was their own.

Such creatures were present in other major cultures of the ancient world, usually having protective roles. In Ancient Egypt, the lion-human hybrids - the Sphinxes - guarded temples and protected the people, while in ancient Assyria the similarly-looking Lamassu stood proudly as sentinels near city gates. By blending artistry with spirituality, these majestic beings conveyed a sense of awe, fear, and inspiration, ensuring protection and instilling fear in all opponents. As such, they were an effective deterrent of enemies, many of whom believed in the wrath of these guardian beings. 

Cast from the original in Iraq, this is one of a pair of five-legged lamassu with lion's feet in Berlin 

(Lusitana/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Could These Beings Have Origins in Nature?

There are many popular theories indicating that the mythical creatures of ancient history have origins in something natural, or some real-world phenomena. It is possible that ancient peoples, having discovered fossils and large animal bones, having no knowledge about prehistoric creatures, crafted imaginary tales of giants, dragons, and centaurs. A notable example is the theory that Protoceratops dinosaur fossils found in Central Asia could have influenced the legends of the griffins. Their skeletons resemble winged creatures, and the people could simply have built their myths upon such remains. There are those, however, who dispute this theory.

“Invoking a role for dinosaurs in griffin lore, especially species from distant lands like Protoceratops, not only introduces unnecessary complexity and inconsistencies to their origins, but also relies on interpretations and proposals that don’t withstand scrutiny. It is important to distinguish between fossil folklore with a factual basis - that is, connections between fossils and myth evidenced by archaeological discoveries or compelling references in literature and artwork - and speculated connections based on intuition. There is nothing inherently wrong with the idea that ancient peoples found dinosaur bones and incorporated them into their mythology, but we need to root such proposals in realities of history, geography and paleontology. Otherwise, they are just speculation.”

Dr. Richard Hing, University of Portsmouth (Source)

Encounters with unfamiliar animals also fueled myths. The narwhal’s tusk, often mistaken for a unicorn horn, contributed to the enduring legend of the unicorn. Similarly, the exaggerated accounts of sailors encountering manatees may have given rise to mermaid stories. These examples highlight how human curiosity and imagination transformed natural observations into fantastical narratives. We can only imagine the shock and awe an ancient person could have experienced upon seeing an exotic animal. Ancient Greek explorers, venturing into Africa or Asia, could have seen elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, pythons, crocodiles, or any other odd-looking animals and - being in disbelief - instantly characterize them as beings of myth and legend.

A traditional depiction of the griffin

(Public Domain)

The Influence of Mythical Creatures on Art and Literature

Just one glimpse at ancient art of major civilizations, such as the Greeks, the Minoans, the Romans, or Egyptians, is enough to tell us that their myths were very important to them. From pottery to frescoes, to complex sculptures and architecture, the mythical creatures of old are represented everywhere. And they weren’t mere decorative elements, but served as cultural symbols as well. A notable example is the famed Ishtar Gate of Babylon, adorned with dragons and bulls, which clearly showed the integration of mythical creatures into monumental architecture.

Epic literature was likewise heavily influenced by mythology, with many references to mythical beings. The Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh features Humbaba, a guardian monster, while Beowulf recounts the hero’s battles with the monstrous Grendel and a dragon. These stories not only entertained but also imparted moral lessons and preserved cultural values. Ancient Greek literature was likewise heavily steeped in mythology, containing many encounters with beings such as centaurs, unicorns, minotaurs, the Medusa, the cyclops, and many others. And in all of these tales a unified message was contained - the man’s fight against the forces of evil.

Humbaba, demon guardian of the Cedar Forest.

(Rama/CC BY SA 3.0)

And even today, real life is influenced by ancient mythical creatures. Popular movies often contain many of these creatures, and old legends still serve as inspiration, centuries later. Dragons, elves, giants, unicorns, and phoenixes remain a staple in literature, films, and art, embodying themes of power, purity, and resilience. Their enduring appeal clearly reflects humanity’s deep-seated fascination with the unknown and the extraordinary, which endures for thousands of years.

Myth and Reality, Entwined

In ancient cultures, mythical creatures were more than imaginary beings, they were mirrors of human fears, hopes, and beliefs. Whether as symbols of divine power, representations of natural phenomena, or lessons in morality, these creatures shaped the cultural and spiritual landscapes of civilizations. And as we explore their origins and significance, we gain a richer understanding of the ancient world and the timeless power of myth.

Looking back at our own histories, of our respective nations, we can quickly stumble upon odd myths and unique creatures that have far-reaching roots. All that is left is to ask ourselves - how did they influence or inspire us?

• Top image: Myth of Tiamat the primordial goddess of the ocean rising from the waters ancient Mesopotamian myth swirling sea serpents chaos and creation.
• Source: Stock Source/Adobe Stock

By Aleksa Vučković

References

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{ https://www.ancient-origins.net/ }

16-12-2025 om 22:54 geschreven door peter  

Bermuda Mystery

The 181-island chain of Bermuda has long puzzled geologists. The oceanic crust beneath the islands sits at a higher elevation than the surrounding seafloor due to a mysterious swell. Typically, volcanic activity would account for such uplift, yet geologists believe the region hasn’t experienced an eruption in 31 million years—a discrepancy that has fueled decades of speculation.

The newly discovered structure may help resolve that puzzle. Despite the extreme age of Bermuda’s last known eruption, the massive rock layer suggests that ancient volcanic activity could have injected a significant volume of mantle material into the crust. That slab now appears to be pushing the ocean floor upward by nearly 1,700 feet relative to nearby areas.

Similar mantle quirks may explain the formation of other islands worldwide. At certain locations known as mantle hotspots, rising plumes of hot material generate volcanic activity that builds islands from below—Hawaii being a prime example. In most cases, however, the crust eventually moves away from the hotspot, causing the uplift to subside over time.

Bermuda’s uplift, persisting for more than 31 million years, defies that pattern. What exactly is occurring beneath the island remains the subject of active debate.

Imagining the Bermuda Rock

The team behind the discovery, spread across multiple U.S. institutions, including Yale and Smith College, reported their findings in a new paper in Geophysical Research Letters. They relied on seismic data to make their discovery, drawing from a seismic station located on Bermuda, which collected the data by observing large earthquakes occurring at great distances from the island. 

These observations allowed scientists to image the Earth below Bermuda to a depth of 31 miles. Changes in the signal received as the tremors reached Bermuda enabled the teams to identify the anomalous rock layer, which varied in density, thereby altering the seismic waves.

Earlier research on Bermuda’s geology revealed that the archipelago’s ancient lava was low in silica, indicating that it was produced from high-carbon rock. Further analysis of the material’s zinc content revealed that the lava originated deep in the mantle. Geologists believe that the rock originally entered the mantle during the formation of the Pangea supercontinent some 900 to 300 million years ago.

Understanding Island Formation

Although these geological events occurred long ago, the Atlantic Ocean itself is relatively young, forming only after the ancient supercontinent of Pangea broke apart. In contrast, the Indian and Pacific oceans predate Pangea, which may explain why island chains such as Hawaii have very different rock compositions.

Studying an outlier like Bermuda offers researchers valuable insights into rare geological processes. It also offers a useful comparison point for more typical island-forming environments, helping geologists understand the full range of ways Earth’s crust can evolve over vast timescales.

Going forward, the team now hopes to identify other islands with comparable anomalies to determine whether Bermuda is truly unique or if it represents the first offering in a wave of similar unique geological discoveries.

The paper, “Zinc Isotope Constraints on the Cycling of Carbon in the Bermuda Mantle Source,” appeared in the Geophysical Research Letters on September 15, 2025.

• Ryan Whalen covers science and technology for The Debrief. He holds an MA in History and a Master of Library and Information Science with a certificate in Data Science. He can be contacted at ryan@thedebrief.org, and follow him on Twitter @mdntwvlf.

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 { https://thedebrief.org/category/science/ }

16-12-2025 om 22:33 geschreven door peter  

'Lost' books of the Bible expose secrets the Church is hiding about Jesus

By ROB WAUGH

The Bible is often seen as a fixed text that has remained largely unchanged for generations, but it was not always so. 

There are 66 books in the modern Bible, across the Old and New Testaments, but over 70 writings were circulated in early Jewish and Christian communities that were never accepted into the canon. 

These 'lost' books date from the late Second Temple period through the third century AD, spanning roughly the first century when Jesus lived up to about 300 AD. 

Many of these works were controversial or heretical, offering radically different portrayals of angels, giants, Jesus and humanity's origins. 

They reveal a world of competing ideas about faith, morality, and divine intervention that early church leaders ultimately rejected. 

Some describe heavenly beings mating with humans, others present Jesus in ways that conflict with the New Testament, and still others depict familiar figures in startlingly different roles. 

Though these texts were influential at the time, they were eventually excluded from Jewish and Christian scripture, leaving only fragments or references in historical records. 

Today, they survive mostly in manuscripts like the Dead Sea Scrolls or isolated copies preserved by groups such as Ethiopian Christians.

Many of these works were controversial or heretical, offering radically different portrayals of angels, giants, Jesus and humanity's origins 

One of the most famous of these texts is the Book of Enoch, which expands on the mysterious Nephilim, giants mentioned briefly in the Old Testament. 

According to the book, 200 fallen angels took human wives and had children, who became violent giants that devoured humanity's resources. 

God commands the angel Michael to bind the angels, and later, the Nephilim perish in the Flood. 

While it is not included in most Jewish or Christian canons, the Book of Enoch was widely read in antiquity and still holds canonical status for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

The Book of Enoch was not accepted due to its controversial apocalyptic visions, detailed angelology, like the Watchers' descent, mystical themes, and perceived theological inconsistencies with evolving doctrines 

Other texts offer unexpected portrayals of Jesus. The Apocalypse of Peter, written in the second or third century, describes Jesus laughing during the crucifixion, reflecting Gnostic beliefs that his physical body was an illusion. 

In it, Peter asks, 'What am I seeing, O Lord? Is it you whom they take? … Who is this one above the cross, who is glad and laughing?' 

The earliest known manuscript fragment of the Infancy of the Gospel of Thomas was only discovered in 2024, discussing one of Jesus' early miracles 

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas offers another radical departure, depicting a young Jesus wielding supernatural powers. 

He brings clay birds to life, curses a child who dies, blinds nearby adults, and later reverses these acts, even resurrecting someone who falls from a roof. 

But it also portrays a darker side, depicting Jesus as vengeful, even cursing a child to death for striking him on the shoulder. 

After Jesus kills the child for accidentally bumping into him, the villagers become upset and complain to Joseph and Mary. In response to their accusations, Jesus strikes the accusers with blindness.

In another episode, Joseph takes Jesus to a teacher to learn the alphabet, and the teacher becomes irritated when Jesus laughs at his instructions.

The omitted book begins when Jesus is just five years old, while the traditional Bible's first mention is of him at 12 years old. 

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas was rejected by the early Church because it portrayed Jesus as a violent, petulant child and conflicted with orthodox Christian teachings.

Its late composition date and association with Gnostic literature further led leaders to deem it inauthentic and heretical.

Perhaps the most controversial is the Gospel of Judas, rediscovered in the 1970s in a limestone box near the Nile. 

However, it was not written by the Apostle Judas who betrayed Jesus by handing him over to the Romans. 

Unlike the traditional New Testament account, this text portrays Judas Iscariot as Jesus' chosen disciple, entrusted with a divinely appointed betrayal. 

Jesus tells him, 'You will become the thirteenth … and you will be cursed by the other generations, and you will come to rule over them.' 

The Gospel of Judas presents Judas as someone who understands Jesus' mission better than the other disciples, challenging centuries of conventional interpretations.

These lost books, whether depicting angels and giants or offering alternative visions of Jesus' life and mission, provide a fascinating glimpse into the diversity of early Jewish and Christian thought. 

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{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/index.html }

15-12-2025 om 18:25 geschreven door peter  

Key Bible verse proven true as stunning ancient mural depicting Jesus is discovered in Turkey

• READ MORE: Joe Rogan predicts what will spark the Second Coming of Jesus 

By STACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

A colorful fresco depicting the 'Good Shepherd Jesus' has been uncovered on the wall of an ancient tomb in Turkey, aligning with one of the most significant verses in the Bible.

Found on the north wall of an underground chamber tomb, the third-century artwork shows Jesus walking through a field surrounded by goats.

He appears as a young, beardless man wearing a simple tunic, a goat draped across his shoulders.

The fresco confirms that early Christians were using the same imagery and titles for Jesus found in the New Testament, including the 'Good Shepherd' motif referenced in John 10:11: 'I am the good shepherd.'

Turkish officials said the discovery is exceptional, noting it is the only known early Christian-era example of its kind outside Italy.

The fresco emerged during ongoing excavations at the Hisardere Necropolis in the Iznik district of Bursa, one of the region's largest ancient burial grounds.

Dating from the second to fifth centuries AD, the site preserves a remarkably varied landscape of burials, including İznik's signature terracotta-roofed chamber tombs, heavy stone sarcophagi, upright-slab cist graves and expansive hypogea carved deep into the earth.

Along the north wall sits a raised platform, or kline, lined with square terracotta slabs where the deceased were placed. Directly behind it, the rare Good Shepherd fresco remains intact.

Experts said the 'Good Shepard Jesus' fresco represents a transition from pagan to Christian beliefs

The tomb, constructed when the region was called Anatolia, featured three preserved walls and a ceiling also covered in frescoes.

What sets this tomb apart from others in the region is its depiction of human figures, a rare feature in local funerary art. 

On the west wall, a married couple, presumably the tomb's occupants, is portrayed as aristocrats, their status conveyed through fine attire and adornments. 

The accompanying symposium scene, despite the tomb's Christian context, continues pagan traditions depicting the afterlife as an everlasting feast. 

Before the cross became Christianity's defining symbol, early believers relied heavily on the Good Shepherd motif to express their faith. 

Portraying Jesus with a sheep across his shoulders conveyed themes of protection, salvation and divine guidance, allowing Christians to communicate their beliefs subtly at a time when overt religious imagery was still uncommon. 

Experts told Middle East Eye that the image of Jesus painted inside the tomb represents a transition from pagan to Christian beliefs.

Anatolia, also known as Asia Minor, served as a crossroads for many civilizations due to its strategic location between Asia and Europe. 

Along the north wall sits a raised platform, or kline, lined with square terracotta slabs where the deceased were placed. Directly behind it, the rare Good Shepherd fresco remains intact

Found on the north wall of an underground chamber tomb, the third-century artwork shows Jesus walking through a field surrounded by goats

It was home to numerous ancient peoples, including the Hittites, and was later part of empires like the Roman and Byzantine Empires, eventually becoming the heartland of modern Turkey. 

The earliest known forms of worship in Anatolia were centered on a pagan system, but started adopting Christianity early in the first century, following Jesus's crucifixion.

Turkey has produced a treasure trove of religious artifacts, as it was the cradle of early Christianity.

Some of the Apostles traveled to the region following the crucifixion and built churches and ministered to the locals. 

Notably, the first distinct Christian church and the first recorded use of the term 'Christian' appeared in the ancient city of Antioch, now Antakya in modern Turkey. 

After Jerusalem fell in AD 70, the region became a central hub for the growth of Christianity. 

On the west wall, a married couple, presumably the tomb's occupants, is portrayed as aristocrats, their status conveyed through fine attire and adornments

Archaeologists said the newly discovered fresco will offer valuable insights into Early Christian iconography, Roman-era burial practices and the spread of Christianity in Anatolia. 

The find also reinforces İznik’s status as a major religious and historical center, already renowned for hosting the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which shaped foundational Christian doctrines.

As excavations continue, researchers hope the Hisartepe Necropolis may yield additional frescoes, inscriptions or artifacts, shedding further light on the multicultural and religious history of ancient Nicaea.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/index.html }

11-12-2025 om 20:52 geschreven door peter  

NASA Scientist Unveils Comet Theory for Star of Bethlehem

Gary Manners

A NASA planetary scientist has proposed what may be the first scientifically sound explanation for the mysterious Star of Bethlehem that guided the three wise men to the infant Jesus over two millennia ago. Mark Matney's groundbreaking study, identifies a bright comet recorded by ancient Chinese astronomers in 5 BC as the celestial phenomenon described in the Gospel of Matthew.

• Can Astronomy Explain the Biblical Star of Bethlehem?
• The Nativity Story's Timeless Message from Antiquity

Ancient Records Point to Celestial Visitor

Matney's research, published in the Journal of the British Astronomical Association,  draws upon meticulous observations made by Chinese astronomers more than 2,000 years ago, who documented a brilliant comet visible for over 70 days in 5 BC. This timeframe aligns remarkably well with historical estimates placing Jesus's birth somewhere between 6 BC and 5 BC, according to the Daily Mail. The ancient records provide crucial astronomical data that previous theories lacked, offering concrete evidence for the existence of an extraordinary celestial event during this pivotal period in history.

The planetary scientist analyzed multiple possible orbital paths consistent with the Chinese observations, discovering that one particular reconstruction would have made the comet visible on a June morning in 5 BC. Travelers journeying southward toward Bethlehem could have witnessed it appearing to move ahead of them before seeming to pause overhead - matching the biblical description with striking precision.

"This is the first astronomical candidate for the Star ever identified that could have had apparent motion corresponding to the description in Matthew, where the Star 'went before' the Magi on their journey to Bethlehem until it 'stood over' where the child Jesus was," Matney wrote in his study.

Breaking From Traditional Theories

For centuries, astronomers have proposed various explanations for the Star of Bethlehem, with over 400 scholarly attempts documented to date. Previous hypotheses included planetary conjunctions between Jupiter and Saturn, supernovae, or exploding stars that would have appeared suddenly in the night sky. Some researchers suggested the 2 BC conjunction of Venus and Jupiter, while others pointed to triple conjunctions throughout 7 BC as recorded by Live Science.

• Ancient Comet Sightings Inspired, Frightened, Dazzled, and Baffled Past Astronomers
• Was the Magi's Mission History or Myth?

Celestial objects recorded by the Chinese astronomers.

