Re: The Reality of Werewolves: An intelligent analysis of Lycanthropy
Reading this thread title, I was expecting an intelligent discussion, maybe including bullets about psychological conditions as split personalities, physical anomolies such as porphyria (a genetic disorder which causes yellowed, hairy skin, and an 'allergy' to light), or suborders of mental therianthropy (the sudden 'switch' of the mind to more primitive thinking, like a prolonged spike of survival instinct one might get by fighting. It's the 'survival' gear of the primitive human, but stuck so that they cannot change back to the modern, rational mindset.) Suffice to say I was dissappointed.
Jeff & Eddie, casting aside for the moment that that is a picture of nothing, and a drawing of a monster by a child (you want to see some pictures of dragons I drew as a child? You can, but that doesn't mean dragons exist, no matter how strongly I was convinced they did). You're basing your explanation of why werewolves have not been caught on folklore. Where do you get the idea that a dead werewolf turns back into a human? Folklore.
You have a trend of doing this: ratifying one item with itself. You can't support the Bible by holding up the Bible as evidence. You can't support folklore by using folklore as evidence. It just does not work.
Re: The Reality of Werewolves: An intelligent analysis of Lycanthropy
1. There are no vampires.
2. There are no werewolves.
3. The 'illuminati' that you speak of does not exist. Apparently, there was a group of atheists 500 years ago calling themselves the illuminati - they were all burned at the stake. I suppose that the Church were the "monsters". Other organisations often called themselves the illuminati, or were called or suspected to be illuminati, so there really is very little concrete definition.
4. How can you instantly believe a blurry photograph that shows nothing and yet refuse evolution despite being given evidence after evidence (se 'missing link found forum')
5. You say about some werewolves being spotted, with no references.
6. Everything I could find about the Illuminati (including Encyclopaedia Brittanica) says nothing about them that involves drinking blood. I have a feeling that this could have something with the Church propaganda at the time - an attempt to demonise all other religions and kill their members. What I found about the illuminati was this:
"In the 1790s more radical secret societies emerged, modeled after the Illuminati (“Enlightened Ones”) founded in Bavaria by Adam Weishaupt, a professor of canon law, which promoted free thought and democratic political theories." - Encyclopedia Britannica
"Italian Illuminato, plural Illuminati, a follower of a mystical movement in Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries. Its adherents claimed that the human soul, having attained a certain degree of perfection, was permitted a vision of the divine and entered into direct communication with the Holy Spirit. From this state the soul could neither advance nor retrogress. Consequently, participation in the liturgy, good works, and observance of the exterior forms of religious life were unnecessary for those who had received the “light.” The Alumbrados came primarily from among the reformed Franciscans and the Jesuits, but their doctrines seem to have influenced all classes of people. The extravagant claims made for their visions and revelations caused them to be relentlessly persecuted. The Inquisition issued edicts against them on three occasions (1568, 1574, and 1623)." - Encyclopaedia Britannica.
"An enthusiastic philanthropist." - Thomas Jefferson on the founder of the Illuminati.
Many great founders of America were believed to be influenced by the then illuminati (the 18th century ones). Their philosphies included Deism (That God created the world but does not interact with it) which later resulted in the Jefferson Bible, free speech and social democracy. The American Constitution was believed to be largely based on illuminati teachings.
Here's another more obscure 3rd century reference.
"In addition to prophetic enthusiasm, Montanism taught a legalistic moral rigorism. The time of fasting was lengthened, followers were forbidden to flee from martyrdom, marriage was discouraged, and second marriages were prohibited ... Convinced that the end of the world was at hand, Montanus laid down a rigoristic morality to purify Christians and detach them from their material desires." - Enc Brit
All these movements had one thing in common - they were excommunicated by the Church, their members were tortured and murdered (by, for example, the inquisition) and they had to remain in secret. What you are stating is most likely a myth propagated by the Church for the extermination of yet another group of perceived heretics. (As with "witches")
Re: The Reality of Werewolves: An intelligent analysis of Lycanthropy
Yes! Got it!
There's an extremely (and I mean extremely) rare variant of porphyria which causes sentitivity to sunlight, extreme pain and deformity that can be caused by sunlight and even seizures!
However, although porphyrias are due to missing components of blood (more rise to the vampire myth) you can't replenish these components by drinking blood (the stomach breaks it down) - you must have the components injected. Also, you don't get blood transfusions - only recombinant protein. Anyone trying to inject blood into themselves in the Middle Ages would have most likely died from rejection, infection or sepsis - they didn't know their B positive from their backside back in those days. Back then, those infected by porphyria did not even know that their blood was defective - it was only discovered recently.
It's more likely that porphyria and the vampire myth are simply independent coincidence - the former did not lead to the latter.
Last edited by mcderek3000; April 17th, 2006 at 02:16 AM.
Re: The Reality of Werewolves: An intelligent analysis of Lycanthropy
Well, they might be connected. I mean, you have to wonder how someone got the idea that a pale guy had fangs and a severe sensitivity to light. The other stuff is embellishment, but I think the vampire/werewolf legends originated with this disease.(I believe there is a strain of the disease that causes abnormal hair growth)
Re: The Reality of Werewolves: An intelligent analysis of Lycanthropy
The Illuminati is possibly still around today. Check out wikipedia. Its a marvelous source of knowledge, but there is definatley no mention of time travel there. Just about how they formed and the whole new world order theory surrounds them.
Are bearded ladies werewolves, they have abnormal hair growth!?
Re: The Reality of Werewolves: An intelligent analysis of Lycanthropy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy Wolf
See, I would think that a werewolf would not be frightened by the "click" of a camera. That does look like perhaps a reflective eye in the pic, but only one of them. Maybe a nose down to the right. But there is no evidence that I see for the existence of either. There is a diseas called something like porhphrryia(I have no idea how it is spelled), but some of the symptoms are similar to vampire and werewolf legends.
Exactly and this is where I think these myths come from. It's simply not possible for an animal of flesh and blood (and bones) to shape change. Things like big foot are either unidentified animals, excisting animals being seen as something they aren't or a hoax (myth, people trying to "create" evidence etc.).
This site is part of the Defy Media Gaming network
The best serving of video game culture, since 2001. Whether you're looking for news, reviews, walkthroughs, or the biggest collection of PC gaming files on the planet, Game Front has you covered. We also make no illusions about gaming: it's supposed to be fun. Browse gaming galleries, humor lists, and honest, short-form reporting. Game on!