Tag: newage

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Exposing the Philosophical Roots of Modern Pseudoscience and Self-Help

Ever wondered where all those ‘self-help’ mantras and pseudoscientific health claims originated?

Today, we’re diving into the tangled web of modern pseudoscience and self-help nonsense, tracing its roots back to the 18th century. Join us as we explore the historical figures and movements that laid the groundwork for today’s self-help industry and pseudoscientific practices.

The Age of Enlightenment and the Dawn of Pseudoscience

Mesmer claimed that an invisible magnetic fluid flowed through all living things and that he could manipulate this fluid to heal people. His methods, often referred to as ‘mesmerism,’ involved elaborate rituals where he would pass his hands over patients or use magnetic rods, supposedly restoring the natural flow of this magnetic energy. The concepts of ‘balancing your energies’ or ‘unblocking your internal flows’ that are familiar in modern self-help and wellness circles can be traced back to Mesmer’s influence.

During the Age of Enlightenment, the scientific revolution was reshaping our understanding of the universe. However, medical practices were still lagging behind, relying on outdated treatments like leeching and bloodletting. Amidst this backdrop of scientific progress and societal change, Franz Mesmer, a charismatic physician from Vienna, introduced his controversial theory of ‘animal magnetism.’

The Debunking of Mesmerism

In 1784, a Royal Commission led by Benjamin Franklin and Antoine Lavoisier was established to investigate Mesmer’s claims. Through a series of experiments, they debunked the existence of the magnetic fluid, revealing that the observed effects were likely due to the power of suggestion and placebo rather than any real magnetic force. This investigation was pioneering in its use of controlled clinical trials and provided early insights into the placebo effect and modern hypnotism.

The Rise of Charismatic Faith Healing

Alexander Dowie emerged in the late 19th century with a different approach to healing. Dowie, a charismatic faith healer, conducted dramatic healing sessions where he would lay hands on the sick, claiming that divine power was responsible for their recovery. His dramatic pronouncements, such as ‘Be healed in the name of the Lord,’ exemplified his method.

However, Dowie’s methods, like those of other high-control groups and charismatic faith healers, often involved emotional manipulation to maintain control over their followers. The promise of miraculous healing or spiritual enlightenment could exploit vulnerable individuals, leading them to invest emotionally and financially in unproven methods.

The Influence of Phineas Quimby

Phineas Quimby, another influential figure of the 19th century, took a different approach. Quimby believed that the mind wielded incredible power over physical health and reality itself. His writings, which were published posthumously in 1921, propagated the notion that our thoughts could profoundly shape our lives. Quimby’s ideas significantly influenced the New Thought movement, which linked mind over matter with spiritual and mystical practices.

The Interplay of Occultism and New Thought

The New Thought movement was also intertwined with occultism and spiritism, which suggested that unseen spiritual forces could be harnessed to influence the material world. This blend of spiritual and pseudoscientific ideas contributed to the development of various modern self-help philosophies.

The Legacy in Modern Self-Help

Today, the legacy of these 19th-century ideas is evident in the booming self-help industry. Many contemporary ‘gurus’ draw on principles derived from Quimby’s teachings, promising that you can manifest your desires through positive thinking alone. However, it’s important to approach these claims with caution, as they can sometimes mask modern forms of manipulation, preying on individuals’ hopes and fears.

Modern Pseudoscience: German New Medicine and Joe Dispenza

Moving forward to more contemporary times, let’s examine some of the modern pseudoscientific claims making waves today.

German New Medicine (GNM): This theory, introduced by Dr. Ryke Geerd Hamer, posits that diseases are the result of unresolved psychological conflicts. While intriguing, GNM lacks solid scientific backing and is riddled with ethical and legal issues. Traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, though challenging and not always successful, are grounded in extensive research. The frustration with their limitations often drives people towards alternative options, but not all alternatives are created equal.

Joe Dispenza: Known for his belief that the mind can heal the body, Dispenza’s ideas have gained popularity but often dip into pseudoscience. While there is some truth to the idea that mindset can influence well-being, it’s crucial to distinguish between positive thinking and unproven claims that can mislead vulnerable individuals.