(Public Domain)

However, Matney's comet theory offers something these alternatives cannot: an explanation for the star's apparent movement and its ability to guide the Magi. Unlike planetary conjunctions that remain relatively stationary in the sky or supernovae that simply appear as new points of light, a comet's position would have changed noticeably over the course of days and weeks. A comet passing exceptionally close to Earth would have been extraordinarily bright - potentially visible even during daylight hours - and its tail would have created a directional indicator pointing toward specific locations.

Understanding the Biblical Account

The Gospel of Matthew provides the primary biblical account of the Star of Bethlehem, describing how it first appeared "in the east" before guiding the Magi on their journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. The text specifically states the star "went before" them and ultimately "stood over" the place where Jesus was born. This detailed description suggests a phenomenon with observable motion, a characteristic that distinguishes comets from other celestial objects.

The ’star’ led the Magi from ahead.

(ommus/Adobe Stock)

Matney's personal connection to this mystery stretches back to his student days when he worked at a planetarium that presented Christmas shows about the Star of Bethlehem. Years later, his professional expertise in planetary science allowed him to approach the question with sophisticated analytical tools and access to comprehensive astronomical databases. By combining modern orbital mechanics with ancient observational records, he constructed a scientifically rigorous case for the comet hypothesis.

Significance for Historical Understanding

The debate over whether the Star of Bethlehem was a natural phenomenon, a miracle, or merely symbolic has persisted throughout scholarly circles for generations. Many dismissed the account as purely mythological or miraculous, beyond scientific investigation. Matney's research provides a middle ground, acknowledging the possibility that a genuine astronomical event occurred while allowing room for theological interpretation of its significance and timing.

The ancient Chinese astronomical tradition proves invaluable for this type of investigation. Chinese court astronomers maintained meticulous records of celestial phenomena, considering them portents of earthly events. Their observations of comets, planetary movements, and unusual stellar appearances provide an independent verification source for events described in other ancient texts. This cross-cultural documentation strengthens the credibility of Matney's proposal.

Understanding the Star of Bethlehem as a comet also illuminates how ancient peoples interpreted celestial events. For the Magi - likely Zoroastrian priests or astronomers from Persia - a brilliant comet would have held profound astrological significance. Their decision to embark on a long journey based on this observation reflects the sophisticated astronomical knowledge and religious beliefs that intersected in the ancient world.

As we approach another Christmas season, Matney's work reminds us that the intersection of science and faith need not be in opposition. Whether one views the Star of Bethlehem as divine providence, astronomical coincidence, or a combination of both, the story continues to inspire wonder about our place in the cosmos and the enduring mysteries that connect us across millennia.

• Top image: Miracle Christmas night nativity scene with bright Bethlehem star and beautiful starry sky. 
• Source: MarianStock/AdobeStock

By Gary Manners

References

{ https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology }

09-12-2025 om 23:55 geschreven door peter  

Before the Bible as we know it: the revelation of the Dead Sea Scrolls

©Reuters

Before the Bible as we know it: the revelation of the Dead Sea Scrolls
It's one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century. Hidden in caves in the desert, the Dead Sea Scrolls were identified as ancient Jewish manuscripts—the only known surviving biblical documents written before 100 CE. Discovered in 1946 by Bedouin shepherds, the parchment scrolls have immense historical, religious, and linguistic significance, and shed light on events that took place over 2,000 years ago.

Browse those items and revisit the story behind this historic chance encounter.

©Shutterstock

The discovery
In 1946, three Bedouin shepherds chanced upon a collection of ceramic jars in a cave at Wadi Qumran, near the Dead Sea.

©Getty Images

Historic find
One of the shepherds, Muhammed edh-Dhib, volunteered to retrieve the jars. Curious, he opened one of the vessels and discovered inside a handful of parchment scrolls.

©Getty Images

The Bedouin
Not realizing how important they were, the shepherd took the scrolls, which numbered seven in total, back to his desert camp as keepsakes. Eventually, he decided to sell the documents, which subsequently changed hands over the next 12 months.

©Getty Images

Qumran Caves
In 1947, the scrolls caught the attention of American biblical scholar and archaeologist John C. Trever, who quickly realized the historical importance of these rare finds.

©Reuters

The Dead Sea Scrolls unveiled
The following year, the discovery was announced to an astonished world: what had been uncovered were manuscripts of immeasurable religious and historical significance, and subsequently declared as the only known biblical documents written before 100 CE.

©Shutterstock

Qumran Caves
By the end of 1948, scholars had yet to identify the original cave where the fragments had been found. The 1948 Arab–Israeli War had hampered all efforts to identify the site. But in 1949, Cave 1, as it became known, was rediscovered.

©Getty Images

Cave 1 site
The Cave 1 site yielded further Dead Sea Scroll fragments, plus linen cloth, jars (pictured), and other artifacts.

©Public Domain

Search for the Qumran caves
In November 1951, a full excavation of Qumran had commenced. By the end of 1952, five more caves had been discovered, each giving up yet more scrolls and fragments. In fact, 90% of the total number of scrolls discovered were found in Cave 4. Pictured: scrolls in situ.

©Public Domain

The Isaiah scroll
Among the manuscripts Bedouin shepherd Muhammed edh-Dhib had initially retrieved was the Isaiah scroll (pictured), which contains almost the whole Book of Isaiah.

©Public Domain

The Isaiah scroll
This is the oldest complete copy of the Book of Isaiah. Written on 17 sheets of parchment, it's the only scroll from the Qumran caves to be preserved almost in its entirety.

©Public Domain

Habakkuk Commentary
That initial 1946 discovery also unearthed the Habakkuk Commentary, a pesher (a type of commentary in Hebrew) written sometime in the later half of the 1st century BCE.

©Getty Images

Genesis Apocryphon
Another of the original finds included the Genesis Apocryphon (pictured). The document records a conversation between the biblical figure Lamech, son of Methuselah, and his son, Noah.

©Public Domain

Further research
Between 1951 and 1956, 11 caves in Qumran were identified as depositories for various scrolls by a team from the American Schools of Oriental Research, headed by Roland de Vaux.

©Public Domain

Damascus Document
Interestingly, the existence of the Damascus Document, found in Cave 4 in 1952, was already known to scholars: two fragments had previously been found in 1897 as part of the Cairo Geniza collection of manuscripts discovered in a synagogue in Egypt.

©Getty Images

Origin of the Dead Sea Scrolls
To this day, lively debate surrounds the origin of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The general view among biblical scholars is that the scrolls were the product of a sect of Jews living at Qumran called the Essenes.

©Getty Images

Language
The text of the Dead Sea Scrolls is written in four different languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Nabataean.

©Getty Images

Fragmented history
In all, scholars have assembled a collection of nearly 900 separate scrolls from the 11 caves. Unfortunately, the majority of the scrolls consist of tiny, brittle fragments.

©Public Domain

The largest scroll
The aforementioned Isaiah scroll is the exception. It measures about 734 cm (24 ft) long and ranges from 25.3 to 27 cm high (0.83 to 0.89 ft), with 54 columns of text.

©Getty Images

Shrine of the Book
The seven original scrolls are housed in the purpose-built Shrine of the Book, with the Isaiah scroll a central exhibit. Also housed here is the Aleppo Codex, a medieval bound manuscript of the Hebrew Bible.

©Getty Images

Shrine of the Book
The shrine's unique white dome embodies the lids of the jars in which the first scrolls were found.

©Shutterstock

Israel Museum
The Shrine of the Book is part of the Israel Museum, located in Jerusalem.

©Public Domain

Museum exhibitions and displays
Since their discovery, small portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls have been put on temporary display in exhibitions at museums around the world. Pictured is a queue of people outside the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. for the very first touring exhibition in 1965.

©Reuters

The Internet
By 2008, fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls were being photographed digitally with the aim of making the 2,000-year-old documents available to the public and researchers on the Internet.

©Getty Images

Dead Sea Scrolls online
Pictured: a conservation analyst from the Israel Antiquities Authority examines fragments of the 2,000-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls at a laboratory before photographing them.

©Getty Images

Partnership with Google
In 2011, Israel put 5,000 fragments of the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls online in a partnership with Google.

©Reuters

Dead Sea Scrolls online library
Today, anyone with an interest in the history of the scrolls can view a digital archive of images and read more about one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.

©Reuters

Cave 12, and the stolen scrolls
In 2017, archaeologists stumbled across another cave on cliffs west of Qumran. However, closer examination revealed that Cave 12 had been plundered, probably in the 1950s. Sadly, the scrolls it undoubtedly concealed are believed lost forever.

• See also: Predictions from Jesus that have come true

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{ Stars Insider }

28-11-2025 om 14:40 geschreven door peter  

Onderzoek naar Humanoïde Figuren en de Men In Black: Legenden en Ontmoetingen uit het Verre Oosten

Inleiding

Legendes en folklore uit het Verre Oosten zijn net zo fascinerend als die uit andere delen van de wereld. Overal ter wereld bestaan er verhalen over mysterieuze humanoïde figuren, vreemde ontmoetingen met onzichtbare wezens, en de bekende “Men In Black”. Vooral in regio’s zoals Azië, waar rijke culturen en oude tradities samengaan met moderne getuigenissen, worden deze verhalen nog steeds verteld en gedeeld. In dit artikel nemen wij je mee op een reis door enkele opmerkelijke en onverklaarbare ervaringen uit het Verre Oosten, met verhalen die net zo griezelig als intrigerend zijn. We bespreken ontmoetingen met bizarre wezens, waarnemingen van de Men In Black, en parallellen met bekende Amerikaanse verhalen zoals die van de Mothman en de Black-Eyed Children. Elk verhaal wordt gepresenteerd met de oorspronkelijke sfeer en diepgang, en laat zien dat deze mysteries nog altijd voortduren zonder duidelijke oplossing.

Verslagen over de Men In Black dateren tientallen jaren terug in het Verre Oosten

Humanoïde Figuren en Onbekende Creaturen in Maleisië en Singapore

Een van de meest opvallende gebeurtenissen vond plaats in september 2015, toen een golf van meldingen over vreemde, gevleugelde humanoïde wezens naar voren kwam in zowel Maleisië als Singapore. Eén van de meest onthutsende ervaringen werd gedeeld door freelance journaliste Lea Foo. Terwijl zij onderzoek deed naar een artikel over paranormaliteit in een oud, vervallen huis in Bukit Tunku, nabij Kuala Lumpur, beleefde zij een avond die haar leven veranderde.

Het huis was oud en volgelig, de ramen waren gebarsten en de sfeer griezelig. Gewapend met slechts een zaklamp ging zij het huis binnen, vastberaden haar onderzoek te voltooien. Al snel hoorde zij geritsel vanuit een van de kamers. Toen zij op de deur afliep, zagen haar heldere, gloeiende rode ogen haar onmiddellijk aankijken vanuit de duisternis. Vervolgens stonden de ogen recht naar haar gericht terwijl een humanoïde figuur zich oppoetste en opstond. Foo schatte dat het wezen ongeveer tien voet (3 meter) lang was en een menselijke vorm had, maar de huid leek leerachtig en afgezet met grote, vleermuisachtige vleugels die zich uitbreidden.

Op het moment dat het wezen een afschuwelijk schriek gaf, verloor Foo haar grip op haar zaklamp, waardoor zij in complete duisternis belandde. Ze rende snel naar de hoek van de kamer, zich stevig tegen de schaduwen klevend. Ze hoorde het gehijg en de ademhaling van het dier, dat na enige tijd haar positie leek te zoeken. Plotseling sloeg het weer met zijn vleugels, waardoor een ademende wind en een vieze, rotte vleesgeur door de kamer sloegen.

Wat Foo zich later realiseerde, was dat er kort daarvoor een soortgelijk wezen was gesignaleerd in Singapore. Deze verhalen blijven voortbestaan, en in het hele regio’s is de fascinatie met deze wezens nog altijd springlevend.

Vergelijkbare Ontmoetingen in Singapore

In dezelfde periode, eind augustus 2015, was Fergus Thomas, een 46-jarige leraar, aan het wandelen met zijn hond in Istana Woodneuk, een afgelegen gebied in Singapore dat ooit deel uitmaakte van een koninklijk paleis. Het was vroeg in de ochtend, ongeveer 6 uur, toen hij plots een oude, vervallen woning naderde. Vanuit nieuwsgierigheid keek hij door een raam en zag daarin een gevleugelde humanoïde figuur hangen van een deurpost af. Het wezen was minstens zes voet lang, ademde duidelijk, en had vleugels die rond het lichaam waren gewikkeld, vergelijkbaar met die van een slapende vleermuis. Het had een menselijke kop, maar met meer haar dan normaal.

Thomas herinnert zich dat het dier niet bewoog en mogelijk zich niet bewust was van zijn aanwezigheid. Hij sloop snel weg met zijn hond, onder de indruk en verward door wat hij had gezien. In dezelfde regio, in Changi, deed een student, Mildred Wan, eveneens een bijzondere waarneming. Tijdens een dagwandeling in een verlaten ziekenhuis, zag hij in een nabijgelegen boom een gevleugeld wezen dat een angstaanjikkende gil liet horen toen hij de deur uitliep. Hij hoorde geluiden die leek op rustende apen of dieren in de bomen, maar zodra hij het wezentje zag, voelde hij dat het op hem joeg, alsof het op de jacht was.

Het wezen verdween plotseling uit zicht, en de ervaring liet hem niet los. Dit soort verhalen suggereren dat dergelijke gevleugelde humanoïde wezens, vaak met bloedrode ogen en onheilspellende geluiden, nog altijd deel uitmaken van het lokale folklore en de collectieve verbeelding.

De Mothman Sighting Voorheen Gelinkt aan Fukushima?

Een bekend fenomeen dat overeenkomsten vertoont met de bovenstaande waarnemingen, is die van de Mothman. Het beroemde verhaal van de Mothman vindt haar oorsprong in Point Pleasant, Verenigde Staten, in 1967. Maar vergelijkbare verschijningen werden ook gerapporteerd in overige delen van de wereld, waaronder Europa, Oekraïne en Japan. Vooral in de nabijheid van grote rampen leek de aanwezigheid van dergelijke wezens vaak vooraf te gaan aan een tragedie.

In Japan, vlak voor de Fukushima-ramp in 2011, werd ook melding gemaakt van een mysterieuze verschijning in de regio rondom de nucleaire site. Een zakenman, Marcus Pules, was die avond aan het wandelen met een vriend in Okuma, dicht bij de ramplocatie. Plots hoorden ze een “woest geluid”, dat eerst leek op het slagen van een golfslag, maar al snel veranderde in een oorverdllende krijs die leek op het remmen van een grote stadsbus. Terwijl ze omhoog keken, zagen ze een grote, zwarte vleugelachtige figuur die op het dak van de reactor zat. Het scheurde zich los en scheerde door de lucht, cirkelend rondom de nucleaire locatie, en kwam recht op hen af.

De ogen van het wezen waren helderrood en de vleugels verstrakten zich uit tot een grote spanwijdte. De ontmoeting eindigde - net op het uiterste moment van een botsing - toen het wezen zich omdraaide en wegvloog in de duisternis. Of dit vooraf was een waarschuwing voor de ramp, blijft tot op heden onderwerp van speculatie en legendes.

Een Bizarre Ontmoeting op de Nachtbus in Tokyo

Men in Black kennen we vooral als een westers fenomeen, maar ook in Azië worden ze regelmatig gesignaleerd. In Japan, bijvoorbeeld, werd een opvallende ontmoeting gerapporteerd door een man genaamd “Kazu,” die de ervaring deelde met een onderzoeker, Brent Swancer. Zijn goede vriend Nobu, die een grote interesse had in UFO’s en vreemde verschijnselen, was op een late avond onderweg in een drukke metrobus in Tokio.

Nobu zat alleen in de bus totdat een oudere man, volledig gekleed in het zwart, enkele haltes na hem instapte. Hij koos bewust een zit recht tegenover Nobu, ondanks dat er andere lege stoelen waren. De man leek nerveus, bewoog vaak met zijn handen en glipte herhaaldelijk met zijn hoofd in de spiegel van de bus om Nobu te bekijken. Nobu merkte dat de man zenuwachtig was, gekleed in een loszittend zwart kostuum, met een hoed die leek op een combinatie tussen een fedora en een bowler. Hij zat op een korte briefcase, die hij voortdurend fischte en die zijn lange, dunne vingers benadrukte.

Wat de man bijzonder maakte, was dat hij sigarettenrook of zweet op zijn huid leek te hebben dat onverklaarbaar was bij het koude weer buiten. Daarnaast zag Nobu dat de huid van de man, onder de make-up of zweetdruppels, lichter en bleek was, alsof iets niet klopte. Nobu voelde dat de man niet leek te slapen of normaal te zijn. Zijn intuïtie zei dat hij met iemand te maken had die niet helemaal menselijk was, of in ieder geval niet van deze wereld.

Uiteindelijk besloot Nobu dat het verstandig was om de bus te verlaten. Toen hij opstapte, keek hij nog een laatste keer naar de man, maar die was verdwenen. Zijn ervaring bleef hem bij, en de ontmoeting gaf hem een onverklaarbaar gevoel van onveiligheid en verwarring.

Werken de Men In Black ook in het Verre Oosten?

“De Yamada-zaak”: Integraal of Veelzeggend?

Een ander, nog bekender verhaal, is dat van “Tom”, die op een avond drie mannen in donker pak bij zijn deur zag staan. Ze vroegen specifiek naar “de heer Yamada” en drongen erop aan om hem te spreken. Hoewel Tom hen vriendelijk verwees en meende dat ze zich vergisten, voelde hij dat er iets mis was. De mannen waren zeer bleek, hadden bijna zwartkleurige ogen en spreken met een stijf, onnatuurlijk accent. Ze werden aandringender, maar gingen uiteindelijk weg.

Kort daarna verscheen een ander geheimzinnig figuur: een man gekleed in zwart, met een strak gezicht en zonder emoties. Hij leek meer op een agent uit een sciencefictionfilm dan op een gewoon persoon. Tom liet weten dat hij zich zeer bedreigd voelde, en dat hij had de ervaring dat die mannen mogelijk van de Men In Black waren, of in ieder geval geassocieerd met ultrageheime overheidsoperaties of buitenaardse entiteiten.

