Brains Archives

Druids battle over skeleton

January 30, 2009 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Rollo Maughfling, the archdruid of Stonehenge and Glastonbury, said: “Beyond all the other philosophical, scientific and religious arguments, in the end it comes down to something called common human decency.”

The move is opposed by academics who worry that any decision to rebury Charlie will result in a trend of other important archaeological finds being returned to the earth.

Dr Josh Pollard from Bristol University told the BBC, “I think it could set a very dangerous precedent, one in which we would find a situation where all prehistoric human remains held in museums, held in other collections across the United Kingdom, have to be reburied.”

Muslins banned from yoga in Indonesia

January 25, 2009 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Indonesia is the largest Muslin country in the world. Although officially secular some 90% of the 234 million population are Muslim.

The Council of Ulemas, 700 clerics and the country’s top Islamic body, explained that the use of yoga could erode the Muslim faith. The ancient Indian practise is popular in Indonesia, especially Jakarta, but it contains ritualised elements of Hinduism. The recital of Hindu rituals in yoga mantras is considered haram for Muslins.

The Council of Ulemas was formed in 1975 by then-President Suharto. The Council was initially founded to allow politics and religion to continue alongside one another in Indonesia without crossing paths. In recent years, though, the Council of Ulemas has become more involved in politics and the issuing of fatwas.

Kenyan pop-star Nyota Ndogo hunted by witchdoctor assassins

January 25, 2009 by Andrew 1 Comment

The popular Kenyan singer Nyota Ndogo is reported to have gone into hiding after reports that witches and witchdoctors had been approached to kill her.

According to Ndogo she received a call from a man who identified himself as a witch and who had been asked to trace and kill her. The witch, however, refused the contract as he saw no evil in the singer.

Ndogo told Kenyan newspaper The Standard, “I was so shocked. Somebody called me saying that he had been ordered to kill me but could not trace a good reason to do so as, according to his findings, I had not wronged anyone. He asked to meet me at my residence in secrecy to deliver the full message.”

Police arrest shape-shifting goat for armed robbery

January 23, 2009 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Police in Nigeria have confirmed to reports that they are holding a black and white goat in custody after a vigilante mob brought the animal in to the station.

The local men explained to police that the goat was a male witch. The man was armed and had attempted to steal a car. He had then used black magic to shapeshift into goat form in order to escape.

Pictures of the goat appeared in Nigeria’s Vanguard newspaper.

The Ultimate Armageddon: The Eschaton

January 23, 2009 by Andrew Leave a Comment

What if every prophecy from every religion happened at the same time?

With the Mayan 2012 prophecies making the news lately, readers seem eager to re-examine the many myths that foretell the end of the world. Of particular interest to bloggers and commentators has been the attempt to tie the Mayan myth to the Christian Apocalypse. While the attempts have made for some great reading, the reality of trying to align Mayan and Christian theologies is daunting. For me, though, the tale had to be much bigger. If there ever was an “end-of-the-world”, then it would encompass the entire world. As such, every religion (and every God) would be involved.

Topping the New York Times Best-Seller List: The Power of Soul

January 22, 2009 by Andrew 6 Comments

Doctor Zhi Gang Sha was nicknamed “The Soul Man” by USA Today. Sha’s third book in the Soul Power Series makes its debut in the number #1 position in the highly prestigious New York Times Best-Seller list in the hardback section.

The Power of Soul: The Way to Heal, Rejuvenate, Transform, and Enlighten All Life* (UK*) goes beyond the notion of mind over matter and reaches the realm of soul over matter.

The book’s success on the best-seller list shows that the American audience still has a healthy appetite for spiritual healing techniques. In reaching the number one position The Power of Soul beat Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture* and Liz Vaccariello’s Flat Belly Diet*.

Review: Out of the Darkness

January 22, 2009 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Long after, tales of the massacre were legend among explorers and those who followed in their footsteps. People avoided the woods near the river the Indians called “Withlacoochee,” citing inhuman screams and a sobbing girl who people heard but never saw.

But the land remembers.

Acupuncture works. So does fake acupuncture.

January 21, 2009 by Andrew Leave a Comment

A recent study from scientists at the Technical University of Munich has suggested that ‘faked’ acupuncture can work nearly as well as the real thing. The research also showed that acupuncture worked as well as drugs and traditional medicines for headaches and migraines.

Scientists studied 6, 736 acupuncture patients. Some of the patients enjoyed real acupuncture but some had a ‘fake’ form where the needles were simply placed close to the surface of the skin rather than on the appropriate pressure points. Both sets of patients reported improvements in their conditions but the patients receiving the real thing did better.

Mirror Image: An interview with Richard Flewelling

January 20, 2009 by Andrew 4 Comments

Without putting the plot in danger or raising the spectre of spoilers can you tell our readers a little about Mirror Image?

Mirror Image offers a new twist on the classic mystery novel involving identical persons.

Selecting a genre for this novel is difficult as it covers many.

It is an adventure story, involving the developing social and sexual awareness of our central character and tells of some of his lovemaking in explicit detail. The story is told in a way that displays his innermost thoughts. It tells of consideration, romance and folly with several women he meets.

Severed head found during Christian water ritual

January 19, 2009 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Workers in Russia found a severed head in a frozen river while they were preparing for an Orthodox Christian ritual.

The 19th of January is a day on the Julian calendar, according to the Russian Orthodox Church, when all water is holy. The celebration is marks the Epiphany and baptism of Christ.

An ice hole was being prepared in the river Jordan as it flows by the city of Saratov when the morbid discovery was made.

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