Should you believe in supernatural powers? Why can't there be supernatural.
Now many people constantly talk about otherworldly forces and extrasensory perception. On TV, programs are shown that tell about those who have a special gift. However, many people are skeptical of the supernatural and consider such transmissions to be fiction. But is it? Is it true that all kinds of psychics and programs about them are just a "divorce" of naive viewers, or, perhaps, there is still something in this world that cannot be seen by ordinary people human eye?
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Photo Gallery: Should You Believe in Supernatural Powers?
Law of energy conservation
Even the most inveterate skeptics and materialists should remember the law of conservation of energy, which never disappears anywhere. All information that a person accumulates throughout life, all his feelings and emotions - this is energy. As we used to say, the soul. And after death, the human soul, as a clot of energy and information, turns out to be in the energy flow that is around the earth. But, as we all know, the stronger the information was, the stronger the feelings, the stronger this energy. Therefore, it often happens that even after death, a person is felt on this earth. Everything is explained very simply: he is either too attached to someone living now and his feelings are so strong that even after death there is energy, or before death he experienced severe stress and emotions, so the energy also increased significantly in size and became tangible.
Non-materialists believe that human energy does not simply exist, it also has intelligence. That is, the soul is, in essence, a person. And the body is just a shell, like any earthly clothing. Their opinion is confirmed by the appearance of the dead in their dreams, visions and so on. On the other hand, it is difficult to say that such manifestations of the otherworldly essence can one hundred percent confirm the presence of reason in the so-called soul. Perhaps when we see and feel something, our subconscious mind simply draws energy from the worldwide flow of information. But nevertheless, the fact that human energy and energy does not disappear into nowhere, and in special cases may even become visible, is still worth recognizing. In addition, the reality of the appearance of otherworldly entities called souls is confirmed by a huge number of people. Moreover, some of them believe in otherworldly forces, while others are skeptical. Therefore, people describe what they saw in different words, but the meaning always remains the same - the dead come to them, moreover, as relatives and friends, as completely unfamiliar personalities, about whom, even with a strong desire, they could not glean information from the energy shell of the earth.
Mythical scum
There are many stories, myths and legends about various otherworldly beings and substances. Each of us from childhood is familiar with goblin, brownies, mermaids, werewolves, vampires and so on. But are these creatures the product of folk fantasy, or are they really real? Firstly, it is worth thinking about the fact that every nation of the world has its own legends and myths, but if you ignore the different names of creatures and some differences in their descriptions, all stories about the otherworldly describe several dozen similar creatures. For example, in any mythology, there are stories about a creature very similar to our brownie or goblin. In the lakes of all countries and peoples must necessarily live pretty girls, bringing death to those who fall into their eyes. And if such a large number of people from different parts of the world describe such creatures, then perhaps they still exist, because thousands of people cannot fantasize the same way.
In addition, unlike the dead, people see such entities much more often. Almost every one of us during our life has had at least one story associated with some otherworldly creatures. In fact, as psychics say, such entities are also energy. They appear at the moment when there is a strong surge of energy. Let's say there is some kind of mass murder, many people are in pain and fear, and so on. In this case, at the place where the incident happened, a kind of strong energy imprint is formed, which does not disappear for many years and frightens people. Of course, this bundle of energy can be not only bad, but also good. If you constantly imagine a certain entity, such as, for example, your angel, endowing it with the qualities of an assistant and a defender, as a result, you can really have a positive energy substance near you that will protect you and help you achieve what you want.
But if all this is just energy, then why do people see similar creatures? Perhaps the point here is that such entities once had real prototypes... After all, it is not known what happened on our land earlier. There are suggestions that an intelligent race existed here with the remnants of whose representatives our distant ancestors met. Perhaps this race possessed certain technologies that were mistaken for supernatural powers, perhaps it mutated, so our mythological characters look like women with fish tails and men with the body of a horse. Of course, this is just a theory, but it may well have a right to life if you look at the supernatural from a more materialistic point of view. And that is why, the descendants of those first people see supernatural beings in similar images. They simply select the most suitable images from their past and connect them with energetic entities that have always existed on any planet and in any dimension. are simply mixed.
That is why, returning to the question of belief or disbelief in otherworldly forces, we can say one thing: the energy and energy of everything that is on this earth is very powerful. She simply cannot go anywhere and be scattered in the world, since there is such a concept as memory. In the meantime, we remember who we are, our energy simply cannot crumble into a thousand pieces and scatter across the universe. In addition, human memory can energize tremendous power... It is memory that has become the core for the creation of various negative entities. So, to believe or not to believe in the other world is your choice.
Mysterious and not amenable to rational explanation events constantly occur in all corners of the planet. (site)
However, not all of them are known worldwide. Only the most amazing supernatural incidents become the subject of conversation of the inhabitants of all countries. So, everyone knows about the American Area 51, where the military studied an unidentified aircraft shot down by them with an alien corpse on board, or about Egyptian pyramids, near which trees grow several times faster, and the water is purified by itself.
Undoubtedly, in such a large and eventful country like Russia, there were also many paranormal events that struck the imagination of not only Russians themselves, but also all earthlings. Therefore, many of us may ask a logical question: what kind of supernatural phenomena that happened directly to our people are best known abroad?
Tunguska meteorite
This amazing event took place back in the days of the Russian Empire. On the morning of June 30, 1908 in the area Siberian river Podkamennaya Tunguska there was a colossal explosion with a capacity of fifty megatons of TNT equivalent, which is comparable to the power of the largest hydrogen bomb. As a result of the explosion, trees were felled over an area of more than two thousand square kilometers, and glass flew out in houses within a radius of several hundred kilometers from the epicenter.