Oordelen en Interpretaties

De verhalen uit het Verre Oosten passen in een groter patroon dat wereldwijd wordt waargenomen: vreemdelingen gekleed in zwart, mysterieuze vleugelachtige wezens, humanoïde figuren met glanzende of glinsterende ogen, en ontmoetingen die vaak ‘s nachts plaatsvinden. Hoewel sceptici wijzen op verklaringen zoals misidentificaties van dieren, psychologische projecten, of folklore-achtige verhalen, zijn er ook talrijke getuigenissen die de kracht van deze anomalieën onderstrepen.

Veel onderzoekers benadrukken dat de verhalen vaak overeenkomsten vertonen in motief en beschrijving, zelfs over culturele en geografische scheidslijnen heen. Dit wijst volgens sommigen op een dieper, ongekend fenomeen dat niet eenvoudig is uit te leggen binnen de conventionele wetenschap. Anderen blijven sceptisch vanwege gebrek aan bewijsmateriaal en het grote aantal menselijke interpretaties en folkloristische invloeden.

Conclusie

De verhalen over humanoïde wezens, de Men In Black en mysterieuze vliegende wezens uit het Verre Oosten blijven een bron van fascinatie en debat. Of het nu gaat om optische illusies, folklore, complottheorieën of echte ontmoetingen, één ding is zeker: deze verhalen worden door vele mensen gedeeld en blijven de menselijke verbeelding prikkelen. Ze geven ons een glimp van de grensgebieden tussen realiteit en fantasie, en houden de hoop levend dat er nog veel te ontdekken valt in de diepe mysteries van onze wereld.

In de toekomst zullen nieuwe getuigenissen, onderzoek en wetenschappelijke doorbraken mogelijk meer duidelijkheid brengen over deze verschijnselen. Tot die tijd blijven deze verhalen een belangrijke bron van folklore en onzekerheid, die ons uitnodigen om altijd onze ogen en geesten open te houden voor het onbekende.

{ PETER2011 }

27-11-2025 om 22:19 geschreven door peter  

Ancient Vimana: 5 Important Things to Know About India’s Mythical Flying Machines

by Ivan Petricevic

An illustration of the mythical ancient vimana

Unraveling the Secrets of Ancient Indian Mythological Technology

The Vimana, flying machines of ancient India, have long captured the imagination of historians, scientists, and enthusiasts alike. These mysterious aircraft are mentioned in ancient Indian texts, leading many to wonder if they hold the key to understanding advanced technologies from a bygone era. This article will explore five essential facts about these fascinating Vimana and their significance in ancient Indian history.

1. Origins in Ancient Indian Texts

The concept of Vimana can be traced back to ancient Indian scriptures called the Vedas, dating as far back as 1500 BCE. The most notable mention of these flying machines comes from the Sanskrit epic, the Ramayana, which details the story of the divine prince Rama and his aerial vehicle, the Pushpaka Vimana. Other texts, such as the Mahabharata and the Rigveda, also reference the Vimana, further adding to their mystique.

2. Descriptions and Capabilities

Ancient Vimana were described as being powered by advanced propulsion systems, allowing them to soar through the skies, traverse vast distances, and even travel between planets. These flying machines were reportedly made of various metals, including gold, and their engines functioned on the principles of solar energy, mercury vapor, and other complex mechanisms.

3. Ancient Indian Science and Vimana Technology

The Vimana’s advanced technology is often linked to the scientific achievements of ancient India, a civilization known for its contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.

This connection has led some researchers to propose that the Vimana could be evidence of an ancient Indian civilization with knowledge of advanced technologies such as anti-gravity propulsion and nuclear power. However, this theory remains unproven and is still the subject of much debate.

4. Vimana and Extraterrestrial Theories

The astonishing capabilities attributed to Vimana have fueled speculation about possible extraterrestrial origins or influence. Some researchers believe these ancient flying machines might be evidence of alien contact or ancient astronauts visiting Earth. This theory is based on the notion that such advanced technology would have been impossible for humans to develop independently during the time period in question. While these ideas are compelling, they remain unconfirmed and are often met with skepticism from mainstream scholars.

5. Modern Interpretations and Popular Culture

In recent years, the Vimana have gained renewed interest in academia and popular culture. These ancient flying machines have inspired works of fiction, movies, and television series, often blending science fiction and historical intrigue elements. Additionally, some researchers continue to explore the possibility that Vimana technology could provide insights into developing new forms of transportation and energy sources in the modern era.

The Vimana, ancient India’s mysterious flying machines, have left a lasting impression on the world’s imagination. The Vimana continue to captivate and inspire with their origins in sacred texts and their purported advanced capabilities. Whether viewed as evidence of advanced ancient technology, extraterrestrial encounters, or simply as fascinating stories from a rich cultural history, the Vimana remain an enduring enigma worth exploring.

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 { https://curiosmos.com/category/unsolved-mysteries/ }

22-11-2025 om 21:10 geschreven door peter  

Forbidden book omitted from the Bible reveals a vengeful child Jesus... and exposes why it was kept hidden

• READ MORE:  1,500-year-old Christian mosaic reveals lost biblical secrets

By STACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

A long-forgotten book, left out of the Bible and written nearly 1,900 years ago, reveals secret stories of Jesus' childhood that the early church kept under wraps for centuries.

Known as the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, the text tells of Jesus performing miraculous feats, bringing clay birds to life, drawing water from a broken pitcher and healing a boy whose leg was injured by an axe.

But it also portrays a darker side, depicting Jesus as vengeful, even cursing a child to death for striking him on the shoulder.

After Jesus kills the child for accidentally bumping into him, the villagers become upset and complain to Joseph and Mary. In response to their accusations, Jesus strikes the accusers with blindness.

The omitted book begins when Jesus is just five years old, while the traditional Bible's first mention is of him at 12 years old. 

In another episode, Joseph takes Jesus to a teacher to learn the alphabet, and the teacher becomes irritated when Jesus laughs at his instructions. 

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas was rejected by the early Church because it portrayed Jesus as a violent, petulant child and conflicted with orthodox Christian teachings. 

Its late composition date and association with Gnostic literature further led leaders to deem it inauthentic and heretical. 

The omitted book begins when Jesus is just five years old, while the traditional Bible's first mention is of him at 12 years old

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have long been accepted by the Church as accurate accounts of Jesus' life and teachings, written either by apostles or those closely connected to them. 

Matthew and John were original disciples, Mark drew from Peter's preaching, and Luke partnered with Paul while also interviewing eyewitnesses.

By contrast, the Infancy Gospel of Thomas claims authorship by 'Thomas the Israelite,' though the writer is otherwise unknown and not identified as the apostle Thomas. 

This text is a collection of stories about Jesus' childhood and should not be confused with the modern Gospel of Thomas, which early references to the Gospel of Thomas almost certainly point to the Infancy Gospel.

The passages tell stories about Jesus' first miracles, from bringing dried fish back to life, resurrecting a child who died of illness and raising a man back to from the dead after an accident. 

However, it seems that early church leaders were more concerned about the text describing Jesus as a violent child. 

In one incident, after Jesus blinds the parents of a boy he struck dead, Joseph, his earthly and adoptive father, reprimands Him: 'When Joseph saw that Jesus had done such a thing, he got angry and grabbed his ear and pulled very hard.

'The boy became infuriated with him and replied, 'It's one thing for you to seek and not find; it's quite another for you to act this unwisely. Don't you know that I don't really belong to you? Don't make me upset.' 

The earliest known manuscript fragment was only discovered in 2024, discussing one of Jesus' early miracles 

The text describes how Joseph took Jesus to his teacher, asking the child to be taught 'his letters.'

The teacher says, 'Hand him over to me, brother, and I shall teach him the Scripture; and I shall persuade him to bless all, and not to curse. 

'And Jesus, hearing, laughed, and said to them: You say what you know; but I know more than you, for I am before the ages. And I know when your fathers' fathers were born; and I know how many years of your life.'

Jesus then astonished the teacher with his knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet. Amazed and unnerved, the teacher tells Joseph that the child clearly does not belong to this world and asks him to take Jesus away.

In Chapter 3, when the son of Annas, the high priest, destroys the water Jesus had gathered on the Sabbath, Jesus curses him, declaring that his fruit will wither like a scorched branch.

Immediately, the boy withers, showing the child Jesus’ power to punish those who oppose him. 

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas also depicts the young Jesus performing numerous miracles to help others. 

He heals a woodcutter who accidentally chops the sole of his foot, instantly restoring him and instructing him to continue his work. 

When a water jug breaks while he is fetching water, Jesus fills his cloak with water and carries it back to his mother.

 He miraculously multiplies a single grain of wheat into a hundred measures and distributes it to the poor, widows, and orphans. 

Jesus even stretches a short piece of wood so Joseph, his father, can complete a carpentry job for a wealthy client. In one story, he heals his brother James from a snakebite by breathing on the wound, destroying the snake and ending the pain. 

On another occasion, he resurrects a child who had died, bringing the child back to life and returning him safely to his mother. 

These vivid episodes show that the text portrays a child Jesus who is not only powerful but also compassionate, using his extraordinary abilities to aid and protect those around him.

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{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/index.html }

22-11-2025 om 15:49 geschreven door peter  

De Mogelijke Gedeelde en Onverklaarbare Agenda van de Zwarte Oog-kinderen en de Mannen in Zwart: Een Diepgaande Analyse

Inleiding

Het fenomeen van de Zwarte Oog-kinderen en de Mannen in Zwart heeft sinds de mid-20e eeuw de verbeelding van zowel onderzoekers als het grote publiek gevangen. Beiden worden vaak als mysterieuze, onverklaarbare entiteiten beschreven die zich op ongewone wijze manifesteren, vaak in situaties die grenzen aan het bovennatuurlijke en het paranormale. Hoewel ze afzonderlijk veel aandacht krijgen, bestaat er een interessante vraag: kunnen deze verschijnselen deel uitmaken van een gedeelde, nog onbekende agenda? En zo ja, wat zou die agenda kunnen inhouden? In dit artikel stellen we een gedetailleerde analyse voor van de mogelijke verbanden en onderliggende motieven tussen deze twee fenomeenclusters, met een oog voor zowel de wetenschappelijke, culturele als esoterische dimensies.

1. De fenomeen van de Zwarte Oog-kinderen en de Mannen in Zwart: een overzicht

1.1 De Zwarte Oog-kinderen: kenmerken en verhalen

De Zwarte Oog-kinderen worden gekenmerkt door jonge kinderen met volledig zwarte ogen, zonder iris of pupil. Ze worden vaak beschreven als wezens die plotseling verschijnen op afgelegen locaties, of die contact zoeken met volwassenen, meestal in situaties van spanning of angst. Er worden weinig fysieke details gegeven; het is vooral hun oogkleur en de wijze van verschijning die hen onderscheidt.

Bekende getuigenissen komen uit heel de wereld, van de Verenigde Staten tot Europa en Azië. Veel verhalen worden gekenmerkt door gevoelens van angst, verwarring of zelfs psychische leegte bij de observatoren. Soms wordt gemeld dat na confrontaties met deze wezens, mensen last krijgen van nachtmerries, mentale verwarring of fysiek ongemak.

1.2 De Mannen in Zwart: geschiedenis en beschrijvingen

De Mannen in Zwart (Men in Black, MIB) werden voor het eerst prominent beschreven in de jaren 1950 en 1960, vooral in de context van UFO-waarnemingen en buitenaardse ontmoeting. Ze worden vaak beschreven als nette, geklede mannen in zwarte pakken, die verschijnen kort nadat er melding is gedaan van een UFO of ander onverklaarbaar fenomeen.

Ze worden geassocieerd met intimidatie, het onderdrukken van informatie en het dreigen met negatieve gevolgen voor getuigen. Sommige verhalen suggereren dat ze paranormale of bovennatuurlijke krachten bezitten, of dat ze verbonden zijn met overheidsinstanties en geheime samenzweringen.

2. Beschrijving van de fenomenen: gelijkenissen en verschillen

Hoewel de Zwarte Oogkinderen en de Mannen in Zwart uit verschillende culturele en sociale contexten lijken voort te komen, vertonen ze opvallende overeenkomsten:

• Manifestatie: Beide verschijnen plotseling en onverwacht, vaak zonder duidelijke oorzaak of waarschuwing.

• Onverklaarbaarheid: Er is geen sluitend wetenschappelijk bewijs voor hun bestaan, en ze blijven een bron van volksverhalen en folklore.

• Invloed op getuigen: Beide fenomenen worden geassocieerd met gevoelens van angst, verwarring en psychisch trauma.

Verschillen zijn onder andere:

• Fysieke verschijningsvorm: De Zwarte Oog-kinderen worden vooral visueel gekenmerkt door hun zwarte ogen, terwijl de Mannen in Zwart worden beschreven aan de hand van hun kleding en gedrag.

• Context van waarneming: Zwarte Oog-kinderen worden doorgaans gezien in privé- of huiselijke situaties, terwijl de Mannen in Zwart vaak optreden in openbare, of semi-openbare situaties rondom UFO-waarnemingen.

3. Mogelijke theorieën over de gedeelde en onverklaarbare agenda

De grote vraag blijft: kunnen deze afwijkende verschijnselen deel uitmaken van een overkoepelend, onzichtbaar beleid of doel? Hieronder worden enkele hypothesen en theorieën besproken.

3.1 De theorie van buitenaardse beïnvloeding

Een gangbare interpretatie onder UFO-onderzoekers en ufologen is dat zowel de Zwarte Oogkinderen als de Mannen in Zwart werken als agenten of vertegenwoordigers van buitenaardse wezens of geavanceerde technologieën.

• Gerelateerde doelen: Het doel zou kunnen zijn het controleren of sturen van menselijke perceptie en gedrag, bijvoorbeeld door het verzamelen van genetisch materiaal, psychische gegevens of gedragsinformatie.

• Synchronisatie door technologie: Sommige theorieën suggereren dat de verschijnselen voortkomen uit gerichte technologie die bewust wordt ingezet op mensen en plekken, mogelijk als onderdeel van een bredere afstemming tussen buitenaardse en menselijke actoren.

3.2 De interpretatie van een geheime overheidsagenda

Een andere hypothese stelt dat deze entiteiten gerelateerd zijn aan geheime programma's van overheidsinstanties, zoals de CIA, NSA of militaire programma's.

• Experimenten in perceptie en mind control: Het zou kunnen dat deze verschijnselen gerichte psychologische experimenten zijn, waarbij projecten zoals MK-Ultra en het gebruik van psychotronica een rol spelen.

• De Mens en Machine samen: Het idee dat deze wezens helpen bij het controleren of beïnvloeden van menselijke collectieve percepties, vooral in het kader van geheime wereldwijde agenda's.

3.3 Esoterische en spirituele interpretaties

Veldonderzoekers en spiritualisten suggereren dat beide fenomenen mogelijk manipulatief zijn, en dienen een spiritueel of bewustzijnsdoel.

• Bewustzijnsontwikkeling: De verschijnselen zouden bedoeld kunnen zijn om individuen te confronteren met hun innerlijke angsten en beperkingen, of om deal te maken met kosmische krachten.

• Manifestatie van archetypes: Sommige theorieën beschrijven ze als manifestaties van archetypes uit het collectieve onderbewuste, die over verschillende culturen en tijden voorkomen.

3.4 Een gedeeld, ondoorzichtig agenda: de synthese

Het is mogelijk dat de Zwarte Oogkinderen en de Mannen in Zwart onderdeel zijn van een complex, gelaagd systeem, waarbij verschillende krachten, waaronder buitenaards, overheids- en spirituele invloeden, samenwerken.

• De bedoeling: Een betere controle over menselijke perceptie, gedrag en ontwikkeling, of het verzamelen van kosmische en psychische gegevens.

• De methodiek: Verschijnen in bepaalde situaties, gebruikmakend van angst en verwarring, met als doel het verzamelen van informatie of het beïnvloeden van collectieve overtuigingen.

4. Het belang van culturele en mediatradities

Het bekijken van deze fenomenen door culturele oogpunten onthult dat ze tot een breed scala van volksverhalen, mythen en popcultuur gerekend kunnen worden.

• De rol van media: Films, boeken en internet hebben de iconografie van de Mannen in Zwart en de Zwarte Oog-kinderen verder versterkt, waardoor hun betekenis en interpretatie evolueren.

• Verhaalvorming en mythologie: Veel van de verhalen lijken archetypisch en dienen als moderne mythes over onze relatie met het onbekende en het bovennatuurlijke.

5. Kritische analyse en scepsis

Het is belangrijk om ook kritisch te kijken naar de beweegredenen en de bewijsvoering achter deze theorieën.

• Gebrek aan wetenschappelijk bewijs: Er is geen sluitend bewijs dat de verschijnselen bovennatuurlijk of buitenaards zijn, en veel verhalen kunnen worden verklaard door psychologische factoren zoals hysterie, nachtmerries, hallucinaties of psychische stoornissen.

• De rol van interpretatie en interpretatieve bias: Mensen die reeds geloven in geheime agenda’s of buitenaardse invloeden, zullen sneller de verschijnselen op die manier interpreteren.

6. Conclusie: een complexe, ondoorzichtige mozaïek?

De vraag of de Zwarte Oogkinderen en de Mannen in Zwart samen een gedeelde, onverklaarbare agenda vormen, blijft open. Wat duidelijk is, is dat beide fenomeenclusters binnen de menselijke cultuur functioneren als symbolen voor het onbegrepen, het bovennatuurlijke en het grensvlak tussen realiteit en perceptie.

Het is mogelijk dat ze daadwerkelijk een kracht of entiteit vertegenwoordigen die opereert zonder volledige transparantie, wellicht met doelen die nog in de schaduw blijven. Alternatief kunnen ze het resultaat zijn van collectieve angsten, psychologische projecties, of media- en culturele constructies.