Ancient Teachings and Their Modern Adaptations

The teachings of the Essenes, an ancient Jewish sect, offer another example of how historical ideas are repackaged for modern consumption. The Essenes believed in holistic healing and spirituality, and today, their practices are often marketed with a modern twist. While exploring the ‘lost teachings of the Essenes’ can be fascinating, it’s important to differentiate between genuine historical practices and modern marketing spin.

The Dangers of Mysticism and Extreme Practices

Mysticism sometimes promotes the idea that transcending physical needs through spiritual practices can lead to enlightenment. However, this can be extremely risky. Extreme fasting and other practices can cause nutritional deficiencies, severe malnutrition, and even mental health issues such as delusions and eating disorders.

Navigating the Fine Line Between Healing and Harm

Despite the lack of scientific proof, pseudoscientific ideas remain appealing, especially when traditional treatments fall short. Approach such claims with a critical mind and seek evidence-based practices. Knowledge is power, and staying informed is the best way to navigate health and wellness.

Critical Evaluation of Self-Help Claims

Common Themes:

  • 1. Misuse of Scientific Concepts: All three exploit complex ideas—quantum physics for Dispenza and GNM, and mystical ancient wisdom for the Essenes—to lend credibility to their claims.
  • 2. Lack of Scientific Evidence: None of these approaches are supported by credible scientific research, often relying on anecdotal evidence or misinterpretations of scientific principles.
  • 3. Potential Harm: By promoting unproven methods as alternatives to evidence-based medical treatments, they can lead individuals to make dangerous health choices.

While some people find inspiration in these teachings, it’s crucial to remember their origins and critically evaluate their claims. Just because something sounds empowering doesn’t mean it’s based on solid evidence.

Stay informed and be cautious of the fine line between genuine self-improvement and pseudoscientific hype. Thank you for reading!

Mesmerising Science: The Franklin Commission and the Modern Clinical Trial — The Public Domain Review

Mesmer-and-the-Rise-and-Fall-of-Animal-Magnetism.pdf (academia.dk)

Franklin, Lavoisier, and Mesmer: origin of the controlled clinical trial – PubMed (nih.gov)

The Sketchy Faith Healer Who Tried to Save New York From Vice – Atlas Obscura

Testimonies of former employees of Hamer – Psiram

Administrative Court of Sigmaringen, 17.12.1986 – Judgment in the Administrative litigation Hamer % University of Tübingen (archive.org)

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-67227-0_8

https://water.lsbu.ac.uk/water/memory_of_water.html

The German New Medicine a new Natural Science” by Professor Dr. Hans Ulrich Niemitz

Germanic New Medicine – Psiram

Victims of New Medicine – Psiram

The “Iron Rule of Cancer”: The dangerous cancer quackery that is the “German New Medicine” | Science-Based Medicine (sciencebasedmedicine.org)

Laws of biology: why so few? – PMC (nih.gov)

For those wanting to learn about the dangers of mysticism, pseudoscience, and the importance of proper nutrition, here are some solid resources:

Books

  1. “Bad Science” by Ben Goldacre: This book critically examines the misuse of science in various fields, including health and wellness, and debunks common pseudoscientific claims.
  2. “The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark” by Carl Sagan: Sagan’s classic work promotes scientific skepticism and critical thinking, essential for understanding and debunking pseudoscientific beliefs.
  3. “Trick or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine” by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst: This book provides a thorough analysis of various alternative medicine practices, including the evidence (or lack thereof) supporting them.

Websites and Online Resources

  1. Quackwatch (quackwatch.org): A comprehensive resource for information on health frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies in the medical field.
  2. Science-Based Medicine (sciencebasedmedicine.org): A blog dedicated to evaluating medical treatments and products from a scientific perspective.
  3. Nutritional Resources from Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.org): Provides evidence-based information on nutrition, diet, and healthy living.

Academic Journals and Articles

  1. PubMed (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov): A free search engine accessing primarily the MEDLINE database of references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics. It’s an excellent resource for finding peer-reviewed studies on nutrition, health, and pseudoscience.
  2. “Nutrition” Journal (journals.elsevier.com/nutrition): Publishes peer-reviewed research articles on nutrition science.