The event, accompanied by an intense glow of the sky, was recorded by all observatories on the planet. According to the official version, it exploded over Siberia, but for some reason its fragments were not found. Many experts suggest that it was not the meteorite that was to blame, but Russia's testing of a secret weapon, or the experiments of the legendary physicist Nikola Tesla, or the tricks of aliens. To this day, this incident is shrouded in a veil of mystery, and world scientists are still puzzling over it.
Soviet cosmonauts, as pioneers of space research, had a hard time, because due to imperfect equipment, emergency situations arose very often. Space flights were aggravated by the fact that our star-planters suffered from aliens who flew close to them. Many Soviet cosmonauts returning from orbit reported that unidentified flying objects were approaching their ships.
It's no secret that people are always interested in what is unknown. The most and mysterious creatures cause genuine interest, as well as influence the legends and folklore of different countries and peoples.
In this article, we invite you to familiarize yourself with the least known creatures, however, no less scary and frightening. Whether they are mythical is up to you.
There are two alternative versions of the appearance of the wendigo.
- Based on the first, it is believed that the brave warrior sold his soul in order to protect his tribe from the impending threat. After the tribe was saved, he went into the forest, and no one else saw him.
- Another version says that the wendigo began to lose human appearance due to the use of black magic, and was also a cannibal. In any case, this monster eventually appeared.
Many people compare him with, but outwardly he is completely different from. And the behavior of the Wendigo has significant distinctive features.
Growth exceeds the average, but you cannot call it huge. However, he is very thin. From some descriptions, it is clear that sometimes some parts of the body may be missing due to frostbite: toes, the tip of the ear or nose. The body is covered with matted hair, or may be completely bald.
Wendigos love to hunt down their prey. Overtaking a lonely traveler, they begin to scare him by making sounds. When a person begins to look around for the source of the sound, the wendigo attacks.
It will not be possible to escape, because wendigos are very fast and hardy. As a rule, no one succeeds in surviving after meeting this monster.
The only way to kill this monster is to stick an iron or silver blade in the heart.
The folklore of each country is filled with stories of reincarnated people who received new abilities. One of these creatures was the shtriga, or streix.
Being human from birth, they turned into due to the addiction of eating human flesh.
In the Middle Ages, the shtriga belonged to the witches. It is possible that they could be a kind of vampire of Ancient Rome.
Ultimately the strokes are dead mythical creatures, but using the life force of the murdered families, it prolongs its existence.
You can only kill a monster with a hot iron while eating.
Draugi or Draugry
Like the Strigs, they were originally human. But after death they turned into the living dead. 
Draugs live in the cemetery, next to the Viking burials. Approaching any settlement, they sow fear and death, destroying everything in their path.
Surprisingly, draugs are mentioned in some books. For example, The Saga of the People from the Sandy Shore tells about Thorolf.
As a draugr, he killed people, after which the valley was empty. Draugs are also mentioned in The Sand Valley People Saga.
These monsters love to inhabit the tombs of rich people, thus protecting his property from thieves.
Draugi are strong, have pale skin, as well as capable of increasing in size. After killing a person, the monster first drinks his blood, and then begins to eat him.
It is believed that draugs appear in the form of smoke, being released from their graves.
Icelandic legends say that you can kill a draugr only by chopping off his head, then burn and scatter the ashes over sea water.
These mythical creatures prefer to dwell near sea coasts... Freed from their graves, they look for victims among the sailors.
They can take on different guises, making people scared to death. For example, algae grows instead of a head.
Marine legends say that draugs can take the form of rock or seaweed. Before you step on something like that, you need to spit on it.
If the draug hits the ship in the form of a stone, then the ship is doomed to perish along with the entire crew. And sometimes draugs can be the harbingers of death.
Guli
The word "guli" comes from Arabic myths and means demons. They lived in cemeteries, and according to legend they are the descendants of the Iblis.
Iblis are djinn, which have an analogue in Christianity - Satan. The Iblis harassed women, and if they succeeded, then ghouls appeared.
Iblis could wander on the earth, since Allah thus checked people: whether Iblis could sow immorality and vice in their heads.
According to some reports, ghouls are those living in the desert, capable of taking the form of hyenas or other animals.
Luring wanderers deep into the depths, the ghouls ate them. They gave preference to children, but sometimes they did not disdain the dead.
Most often, they take the form of werewolves, but can take the form of any creature they kill, including humans and animals.
In order to update their appearance, they, like snakes, drop old skin.
In appearance, it is impossible to tell whether this is a real person or a shape-shifter.
The only thing that gives them away is the glow of the eyes, which can only be seen in video frames or photographs.
Familiar. Black Dogs
Witches wielding black magical abilities, give birth to peculiar animals - familiars.
These mythical creatures are associated with the owner by demonic bonds or magic.
European sorceresses prefer cats, weasels, toads or owls. Shamans use a totem as a familiar.
Black dogs can also be familiars for black witches.
Vintage english legend talks about the Black Shak, who foreshadowed death with his appearance. In 1577 A. Fleming described his appearance in the book "A Strange and Terrible Miracle".
The dogs appear in bright flashes of light, as they disappear, but the place is chosen exclusively by witchcraft.
Japanese legends also mention black dogs, which were sacrificed to cause rain. In Asia, the blood of black dogs was considered a powerful talisman.
Reaper
To summon this creature, an altar is needed, as well as a number of magical items for the ritual: human blood and a special cross.
After the Reaper appears, he takes the life of the one who summoned him to restore balance.
The reaper is not a demon, it is just a form of death, which was called a psychopomp.
They served as a kind of guide in afterworld... Charon in Greece, Valkyries in Norway, Anubis in Egypt and so on. Some shamans, for example, are themselves psychopomps.
Reapers have power over time and the minds of people. He can change the vision of the world, of the person himself.
The appearance of the Reaper is different for each individual case, but it is generally accepted that he appears in rags or burial clothes.
There is an assumption that Peter Pan was a kind of guide to the afterlife, as the book describes how he accompanied the children on their way after death.