Wat er ook van waar is, hun gezamenlijk voorkomen en de fenomenale beschrijvingen die ermee gepaard gaan, dragen bij aan een rijk tapijt van folklore en mystiek die nog altijd veel vragen oproept en wetenschap uitdaagt tot verder onderzoek.

Eindwoord

Het onderzoeken van de gedeelde en onverklaarbare agenda van de Zwarte Oogkinderen en de Mannen in Zwart duidt op een brede culturele en psychologische laag die onze behoefte onderzoekt naar betekenis in het onbekende. Of er nu werkelijk een verborgen plan bestaat, of dat deze verschijnselen eerder een reflectie zijn van collectieve angsten en archetypes, ze blijven fascinerende raadsels. Wat zeker is, is dat zij ons uitdagen na te denken over de grenzen van de menselijke kennis, perceptie en de mysterieuze krachten die mogelijk uit de ruimte, de psyche of de verborgen wereld actief zijn.

Bronnen en verdere lezing

• Bezeten van het onbekende: De geschiedenis van de Mannen in Zwart (John Keel, 1970)
• Urgente ogen: De symboliek van de Zwarte Oogkinderen (Online artikelen en forums)
• Overheidsprogramma’s en psychotronica: Geheimen van de bekende geheime diensten
• Mythologie en archetypes: Carl Jung en de collectieve onbewuste theorieën
• Theoretische frameworks over buitenaardse en paranormale fenomenen

Met deze uitgebreide analyse hopen we bij te dragen aan een beter begrip van deze intrigerende fenomenen en de vragen die zij oproepen. Het ware doel van de gedeelde en onverklaarbare agenda blijft voorlopig in het rijk der speculatie, maar het onderzoek naar hen benadrukt hoe diep onze collectieve fascinatie met het onzichtbare gaat.

{  PETER2011 }

18-11-2025 om 23:58 geschreven door peter  

Unveiling the Truth (Ep. 4) 'Shadow People: The Dark Watchers of the Night'

Introduction

In the quiet hours of the night, when most of the world drifts into peaceful slumber, some individuals find themselves confronted by inexplicable and often unnerving visions: shadowy silhouettes that seem to lurk just beyond the edge of vision. These entities, commonly known as shadow people, have puzzled humanity for centuries, inspiring countless stories, investigations, and theories. Despite their recurrent nature across different cultures and historical periods, shadow figures remain shrouded in mystery, straddling the boundary between the psychological and the paranormal.

The latest episode of "Unveiling the Truth" hosted by Robin and Brad ventures into this enigma, combining personal testimonies, scientific insights, and speculative hypotheses. The episode aims to present a balanced exploration of shadow people by considering their psychological roots, cultural symbolism, and potential connections to interdimensional or extraterrestrial phenomena. In this expanded discussion, we will delve deeply into the nature of shadow beings, explore the various interpretations supported by scientific and paranormal communities, analyze prominent cases and testimonies, and assess what current research suggests about their origins.

Defining Shadow People

• Visual Characteristics and Descriptions

Shadow people are typically described as vague, dark silhouettes seen in the peripheral vision—often fleeting and difficult to catch. Unlike traditional ghosts or spirits that might appear as luminescent or detailed apparitions, shadow people lack distinct features: no facial details, clothing, or identifiable physical traits. Instead, they manifest as amorphous outlines or human-shaped shadows, sometimes shifting or flickeringering in and out of visibility.

Robin emphasizes this distinction: "A shadow figure doesn't have any distinguishable features about it other than a silhouette outline." These figures often move quickly, darting through rooms or standing motionless at the edge of perception, provoking feelings of fear, curiosity, or awe.

• Common Variations and Cultural Analogues

While modern descriptions emphasize their featureless nature, folkloric and cultural narratives have interpreted similar entities differently:

• The Hooded Specter or 'Hatman': Some witnesses report shadow figures wearing hats, cloaks, or hoods. These are sometimes called Hatman or Hooded Shadows. In various cultures, hooded figures can symbolize death, mystery, or spiritual guardianship.

• Tall, Humanlike Figures: Certain reports describe shadow entities as tall, elongated beings that loom over victims, sometimes referred to as shadow giants.

• Hooded or Cloaked Outlines: These resemble cloaked monks or grim reapers, suggesting archetypes of death or judgment.

Unlike the classic image of a ghost with a glowing face or ethereal glow, shadow people appear as the absence of light, making them uniquely elusive and unsettling.

Psychological and Paranormal Perspectives

The phenomenon of shadow people resonates both in the domain of psychology and the paranormal realm. Understanding these perspectives can illuminate why widespread reports emerge and what they may signify.

• Psychological Explanations

- Sleep Paralysis

One of the most common phenomena associated with shadow person sightings is sleep paralysis—a state where an individual, upon falling asleep or awakening, experiences an inability to move, coupled with vivid hallucinations. During sleep paralysis, the brain remains semi-conscious, and visual or auditory hallucinations are common, often with terrifying entities at the edge of perception.

Psychologists suggest that shadow figures during sleep paralysis are a product of the brain’s attempt to interpret the paralysis hallucinations—an intersection of the subconscious, dreams, and sensory deprivation. The "default schematic" for many individuals may involve seeing a shadowy figure because the brain interprets the partial sensory input as a sentient entity.

- Jungian Archetypes & Collective Unconscious

Carl Jung's theories posit that archetypes—universal symbols embedded in the collective unconscious—manifest in dreams and visions. Shadow figures could represent the shadow self, an unconscious part of the psyche containing repressed fears, traumas, or undesirable traits.

Jung believed these archetypes are projections from the unconscious, which may appear in night visions as dark silhouettes. This psychological framework explains why shadow people appear across cultures, embodying universal fears of the unknown or suppressed emotions.

- Anxiety, Stress, and Psychopathology

Stressful life circumstances or mental health issues like schizophrenia or trauma can also produce hallucinations or visual distortions. While not all shadow sightings are pathological, individual mental health states can influence perception.

• Paranormal and Supernatural Hypotheses

While psychology offers valuable insights, many believe shadow people point to realities beyond the material world.

- Interdimensional Beings

Some theorists propose shadow figures are entities from another dimension or realm that intersect with our reality, revealing themselves briefly before retreating back to their own universe. This hypothesis is supported by fringe theories suggesting that our universe overlaps with others, and shadow entities are witnesses or residents of these overlapping worlds.

- UFO and Alien Abduction Links

Numerous abductees and UFO witnesses report seeing shadowy figures during or after their encounters. These beings are sometimes described as men in black or interdimensional guides, assisting alien entities or acting as gatekeepers. The overlapping descriptions have led some researchers to suggest a possible continuum of interdimensional or extraterrestrial phenomena.

- Shadow People as Omnipresent 'Dark Watchers'

Historical and contemporary accounts describe shadowy guardians or watchers—sometimes benevolent, sometimes malevolent. In some Indigenous cultures, shadow figures are considered spirits protecting or warning communities. Conversely, some individuals interpret them as malevolent entities feeding on fear or negative energy.

Personal Encounters and Viewer Reports

• Notable Personal Experiences

Robin's recounting of her vivid experience embodies the emotional and psychological impact these encounters can have. She describes an instance involving a hooded shadow figure following a spiritual session, emphasizing feelings of vulnerability and awe.

"It was like a shadow figure, not really hooded, but you could tell an outline of a human. And it was just standing at my bed. I tried to swat at it, and I lost my hand as if it went through my vision of myself—like I was just a shadow myself."

Her experience aligns with other reports where individuals perceive these figures as presences that exist at the periphery of consciousness, often provoking fear but sometimes curiosity.

• Global Patterns and Cultural Variations

The podcast notes that shadow people reports are universal, spanning continents and cultures. From the United States to Asia, Africa, and Europe, witnesses report encounters during sleep or in moments of heightened stress or transition.

In Japan, similar entities called yūrei or m Styx are sometimes visualized as dark or shadowy figures associated with spirits of the restless dead. In Western folklore, shadow figures are often linked with malevolent spirits or demons.

Narratives and stories tend to reflect cultural beliefs, but the core visual phenomenon remains remarkably similar: dark silhouettes, roughly human in shape, present at times of vulnerability or liminal states.

• Common Themes in Testimonies
  • Presence during sleep or sleep paralysis
  • Sudden appearance at night, often in bedrooms
  • Feelings of fear, sometimes awe or calm
  • The impression of watching or following
  • Lack of facial features, only shadowy outlines

By analyzing these common patterns, researchers aim to distinguish between psychological artifacts and encounters indicative of somethi something more prosaic or paranormal.

Scientific Investigations

• Sleep Studies and Hypotheses

The connection between shadow people and sleep paralysis is well-documented. Researchers have examined the neurological basis for these phenomena, correlating hallucinations with the activity of the periaqueductal gray region of the brain, a control center associated with fear and threat detection.

In sleep paralysis, the limbic system—which processes emotions—is hyperactive, leading to intense feelings of dread and hallucinations of threatening figures, often shadowy, due to the brain's misinterpretation of sensory input.

• Brainwave Activity

Studies using EEG (electroencephalogram) monitoring have shown that during hallucinations of shadow figures, the brain exhibits theta and delta wave activity characteristic of REM sleep intrusion into wakefulness. This suggests that shadow people are not external entities but products of altered brain states.

• Psychological Testing & Environmental Factors

Research also indicates environmental factors such as darkness, sleep deprivation, substance use, and high stress increase the likelihood of shadow person sightings. The consistency of reports across these variables supports the hypothesis that many shadow encounters are rooted in altered states of consciousness rather than external supernatural forces.

• Paranormal Research and Limitations

While scientific investigations provide plausible explanations, they often cannot fully account for the emotional and subjective aspects of shadow person encounters. Many individuals describe feeling genuine presence or influence that defy purely neurological explanations.

No empirical evidence conclusively proves shadow people are interdimensional entities or beings from another realm, leading to ongoing debates between scientific skepticism and paranormal credence.

The Brocken spectre phenomenon, when a human’s shadow seems enormous and far away, is the likely explanation for numerous sightings of so-called dark watchers in California’s Santa Lucia Mountains. 

John Finney Photography / Getty Images

Theories and Controversies

• The Shadow Self and Repressed Fears

From a psychological lens, shadow figures represent repressed aspects of the subconscious—the "shadow self"—which manifests in dreams or hallucinations. Carl Jung emphasized that confronting these dark archetypes could lead to inner growth, suggesting shadow people could symbolize unresolved inner conflicts.

• Interdimensional Phenomena

Proponents believe shadow beings are visitors from other realities, glimpsed during moments of dimensional overlap. This approach posits that humanity's perception of these beings is fundamentally limited, and their true nature is beyond our understanding.

• The 'Watcher' Hypothesis

Some accounts suggest shadow figures are observers, silently watching victims—potentially guiding or warning. This aligns with folklore describing spirits or hauntings where entities appear to serve a purpose beyond mere manifestation.

• Controversies and Skepticism

Mainstream science remains skeptical of paranormal claims, citing psychological explanations and hallucinations. Critics argue that shadow figures are misinterpretations of normal visual phenomena, sleep-related hallucinations, or visual distortions caused by environmental stimuli.

Others challenge the interpretation of personal experiences as evidence of the supernatural, emphasizing the need for controlled scientific studies.

Notable Cases and Cases Studies

• The William and Sarah Case

One documented case involved William, a middle-aged man who reported seeing a tall, shadowy figure in his home during episodes of severe sleep paralysis. He described it as a dark, towering presence that seemed to watch him with an unsettling stillness. Despite efforts to dismiss it as hallucination, the sensation persisted over months, impacting his sleep and mental well-being.

Research into such cases frequently reveals underlying stress, traumatic memories, or sleep disorders. Physical evidence is elusive, but persistent reports keep the debate alive.

• The 'Cumberland Ghost' Phenomenon

In the historic town of Cumberland, numerous residents have reported seeing shadowy figures near old abandoned buildings or during foggy nights. These sightings are often accompanied by feelings of intense fear or curiosity. Local folklore attributes these to spirits of former residents, emphasizing the cultural dimension of shadow entities.

Theories about Their Function and Purpose

• Protective or Warning Symbols

Some sightings may serve as subconscious warnings or protectors—manifestations of warnings about danger or harm. For example, a shadow figure appearing during a dangerous situation might be interpreted as a protective presence, or as a projection of inner intuition.

• Negative Entities Feeding on Fear

Other theories suggest shadow people are malevolent entities feeding on negative energy or fear. Their dark, featureless appearance embodies aspects of nightmare terror and subconscious anxieties.

• Messengers or Guides

Less commonly, shadow figures are viewed as guides or messengers from the spiritual realm, offering insights or warnings through their silent presence.

Dark watchers are often seen near dusk and dawn in the Santa Lucia Mountains, when light plays off the misty peaks. 

Roger469 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Unpacking the Cultural and Historical Contexts

• Historical Accounts

Throughout history, shadowy figures have appeared in art, folklore, and religious narratives. Medieval depictions of demons or spirits often resemble shadowy beings. In more recent times, mentions appear in Victorian ghost stories, indigenous narratives, and modern paranormal literature.

• Modern Popularity and Media

The representation of shadow people in movies, television, and online forums has popularized and sensationalized the phenomenon, influencing personal perceptions and collective fears. They often appear in horror genre media as ominous, threatening presences.

Implications and Future Research

• What Do Shadow People Signify?

Understanding whether shadow figures are illusions, archetypes, interdimensional visitors, or spiritual entities is vital for framing future research. They challenge our perceptions of reality and consciousness, urging scientific, psychological, and spiritual inquiry.

• Potential for Interdisciplinary Studies

Future research could benefit from an interdisciplinary approach, combining neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, and paranormal studies. Advances in brain imaging, sleep research, and quantum physics may eventually shed light on these elusive phenomena.

• Ethical and Practical Considerations

It is essential to respect individual experiences and consider their impact on mental health. For some, shadow encounters evoke fear or trauma; providing supportive guidance and understanding is paramount.

Meteorologist Jan Null captured his own Brocken spectre in a tunnel. 

Courtesy Jan Null

Conclusion

The phenomenon of shadow people remains one of the most compelling mysteries—oscillating between the realms of science and the supernatural. Whether viewed as manifestations of the subconscious, ancient archetypes, or interdimensional visitors, these dark watchers continue to fascinate, terrify, and invite curiosity.

The "Unveiling the Truth" episode highlights the importance of maintaining perspective: exploring the psychological, cultural, and potential paranormal explanations carefully without prematurely concluding their true nature. As Robin and Brad suggest, asking the right questions and investigating diligently might bring us closer to understanding who or what these shadowy figures are—if they indeed have an existence beyond our perception.

In the end, shadow people serve as reflections of our fears, hopes, and mysteries—reminding us that some questions about the universe and ourselves are still waiting to be answered. Whether as symbols of repressed emotions or portals to other dimensions, they challenge us to look beyond the shadows and seek the light of understanding.

{ PETER2011 }

17-11-2025 om 23:12 geschreven door peter  

Legendes van de Djinn: Bovennatuurlijke Wezens uit een Andere Dimensie

Inleiding

Het fenomeen van de Djinn, bovennatuurlijke entiteiten afkomstig uit de Midden-Oosterse folklore, heeft de laatste jaren een hernieuwde belangstelling gekregen binnen het domein van paranormale studies en anomalieën. Hoewel oorspronkelijk geworteld in islamitische tradities en volksverhalen, wordt de Djinn tegenwoordig steeds vaker beschouwd als een interdimensionale entiteit die mogelijk een brug vormt tussen mythes en moderne rapportages van onverklaarbare fenomenen. Deze paper tracht een wetenschappelijke en gestructureerde onderbouwing te bieden voor de hypothese dat deze entiteiten niet louter mythisch zijn, maar mogelijk verbonden kunnen worden met onze perceptie van de werkelijkheid, en dat zij wellicht bestaan in een dimensie die zich buiten het bereik van conventionele wetenschappelijke waarneming bevindt.

Historische achtergrond en mythologische context

De term "Djinn" vindt haar oorsprong diepgeworteld in de rijke tradities van de Arabische folklore en heeft een significante plaats binnen de islamitische religieuze teksten, zoals de Koran. Het woord zelf stamt af van het Arabische werkwoord "janna," dat "bedekken" of "verschuilen" betekent, wat aangeeft dat deze wezens vaak in de verborgen hoeken van de wereld leven. Volgens de islamitische opvattingen worden Djinn gecreëerd uit een vlam van roet, een element dat symbool staat voor mysterie, onvoorspelbaarheid en het onzichtbare. De Koran beschrijft dat Allah de Djinn geschapen heeft uit de vurige rook van een vlam, zonder dat zij kunnen worden gezien door mensen, tenzij zij zich openbaren. Dit schepsel uit de vurige druipende vlam geeft de Djinn een intrinsiek verbonden relatie met vuur, een element dat in de Arabische cultuur vaak wordt geassocieerd met kracht, transformatie en het onbegrepen.

Binnen de islamitische traditie worden Djinn voorgesteld als schepsels met vrije wil, vergelijkbaar met mensen. Dit betekent dat zij in staat zijn tot goed en kwaad, en dat zij verantwoordelijk zijn voor hun keuzes. Sommige Djinn kiezen het pad van kwaad en worden dan beschouwd als kwaadaardige geesten die mensen kunnen belagen, toveren of kwaadwillende invloed uitoefenen. Anderen kiezen ervoor om het goede na te streven, helpen mensen of houden zich afzijdig van menselijke aangelegenheden. Hierdoor vormen zij een complex en veelzijdig wezen dat niet eenvoudig in een goed of slecht hokje te plaatsen is. Deze vrije wil en autonomie maken dat Djinn in staat zijn om interacties aan te gaan met de menselijke wereld, wat zowel in verhalen als in rituelen terug te vinden is.

