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By: Owen Bell

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Definition: A strange and unknown form of Chi, Ki, Negative energy, Light or dark energy, that cannot be described other than the fact that it is there.
Connection: In this video they constantly mention "Energy" and "Residual Energy". They also use the word "Energy" with different adjectives in front to create a different connection to other types of "Energy". The one he used in the beginning of the video, "Negative Energy", is explained as being able to be felt as a sort of presence. But yet "Residual Energy" cannot be felt as it is more of a event. Which contradicts itself, leading me to believe that this is just jargon

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Definition: Something said to have no synthetic production or use of synthetic ingredients to appeal to the populace that wants said products due to their lack of these synthetics.

Connection: I find that most of the "All Natural" product lines deal in stress relief or in sleep aid. While it is true modern medicine for stress and sleep have adverse affects on the body, that does not mean that herbs, plants, and DIY concoctions are safe. Modern medicines that have a side-effects are carefully planned and all have ready counter measures. It is also easier to find what you are and are not allergic to. In "All Natural" stress aids they can contain strange herbs and plants you have never heard of and your body could react violently towards it. "All Natural" does not mean safe.

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Several herbal remedies have been studied as a treatment for anxiety, but more research is needed to understand the risks and benefits. Here's what we know - and don't know:

Kava. Kava appeared to be a promising treatment for anxiety, but reports of serious liver damage - even with short-term use - caused the Food and Drug Administration to issue warnings about the use of dietary supplements containing kava. While these initial reports of liver toxicity have been questioned, use extra caution and involve your doctor in the decision if you're considering using products containing kava.

Passion flower. A few small clinical trials suggest that passion flower might help with anxiety. In many commercial products, passion flower is combined with other herbs, making it difficult to distinguish the unique qualities of each herb. Passion flower is generally considered safe when taken as directed, but some studies found it can cause drowsiness, dizziness and confusion.

Valerian. In some studies, people who used valerian reported less anxiety and stress. In other studies, people reported no benefit. Valerian is generally considered safe at recommended doses, but since long-term safety trials are lacking, don't take it for more than a few weeks at a time, unless your doctor approves. It can cause some side effects such as headaches, dizziness and drowsiness.

Chamomile. Limited data shows that short-term use of chamomile is generally considered safe and can be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety. But chamomile can increase the risk of bleeding when used with blood-thinning drugs. Use of chamomile can cause allergic reactions in some people who are sensitive to the family of plants that includes chamomile. Other members of this family are ragweed, marigolds, daisies and chrysanthemums.

Lavender. Some evidence suggests that oral lavender or aromatherapy with lavender can reduce anxiety; however, evidence is preliminary and limited. Oral lavender can cause constipation and headaches. It can also increase appetite, increase the sedative effect of other medications and supplements, and cause low blood pressure.

Lemon balm. Preliminary research shows lemon balm can reduce some symptoms of anxiety, such as nervousness and excitability. Lemon balm is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for short-term use, but can cause nausea and abdominal pain.

Herbal supplements aren't monitored by the FDA the same way medications are. Despite enhanced quality control regulations in place since 2010, the quality of some supplements may still be an issue. Remember, natural doesn't always mean safe.

If you're considering taking any herbal supplement as a treatment for anxiety, talk to your doctor first, especially if you take other medications. The interaction of some herbal supplements and certain medications can cause serious side effects.

Some herbal supplements taken for anxiety can cause you to feel sleepy, so they may not be safe to take when driving or doing dangerous tasks. Your doctor can help you understand possible risks and benefits if you choose to try an herbal supplement.

If your anxiety is interfering with daily activities, talk with your doctor. More-serious forms of anxiety generally need medical treatment or psychological counseling (psychotherapy) for symptoms to improve.

See more Expert Answers

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Herbal treatment for anxiety: Is it effective?

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Several herbal remedies have been studied as a treatment for anxiety, but more research is needed to understand the risks and benefits. Here's what we know - and don't know: Kava. Kava appeared to be a promising treatment for anxiety, but reports of serious liver damage - even with short-term use - caused the Food and Drug Administration to issue warnings about the use of dietary supplements containing kava.