Lycanthropy
In the Middle Ages, this phenomenon was associated with sorcerers who wore magical clothes or a belt.
As they are also called, they covered the body with a potion, put on a special belt and turned into a wolf with tremendous strength and endurance. Later, the myth of the magic belt gradually disappeared.
It is now read that werewolves can turn themselves on a full moon. It is not known to what extent this is fiction, but the Roman writer left one story, which told real events involving a werewolf.
In many folk stories different nations it is believed that werewolves are exiles, vicious people.
In Armenian folklore, there is a mention of women who were possessed by the spirit for their sins. They could turn into wolves and were forced to kill their own children.
In North America, there is a legend about the lu-garu who came from France. After conversion, this creature turned into a monster for 101 nights in a row, and during the day it experienced torment and suffering. Most often, they were driven out by people, which angered the lu-garu, contributing to brutality and murder.
You can kill them with silver: a bullet or a blade. But it is also possible to cure lycanthropy. If you kill the progenitor, the one who turned the werewolf, then all those infected with him will be freed.
V Slavic mythology Volkolak existed. They could become of their own free will. Most often, sorcerers turned into wolves to enhance their abilities.
An evil spirit from old Russian mythology. He was several centimeters tall, his body was covered with black hair, and his head was bald. Anchutka had no heels.
There is an opinion that it is impossible to pronounce his name out loud, otherwise Anchutka will instantly appear in front of you.
The residence is usually a field, bathhouse, or body of water. The main condition is closeness to people, but away from other supernatural beings.
Field anchuts are the most peaceful. Bathhouses and marshes have a perky disposition, they joke evil, putting a person's life in danger.
Swamp girls grab swimmers by the legs and try to drown them, while the bathhouses scare people with strange sounds or appear in scary images.
Anchutki can be invisible. They move fast and are afraid of iron and salt.
Shakes and Navi
Shakes are disease-causing. Most often mentioned in conspiracies.
Introduce themselves as 12 ugly women. They are associated with evil spirits, and when a person is sick, they appear next to him in the guise of the devil.
Navi are the spirits of death. Old Russian creatures that send diseases to both people and cattle. Their involvement in disasters was not ruled out.
At night they roam the dark streets, killing all travelers. The only way to escape from Navya was not to leave the house, protecting it with amulets.
An endless variety of creatures and monsters are found in various myths and religions. Differing in appearance and abilities, they always created problems for people, and most often killed them.
Of course, the existence of each is not proven, so to believe in them or not is solely your choice.
Josh McDowell
World of the occult
Dear reader!
Chapter 1. Occult phenomena
Chapter 2. Astrology
Chapter 3. Demons
Chapter 4. Parapsychology
Chapter 5. Satan and Satanism
Chapter 6. Witchcraft and witchcraft
Conclusion
Dear reader!
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Chapter 1. Occult phenomena
In this book, we will try to describe the affairs of Satan and the occult kingdom from the point of view of what the Bible says about it. In doing so, we would like to paint an objective picture of the state of affairs and avoid sensationalism.
What is "occult"?
The word "occult" comes from the Latin "ossultus" and contains the idea of hidden, secret and mysterious objects. David Hoover, author of Responding to the Challenge of the Occult, lists three essential characteristics occult:
1. The occult deals with secret or hidden objects.
2. The occult presupposes manipulations and events that supposedly depend on human capabilities beyond the five senses.
3. The occult is associated with the supernatural, with the presence of angelic or demonic forces.
Occultism manifests itself in at least the following forms: witchcraft, magic, palmistry, fortune telling, ouija boards, fortune telling, satanism, spiritualism, insanity, the use of crystal balls. Much more can be added to this list.
Clive S. Lewis once remarked: “There are two equal and opposite misconceptions about demons. Some do not believe in them, others believe and take an unnecessary and unhealthy interest in them. ".
Word of warning
We are aware that by informing people about the occult world, we can push some towards subjects and occupations that they did not know anything about before. It is not our desire to arouse interest in the realm of the occult to such an extent that it becomes an obsession. Knowing about the tendency of the human race to evil, one should remember the words of the Apostle Paul: "I wish you to be wise for good and simple for evil" (Rom 16:19).
Flirting with the world of the occult can lead to serious damage - both physical and spiritual. There is a difference between knowing that poison can kill, and taking poison in order to experience what you already know as an immutable fact. We must be warned about the actions of the satanic kingdom, but not in order to have an unhealthy interest, obsession, or infatuation with it.
The supernatural exists
We live in a time when people are looking for answers to basic vital questions: what is the purpose of life? Is there life after death? Is there evidence for a supernatural God?
According to the Bible, a supernatural war is unfolding: "Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the authorities, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spirits of evil in high places" (Eph 6:12).
This continuous spiritual warfare unfolds between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. One of the purposes of the coming to earth of Jesus Christ is indicated to us by the Apostle John: "For this reason the Son of God appeared to destroy the devil's works" (1 John 3: 8).
Although Scripture clearly testifies that the supernatural is real and that there is spiritual warfare, there are people who would like to demythologize stories about the devil, demons and demonic possession. They insist that the Bible's references to the supernatural are explained by a pre-scientific, vestigial worldview. However, if you remove the supernatural from the Bible, then all its meaning will go away with it. John Montgomery, Dean of the Simon Greenleaf School of Law and one of the leading modern theologians, writes:
"One of my theology professors categorically argued that the demonic in the New Testament should be considered symbolic (the symbol of evil, psychoses, painful, etc.). He was extremely annoyed when I asked him if we should in this case and Jesus should be considered as a symbol (good, mental and physical health, etc.): after all, the story of the temptation of Christ in the desert also takes place a dialogue between Jesus and the devil - and then both of them should be considered either as real or as unreal persons This clearly indicates the difficulty of demythologizing the satanic in the New Testament. It is closely intertwined with the question of the reality of Jesus and his entire mission. "
Those who wish to remove so-called myths from Scripture find themselves in the face of an "empty gospel" devoid of transformative power. Our response to these attempts is gospel truth and includes Satan's struggle against them, God's supernatural intervention and His ultimate victory. The world of the occult is real ‚and the almighty Spirit of God is real too!