In termen van representatie worden Djinn vaak afgebeeld als krachtige, autonome wezens die in verborgen, ongrijpbare plekken leven, zoals woestijnen, bergen, verlaten ruïnes of ondergrondse gangen. Verhalen vertellen dat zij vaak ofwel onzichtbaar blijven voor mensen of zich op andere manieren manifesteren als schimmige silhouetten, ongezien doch voelbaar, en dat zij in voortdurende interactie staan met de menselijke wereld. Deze interacties kunnen heel uiteenlopend zijn: ze kunnen gaan van beschermende bemoeienissen, zoals het helpen van een persoon in nood, tot kwaadaardige invloeden, zoals het veroorzaken van ziekten of ongeluk. Sommige verhalen spreken ook over djinn die zich als dieren of mensen kunnen voordoen om misleiding en chaos te zaaien, wat aangeeft dat deze wezens niet altijd te onderscheiden zijn van gewone mensen.

Door de geschiedenis heen zijn vergelijkbare entiteiten ook in andere culturen en religies terug te vinden. In de oude Griekse mythologie bijvoorbeeld waren er geesten en levitatie- of nachtwandelaars die in de duisternis verschenen en vaak werden gezien als boodschappers tussen de wereld van de levenden en die van de goden of de doden. In de Noord-Afrikaanse en Mediterrane tradities worden verhalen over geesten, schaduwfiguren en gevaarlijke entiteiten, zoals de "Djinni" of "Jinn" in Arabische folklore, doorgegeven van generatie op generatie. Deze verschijnselen worden vaak beschreven als manifestaties die optreden tijdens periodes van stress, trauma of overgangsfasen in het menselijk leven — bijvoorbeeld bij het verlies van een dierbare, in tijden van crises of tijdens slaap en droom. Deze verhalen vormen zooitje van collectief onbewuste die in verschillende tijden en culturen terugkeert onder verschillende vormen, en illustreren dat dergelijke entiteiten mogelijk een onderliggende realiteit vertegenwoordigen, die moeilijk te verklaren is met de wetenschappelijke methoden van vandaag de dag.

Bovendien kunnen deze mythen en verhalen gezien worden als symbolische uitingen voor de menselijke ervaring van onmacht, angst en het onbekende. Ze bieden een kader waarin mensen hun gevoelens van onzekerheid en verstoring kunnen projecteren en begrijpen. Of het nu gaat om de vlam van de Djinn uit de Arabische mythologie, de schaduwen in mediterrane verhalen of de veranderingen in onze dromen, deze entiteiten lijken een brug te slaan tussen realiteit en droom, tussen het bewuste en het onbewuste. Ze representeren soms de natuurkrachten die onze wereld beïnvloeden, beschermgeesten die ons bijstaan of boze geesten die onze rust verstoren. Vooral in rituelen en magische praktijken blijven deze figuren een centrale rol spelen, waarbij mensen proberen te communiceren, te beschermen of te verdrijven.

Kortom, de Djinn en vergelijkbare geesten vormen een fascinerend onderdeel van de menselijke geschiedenis en mythologie. Ze illustreren onze voortdurende zoektocht naar betekenis in een wereld vol mysteries en onzichtbare krachten. De verhalen over deze wezens blijven actueel omdat ze resoneren met fundamentele menselijke ervaringen en angsten, en omdat ze een rijke bron vormen voor culturele expressie en spirituele reflectie. Ze herinneren ons eraan dat de grens tussen werkelijkheid en fantasie, wetenschap en mythos vaak vloeiend is, en dat de menselijke verbeelding altijd op zoek is naar uitleg voor het onbegrijpelijke dat zich buiten ons zicht bevindt.

Moderne interpretaties en wetenschappelijke hypothesen

In recente jaren is de belangstelling voor de Djinn sterk toegenomen binnen het kader van paranormale en anomalieonderzoeken. Vooral in wetenschappelijke en esoterische kringen wordt geprobeerd om deze wezen niet uitsluitend te bekijken als spirituele entiteiten uit de volksangsten, maar ook als mogelijke interdimensionale verschijnselen die zich op een grensvlak bevinden tussen verschillende realiteiten. Paranormale onderzoekers zoals Rosemary Ellen Guiley, een bekende specialist op het gebied van het onverklaarde, hebben verschillende theorieën ontwikkeld over de aard van de Djinn. Guiley stelde onder meer dat deze wezens niet simpelweg traditionele geesten of bovennatuurlijke verschijnselen zijn, maar dat ze waarschijnlijk een soort tussenliggende entiteiten vormen die mogelijk door multiversum-achtige werelden kunnen bewegen.

In haar boek The Vengeful Djinn uit 2014 beschrijft Guiley hoe oude teksten en historische documenten verwijzingen bevatten naar wezens die veel lijken op de moderne beschrijvingen van de Djinn. Ze vergelijkt deze oude verhalen met waarnemingen in de moderne tijd, waarbij mensen fenomenen melden zoals visuele waarnemingen van schaduwfiguren of ‘shadow people’, plotselinge temperatuurdalingen en fysieke sensaties zonder duidelijke verklaring, en het horen van disembodied voices of onverklaarbare geluiden. Daarnaast worden soms fysieke veranderingen waargenomen, zoals het verschuiven van objecten of het voelen van onverklaarbare aanrakingen, zelfs wanneer er geen mensen in de buurt zijn.

Binnen de context van deze waarnemingen wordt vaak de theorie over parallelle dimensies of multiversa betrokken. Volgens deze theorieën zouden de Djinn zich bevinden in een grensgebied tussen onze fysieke werkelijkheid en andere onwetende of onzichtbare rijken. In deze opvatting worden de Djinn geïnterpreteerd als entiteiten die niet volledig in onze wereld bestaan, maar zich op een soort tussenstation bevinden, waardoor ze vaak voorkomen in fenomenen die grensoverschrijdend en moeilijk te verklaren zijn volgens de conventionele wetenschap. Sommige wetenschappers speculeren dat deze verschijnselen mogelijk gerelateerd zijn aan hoge-energievelden, kwantumverschijnselen of dimensie-overstijgende trillingen die onze gebruikelijke waarneming overstijgen.

Hoewel er tot nu toe geen sluitend wetenschappelijk bewijs bestaat dat de Djinn daadwerkelijk interdimensionale entiteiten zijn, bieden deze moderne theorieën en hypothesen interessante invalshoeken voor verder onderzoek. Ze benadrukken de complexiteit van de waarneming en de mogelijkheid dat veel paranormale fenomenen niet rechtstreeks te verklaren zijn door traditionele wetenschappelijke modellen. In die context blijven de Djinn een intrigerend onderwerp dat de grens tussen wetenschap, spiritualiteit en mystiek blijft uitdagen.

Interdimensionale theorieën en fysica

Volgens enkele theoretische natuurkundigen en metafysici zou het bestaan van meerdere dimensies mogelijk kunnen zijn binnen een uitgebreidere theorie van het heelal, zoals bijvoorbeeld superstring-theorieën of M-theorieën. Deze theorieën suggereren dat onze bekende driedimensionale ruimte slechts één facette is van een complexere structuur, waarin meerdere “lagen” of dimensies kunnen bestaan, waarin entiteiten, energieën of informatie kunnen bewegen en communiceren.

Het is in deze context dat de hypothese van interdimensionale entiteiten kan worden geplaatst. Djinn zouden dan manifesteren in onze dimensie onder bepaalde energetische condities, vergelijkbaar met hoe sommige wetenschappers de waarneming van UAP’s (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) verklaren als verschijnselen die mogelijk verband houden met het bestaan van andere dimensies of niet-klassieke fysieke verschijningsvormen.

Empirische waarnemingen en anekdotisch bewijs vormen een fascinerende, doch vaak betwiste bron van informatie binnen het onderzoek naar bovennatuurlijke verschijnselen zoals de Djinn. Hoewel de wetenschap over het algemeen terughoudend is ten aanzien van zulke rapportages, omdat ze moeilijk te verifiëren en reproduceerbaar te maken zijn volgens de strikte wetenschappelijke methoden, blijven deze getuigenissen waardevol omdat ze een schat aan gegevens bieden over de ervaringen van mensen uit verschillende culturen en regio’s. Vaak vormen deze anekdotes de enige bron van informatie in een gebied waar geen uitgebreide wetenschappelijke studies beschikbaar zijn, en kunnen ze hints geven over de aard en het gedrag van fenomenen die zich buiten de grenzen van de conventionele natuurkunde bevinden.

Laten we bijvoorbeeld kijken naar recente verslaggeving in het buitenland. In de Verenigde Staten en sommige delen van Europa worden regelmatig meldingen gedaan over zogenaamde "Shadow People" of schaduwachtige verschijningen. Mensen beschrijven dat ze soms ’s nachts in hun ooghoeken een donker, onduidelijk silhouet zien verschijnen, vaak in de slaapkamer of op andere afgelegen plekken in huis. Soms gebeurt dit terwijl ze wakker zijn, en andere keren tijdens de slaap of bij het ontwaken. Deze figuren verdwijnen meestal snel wanneer ze worden gezien, alsof ze slechts tijdelijk in onze dimensie manifesteren. Sommige getuigen geloven dat het om geesten gaat, terwijl anderen denken dat deze verschijningen mogelijk interdimensionale entiteiten of energetische manifestaties zijn die slechts fragmentarisch toegankelijk zijn voor onze waarneming. Een praktisch voorbeeld is een vrouw uit Nederland die stelt dat ze haar huis vaak 's avonds plotseling schaduwfiguren ziet, die achter haar vandaan lijken te komen en weer verdwijnen zodra ze zich beweegt of licht aanzet. Een ander voorbeeld is een man uit het Amerikaanse Midwesten die meldt dat hij gewaarschuwd werd door vreemde schaduwen die zich in de hoek van zijn kamer bevonden, net voordat er een stroomstoring plaatsvond.

Daarnaast bestaan er al eeuwenoude volksverhalen over djinn of geesten die verschijnen en verdwijnen in het schemergebied tussen werkelijkheid en fantasie. In Midden-Oosterse culturen worden verhalen opgetekend over 'invisibele wezens' die zich in de duisternis bewegen. Soms worden deze entiteiten beschreven als kwaadaardig, bijvoorbeeld om mensen bang te maken of te laten verdwijnen, terwijl ze in andere verhalen juist behulpzaam of onschadelijk worden geportretteerd. Zo worden er in tales vaak verhalen gedeeld over mensen die in de nacht plotseling vreemde geluiden horen, of die te maken krijgen met onverklaarbare verschijnselen zoals verstikking of vreemde schaduwen die zich in hun huis bewegen. Deze volksverhalen sluiten vaak aan bij de persoonlijke ervaringen van ooggetuigen, en geven inzicht in hoe culturen omgaan met de onverklaarbare wereld.

Een bijzonder voorbeeld van individuele waarnemingen is dat van Philip J. Imbrogno, een voormalig officier van de Amerikaanse marine en bekende onderzoeker op het gebied van paranormale fenomenen. Imbrogno vertelde dat hij in de jaren 2000 een reeks bizarre waarnemingen deed die aanvankelijk werden toegeschreven aan ufo’s. Zo zag hij lichtgevende bollen die stil in de lucht bleven hangen, en objecten die fysieke materie leek te beïnvloeden door bijvoorbeeld de lucht te laten trillen of in beweging te brengen zonder duidelijke oorzaak. Daarnaast meldde hij ontmoetingen met entiteiten die van vorm konden veranderen; het ene moment leek het op een mens en het andere op een ongeïdentificeerd object met geen duidelijke vorm. Volgens Imbrogno zouden dergelijke waarnemingen kunnen wijzen op een vorm van contact met interdimensionale wezens, die niet op onze reguliere manier waar te nemen zijn. Hij benadrukt dat deze ervaringen moeilijk te verklaren zijn binnen het reguliere paradigma van wetenschap en dat ze mogelijk een ander soort realiteit betreffen dan wij gewend zijn.

Kortom, terwijl anekdotische bewijs nooit de absolute bevestiging kan bieden die de wetenschappelijke methode vereist, geven deze waarnemingen en verhalen toch een waardevolle blik op de wereld van de bovennatuurlijke fenomenen zoals de Djinn. Ze laten zien dat mensen uit verschillende culturen en tijden soortgelijke ervaringen hebben, en dat deze waarnemingen vaak praktische voorbeelden omvatten die ons aanzetten tot verder onderzoek en nieuwsgierigheid naar de grenzen van onze werkelijkheid.

Voorbeelden uit de hedendaagse verslaggeving

• Shadow People en ‘Invisibele Beelden’: In Amerikaanse en Europese contexten worden vaak schaduwachtige silhouetten gemeld die verschijnen in de perifere visie en vervolgens verdwijnen. Vaak worden zij beschreven als geestachtige figuren, maar sommige onderzoekers wijzen erop dat deze verschijnselen mogelijk visuele manifestaties zijn van interdimensionale communicatie of energetische entiteiten die slechts fragmentarisch in onze dimensie zichtbaar worden.

• Voorgaande rapporten over de Djinn: In Midden-Oosterse volksverhalen wordt vaak gesproken over ‘invisibele wezens’ die verschijnen en verdwijnen in de duisternis en die soms kwaadaardig of vriendelijk kunnen zijn. Deze verhalen worden regelmatig aangehaald als bewijs dat dergelijke entiteiten al eeuwenlang in verschillende culturen worden waargenomen.

• De ervaringen van Philip J. Imbrogno: Een prominente getuige is voormalig U.S. Navy officer Philip Imbrogno, die in de jaren 2000 een reeks waarnemingen rapporteerde die aanvankelijk werden toegeschreven aan ufo’s, maar later door hemzelf werden geïnterpreteerd als mogelijk contact met interdimensionale wezens. Imbrogno beschrijft bijvoorbeeld lichtgevende bollen, objecten die fysieke materie konden beïnvloeden en entiteiten die op mysterieuze wijze van vorm konden veranderen.

Onderzoek en controverse

Het samenbrengen van deze waarnemingen leidt tot de discussie of deze fenomenen mogelijk een gemeenschappelijke basis vertonen, en of ze wel of niet buitenaards van oorsprong kunnen zijn, of dat zij een manifestatie betreffen van een andere, nog onbekende dimensie. Verschillende wetenschappers en onderzoekers adviezen dat verdere gestructureerde studies nodig zijn, terwijl anderen sceptisch blijven, wijzend op het gebrek aan empirisch bewijs en de subjectiviteit van veel getuigenissen.

In dit kader spelen vragen als:

• Hoe kunnen visuele, tactiele en audiële waarnemingen worden geverifieerd?
• Welke rol speelt culturele interpretatie bij de vormgeving van deze fenomenen?
• Is er een wetenschappelijke basis om interdimensionale entiteiten zoals de Djinn te beschouwen als mogelijke verklaringen?

Interdisciplinair perspectief en toekomstgerichte benaderingen

De fenomenologie rondom de Djinn en gerelateerde verschijnselen vraagt om een interdisciplinair onderzoeksmodel waarin de perspectieven van folklore, neurowetenschap, psychologische studies, natuurkunde en parapsychologie worden geïntegreerd. Het combineren van historische tekstanalyses met modern-kwantitatief onderzoek kan mogelijk inzicht geven in de aard van deze fenomenen.

Neurowetenschappelijk oogpunt

Volgens neurowetenschappers kunnen waarnemingen van entiteiten zoals shadow people voortkomen uit slaapparalyse, hallucinaties of psychespecifieke processen die worden uitgelokt door stress, slaaptekort of psychische aandoeningen. Deze psychofysiologische mechanismen kunnen in sommige gevallen worden misinterpreteert als buitenaardse of bovennatuurlijke verschijnselen.

Natuurkundig perspectief

Hoewel de huidige stand van de natuurkunde geen directe bewijzen biedt voor interdimensionale realiteiten, biedt de theorie van extra dimensies een theoretisch kader dat de vermeende waarnemingen van entiteiten in andere dimensies theoretisch mogelijk maakt. Experimenteel onderzoek naar kwantumverstrengeling en niet-lokale communicatie opent mogelijk nieuwe wegen voor het begrijpen van dergelijke fenomenen, hoewel deze nog gesubstantieerd en empirisch bevestigd moeten worden.

Conclusie

De heropleving van het fenomeen van de Djinn binnen het context van moderne paranormale en wetenschappelijke theorieën wijst erop dat de mogelijke existentie van interdimensionale entiteiten een relevante hypothese kan zijn die verder onderzoek vereist. Hoewel zintuiglijke waarnemingen en anekdotisch bewijs geen definitieve bewijzen leveren, suggereren hun consistentie over culturen en tijdperken dat er iets bijzonders aan de hand is dat onze huidige wetenschappelijke paradigma’s uitdaagt.

Door een kritische, multidisciplinaire aanpak kunnen we wellicht dichter komen tot een begrip van deze mysterieuze fenomenen, en mogelijk een nieuwe dimensie van realiteit ontdekken die zich buiten de integriteit van onze zintuiglijke waarneming bevindt. De hypothese dat de Djinn niet slechts mythische wezens zijn, maar mogelijk echte entiteiten in een andere dimensie, blijft een fascinerende en urgente vraag voor toekomstig wetenschappelijk onderzoek.

 { PETER2011 }

13-11-2025 om 16:29 geschreven door peter  

The Nephilim: Giant Offspring of the Sons of God and the Daughters of Man?

Rita Louise

Who were the nephilim? The word nephilim appears twice in the Old Testament of the Bible. They are first mentioned in chapter 6 of the book of Genesis and then again in Number 13:33. But their brief mention in the Bible has led to an ongoing debate as to who or what the nephilim were. 

Much of this debate stems from the passage in the Bible that states:

When people began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that they were fair; and they took wives for themselves of all that they chose.
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days - and also afterward - when the sons of God went in to the daughters of man, who bore children to them. These were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown.  – Genesis 6: 1-4

The Sons of God Saw the Daughters of Men That They Were Fair (1923) by Daniel Chester French. Corcoran Gallery of Art.

(CC0)

What Does ‘Nephilim’ Mean?

The traditional definition of Nephilim is giant. Some dictionaries describe the nephilim as being giants who also possess super human strength. The Greek Septuagint, an ancient translation of the Hebrew Bible, refers to them as gigantes, which actually means "earth -born," a concept we will be coming back to as we continue.