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Definition: The constant need to search for proof or evidence that something is true despite the amount of evidence that says otherwise.

Connection: A great example for this is the Bigfoot hunting community. They always find scraps of very mediocre evidence and claim it to be the real deal. There are lot of media platforms that cover this community ranging from YouTube, Discovery Channel, and even dedicated websites to different organizations that share their findings. And out of all of those findings they boil down to eye witness accounts (very unreliable), photos or videos that were either taken decades ago or are in the poorest quality, and hair samples they discover that are said to be from Bigfoot but never proven to be so.

(This music video is strange yes, but it highlights areas of wavy evidence such as presence and the noise Bigfoot makes, that and it was pretty funny.)

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Giants in the Trees - Sasquatch (Official Video)

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Definition: Belief that methods or ideologies from Ancients have surpassed modern medicine. Also the mention of Ancients when referring to ancient texts or objects that are thought to hold great power or wisdom.

Connection:  Chinese Body mapping is the idea of if a certain part of your face is discoloured, dry, has acne, etc. Then a part of your body internally needs care. However this is considered an ancient method of healing and there is no 100% proof that having bags under your eyes means your liver has issues.

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The eyes never lie and the face tells all. It is true that the eyes are the window to the soul and according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the face is the map which decodes the mind, body, and soul's silent language. We've all experienced this in some way or another - non-verbal exchanges to others passing by, tired eyes exhibiting a sleepless night, and the basic idea of body language. We all know that the face is, in some way or another, a mirror to the outer world which showcases our inner realm.

Though this sounds all very esoteric and mystical, the basic underlying truth is that our exterior bodily appearance is connected to our internal body.

This isn't news to the ancient people of China. Traditional Chinese Medicine has sought to answer two basic questions; what is a human being and what is the Natural world? In this 5,000 plus year pursuit, it has been discovered that they are one in the same. In other words, the human body is a biological being that is akin to Mother Earth - a microcosm, if you will.

In this observation and discovery, we have since come to understand many things. One of those is that like our Planet, our body is also very interconnected. It is basic knowledge that the quality of our water affects the soil, which affects the food and eventually all living beings. Nature operates on this basic law of Cause and Effect.

Everything is Connected

What TCM understands that Western Medicine fails to is that our bodies work in the same way. What affects one organ affects the other, what affects one system ultimately affects the whole of the body. In Chinese Medicine, there are many philosophies which break this idea down. They include the basic law of Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, the Organ Systems and the Meridian Channels.

However, once again the unifying principle of these philosophies is that everything in the body is interconnected.

This is demonstrated everywhere in Nature, and also in the body. According to the traditional healing wisdom in China, as well as in many other cultures, the body is connected through energetic channels known as meridians in which energy flows to and from organ systems in the body.

According to TCM the human body, and all of the natural world is comprised of a bio-electrical and vibrational energy current. In other words, the physical body exists due to an energetic life force that animates the body, ensuring movement, breathe, brain activity, emotions and more.

What's more is that all of this ancient wisdom is now scientifically backed. In science, this Qi energy is known as the piezoelectric current. It can be felt and experienced simply by flexing your muscles very intensely, then relaxing them. You will feel the energy circulating through your body. It is more than simple blood circulation; it is vital electrical energy that surges throughout the body. In fact, it is the same energy that is responsible for emotions and brain function.

Additional scientific discoveries have also proven the existence of the Meridians, which carry this Qi energy. According to research done at Seoul National University, the meridians do exist. The scientists there refer to them as the "primo-vascular system." It has important roles in the cardiovascular system, and distinctly manages our entire calibrating (balancing) system, including our endocrine functions and metabolic system. 1

Though these phenomena extend into the concepts of Yin and Yang (balance or homeostasis), the functioning of meridian channels, and the entire metabolic system, the message is that we can no longer ignore the interconnected nature of our bodies.

Chinese Face Mapping

This data serves to bring us to the concept of Chinese Face Mapping, a basic concept which utilizes the interconnected circumstances of the body's organs to properly balance our state of health.

In simpler terms, Face Mapping runs on the construct and understanding that everything on the outside is a direct reflection of what is going on inside. If we consider the connectedness of our organs via meridian channels, and the fact that our bodies have a self-regulating system, it makes sense that what affects one organ affects another.