Occult deception
Recognizing the reality of the supernatural ‚we should not attribute to it all inexplicable phenomena‚ There are many manifestations that dress up in the clothes of the supernatural ‚but in fact are only cheating. Those who commit them trick people into believing in their "supernatural" nature.
In an excellent book entitled The Deceivers, Danny Korem and Paul Meyer show many things that are mistaken for supernatural. The authors explain the difference between the truly supernatural and what is in fact a deception:
"What is the difference between occult and pseudo-occult phenomena? Occult phenomena are phenomena related to the actions of supernatural forces, their consequences and knowledge about them. As many believe, an example of the manifestation of occult forces is demonic possession. But this very manifestation is visible, and the force behind it is No. We can see the consequences of possession, but we cannot see the actions of demons ‚Pseudo-occult phenomena only seem to be caused by mysterious‚ supernatural forces ‚but are actually caused by physical and mental causes.
The purpose of this book is to show the difference between the occult and the pseudo-occult. It is very dangerous to approach them with the same yardstick. One person who was known to have performed a series of exorcisms on several possessed people wanted to try his hand at one teenage girl. He tied her to a chair so that she would not injure herself ‚and began his manipulations. It turned out that the girl was not possessed by a demon, but was ill with schizophrenia and needed the help of an experienced psychiatrist. She ‚naturally‚ was traumatized by what had happened ‚and her condition became worse than before meeting this person."
Needless to say, you need to be experienced enough in this area to consider this or that phenomenon as demonic. While not all Christian authors consider such phenomena to be a deception, like Korem and Meyer, the latter clearly demonstrated the need to be very careful to attribute many inexplicable phenomena to the occult.
Explosion of the occult
Nowadays, occult activity is growing rapidly ‚Martin Ibn, the former administrative secretary of the Parapsychological Foundation and author of the books" The Trap of Satan "and" The Dangers of Occultism ", characterizes the growing interest in occult phenomena as follows:
"Occult practice and parapsychic phenomena have embraced millions of Americans today ... This development is facilitated by two mass stimuli. One of them is the cultivation of drugs: it awakens interest in this area as a" non-narcotic flight "achieved through meditation and similar methods‚ and as well as the ability to enhance the drug-induced sense of the power of consciousness over matter and events.Secondly, a whole series of popular films caused a series of waves of involvement in occult and pseudo-occult practice. the growth of witchcraft: in The Exorcist, demonic possession and exorcism were shown to millions of people, and many other films and TV shows are connected with this theme. "
It is quite obvious that occultism has now penetrated into all strata of our society. Wherever you look, from the media to grocery stores, you come across in one form or another with the literature on the occult and its influence. Everyone can find a weight loss horoscope and a horoscope to improve their sex life.
Bible and occult
"When you enter the land that the Lord gives you, your God, then do not learn to do the abominations that these peoples have done. You should not be with you who guides his son or daughter through the fire‚ a soothsayer ‚a fortuneteller‚ a sorcerer ‚a charm‚ He who summons spirits ‚a magician and inquires of the dead, For everyone who does this is mereok before the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord‚ your God ‚drives them out from your presence. Be blameless before the Lord‚ your God. listen to fortune-tellers and soothsayers: but the Lord gave you something else, your God "(Deut 18: 9-14).
Similarly condemns such cases New Testament(see Gal 5:20). In the city of Ephesus, many who were engaged in occultism believed in Jesus Christ and abandoned occult practice: "And of those engaged in sorcery, quite a few, having collected their books, burned them in front of everyone ..." (Acts 19:19).
Another encounter with the occult is described in Acts 13: 6-12:
"Having passed the whole island to Paphos, they found a certain magician, a false prophet‚ a Jew, in the name of Variisus, who was with the proconsul Sergius Paul, a wise man. This, having called Barnabas and Saul, wished to hear the word of God: and Elymas is a magician, for that means his name ‚- opposed them‚ trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith ‚But Saul‚ who is also Paul ‚being filled with the Holy Spirit and looking at him‚ said: O full of all deceit and all villainy ‚son of the devil‚ enemy of all truth! Will you stop perverting From the direct ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you: you will be blind and you will not see the sun until the time. And suddenly darkness and darkness fell on him, and he, turning here and there, was looking for a counselor, Then the proconsul, seeing what happened I believed, marveling at the teaching of the Lord. "
"The false prophet, who called himself Varisus (the Son of Jesus), actually tried to prevent the ruler Sergius Paul from believing, and the punishment of blindness immediately followed. Walter Martin made several subtle observations on the material of the quoted passage, indicating five characteristics of those who oppose God:
1. They are associated with Satan and have some supernatural powers.
2. They are false prophets.
3. They seek to influence people politically and religiously, especially those in power (verses 6, 7).
4. They seek to turn away those who wish to hear the word of God from their teachers and oppose them (verse 8).
5. They deliberately seek to ward off potential converts ‚and in this they the main objective(verse 8).
Chapter 2. Astrology
The two most burning questions that haunt a person are: "who am I?" and "what will happen to me in the future?" How many people wake up at night longing for their future, wanting to know what will happen tomorrow! Astrology claims to give an answer to these two key questions ‚It offers horoscopes every day, in which the future of each person is predicted. “What is your sign?” Is suddenly heard in a casual conversation. The ancient occult art of astrology has become very popular in our modern culture.
What is Astrology?