It is believed that the word Nephilim comes from the root word "Naphal" which means to fall. In biblical circles this definition has quickly put the Nephilim into the role of the children of the fallen angels. The word Naphal, however, is never directly associated with the concept of fallen angels. Its meaning in context is more closely associated with the idea of lying prostrate or of prostrating oneself. There are also ties in this word to the concept of failure, falling short, or being cast down.

• The Mysterious Didanum People
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• Enochian: The Mysterious Lost Language of Angels

‘The Fall of the Rebel Angels’ (1685) by Charles Le Brun.

(Public Domain)

Mythos of the Nephilim

Over the years a mythos has developed around the concept of the nephilim. It alleges that these giants were the offspring of the "Sons of God" and the "Daughters of Man". Are the nephilim the children of the untoward relationship?

The connection between the biblical text and this claim, although commonly pointed to as the basis of this belief, is unfounded. The document in which we find statements that support this claim actually comes from the apocryphal Book of Jubiliees:

And it came to pass when the children of men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born unto them, that the angels of God saw them on a certain year of this jubilee, that they were beautiful to look upon; and they took themselves wives of all whom they chose, and they bare unto them sons and they were giants. The Book of Jubilees - Chapter V: 1

Is the claim that the nephilim were the offspring of the sons of god and the daughters of men supported by sources outside the Judeo-Christian tradition?  In other words, does mythology worldwide support this belief?

The Sons of God Saw the Daughters of Men That They Were Fair, by Maurice Greiffenhagen.

(Public Domain)

Giants Roaming the Earth Across Cultures

The notion of giants roaming the earth can be found in cultures worldwide. Greek mythology tells us that the Titan Cronus castrated his father Uranus in order to gain control of the Greek pantheon. It is from the blood of the castrated Uranus that fell upon the earth that the giants, the "earth-born", were created.

The Earth-born, when compared to us, were giants. The giants, lived under the rule of Cronos during the golden age, in a time that was free from sorrow or care and everyone lived happy and joyous lives.

It was only after Cronos' son Zeus fought for control of both the heavens and the earth that everything changed. In his new role, Zeus, according to Greek myth, put the giants to work. It was just a matter of time before the giants started ignoring the god's mandates.

Bell krater depicting Zeus fighting against the giant Porphyrion.

(Egisto Sani/CC BY NC SA 2.0)

They were no longer prostrating themselves to the will of the gods. Their lack of complete servitude and their failure to comply with the god’s demands incited the "children of god" into a full blown rebellion against the heavenly gods. Heavy losses were taken on both sides, but their revolution was finally suppressed by the gods.

A truce was declared. As part of their reparations to the giants it was decided to create a new race to handle the burdens that were cast upon the giants - man.

Padraic Column in his book entitled Orpheus, Myths of the World, relates this tale about the creation of man: Aztec legend recounts how the Earth-mother, Citlalicue, gave birth to a flint knife. When the knife was flung down onto the Earth, it was transformed into sixteen hundred "earth-gods." (Is there connection between the flint knife, flung down by Citlalicue, and the sickle used by Cronus to castrate his father?)

These newly formed earth-gods lived as men and women and labored in search of food. After some time, the Earth-gods began to think that this work was below their station. They were, after all, the children of the Sky-father and Earth-mother. They asked their mother Citlalicue to make a race who would serve them and bear the burdens they faced. With the help of Citlalicue, mankind was created.

‘A group of natives in the central highlands of Mexico, capturing and putting to death a giant.’

(CC0)

Based upon these mythological traditions it seems clear that the earth-born giants, the nephilim, existed long before man first inhabited the earth. Thus when you read the line "The Nephilim were on the earth in those days - and also afterward" it seems clear from this perspective that the authors were not being vague. Instead they were just making a statement of fact - that the Nephilim, the earth-born, were on the earth at that time.

The Offspring of the Sons of God and the Daughters of Man

So who were the offspring of the sons of god and the daughters of man? The Hebrew Bible refers to them as gibborim. The inferred meaning of this word is men of great stature, heroes, men who are valiant or brave.

The Greek Septuagint identifies them as the renominati or men or renown. In Greek mythology the gods have a long history of having relations with humans. The names of some of these "demi-gods", or semi-human individuals, whose names have withstood the tests of time include were Hercules, Perseus, and Achilles. In India they are called Hanuman and Garuda and in Sumer Gilgamesh and Adapa.

Interestingly, a parallel myth to this biblical narrative does exist. It comes to us from the pages of the Hindu epic the Ramayana. The Ramayana is the epic tale of Rama, the 7th avatar of the supreme god Vishnu.

Rama lived during the Treta Yuga. It was an age where the world was filled with giants. Around the same time as Rama's birth, the supreme god Vishnu, knowing what was in store for him, requested that all of the gods descend to the earth and mate with the apes and the bears. This request was made in order to, when the time was right, provide Rama with an army he could use to help him conquer Ravana - the giant demon king of Lanka.

Fight between Rama and Ravana.

(CC0)

The offspring of these unions obtained an array of impressive skills from their divine parents. The mighty Sugríva was the ruler of the vanara, the ape-men. His father was Surya, the chief solar deity. The demi-god Hanúmán was the son of the wind god and is described as being able to travel very fast, while Nala was the son of the god of building and construction and is the vanara that helps Rama to build a bridge from mainland India to Lanka.

These thousands did the Gods create
Endowed with might that none could mate,
In monkey forms that changed at will;
So strong their wish the fiend to kill.

• The Nephilim, Anunnaki and More: Four Common Mistakes Made When Interpreting Mythology
• The Epic of Gilgamesh Unveiled: Searching For a Way to the Home Planet
• Anunnaki Revealed: Who Were These Beings of Ancient Astronaut Theory? What Do the Ancient Texts Say? – Part I

Are the nephelim the offspring of the sons of god and the daughters of man? No. They were the race of earth-born giants who lived before the creation of man. They are the group who revolted against the gods in antiquity.

They are also the ones responsible for the creation of mankind. Additionally, based upon the references that come to us from the Ramayana, it does seem clear the when the gods mated with "ape-men" their offspring were men of renown, heroes, or individuals who are valiant or brave.

• Top Image: ‘Norandino and Lucina Discovered by the Ogre’ (1624) by Giovanni Lanfranco.
• Source: Public Domain

By  Dr. Rita Louise

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{ https://www.ancient-origins.net/ }

08-11-2025 om 20:03 geschreven door peter  

This Professor Claimed That Out of 225 Cases Studying Reincarnation, 75 Had Birthmarks Corresponding with Past Life Memories

Stevenson began studying children who claim to remember previous lives— an endeavor that will surely be remembered as the primary focus of his life’s work—almost by accident.

Recently in this journal, Laura Borges Kirschnick and colleagues published a review of birthmarks and birth defects of the head and neck region in reincarnation cases, following the 2020 PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. (Source)

Birthmarks and birth defects have different causes, and many of these causes are not fully understood. Some people believe that certain birthmarks might come from past lives, even though this idea sounds strange.

In a study of newborns in Thailand, which is often studied for reincarnation, the most common birthmarks were Mongolian spots (66.7%) and sebaceous gland hyperplasia (60.9%). The most common vascular birthmarks were salmon patches (36%), while infantile hemangiomas (1.1%) and port wine stains (0.7%) were much rarer.

Birthmarks thought to be linked to reincarnation are mostly large spots and moles, sometimes lighter or darker than the skin around them, and areas without hair, especially on the head. Birth defects that seem connected to reincarnation are usually very rare types.

Reincarnation is a debated idea, but it seems interesting in cases where birthmarks match the location and look of fatal wounds or scars on people who have died. Some people also remember details about the lives of these deceased individuals, which adds to the belief in reincarnation. Additionally, they may show behaviors, emotions, and personality traits similar to those who have died, making the idea feel even more real.

The main researcher on this topic was Ian Stevenson from the University of Virginia. He spent the latter part of his career studying what he called “cases of the reincarnation type.”

In 1997, he published a large two-volume work called Reincarnation and Biology, focusing on physical differences in these cases. This study included reports of 225 cases from places like Asia, Africa, North America, and Europe. Most of the birthmarks and defects matched fatal injuries, but some were related to other scars, like earring holes or tattoos. A few were linked to marks made after death, which is a common practice in South Asia.

Ian Stevenson outlines his views on evidence for life after death in this video from 2004, emphasizing that his findings go beyond the accounts of children who claim to remember past lives.

Stevenson identifies six significant sources of evidence for life after death:

• Apparitions: He refers to these as “hallucinations of the mentally well.” These are experiences where individuals claim to see or sense the presence of someone who has died. Stevenson considers these phenomena important in the discussion of life after death.
• Near-Death Experiences (NDEs): He mentions experiences of individuals who come close to death but survive. These experiences have gained significant public interest, as many report profound and transformative insights during such moments.
• Statements from the Dying: Stevenson points out that those who are nearing death often make comments or express thoughts that deserve attention. These statements may reflect insights or awareness beyond the ordinary understanding of life.
• Possession Experiences: He describes instances where a person’s personality seems to disappear, replaced by the characteristics of another individual. This phenomenon raises questions about the nature of identity and consciousness.
• Mediumship: Stevenson discusses people who claim to communicate with the deceased. He refers to these deceased individuals as “discarnate personalities.” He believes that some mediums can relay credible messages from those who have died, suggesting a form of continued existence after death.
• Vivid Dreams: Finally, he intends to share accounts of significant dreams experienced by a colleague, which he believes provide additional evidence supporting the idea of life after death.

Ian Stevenson wrote a synopsis, Where Reincarnation and Biology Intersect, that contained color photographs of some of the marks and defects along with far fewer pages than the two-volume set (Stevenson, 1997b). Cases with such lesions continued to be found, and several of us, led by Ian, later published a paper of additional birthmark/birth defect cases that included two American cases (Pasricha et al., 2005). (Source)

He was interested in how certain children acted. He wrote a paper about fears, called phobias, that many of these children had, often connected to how they said they died in a past life. In his study of 387 cases, he found that 36% of the children showed these fears. These fears often appeared when the kids were very young, sometimes even before they talked about their past lives.

For example, he mentioned a baby girl in Sri Lanka who was so scared of baths that three adults had to hold her down to give her one. By six months old, she was also afraid of buses. Later, she talked about the life of another girl who had died after stepping back to avoid a bus and falling into floodwater. Ian observed that the fears often lessened as the children stopped discussing their past lives, but this didn’t always happen.

Stevenson wrote about children’s play in a study he did. He found that in 278 cases, nearly a quarter of the children played in ways that connected to lives they described, even though these lives were different from their families and had no role models. For example, one boy played as a biscuit shopkeeper so much that he fell behind in school, while a girl in India enjoyed sweeping and even cleaned up after her younger brothers, surprising her Brahmin parents.

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Ian also looked at Burmese children who said they lived as Japanese soldiers during World War II. Many of these kids showed behaviors that were unusual in Burma but typical of Japanese soldiers, like wanting to wear Japanese clothes instead of traditional Burmese attire and preferring raw fish over spicy Burmese food. Some also displayed traits like being hardworking and, like the soldiers, being cruel.

Ian believed this research was very important because it suggested there might be a third factor in how personalities develop. He pointed out that not all unusual behaviors can be explained by genetics or the environment alone; he thought some personality traits of the deceased people might have influenced the children in ways that couldn’t be easily explained.

Question: If reincarnation were widely accepted, how would it change the world?

Ian Stevenson answered: It would lessen guilt on the part of parents. They wouldn’t have as much of a burden that, whatever goes wrong with a child is all their fault, either through genes or mishandling during the child’s infancy. People themselves would have to take more responsibility for their own destinies. . . . I don’t expect any great moral transformation. On my first trip to India I met a respected Indian monk, a swami. I told him I had come out to see what evidence there was in India for reincarnation. He remained silent for a long, long time. Then he said, ”We here in India regard it as a fact that people are reborn, but, you see, it doesn’t make a difference because we have just as many rogues and villains in India as you have in the West.” (Source)

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{ https://howandwhys.com/ }

05-11-2025 om 23:30 geschreven door peter  

Archaeologists believe they have found the site where Jesus cast demons into a herd of pigs near the Sea of Galilee. 

Dr Scott Stripling, director of excavations for the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR), told Digging for the Truth that a mix of textual clues, geography and submerged ruins led him to the town of Kursi in Israel.

According to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus arrived by boat across the Sea of Galilee from west to east, where he encountered a man possessed by a 'Legion' of demons. 

The spirits begged to be sent into a herd of pigs, which then charged down a steep slope into the sea and drowned, matching the geographical clues near the newly uncovered site.

'All three gospels say there was a cliff nearby,' Stripling said. 'All three say there were tombs nearby. 

'And they tell us that Jesus was coming in on a boat from the west side to the east side.'

The breakthrough came from a Roman-era harbor, partially submerged beneath the lake. 

Guided by a massive ancient fish tank, used centuries ago to keep freshly caught fish alive, Stripling and his team located the harbor where Jesus may have landed before performing the exorcism. 

Dr Scott Stripling, director of excavations for the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR), told Digging for the Truth that a mix of textual clues, geography, and submerged ruins led him to the town of Kursi

Stripling used information from a 1985 excavation that documented dozens of ancient harbors along the Sea of Galilee, including Kursi, which featured massive stone jetties and a large adjacent fish tank.

The harbor vanished again as water levels rose, forgotten by most.

Stripling used information from a 1985 excavation that documented dozens of ancient harbors along the Sea of Galilee, including Kursi, which featured massive stone jetties and a large adjacent fish tank.

Armed with the old excavation reports and photographs, Stripling returned in 2023 with a film crew. 

Navigating by GPS and landmarks, including the mouth of Wadi Semak and the unmistakable fish tank, they donned scuba gear and dove into crystal-clear water. 

The underwater exploration revealed massive stone jetties and carefully arranged blocks forming a classic harbor.

'We felt the stones before we saw them,' Stripling said. 'Massive, dressed blocks forming twin piers, classic harbor construction.' 

Confirming the harbor’s location was key to understanding where the biblical event could have taken place.

According to the Bible, Jesus cast a demons from a man into a heard of 2,000 pigs that threw themselves into the Sea of Galilee and drowned 

The journey described in scripture, Jesus leaving Capernaum and crossing to the east side of the lake, corresponds geographically to Kursi. 

Nearby tombs dot a hillside where the pigs grazed, and a steep cliff less than 164 feet from the water would have allowed the herd to rush into the Sea of Galilee, recreating the dramatic scene recorded in the Gospels.

'From the harbor, every biblical detail aligns within a 656-foot radius,' Stripling said. 

Crowning the hill above Kursi, a Byzantine chapel known as the 'Chapel of the Miracle' preserves a mosaic floor that some scholars interpret as depicting pigs.

Pilgrims have venerated the site for over 1,500 years. 'This isn't just tradition,' Stripling noted. 

Read More

EXCLUSIVE

•  Mysterious 'Jesus boat' found in Sea of Galilee linked to walking on water miracle 

'The Byzantines built where memory and geography intersected. They likely followed Origen's research.'

Kursi sits in the Decapolis, a league of ten Greco-Roman cities. The pigs were likely raised under contract for Roman troops; the 10th Legion, stationed nearby, used the boar as its emblem. 

'When the demons say 'Legion,' it's no coincidence,' Stripling said. 'This was a Gentile man, possibly a failed recruit or laborer, tormented by forces mirroring Roman oppression. The pigs weren't just livestock, they were military supply.'

'After the miracle, the healed man begs to follow Jesus but is sent home to proclaim what God had done. 

'A year later, when Jesus returns (Mark 6), a multitude greets him, suggesting the man's testimony sparked a revival.'

'His obedience changed a region,' Stripling reflected, standing in the ancient harbor. 'We're not just finding stones. We're standing where despair met deliverance.'

 While no inscription proclaims 'Jesus was here,' the convergence of harbor, cliff, tombs, and early Christian commemoration forms what Stripling calls a 'criterial screen' that no other site passes. 

While no inscription proclaims 'Jesus was here,' the convergence of harbor, cliff, tombs, and early Christian commemoration forms what Stripling calls a 'criterial screen' that no other site passes. 

For now, the harbor remains underwater, visible only when lake levels drop or to divers with permits. But its rediscovery anchors a floating miracle to solid ground and submerged stone.

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04-11-2025 om 16:11 geschreven door peter  

Veelvoorkomende mythes ontkracht: 30 fabels uitgelegd

©Getty Images

Veelvoorkomende mythes ontkracht: 30 fabels uitgelegd
Overal bestaan er misvattingen en ons worden vaak dingen verteld die niet waar zijn. Heb je ooit iets gehoord of gelezen en later beseft dat het gewoon een mythe is en dat er weinig tot niets van klopt? Van vleermuizen die blind zijn tot het dikker terugkomen van haren na het scheren en alles daartussenin: in deze galerij onderzoeken we 30 veelvoorkomende mythes en de waarheid die erachter schuilt.

In welke mythes ben jij blijven geloven? Klik verder voor meer informatie.

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Mythe: de Chinese Muur is het enige door de mens gemaakte bouwwerk dat vanuit de ruimte te zien is
Waarheid: volgens NASA en Yang Liwei, een Chinese astronaut, is het bouwwerk helemaal niet zichtbaar vanuit de ruimte.

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Mythe: als je een babyvogeltje aanraakt, zal zijn moeder hem in de steek laten vanwege de geur
Waarheid: volgens het Amerikaanse tijdschrift Scientific American klopt deze bewering niet. Er wordt ook gezegd dat wilde dieren zich over het algemeen snel hechten aan hun jongen en ze dus niet snel in de steek laten.

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Mythe: je moet 24 uur wachten voordat je iemand als vermist op kunt geven
Waarheid: er is geen wachttijd voor het opgeven van een vermist persoon. Alle meldingen, ongeacht de timing, dienen prioriteit te krijgen en serieus te worden genomen.

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Mythe: als je je knokkels kraakt, worden ze groter en krijg je artritis
Waarheid: volgens de Harvard Medical School wordt de kans op het krijgen van artritis door het kraken van je knokkels niet groter; het krakende geluid wordt simpelweg veroorzaakt door opkomende gasbellen.