Educational Videos and Courses

  1. TED Talks on Nutrition and Health: Various experts provide insights into the latest research and practical advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
  2. Coursera and edX: These platforms offer courses from universities on nutrition, health sciences, and critical thinking skills.

Podcasts

  1. “Science Vs” by Wendy Zukerman: This podcast looks at what’s fact and what’s not in popular science topics, including health and wellness.
  2. “Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe”: A weekly science podcast discussing critical thinking, science, and pseudoscience.

By exploring these resources, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the risks associated with mysticism and pseudoscientific beliefs, as well as the importance of evidence-based practices in health and nutrition.

Posted on in deconstruction, fitness, holistic health, new age spiritual, podcast, scripture, testimonies, worldview

Decoding the Law of Attraction: Myths, Realities, and Societal Impact

Ever wondered how MLMs thrive? Many of them tap into the power of teachings like the law of attraction—convincing you that your thoughts create your reality. It sounds empowering, right? đź¤Ş

But behind the facade lies a darker truth. MLMs manipulate these beliefs to lure in dreamers, promising wealth and success through their products. 

So, what’s the scoop? The Law of Attraction says that what you focus on—whether positive vibes or the occasional grumpy thought—can actually manifest in your life. It’s all about tuning into those good vibrations and sending out positive signals to the universe.

The law of attraction is a concept that suggests positive or negative thoughts bring positive or negative experiences into a person’s life. It proposes that focusing on positive thoughts and intentions can manifest desired outcomes.

This idea has roots in various philosophical and spiritual traditions, including New Thought philosophy and the teachings of figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson, William Walker Atkinson, Frank Mesmer, Alexander Downie, and Phineas Quimby.

New Thought holds that God (Spirit, the Infinite, the Divine, our Higher Power) is everywhere; true human self-hood is divine; divine thought is a force for good; sickness, lack and struggle originate in the mind, and “right thinking” has a healing effect.

In other words, “change your thinking, change your life.”

The law of attraction gained popularity in the early 2000s with books like “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, touting it as a tool for success, wealth, and happiness.

It’s since influenced self-help, motivational speaking, wellness practices (like yoga and meditation), personal development communities, and has a presence in popular culture and social media, where positive thinking is promoted for achieving goals and bettering life.

“Achieve Success with The Law of Attraction“

The law of attraction is used in wellness communities (fitness, MLM, dieting, spiritual) to promise that positive thinking can manifest goals. However, it can also create unrealistic expectations and oversimplify complex realities.

The teachings of the law of attraction, while promoting positive thinking and goal setting, can also have negative impacts and potential risks:

  • Blame and Guilt: It may lead individuals to blame themselves for negative experiences, assuming they attracted them due to their thoughts or vibrations.
  • Unrealistic Expectations: The emphasis on positive thinking may create unrealistic expectations about how quickly and easily goals can be achieved, leading to disappointment and discouragement.
  • Minimization of Systemic Issues: By focusing solely on individual thoughts and actions, it can overlook systemic barriers and societal inequalities that affect outcomes.
  • Financial Exploitation: In contexts like MLMs and certain self-help programs, the promise of manifesting wealth and success through the law of attraction can be used to exploit financially vulnerable individuals.
  • Psychological Impact: For some, the pressure to maintain a positive mindset at all times can contribute to anxiety, guilt, and self-blame when facing challenges or negative emotions.
  • Dismissal of Negative Emotions: It may encourage the suppression or denial of negative emotions, rather than healthy processing and acceptance of them.
  • Pseudoscience: The teachings of the law of attraction often lack empirical evidence and scientific support, leading to beliefs and practices that may not be grounded in reality.
  • Cultural Appropriation: In some cases, the adoption of spiritual or cultural elements (such as indigenous practices) within the context of the law of attraction can lead to appropriation and misunderstanding of their original meanings.

As we explore the impact of belief systems like the law of attraction, it’s clear it shares common pitfalls with high control religion and diet culture—promising transformative change through strict adherence while often neglecting systemic issues and fostering unrealistic expectations.

Join me this week on the podcast as we delve deeper into these topics, uncovering how these ideologies influence our lives and well-being.