Astrology is an ancient teaching that states that the position of the stars and planets has a direct impact on people and events. It is assumed that life path a person can be predicted by determining the position of the stars and planets at the time of his birth. The scheme compiled for this is known as the "horoscope". How the horoscope is compiled ‚explains Rene Noorbergen:
"For each individual horoscope the starting point is the moment of birth. Together with the latitude and longitude of the place of birth, it forms the initial data for the astrological chart. But everything is not so simple: you need to take into account the factor called "true local time". This "true" time is calculated by adding or subtracting 4 minutes for each degree of longitude of your place of birth, counting east or west from the center of the time zone in which the place of birth is located. The next step is to convert this "true" time into "sidereal" or sidereal time. This is done using ephemeris - reference tables showing the position of the planets in relation to the Earth ...
When these data are received - and it is not more difficult to do this than to solve the problem of geometry for the seventh grade - then you have all the data for drawing up your horoscope. It consists in the construction of an "ascending" point-by-point ‚corresponding to the nine-hour intervals of the inner circle of the horoscope‚ with which you will be able to “read” various zodiac “houses” that govern your life and destiny ”
How is this justified?
Michael Van Büsknrk explains how astrologers justify this practice:
"The future of every person can supposedly be predicted, since astrology affirms the unity of all things. This is the doctrine that the Whole (that is, the entire Universe, taken as a whole) is somehow similar. Part (that is, any of its individual component or person), and the part is a small reflection of the whole (macro-microcosmic model). The position of the planets ("macro") affects the person ("micro") and causes him to respond accordingly. This makes the person a "space pawn" whose actions predefined and immutable. "
R. Noorbergen concludes: “If you believe in astrology, then you must accept the point of view according to which you are either“ happily ”or“ unhappily born. ”The stars tell us, not only predict the course of our life, but also cause events Which should happen in it ‚They induce and compel ...".
The incongruities of astrology
Astrologers' claims have been subjected to devastating criticism from the scientific community. In September 1976, 186 prominent American scientists, including eighteen Nobel laureates‚Spoke out against the" pretentious statements of astrological charlatans ", indicating, among other things, that there is no scientific basis for the assumption of the prognostic and determining role of stars in relation to human life... Below are some of the reasons why astrological practice should be rejected as unscientific and unbiblical.
The problem of authority. Astrologers are victims of their own system. They cannot be the authority to explain their own world. If everything is predetermined by the signs of the zodiac, then how can astrologers get away from this fatalism and be objective observers of it?
What if the astrologers themselves are predetermined to explain everything with the help of astrology. They are deprived of the opportunity to explain their system if they themselves are pawns of this system.
Systems that contradict one another. The problem of authority in astrology can be visualized if we take into account that there are many astrological systems that are diametrically opposed to each other. Astrologers of the West would interpret the horoscope differently than the Chinese astrologer.
Even in the West, there is no unity in interpretation among astrologers: let us at least remember that some have eight, not twelve signs of the zodiac, and others fourteen or even twenty-four.
Considering that astrologers use different systems, the same person can go to two astrologers and get completely opposite recommendations on the same day! This is not only a possibility, but a reality: contradictions are often found in astrological predictions in the daily newspapers.
Geocentric position. Astrologers proceed from the assumption that the planets revolve around the Earth, known as the "geocentric theory". The fallacy of this theory was shown by Copernicus, who proved that the planets revolve around the Sun, and not around the Earth ("heliocentric theory").
Since astrology is based on the geocentric theory rejected by science, it cannot be considered reliable. If the initial position is false, then all its consequences are false, even when helplessly reinterpreted on the basis of modern knowledge.
Unknown planets. One of the main inconsistencies in astrology concerns the number of planets in our solar system. Most astrological charts are based on the assumption that there are seven planets (including the Sun and Moon) ‚
In ancient times, they did not know about Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, since they are not visible to the naked eye. Consequently, the astrologers based their system on the basis of the seven planets, which they considered revolving around the Earth. Since then, it has been proven that the center of our planetary system is the Sun, not the Earth, and that there are three more planets in it.
Twins. The birth of twins is a constant source of difficulty for astrologers. If two were born at the same time in the same place, then they must have exactly the same fate. Alas, this is not so, and experience shows that two people who were born at the same moment can live two completely different lives. For one, it can be quite successful, for the other, it can comprehend the collapse ‚The difference in the fate of the twins shows another flaw in astrological theory‚
Geographic limitation. Serious problem astrology is associated with the limitations of its geographic horizon. Astrology originated in countries close to the equator, and it did not take into account those who live in latitudes where certain signs of the zodiac do not appear in the prescribed periods of time.
Michel Gauquelin points out: "Astrology, having arisen in relatively low latitudes, did not suggest the possibility that none of the planets may be visible (in high latitudes) for several weeks in a row."
And since this is so, one of the supporting pillars of astrology is crumbling. As Van Buskirk points out ‚" with scientific point vision, astrology cannot even be based on its own statement that the microcosm is influenced by the macrocosm if one of the microcosms (man), living above the 66th parallel, is not influenced by the macrocosm. "
Lack of scientific verification. Perhaps the most compelling argument against astrological predictions is that they have no scientific significance‚Paul Kuderk‚ astronomer of the Paris Observatory ‚after studying the horoscopes of 2817 musicians came to the following conclusion:
"The position of the Sun has absolutely no meaning for music. Musicians are born randomly throughout the year. No sign of the zodiac or faction favors or harms them. We conclude: the assets of" scientific "astrology are equal to zero‚ as well as commercial ones ‚ Maybe ‚this is sad‚ but it is. "
Wrong starting point. Another essential inconsistency in astrology is that horoscopes are based on the time of birth, not conception. Since all hereditary factors are determined at conception, it would be logical to assume that the planets begin to influence the fate of a person directly from the moment of conception.