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Mythe: een goudvis heeft een geheugen van maar een paar seconden
Waarheid: deze mythe klopt absoluut niet en uit onderzoek is gebleken dat goudvissen een geheugen van wel vijf maanden kunnen hebben!

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Mythe: je kunt je lichaam 'ontgiften' van gifstoffen en parasieten door bepaalde theesoorten te drinken
Waarheid: thee is niet het middel dat je lichaam zal ontgiften of van gifstoffen zal ontdoen. Volgens Vox is dit waarschijnlijk niet nodig, tenzij je een drugsverslaafde bent of het risico loopt op alcoholvergiftiging.

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Mythe: vleermuizen zijn blind
Waarheid: vleermuizen kunnen juist wel zien! Volgens de voormalige directeur van de Organization for Bat Conservation, Rob Mies, kunnen vleermuizen drie keer beter zien dan mensen.

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Mythe: van kikkers en padden krijg je wratten
Waarheid: volgens National Geographic komt dit gerucht waarschijnlijk voort uit het feit dat padden zelf wratachtige bultjes op hun huid hebben. Dit zijn echter slechts klieren en deze dieren scheiden niets af dat wratten kan veroorzaken. Wratten worden louter veroorzaakt door menselijke virussen.

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Mythe: Einstein was een slechte leerling die niet slaagde voor wiskunde
Waarheid: dit wijdverbreide gerucht werd in 1935 door Einstein zelf ontkend toen hij een rabbijn in Princeton vertelde dat hij de differentiaal- en integraalrekening onder de knie had voordat hij 15 jaar oud was.

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Mythe: mensen die in de middeleeuwen leefden, geloofden dat de wereld plat was
Waarheid: historicus Jeffrey Burton Russell heeft gezegd dat, op een enkele uitzondering na, geen enkel ontwikkeld westers persoon die in de derde eeuw v.Chr. of later leefde, geloofde dat de aarde plat was.

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Mythe: stieren worden boos wanneer ze de kleur rood zien
Waarheid: stieren en andere runderen zijn eigenlijk kleurenblind. Volgens WordsSideKick.com raakt een stier waarschijnlijk geïrriteerd door de beweging van het doek waar de matador mee wappert.

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Mythe: van tryptofaan in kalkoen word je slaperig
Waarheid: slaperigheid tijdens de feestdagen is waarschijnlijk te wijten aan de hoeveelheid voedsel die we eten en niet aan het tryptofaan in kalkoen. Denk er eens over na: in kip zit meer tryptofaan dan in kalkoen en we voelen ons niet uitzonderlijk slaperig nadat we dat hebben gegeten.

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Mythe: Napoleon was erg klein
Waarheid: Napoleon had voor zijn tijd waarschijnlijk een gemiddelde lengte. Historici veronderstellen dat deze mythe in het bijzonder is voortgekomen uit karikaturen van de generaal die de Britse cartoonist James Gillray begin 19e eeuw tekende.

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Mythe: als je met nat haar naar buiten gaat, word je ziek
Waarheid: Volgens de Mayo Clinic, een medische kliniek in de VS, wordt verkoudheid veroorzaakt door virussen. Dit betekent dat je niet verkouden kunt worden door simpelweg met nat haar naar buiten te gaan. Virussen worden overgedragen via lichaamsvloeistoffen, niet via nat haar.

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Mythe: door je haar te knippen of te scheren, groeit het dikker terug
Waarheid: het scheren van haren zorgt er niet voor dat ze van kleur veranderen en ook niet dat ze sneller groeien of dikker worden, aldus de Mayo Clinic. Het enige wat er gebeurt wanneer je je scheert, is dat je haren stompe puntjes krijgen en bij sommigen kunnen ze ruwer aanvoelen naarmate ze teruggroeien.

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Mythe: als je een hoger belastingpercentage moet betalen, wordt dat op je gehele inkomen toegepast
Waarheid: mensen maken zich vaak zorgen wanneer ze meer geld verdienen, omdat ze hierdoor in een hogere belastingschijf terechtkomen. Het is echter belangrijk om te weten dat alleen het bedrag dat je extra begint te verdienen tegen een hoger tarief wordt belast, niet je hele inkomen.

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Mythe: bedrijven kunnen op grond van de wet niet zeggen dat je bent ontslagen of waarom je bent ontslagen
Waarheid: Werkgevers hebben het recht om details te delen over iemands werkprestaties, verantwoordelijkheden en professioneel gedrag, al dient de gedeelde informatie wel minimaal te zijn.

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Mythe: in het donker rijden met binnenverlichting aan is illegaal
Waarheid: in principe is het niet strafbaar om de reguliere verlichting in een voertuig aan te hebben als je rijdt. Wel krijg je een boete voor iedere vorm van verblinde verlichting.

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Mythe: We gebruiken slechts 10% van onze hersenen
Waarheid: neuroloog Barry Gordon zei tegen Scientific American dat mensen vrijwel alle delen van hun hersenen gebruiken en dat die vrijwel altijd actief zijn.

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Mythe: bliksem slaat niet tweemaal op dezelfde plek in
Waarheid: in 2003 ontkrachtte NASA deze fabel en zei dat van alle bliksem die ergens inslaat, ongeveer een derde op dezelfde plek inslaat.

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Mythe: mononatriumglutamaat is giftig
Waarheid: veel bewerkte voedingsmiddelen bevatten MSG, maar dit is niet giftig. Het wordt vaak aangetroffen in voedsel dat als 'slecht' voor je wordt beschouwd omdat het veel vet en natrium bevat, maar MSG is op zichzelf niet echt slecht voor je.

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Mythe: vliegen leven slechts 24 uur
Waarheid: de levenscyclus van vliegen kan enorm variëren. Vliegen kunnen een paar dagen tot een paar jaar leven, afhankelijk van de soort en de omstandigheden. Zelfs de gewone huisvlieg kan wel een maand leven.

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Mythe: het is slecht om een ​​slaapwandelaar wakker te maken
Waarheid: maak gerust een slaapwandelaar wakker! Wanneer je dat niet doet is de kans namelijk groter dat ze letsel oplopen.

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Mythe: als je vanaf een hoge plek een cent op iemand laat vallen, kan dat dodelijk zijn
Waarheid: een cent is eigenlijk te klein en te plat om voldoende momentum te krijgen en om een dodelijke impact te hebben, zegt Scientific American. Als je door een vallende munt wordt getroffen, veroorzaakt dit waarschijnlijk slechts wat ongemak, niets ernstigs dus.

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Mythe: George Washington had houten tanden
Waarheid: George Washington had volgens historici van de Washington Library problemen met zijn gebit. Zijn kunstgebit bestond echter uit ivoor, goud, lood en zelfs tanden van andere mensen, niet uit hout.

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Mythe: je moet precies acht glazen water per dag drinken
Waarheid: dit is niet per se noodzakelijk en volgens de Mayo Clinic hangt de hoeveelheid water die iemand iedere dag nodig heeft af van verschillende factoren, zoals de algehele gezondheid, mate van activiteit en woonplek.

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Mythe: je krijgt kramp als je direct na het eten gaat zwemmen
Waarheid: ondanks dat je ouders je dit misschien hebben verteld toen je opgroeide, klopt dit niet. Hoewel het lichaam extra bloed nodig heeft om voedsel te verteren, zorgt dit er niet voor dat de spieren in je armen en benen niet meer goed werken.

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Mythe: door het drinken van alcohol stijgt je lichaamstemperatuur
Waarheid: hoewel je misschien het gevoel hebt dat je het warmer hebt of zelfs denkt dat anderen het warm van jou krijgen, daalt door het drinken van alcohol de lichaamstemperatuur juist, blijkt uit een onderzoek dat werd gepubliceerd in het wetenschappelijke tijdschrift Alcohol.

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Mythe: suiker zorgt ervoor dat kinderen hyperactief worden
Waarheid: hoewel veel ouders hun kinderen geen suiker geven uit angst dat ze daardoor hyperactief worden, is dit slechts een fabeltje. Uit een onderzoek in het Journal of the American Medical Association is gebleken dat suiker het gedrag van kinderen niet beïnvloedt.

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Mythe: door zout aan water toe te voegen, gaat het sneller koken
Waarheid: hoewel de temperatuur van zout water sneller zal stijgen dan dat van zuiver water, is het kookpunt van zout water, vanwege de extra massa, ook hoger, aldus universiteitsleraar Lesley-Ann Gildings en WordsSideKick.com. Kortom, zout water gaat niet sneller koken.

Bronnen: (BuzzFeed)

• (Siliconrepublic)
• (Best Life)

{ starsinsider.com }

23-10-2025 om 23:06 geschreven door peter  

Mysterious ravaged city ruins linked to the Bible's Sodom and Gomorrah discovered

• READ MORE: Discovery of ancient Jesus artifact confirms famous six-word Bible verse

By STACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

Archaeologists excavating near Jordan's southeastern Dead Sea have uncovered evidence that may link the biblical 'sin cities' to real historical sites.

The discoveries include Sodom at Bab edh-Dhra and Gomorrah at Numera, both showing Early Bronze Age occupation, fire-ravaged ruins and permanent abandonment. 

Admah and Zeboim, associated with Fifa and Khanazir, also had signs of occupation and destruction, though further excavation is needed to confirm their identities. 

Zoar, near modern Safi, stood out for its continuous habitation from the Bronze Age through the Byzantine period, with excavations uncovering churches, tombstones, Nabataean remains and a cave tied to an ancient prophet said to have pleaded for God to spare the city for his refuge. 

Dr Titus Kennedy, a field archaeologist, shared on the Digging for Truth podcast that the findings at Zoar help anchor the biblical narrative and contextualize the destruction of the other cities. 

All five sites follow a north-south alignment along hilltops near ancient streams, reinforcing the biblical account. 

'You've got five cities that potentially all look the same and the same types of things happened there in the right geographical area,' Kennedy emphasized.

The discoveries include Sodom at Bab edh-Dhra, which is one of the famous wicked cities of the Bible

According to the Old Testament, these cities were destroyed by fire and brimstone as divine punishment for extreme wickedness, including cruelty, corruption and moral decay

And I think that is very compelling for identifying this with the five cities of the plain.'

According to the Old Testament, these cities were destroyed by fire and brimstone as divine punishment for extreme wickedness, including cruelty, corruption and moral decay. 

Genesis describes Sodom and Gomorrah as places where 'the outcry against them was so great and their sin so grievous' that God decided to obliterate them. 

A prophet, named Lot, and his family were spared because of their righteousness, with Zoar serving as their refuge. 

The story has long been interpreted as a warning against immorality and defiance of divine law, giving the archaeological discoveries a powerful narrative context.

Bab edh-Dhra, the strong candidate for Sodom, contained cemeteries showing charnel houses burned from above, consistent with Genesis 19's description of fire from heaven. 

'When they were excavating in the cemetery, they found that the charnel houses had been burned on the inside,' Kennedy said. 

'Initially, they thought this might have been done to cleanse the grave so it could be reused. 

Gomorrah is believed to be at Numera, as excavations found it had Early Bronze Age occupation, fire-ravaged ruins and permanent abandonment. The same was determined at Bab edh-Dhra

'But as they continued excavating, they uncovered one particularly well-preserved example, including the roof. 

'Upon further examination, they discovered that the fire had actually started on the top of the roof, burned through it into the chamber and then spread throughout. 

'This suggests that the destruction came from above, rather than being intentionally set inside the graves.'

Skeletal remains found at Numera, a proposed site for Gomorrah, were unearthed from under a collapsed tower, indicating a sudden catastrophe. 

'We don't find a lot of intact human skeletons just lying around archaeological sites,' Kennedy explained, noting that it is because ancient humans of this time typically placed the dead inside sealed tombs. 

Both cities align geographically with Zoar and follow a north-south line of hilltop settlements near wadis, supporting the biblical narrative of the cities of the plain.

Despite some radiocarbon dates suggesting earlier destruction, pottery and other archaeological material fit the biblical timeline, reinforcing Bab edh-Dhra and Numera as plausible historical counterparts to Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Limited cemetery excavations at Fifa and Khanazir suggested destruction patterns similar to those at Bab edh-Dhra and Numera, aligning with the biblical account of Admah and Zeboim's fiery end in Genesis 19. 

Kennedy emphasized: “They need to be excavated thoroughly officially to give us some more detailed and correct information,” underscoring the need for future research to confirm their identities. 

Skeletal remains found at Numera, a proposed site for Gomorrah, were unearthed from under a collapsed tower, indicating a sudden catastrophe

Like Sodom and Gomorrah, these cities were likely abandoned after their destruction, fitting the biblical narrative of divine judgment on the cities of the plain. 

Zoar, confidently identified near modern Safi, stands out as the only city spared destruction, serving as Lot's refuge in Genesis 19. 

Read More

• Biblical sea turns blood red sparking apocalyptic fears God's plagues have returned 

Excavations over the past 30 years have uncovered two large Byzantine churches, a Roman fort, Nabataean habitation and Bronze Age pottery, confirming continuous occupation from Abraham's time through the Byzantine period. 

'So far, there are two large churches that have been partially excavated. It's certainly a significant Christian city at that period,' Kennedy noted.

A key discovery was Lot's Cave, located in nearby mountains, which Kennedy described as 'pretty astonishing' due to its Early and Middle Bronze Age pottery and a Byzantine church with inscriptions linking it to Lot. 

'They found pottery from the early Bronze Age and the beginning of the Middle Bronze Age, and then it ceased to be used for millennia. And so, it fits the correct time as a cave in use during the life of Lot,' he said.

Ancient sources, including the 6th-century Madaba Map and 1st-century historian Josephus, who noted that 'the Dead Sea extended as far as Zor of Arabia,' corroborate Zoar's location. 

A tombstone for a bishop named Opsis, dated to 369 AD, and referenced by pilgrims like Egeria, further affirms Zoar's enduring significance. 

'This is one reason why Zoir is very important … because we know where Zor is still. It's definitely established because it was never lost to history,' Kennedy said, highlighting Zoar's role in anchoring the locations of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim.

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18-10-2025 om 14:59 geschreven door peter  

US Congressmen Claim Bible Has ‘Pretty Clear’ Evidence of UFOs: Vatican Knows Aliens Are Here

The Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) is not what many think it is. The reality of UAPs goes beyond mere flying machines and space aliens; it is turning into a rabbit hole. Every year, UFO enthusiasts and whistleblowers put more effort into unveiling the secrecy. However, instead of revealing the truth, a new branch of mystery unfolds, adding another chapter to the UFO enigma.

Missouri Republican Eric Burlison attended a classified UAP briefing this month but mentioned that it did not change his beliefs. He said, “There’s nothing that’s been said that’s changed my worldview.” He also added that he believes the claims of people who testified in public but thinks there might be more to the story.

Rep. Burlison has said that UFOs might be angels sent by God. Burlison, who heard secret information about UFOs, shared this idea on “That UFO Podcast.” He said, “They may not fit exactly the Biblical narrative, but whenever I use the term ‘angels,’ to me, it’s synonymous with an extradimensional being.”

In a podcast, Burlison shared his thoughts on UFOs, offering a detailed perspective on various theories surrounding these unidentified phenomena. Burlison discussed a theory he read in a public report by UFO whistleblower David Grusch who alleged that the government secretly recovered alien spacecraft and even dead “pilots” inside them. According to Grusch’s report, one theory suggests that what we are encountering might be beings that exist in higher dimensions, beyond our normal understanding of space and time.

Burlison used the analogy of living on a two-dimensional surface and being encountered by a three-dimensional object to explain the idea of encountering something from a higher dimension. In this case, he suggested that we live in a three-dimensional environment and could be encountering something from a higher dimension, where traditional concepts of distance might become irrelevant.

He expressed skepticism about the probability of being visited by an alien race from a distant planet, emphasizing the vast distances involved. Burlison questioned the likelihood of an advanced alien race traveling such long distances only to crash upon arrival on Earth. He leaned towards the idea that these phenomena are more likely to be extradimensional, existing beyond our usual understanding of dimensions.

Burlison explained that various scriptures, including the Bible, describe messengers of God or angels as existing in dimensions beyond our own. While acknowledging the visual evidence and testimony from pilots regarding UFO sightings, Burlison emphasized the most likely explanation, in his opinion:

“I don’t discount the visual recordings or the testimonies from pilots – I believe they are genuinely witnessing something. There is substantial evidence of these unidentified objects, and although we don’t know what they are, I think the most probable explanation might not be what everyone hopes to hear. It could very well be advanced technology under development and research, possibly involving new propulsion technology.

When discussing this topic, I often refer to the discovery of the Higgs boson particle about ten years ago. We identified the Higgs field, which essentially relates to gravity, and the particle is a wave function within that field. Looking back, shortly after the discovery of nuclear vision, scientists developed the nuclear bomb. This illustrates how scientific theories can be transformed into practical functions. I find it hard to believe that we haven’t capitalized on our knowledge of the Higgs field. It seems likely that our private sector industry and the scientific community have been working to find ways to manipulate the Higgs field for various purposes, potentially including advancements in propulsion technology.”

Burlison is not the only one suggesting a link between UFOs and religious texts. Representative Tim Burchett claimed in 2021 that UFOs were in the Bible, referring to the book of Ezekiel.

According to Mystery Wire, Rep. Burchett talked about UFOs being written about in the Bible, pointing specifically to Ezekiel. This reference is for Ezekiel 1:4-28, in which there is a description of seeing “an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, but each of them had four faces and four wings.”

“When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.” [Ezekiel 1:4-28, Ezekiel 10]

While Grusch has publicly discussed theories on UAPs that might originate from the higher-order dimensions theorized by physicists, those concepts do not appear in the unclassified version of his complaint.

The ‘extradimensional or interdimensional‘ hypothesis also does not appear in what has been made public from Grusch’s written statements first submitted for approval to the Pentagon’s Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review (DOPSR).

But Grusch did talk about this theory when he was under oath, answering questions from Rep. Burlison during a public UAP hearing in July 2023.