Let’s navigate these complexities together and empower ourselves with a balanced perspective.

Posted on in Bible, biblicalworldview, challenges, christianfaith, deconstruction, evolution, faith, fitness, goal setting, holistic health, mental health, nervous system, new age spiritual, newagetojesus, nutrition, physiology, podcast, scripture, spiritualabuse, testimonies, theology, wordofgod, worldview, worship music

The Crunchy-to-Alt-Right Pipeline: from Wellness to Extremism

Over the last few weeks, we have been exploring the complex interplay between radicalization, conspiracies and religion. During the pandemic, I was one of those new-age rebels that was pumped into conspiracy and conversion to religion pipeline. I was one of those people seeking answers and meaning that was drawn to radical ideologies and conspiratorial narratives that promised belonging, purpose, and empowerment.

A huge aspect of my deconstruction process is realizing how I’ve been susceptible and caught up in cult-like dynamics for most of my adult life. I spent years entangled in an MLM (2016-2020), which only worsened my dis0rded eat1ng behaviors from high school. These products often promoting unrealistic body standards and fostering unhealthy relationships with food. Feeling lost without that community, I was drawn into pandem1c conspiracies and eventually into high-control religion.

The “crunchy hippie to alt-right pipeline” is a phenomenon where individuals initially attracted to alternative wellness and New Age practices become increasingly exposed to far-right ideologies.

This shift is facilitated by social media algorithms and influential figures who blend wellness content with conspiracy theories and extremist views. This shift is facilitated by social media algorithms and influential figures who blend wellness content with conspiracy theories and extremist views.

Key Points of the Pipeline:

  1. Algorithmic Influence:
    • Social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram use algorithms that can gradually expose users to more extreme content. For instance, someone watching videos on natural health remedies might eventually receive recommendations for videos that include far-right conspiracy theories or anti-establishment rhetoric​ (Virginia Review of Politics)​.
  2. Overlapping Values:
    • Certain aspects of New Age and wellness cultures, such as skepticism of mainstream medicine and government, overlap with the distrust and anti-establishment sentiments of far-right groups. This makes the transition smoother as the ideologies can appear to support each other​ (Cross Cultural Solidarity)​.
  3. Influential Figures:
    • Wellness influencers who propagate conspiracy theories (like QAnon) help bridge the gap between New Age communities and far-right ideologies. They often present themselves as offering alternative truths, which can be appealing to those already disillusioned with conventional systems​ (Cross Cultural Solidarity)​.
  4. Community Dynamics:
    • Online communities play a crucial role. Individuals often seek validation and a sense of belonging in these groups. Once part of a community that blends wellness with far-right views, it becomes easier to accept and internalize these extremist ideologies​ (Virginia Review of Politics)​​ (Cross Cultural Solidarity)​.

Implications:

  • Radicalization: This pipeline can lead to the radicalization of individuals who initially joined wellness communities for benign reasons but gradually adopt extremist views.
  • Polarization: The spread of far-right ideologies within wellness spaces contributes to societal polarization and the mainstreaming of conspiracy theories.
  • Public Health Concerns:
    • Misinformation and Hesitancy towards “BigPharma”
      Social media platforms have been conduits for the dissemination of misinformation regarding đź’‰, leading to hesitancy. False claims about safety and conspiracy theories have undermined public health efforts.
    • Addressing these public health concerns requires a multi-faceted approach that includes combating misinformation, improving mental health services, addressing healthcare inequities, ensuring continuity of chronic disease management, strengthening public health infrastructure, and promoting evidence-based health practices. Public awareness and education, policy reforms, and community engagement are essential in tackling these challenges and improving overall public health outcomes

Conclusion:

Understanding this pipeline is essential for recognizing how seemingly unrelated interests in wellness and spirituality can be co-opted by extremist ideologies. It highlights the need for vigilance and critical thinking in online spaces, as well as the importance of promoting credible information and fostering inclusive communities. For more detailed discussions on this topic, you can refer to articles from sources like the Virginia Review of Politics and Cross Cultural Solidarity​ (Virginia Review of Politics)​​ (Cross Cultural Solidarity)​.