Shift of constellations. The unscientific nature of astrology also confirms the phenomenon of precession ‚or shift of the constellations. Kenneth Bowe elaborates on this issue:
"The ancient astronomers did not know about the precession and therefore did not take it into account in their systems. Initially, the twelve signs of the zodiac corresponded to the twelve constellations with the same names. But as a result of the procession over the past 2000 years, the constellations have shifted by about 30 °. This means that the constellation Virgo now is under the sign of Libra, the constellation of Libra under the sign of Scorpio, etc. Therefore, if a person was born on September 1, then astrologers place him under the sign of Virgo (the sign of the Sun for this day), but in reality the Sun is at this time in the constellation Leo ‚ Thus ‚there are two different zodiacs: one moves slowly (sidereal zodiac)‚ the other is stationary (tropical zodiac) ‚From which zodiac should we proceed?" ...
Bible and astrology
The Bible warns against trusting astrologers and astrology:
"You are weary of the multitude of your advice, let the observers of the heavens and astrologers and forerunners on the new moons appear‚ and save you from what should happen to you ‚Here they are like straw" ‚the fire will burn them: they have not delivered their souls from the flame ... no one will not save you "(Is 47: 13-15).
We find another similar admonition in Jeremiah ‚10: 2:" Do not learn the ways of the Gentiles, and do not fear the signs of heaven, which the Gentiles fear. " In another place in the Bible it is said: "And so that you, having looked at the sky, and having seen the sun, the moon and the stars and all the host of heaven, should not be deceived and did not bow down to them and did not serve them" (Deut 4:19).
In the Book of Daniel, astrologers are compared with those who are devoted to the truth and the living God. Its first chapter tells about Daniel and his three friends, who turned out to be ten times taller and wiser than astrologers and scholars (see Dan 1:20), because they served the living and true God, not the stars. When the king had a dream, the wise men and astrologers could not explain it - the answer was only with God, for only He alone can reveal the future (see Dan 2: 27-28).
It is quite clear from the Bible that God severely condemns all types of astrological practice, since it seeks to penetrate into the future by occult means, and not through the Word of God.
Chapter 3. Demons
The Bible teaches about the existence of not only the devil, but also a large number his servants, demons, demons, or evil spirits. Initially, these demons were holy, but together with their leader Satan, they fell away from God. Their end will be eternal condemnation when God condemns Satan and his army at the judgment of the Great White Throne (Rev. 20: 10-15).
Here are some of the characteristics of demons, as indicated in the Bible.
1. Demons are disembodied spirits. "Because our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spirits of wickedness in high places" (Eph 6:12).
2. The demons were originally in harmony with God. "And the angels, who did not preserve their dignity, but who left their dwelling place, are kept in eternal bonds, under darkness, for the judgment of the great day" (Jude 6).
3. Demons are numerous. "For Jesus said to him: come out‚ an unclean spirit ‚from this man‚ And he asked him: what is your name? And he answered: My name is legion, because we are many "(Mark 5: 8-9).
4. Demons are organized. "... He casts out demons only by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons" (Matt 12:24).
5. Demons have supernatural power ‚" These are demonic spirits that do signs: they go out to the kings of the earth of the entire universe to gather them for battle on that great day of God Almighty "(Rev 16:14).
6. Demons know about God. "And behold, they cried out: what do you care about us, Jesus, Son of God, you came here before the time to torment us" (Matt 8:29) ‚
7. Demons are allowed to roam the earth and torment unbelievers. "When the unclean spirit leaves a person, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and does not find then he says: I will return to my house, where I came from. And when he comes, he finds him unoccupied, swept and cleaned, then he goes and takes seven others with him. spirits more wicked than themselves, and having entered, they live there: and for that man the last is worse than the first "(Matt 12: 43-45).
8. Often, demons cause illness and physical defeat, "When they came out, they brought to Him a dumb demon-possessed man, And when the demon was cast out, the dumb one began to speak ..." (Matt 9: 32-33).
9. Demons can possess and control animals. "Jesus immediately allowed them. And the unclean spirits, having gone out, entered the pigs: and the herd rushed from the steepness into the sea, and there were about two thousand of them: and they were drowned in the sea" (Mark 5:13).
10. Demons can possess and control people. "... And some women whom he healed from evil spirits and diseases: Mary, called Magdalene, out of whom came seven demons" (Luke 8: 2).
11. Demons can cause madness. "And when He got out of the boat, a man who came out of the graves immediately met Him, possessed by an unclean spirit: he had a dwelling in graves, and no one could tie him even with chains ... Always, night and day, in the mountains and graves," he shouted and beat against stones "(Mk 5: 2-3, 5).
12. Demons know that Jesus Christ is God. "In their synagogue there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit, and he cried out:" Leave what is up to you for us, Jesus of Nazareth! You have come to destroy us! I know You who You are, the Holy One of God "(Mark 1: 23-24).
13. Demons tremble before God. "You believe that God is one: you do well: and the demons believe, and tremble" (James 2:19) ‚
14. Demons spread false doctrine, "the Spirit clearly says that in last times some will depart from the faith, listening to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons "(1 Tim 4: 1).
15. Demons oppose the people of God, "Because our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spirits of wickedness in high places" (Eph 6:12).
16. Demons are trying to destroy the Kingdom of Christ, "Be sober, watch, because your adversary the devil walks like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet 5: 8).
17. God uses the works of demons to fulfill His divine purposes. And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and between the inhabitants of Shechem, and the inhabitants of Shechem did not submit to Abimelech "(Judges 9:23).
18. God will judge demons on The last judgment‚" For if God did not spare the angels who had sinned, but having bound them with the bonds of hellish darkness, gave them over to be watched for judgment for punishment ... "(2 Pet 2: 4).
Manifestations of the Attack of Demons
(demonic attack)
From the stories of the New Testament about demonic possession and other sources, one can outline some of the phenomena that are observed during demonic attacks.