Rep. Burlison said at the hearing, “It’s a bit hard to believe that an alien species advanced enough to travel billions of light years would come here and somehow not be able to survive.” He then asked Grusch about the “interdimensional potential,” saying, “Could you explain that?”

Grusch said, “No matter how smart you are, accidents happen, like plane crashes and car crashes. A small percentage of missions may fail, as we say in the Air Force.” Talking about multidimensionality, Grusch mentioned the holographic principle. It comes from general relativity and quantum mechanics. He explained it as imagining a 3D object casting a shadow onto a 2D surface.

He said, “You can be projected, sort of projected, from higher dimensional space to lower dimensional space… It’s a scientific idea that you can actually cross dimensions, as far as I understand. But there are probably people with PhDs who could argue about that.”

There has been some speculation about UFOs being connected to religious visits or interdimensional beings since the early 20th century. This idea became more famous with the book “Passport to Magonia: from Folklore to Flying Saucers” by Jacques Vallée in 1969. Vallée later inspired a character in Steven Spielberg’s UFO movie “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” He spent years studying ancient texts for his book.

Vallée states that UFOs and related events of a paranormal nature involve visitations from other “realities” or “dimensions.” The idea proposes that these alternate realities exist separately yet parallel to our own. In 1975’s The Edge of Reality, Vallée and Hynek considered the possibility of what they call “interlocking universes.”

Read also:

• Ex-US Marine Saw Massive UFO Being Loaded With Weapons By Secret Military In Indonesia Jungle
• Aerospace Billionaire Claims UAPs & Consciousness Are Linked; G-LOC Makes Human Soul Enter Another Dimension

Daniel Sheehan, a public interest lawyer and activist who was a former Chief Council for the United States Jesuit order, revealed intriguing details about his conversations with the head of the Vatican archives regarding the Vatican’s knowledge of extraterrestrial life. He shed light on his involvement in a groundbreaking initiative to address the theological and philosophical implications of the discovery of extraterrestrial intelligence. (Click here to read the full article)

He proposed the formation of a task force involving all 54 major religious denominations to address the issue from a theological perspective. However, at that time, there was insufficient consensus, and the proposal was declined. Sheehan is currently working through his New Paradigm Institute to organize a global summit conference involving world religious leaders to discuss the recent recovery of an extraterrestrial spacecraft.

“The United States government is in possession of biological evidence and has actually taken into custody alive an extraterrestrial person. They’re keeping this secret, interrogating the being, and distorting the information to justify massive expenditures on weapon development under the guise of a perceived threat.” – Daniel Sheehan

Sheehan highlighted the Vatican’s acknowledgment of the possibility of extraterrestrial life. He referenced a formal statement issued by the Catholic Church on November 10, 2009, authorized by Pope Benedict. The statement, issued by Father Jose Gabriel Alfuz, a director of the Pontifical Observatory in Rome, recognized the increasing discovery of exoplanets and called for a global discussion on the philosophical and theological implications of the imminent discovery of extraterrestrial life.

Sheehan disclosed that the government was telepathically interrogating the extraterrestrial biological entity (EBO) in custody. Despite acknowledging the bizarre nature of the revelation, Sheehan stood by the credibility of the information, having interviewed individuals directly involved in the process. The EBO allegedly conveyed that a coalition of star systems in our galaxy monitors the evolution of life on different planets, including Earth.

“Pope Benedict had a formal statement issued by the Catholic Church, saying that with the discovery of more exoplanets, it has become clear that we will be discovering life elsewhere in the universe. This prompted the need for a global discussion on the philosophical and theological questions posed by the discovery of extraterrestrial life.” – Daniel Sheehan

Since the translation of the Book of Enoch from the ancient texts discovered in Ethiopia in 1768, it has created a stir in the history of mankind that has been told for years. The Book of Enoch tells the story of the Fallen Angels called the Nephilims or the Anunnaki; it is attributed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah.

It is no wonder why the Book of Enoch was not included in the modern biblical version, since its content speaks of wicked angels who became fond of mortal women and mated with them, giving birth to the hybrid race of giant humanoids known throughout secular and Biblical history as the Nephilims.

The Nephilims then taught humans great technologies that made us greedy and awful until God destroyed them with a great flood in order to prevent further harm to creation. This is a massively oversimplified summary, but given these themes, the Book of Enoch has understandably grown in popularity in recent years.

So, what are UFOs? Jeremy Corbell says, “UFOs appear to be part of a larger phenomenon, meaning UFOs are kind of an auxiliary implication of a much larger reality. So this idea that what we’re seeing are machines from other planets. I’m unconvinced what we may be seeing is an alternate reality. You know, maybe it is something closer to dimensional travel.”

Former CIA officer Jim Semivan says, “Yes, there is a force out there that can control our environment.” The UFO phenomenon can be shocking, especially to children.

“You know for humanity. Are we alone or, you know, what happens when we die? Well, I don’t know about that, but are we alone? Well, the answer is we’re not alone. And I know that with 100% certainty, which as an Intel officer, you never say 100%, but all things pointed towards, based on the people I talked to… The phenomenon is real. It’s been going on for thousands of years. People have been seeing strange things, and not everybody’s mass hallucinating. So that’s kind of my long diatribe about what’s happening.”– David Grusch

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16-10-2025 om 23:16 geschreven door peter  

This Declassified CIA Book Reveals That Earth Undergoes Cataclysmic Events Approximately Every 6,500 Years, Leading to the Destruction and Rebirth of Civilizations

This declassified CIA document, “The Adam & Eve Story” by Dr. Chan Thomas, reveals that Earth undergoes cataclysmic events approximately every 6,500 years, leading to the destruction and rebirth of civilizations. He suggested that these cataclysms are natural, recurring events that reshape the planet’s surface and human history.

In 1966, Dr. Chan Thomas published a book called The Adam and Eve Story, but it soon disappeared from public access after the CIA classified it. The book talks about big disasters like pole shifts, mass extinctions, and the repeated destruction of advanced civilizations. It stayed mostly hidden until some parts were released years later.

Now, only 57 pages are available, but they are heavily edited, leaving many questions about what the book really says. People are curious about why this book might be considered dangerous and why the CIA wanted to keep it secret.

Bookshelves

Dr. Chan Thomas was an American electrical engineer and psychic who authored a hypothesis of global cataclysms involving radical shifts in Earth’s electromagnetic fields that increase the viscosity of the crust, causing rapid continental drift.

This is most notably described in his book “The Adam and Eve Story.” During the 1950s, Dr. Thomas was a project engineer on Bell Aircraft’s RASCAL missile guidance system and Douglas Aircraft’s A4D Skyhawk program, and was later employed in the late 1960s by McDonnell Douglas to work with Robert Wood’s “Advanced Concepts” R&D team, which worked on UFO and other fringe science related projects.

The idea of pole shifts has interested scientists and caused discussions for many years. Charles Hapgood was one of the first to suggest this concept in the mid-1900s. He believed that the Earth’s outer layer could move over the inner layers, making the poles change position.

Hapgood’s theory of “Earth’s crustal displacement” said that these shifts could happen fairly quickly, resulting in major changes in the Earth’s geography and climate. At first, many scientists rejected Hapgood’s ideas, but he gained respect when Albert Einstein showed interest in his work. Even though Hapgood’s theory didn’t become widely accepted, it opened the door for more research on how the Earth’s magnetic poles might change.

Today, we know that the magnetic poles do indeed shift, though typically at a slow rate. However, the possibility of rapid, catastrophic shifts remains a subject of ongoing research.

Dr. Chan Thomas, in his book The Adam and Eve Story, made a scary prediction about sudden pole shifts. He believed these shifts could happen quickly, even in one day, and cause major disasters. He said that these quick changes could lead to huge earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, resulting in widespread damage. While most scientists are doubtful about such rapid shifts, the idea still captures the interest of researchers and the public

Throughout Earth’s history, mass extinctions have wiped out many species, changing the course of life on our planet. Some scientists think these extinctions might be connected to pole shifts or other major geological events.

One example often mentioned is the Younger Dryas, a time of sudden cooling about 12,800 years ago. This period saw a big drop in global temperatures, which some believe was caused by a comet impact or a significant pole shift.

These disastrous events have also led to theories about ancient advanced civilizations that may have been destroyed by sudden catastrophes. Supporters of these theories argue that evidence of these lost civilizations can be found in myths and unexplained archaeological sites.

However, mainstream archaeologists are careful and stress the need for more solid evidence before changing our understanding of history.

Flood myths are stories about big floods that are found in many ancient cultures. These tales, which describe floods that destroyed entire civilizations, appear in religious texts, oral traditions, and ancient writings worldwide.

For example, Noah’s Ark in the Bible and the Epic of Gilgamesh from Mesopotamia share many similarities, even though they come from different places and times.

When we compare these myths to known geological events, like the Younger Dryas (a time about 12,800 years ago when the climate changed quickly), we see some interesting connections. The Younger Dryas involved sudden cooling and melting ice, which caused sea levels to rise significantly.

Some researchers think that these big changes in the environment might have inspired the flood stories in various cultures. They believe that ancient people, seeing the destruction from rising waters, passed down these stories to warn others about nature’s power.

Dr. Chan Thomas, in his book The Adam and Eve Story, goes further by saying these flood myths are not just exaggerated tales but are based on real disasters caused by shifts in the Earth’s poles and other catastrophic events. He argues that these myths are historical records of past disasters that nearly wiped out humanity. According to Thomas, our ancestors created these stories to remember these events and warn future generations about their r

The idea that advanced civilizations existed before written history fascinates both scholars and enthusiasts. Supporters of this theory point to archaeological evidence, like erosion patterns on the Great Sphinx of Giza and submerged cities off the coasts of Japan and India, suggesting these lost cultures were destroyed by disasters like the floods in ancient myths.

However, this idea is controversial and faces skepticism in the academic world. Many archaeologists and historians believe the evidence for these theories is either misinterpreted or not strong enough. The general view is that human civilization began about 6,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, with no credible evidence of advanced societies before then.

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Still, the ongoing debate continues to interest people, and new discoveries sometimes spark discussions. While the concept of ancient advanced civilizations is still on the outskirts of scientific study, it encourages us to rethink what we know about the past and stay open to new evidence.

Dr. Chan Thomas’s predictions in The Adam and Eve Story show a dark future. He warns that a quick shift in the Earth’s poles could happen, causing disastrous events worldwide. He believes this shift could lead to huge earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, possibly wiping out most of humanity in just a few hours. He thinks this disaster could happen soon, maybe even in our lifetime.

Scientists know that the Earth’s magnetic field is always changing, and the poles can move over time. However, most geophysicists think a sudden and disastrous shift like Dr. Thomas describes is very unlikely.

Right now, we understand that the poles may shift slowly or even reverse over thousands of years, but a quick shift causing a global disaster isn’t supported by current evidence.

If Dr. Thomas’s predictions were to come true, the effects on modern society would be terrible. Our essential systems — like power grids, communication, and transportation — would likely fail. This shift could lead to widespread destruction, chaos, and possibly a return to a dark age for survivors.

Dr. Thomas’s work makes us rethink our view of history. If he’s right about pole shifts and recurring disasters, it means that human civilization is much more fragile and has gone through cycles of rise and fall more than we think.

This view challenges the common belief that human progress is steady and uninterrupted. If disasters happen in cycles, it suggests that advanced civilizations have appeared and disappeared several times in Earth’s history, each time erased by a major event.

This idea changes how we see human history, suggesting that our current civilization is just the latest attempt at creating a lasting society.

Given Dr. Thomas’s theories, we should consider what we can learn for the future. If these disasters really do happen in cycles, it would be wise to prepare and build resilience, so that if another disaster occurs, humanity can survive and rebuild more effectively.

In 1966, the CIA classified The Adam and Eve Story soon after it was published. This decision has led to a lot of speculation about why a book about ancient disasters and pole shifts would catch the attention of a government agency.

One theory is that if people took the book seriously, it could cause a lot of panic. The idea of a coming global disaster, along with the government’s secrecy, might lead to unrest in society.

Another possibility is that the book had information related to secret government research. The author, Dr. Chan Thomas, worked on classified projects at McDonnell Douglas, and some think he knew more than what was publicly shared. The CIA might have been worried about revealing technologies or ideas that could threaten national security.

The “sanitization” of the 57 pages that were later declassified adds to the mystery. A lot of the text is blacked out, making people wonder what was removed and why. Some believe that the missing parts could contain more details about disasters or even government secrets. The exact reason for keeping much of the book hidden is still unclear

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12-10-2025 om 21:55 geschreven door peter  

Learn all about the bizarre hollow Earth theory

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Learn all about the bizarre hollow Earth theory
While you may have heard of the Flat Earth Society, and understand what they believe about the Earth's shape, have you ever heard of the hollow Earth theory? While the theory may have been rooted in science originally, it has since diverged to become something closer to science fiction. However, that hasn't stopped people from believing in it!

Want to find out more about the theory that's been around for more than 300 years? Click through the following gallery to learn all about the far-fetched hollow Earth theory.

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What is the theory?
The hollow Earth theory posits that we live on the outer layer of our planet, however the inside is hollow, and may be home to a completely different world.

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What does this earth look like?
The theory has led to many ideas about what this inner Earth would look like, including anything from vague references to luminous atmospheres to a lush tropical paradise with advanced species.

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How did it come to be?
While the hollow Earth theory actually came to be through a scientific hypothesis, the root of the idea has been around for thousands of years.

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Roots in mythology
Before science had anything to do with it, numerous cultures have held the belief that there is a hidden world below our feet.

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Ancient Greeks
The Ancient Greeks believed that caverns in the Earth led to the underworld. They also believed in a place called Tartarus, located even deeper than the underworld. This would've been where Zeus imprisoned the Titans.

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Celtics
In Celtic mythology, a cave called Oweynagat was the gate to the underworld. Supposedly it is where fairies and demons lured mortals to their doom.

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The Mandan people
The Mandan people supposedly lived underground, but found out about the “Earth plain” when they climbed a vine out to the surface. After describing what they had seen, some of their people climbed the vine to the surface until it finally snapped. The legend suggests that many of the Mandan people are still left underground. The Mandan are a Native American tribe of the Great Plains, and have lived primarily in what is now North Dakota.

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Hinduism
"Patala" is the name of the underworld in Hindu mythology. It is supposedly the lowest realm.

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Trobriand Islands
People from the Trobriand Islands, in Papua New Guinea, hold the belief that their ancestors came from a subterranean land by the name of "Obukula."

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Chinese mythology
The supposed realm of the dead in Chinese mythology, Diyu is made up of various subterranean caverns and chambers. The number of levels varies depending on Buddhist and Taoist interpretations.

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Christianity
And, of course, there is the idea of hell within Christianity, which is frequently referred to as a location “below” us, whereas heaven is up above.

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From myth to science
While the hollow Earth theory clearly has a basis within mythology and religion, it became its own scientific idea in the late 1600s.

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Edmond Halley
In 1692, astronomer Edmond Halley (of Halley’s Comet fame) was a proponent of the idea of a hollow Earth from a more scientific perspective, suggesting that the Earth had inner shells, a core, and magnetic poles.

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Magnetic field
The reason for this assumption was the shifting of Earth’s magnetic field. He hypothesized that it was due to the Earth being made up of concentric circles, with a hollow space in the middle.

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And there was life
Not only did he posit that the center of the Earth was hollow, but he also suggested that there was life. He suggested that living things could exist between the concentric circles, and that there must be light between them.

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Comparing them to apartments
In support of this statement, Halley said: “We ourselves, in Cities where we are pressed for room, commonly build many Stories, one over the other, and thereby accommodate a much greater multitude of Inhabitants.”

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Almost there
While you may be looking at this theory as ridiculous, Halley was actually quite close to reality. The Earth is made up of layers, and we are on the outermost one (the crust). There is even some basis for the shifting of magnetic fields!

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John Cleves Symmes Jr.
Similarly to Halley, John Cleves Symmes Jr. also believed in a multi-layer world with a hollow core. The differentiation? We could enter this world through holes (pictured) at the North and South Pole. He even attempted to go to the North Pole himself.

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On tour
Symmes wanted everyone to know about this theory, so he toured the US in the early 1800s. He ended up influencing numerous people, including…

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Jeremiah Reynolds
While Symmes never managed to create an expedition, Jeremiah Reynolds did. A newspaper editor, Reynolds was convinced by Symmes' theory and organized an expedition to Antarctica. Unfortunately, the ships never made it to their destination.

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Concave hollow Earth
There was also a theory, put forth by physician and alchemist Cyrus Teed, that we actually lived in the center of the hollow Earth. He created a cult called Koreshan Unity in the late 1800s based on the idea.

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Disproving the theory
In 1774, the idea of a hollow Earth was categorically disproven by a mathematician named Charles Hutton.

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Schiehallion experiment
The experiment measured the mean density of the Earth, thereby proving that it was too dense to be hollow. Hutton was one of the members involved.

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Earthquakes
Seismic waves also disprove a hollow Earth. The time it takes for seismic waves to move through the Earth is in contradiction to the concept of a completely hollow sphere.

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The move to science fiction
While this theory may sound straight out of a science fiction novel, in reality, the scientific theory came first! However, there have been many pieces of literature based around the idea of a hollow Earth.

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‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’
Jules Vernes’ 1864 novel was one of the first to discuss the idea of inner worlds (though Dante’s ‘Inferno’ did predate it). This novel opened up a new subgenre for science fiction writers.

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‘At the Earth’s Core’
First a book and then a film, Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novel dealt with the hollow Earth realm called Pellucidar.

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‘The Goddess of Atvatabar’
Using Symmes’ interpretation of a hollow Earth, William R. Bradshaw created the world of Atvatabar. Entering through a Symmes hole (the entrance at the North Pole), Atvatabar is shown as an advanced society with many spiritual motifs.

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Hollow Earth theorists today
Despite the theory being disproved, there are still people who believe in the idea of a hollow Earth today. Many use conspiracy theories to justify the lack of evidence, suggesting that much of the information has been covered up.

See also: What are the world's weirdest conspiracy theories?

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11-10-2025 om 16:08 geschreven door peter