A. Personality change
It concerns consciousness ‚moral character‚ behavior ‚appearance
B. Physical changes
1. Unnatural strength
2. Epileptic convulsions, foam on the lips
3. Impaired coordination of movements, falling
4. Blurred consciousness ‚insensitivity to pain
B. Mental changes
1. Glossolalia - understanding of unfamiliar languages (false gift ‚opposite to biblical)
2. Unnatural knowledge
3. Psychic and occult power, clairvoyance, telepathy, prophecy, etc.
D. Spiritual Change
1. Hatred and fear of Christ: blasphemy and regret for him in a state of depression
2. The Striking Effect of Prayer
Chapter 4. Parapsychology
Parapsychology is a modern branch of science or occultism, depending on who turns to it ‚Its goal is to put on a strictly scientific basis a number of supernatural phenomena traditionally attributed to the occult‚ Parapsychology is trying to give scientific respectability to what has not yet been accepted seriously,
Until now, one of the most widely known areas of parapsychology has been extrasensory perception. Traditional witchcraft related to supernatural phenomena also received some kind of scientific or "paranormal" justification.
"However, many new communities of witches and sorcerers avoid the word" supernatural "and prefer to talk about" supernormal "or" paranormal "phenomena. The laws of magic are considered to be real, within the purview of modern science, but the emphasis is on pragmatic knowledge and practical use magic laws, and not on their scientific analysis and evaluation.We can say that in this sense there is a kind of secularization of magic and its adaptation to the modern scientific, naturalistic worldview ‚So, what was previously described in the literature on occultism as supernatural psychic powers "Is now becoming an example of extrasensory perception that can potentially be reproduced and investigated in the laboratory of a psychologist."
In Parapsychology and the Nature of Life, John Randall writes:
"In the 1960s, parapsychology won a significant victory in its 90-year struggle for scientific recognition. On December 30, 1969, the Parapsychological Association was officially admitted as an affiliate of the most prestigious organization of American scientists, the American Association for the Advancement of Science. for the Advancement of Science) ... For the first time in its difficult history, parapsychology was recognized as a full-fledged scientific field. Now parapsychologists could submit their work to the scientific community without fear of being ridiculed and rejected just because of their subject of research. "
The need for scientific research in this area is beyond doubt. However, when approaching parapsychology as a science, one should find the most correct explanation for all the data and find out whether in this case we are talking about deception, occult phenomena or a truly paranormal experience.
In most cases, one of the results of parapsychological research is a decrease in motivation to study the Bible. Indeed, the paranormal and the supernatural are often viewed in completely isolated from the biblical basis. In an interesting introduction to Religion and the New Psychology, Olson Smith tells the story of a young woman he met while doing parapsychological research at Duke University:
"It was a low-key, intelligent girl from the Mid-South‚ She came to Duke, intending to lead religious work: In the Methodist church in her hometown, she was a “local preacher” and often came to the pulpit. At university, she took up a number of sciences and in many ways lost her former uncritical faith. She abandoned the thought of engaging in religious activity and fell into a kind of gloomy agnosticism.
In the course of her work in the field of psychology, she discovered parapsychology - "the risky way out of psychology" - which this book is about. That was science, where she put her whole soul, because it was about the same spiritual world, about the same spiritual forces as in her previous ‚uncritical faith: in other terms‚ other methods - but it was that the same. The emotional vacuum created by the loss of religious faith was filled: new faith(although I don’t think she would call it that) satisfied her both intellectually and emotionally. Her work in the laboratory of parapsychology became a kind of religious service for her. "
Smith suggests quite interesting explanation the changes that happened to this woman, the loss of the Christian faith and the emergence of "parapsychological faith", he comments as follows:
“It seems to me that her story is typical of millions of nominal Christians today. Her faith was shaken as a result of mastering the scientific method (although she was shaken by many other reasons) - such a development did not benefit many people. However, one needs to master the scientific method - the achievements of science are too great to be ignored.
The significance of parapsychology for these millions is that it now uses scientific methods and, rather, leads people in the direction of the spiritual world Rather than taking him away from him. "
Scientists generally agree that the same phenomena can be viewed as both occult and parapsychological. However, many of them reject the biblical interpretation of such phenomena, considering them demonic. Quite often the new science of parapsychology discredits the biblical interpretation of the facts.
For example, in Life, Death, and Psychic Research, the authors question the biblical warnings against "magicians" and "summoning spirits" found in Deuteronomy. They believe that this fragment does not prohibit the use of psychic (demonic) gifts in general, but that this prohibition was only a historical and traditionalist interpretation of the church, while the modern interpretation gives a biblical sanction for some, in fact, for all types of paranormal manifestations.
For example:
"Deuteronomy (Deut 18: 9-12) is often viewed by superstitious, ignorant and fearful people as a reason to oppose genuinely scientific research psyches led by Christian scientists. In the past, innocent people were persecuted as sorcerers and witches or possessed by the devil. Others, those who believed that his powers of sacred origin, were tortured to death.
This attitude continues to this day. Those who seek to manifest their psychic gifts are threatened with God's curse. Christians who delve into the study of the paranormal are reminded that this is contrary to the teachings of the Bible, and are forbidden to "get involved" in these matters. "
Although it is true that in the past, innocent people were accused (let us recall the trial of the "Salem sorcerers"), it would be a logical mistake to conclude that the historical interpretation of this fragment of the Holy Scripture by Christians is incorrect; in fact, both history and the interpretation of the Bible itself support their position.
Extrasensory perception
Extrasensory perception (ESP) is very popular today ‚ESP means recognizing something without using the senses.
Lynn Walker writes about ESP:
"Extrasensory perception is a term denoting the ability to know anything without the help of the senses. It includes precognition, which is sometimes called" ESP of the future ": telepathy - the transmission of a person's thoughts without the participation of the senses: clairvoyance - knowledge of objects or events outside of sensory communication with them. "
As a result of my communication with people who are fond of esotericism, occultism and other, as they call them, supernatural things, I noticed that they divide the world into a natural one, i.e. in their understanding, knowable with the help of science and supernatural, in the explanation of which science is powerless. This approach, alas, speaks of a complete misunderstanding of the essence of what science itself does and what it is in general. Therefore, in this article I would like to clarify this.
First of all, it is necessary to refute the common misconception that science explains something. This is not so, and this is absolutely not part of her function. Indeed, what is explanation in the common sense? This is just the reduction of something new or incomprehensible to a form in which this new or incomprehensible becomes habitual and thereby creates the illusion of comprehensibility. For example, in the past, many wondered why bodies fall down and for this all sorts of philosophical explanations have been invented - bodies fall because everything came from the earth and therefore stretches backward, as well as many other similar profound philosophical explanations that have no practical meaning.
With the advent of Newton's theory of gravitation, the fall of bodies to the ground began to be explained by the action of the force of gravity, and this explanation, which became habitual over time, was firmly rooted in the minds of people. But if you look closely at this explanation by itself ( those. without the regularities revealed by Newton and written by him in mathematical form), then you can see that it is no better than the philosophical explanations that existed before Newton. And, it should be noted that Newton himself was well aware of this.
So to the question, what kind of force is this and how this gravitational force can be transmitted through empty space, he answered - "I do not invent hypotheses!" It follows that major achievement Newton was not what he called or explained ( By the way, as a smart person, he didn't explain it at all) a phenomenon as a result of which bodies fall down and are attracted to each other ( he would call it instead of gravity, for example "the longing of bodies for each other" or somehow the essence of this would not change), but the fact that he deduced certain patterns clothed by him in a mathematical form, with the help of which he, having certain information ( mass of bodies, distance between them, etc.) could make correct predictions. Thus, the main goal of science is to provide, on the basis of the available data, the most accurate forecasts possible at the present time, and it is absolutely unimportant in what area.
What many people take for explanations in science is in fact either a description of the method by which these predictions actually make, or a description of those mental constructions or models with the help of which this predictive power was developed. Neither one nor the other has anything to do with understanding as such. So, for example, the laws of quantum mechanics contradict ordinary human logic, and therefore it cannot be said that anyone understands them or can explain them. But this in no way prevents you from using all the same laws of quantum mechanics to predict the results of scientific experiments with a high degree of accuracy.
In fact, we can say that any theory is the more scientific, the more accurate predictions within the theoretically possible maximum accuracy it gives. In other words, science is what works. From this point of view, Einstein's theory of relativity is better than the classical Newtonian theory only in that it gives more accurate predictions and this is most clearly manifested at speeds approaching light. As a result of the above, it becomes clear why the scientific approach to increase, say, fertility, expressed in the use of fertilizers, etc. better than the occult, expressed in offerings to all kinds of gods of fertility and all kinds of religious rituals. He is only better because he is much more productive.
Productivity is determined by statistical research. AND if statistical research showed that offerings to the gods of fertility and various religious rituals would be more effective than the methods used by science at the present time, then the above-mentioned "supernatural" methods would be recognized in the scientific community as completely scientific and would cease to be supernatural due to this recognition.
Another thing is that the scientific approach is a very pedantic and meticulous thing, and therefore a lot of research would be carried out determining, for example, the relationship between of various kinds offerings to the gods of the harvest and a percentage increase in the yield as a result. After that, in the end, as a result of numerous experiments, a summary table would be compiled, in which there would be clear recommendations to which deity, in what form, what and when offerings should be made in order to achieve the most favorable ratio of resources spent and time to the resulting harvest. ...
As for the same rituals, then surely many theses would have been defended, in which, for example, the dependence of the obtained harvest on the duration of ritual chants, etc., would be considered. Those. in this case, the same painstaking scientific work would be carried out without any admixture of mysticism or anything supernatural. From all that has been said, it follows that the very principle of the structure of science makes such a concept as "supernatural" meaningless because either something has a place to be and works and then science deals with it, or this something simply does not exist and then there is nothing to talk about.
There is, however, one common objection from supporters of the supernatural, that in its area there are all the same things that work, but, nevertheless, are not recognized by science. For example, we can talk about healing through prayer, etc. To begin with, I would like to give the following example. Let's say we find some savage and teach him to drive a tractor. At the same time, we will justify all the necessary actions for driving as rituals necessary to satisfy, for example, some spirits that actually live in this iron beetle. We will also tell the savage that before and after driving, he must read a special prayer we have composed and perform a ritual dance, otherwise the spirits can escape from the iron beetle and kill him.
Thus, we have a ritual system that works great - sometimes a savage drives a tractor, but which is not fully scientific. And now we will find out why. It's all about Occam's notorious razor, which does not order to multiply entities beyond necessity and with the help of which science cuts off all that is superfluous that does not affect the final result. In fact, the tractor would drive perfectly well without the prayers and ritual dances of the savage, and in general the idea that spirits are sitting inside the tractor is in no way necessary for its operation, in contrast to at least a superficial understanding of the structure of the diesel engine and the principles of driving. Likewise, healing through prayer, various states of religious trance and ecstasy, etc. are excellently described in the framework of psychosomatics, placebo studies and other traditional areas of science.
And finally, let us consider the last objection of the supporters of the "supernatural", which boils down to the fact that many, including world-famous scientists, were not alien to the fascination with the supernatural. In fact, if you look closely, you can understand that there is no contradiction in this. It is only necessary to pay attention to the fact that it was in those areas in which the above-mentioned scientists strictly followed the scientific approach and achieved the results that made them world famous scientists. It is hardly to be expected that a person with outstanding talent and common sense in one area will have an equally outstanding talent in all other areas. So a person who is an outstanding physicist may well carry complete nonsense in the field, for example, biology or economics, or get carried away with something occult. But he will receive outstanding results in the field of physics only as long as he does not deviate from the scientific approach, which consists in identifying patterns that make it possible to give the most accurate predictions currently possible based on the available data.