Also, considering that our Skin is our largest organ, which makes up the canvas of our external body, it only makes sense that if something is wrong with it something might also be wrong with the internal organs too. Disorders of the Skin like pimples, rashes, or change of skin color/tone can signify an internal issue that needs to be addressed in order to heal the skin and achieve optimal health.

More specifically, the face is one of the many microcosms in the body which guides us to the internal workings of the body. In acupuncture, a practitioner uses meridian lines and points to stimulate Qi flow. Similarly, in face mapping, each part of the face has a distinct "Qi point" or relationship to the internal organs.

Healing with Face Mapping

With all of this being said, let us take a look at how we can utilize this profound wisdom in everyday life to bring about balance and healing while improving physical beauty. Below are the specific areas of the face and their corresponding internal organ systems. We also cover what negatively affects these areas, what each condition represents, and how to balance them.

* Forehead - Small Intestine/Nervous System: The intestines are majorly influenced by our nervous system, in fact, our CNS determines digestive function. Deep horizontal lines across the forehead can indicate an overactive nervous system and poor intestinal health. It may specifically indicate leaky gut, SIBO, or a bacterial imbalance. Stress, work, and physical activity are Yang, which is the sympathetic nervous system. Therefore, you want to ensure you balance these with Yin activities like meditation, rest, relaxation, play, and sleep. Other causes of problems here include poor food choices, particularly foods that feed pathogens like refined sugar and carbs but also any form of stress, alcohol consumption, and lack of time spent in Nature. Nourish this area by eating prebiotic and probiotic foods like raw cacao, colorful veggies, and sauerkraut. Also by chewing more thoroughly, eating only when relaxed, taking probiotics and digestive enzymes with meals, taking bone broth, collagen and glutamine to heal the small intestine and practicing yoga or Qi Gong to activate the parasympathetic Yin state.

* Forehead Corners - Kidney/Bladder: The corners of the forehead, by the temples, represent the Kidney and Bladder system. Grooves, lines, growths of progressive acne in this area indicates issues with the Kidney organ system. The kidneys are damaged by chronic fear and stress response (being overly reactive). Also, sugar, medications, chronic infections, inflammation and any excessive behavior weakens these glands. Take proactive steps to support the kidneys including decreasing stress, consuming healthy amounts of fluids (spring water, raw coconut water, herbal tea), get adequate rest, and utilize herbs like Lycium, parsley, Chanca Peidra and He Shou Wu.

* Between the Eyebrows - Liver: The liver rules detoxification, digestion, and the emotions. If the body is overburdened with toxins, hard to digest processed foods and negative emotions, it shows up in this area. Also, each organ system has a corresponding emotion, for the liver it is anger. Perhaps this is why chronically angry and frustrated people are more likely to have a deep groove in their forehead between the eyes. Also, the liver is connected most strongly to the skin - vernally speaking, any skin issues indicate a liver imbalance so caring for your skin also helps the liver. Therefore, when decreasing your toxic intake, be sure to swap any toxic skincare products for organic, natural ones. To remedy this, care for your liver with foods and herbs like turmeric, leafy greens, bitters and healthy amounts of clean protein. Also, learn to relax, let go of chronic angry thoughts. Decrease your overall toxic load, meditate, take walks in nature, and do not take life too seriously.

* Eyebrows/Under Eye - Kidney/Adrenal: The kidney system is ruled by the water element; it manages all fluid within the body. It is also responsible for our stress response - when the body is dehydrated from poor habits or high stress, it adversely affects the kidneys and shows in the form of under-eye bags, dark circles, puffiness, or inflammatory issues around the eyebrow ridge. Generally speaking, your eyebrows should be darker than the hair on your head; if not, it could indicate a weak kidney system. To improve these issues, drink enough quality water - sip it throughout the day and do not chug water as it dilutes the kidneys. Also, stay away from sugar and excess caffeine, along with refined salt as these weaken the kidneys. Eat mineral rich foods, get good sleep and handle your emotional stress responses.

* Nose - Heart: Issues with the nose indicate problems with the heart. The left side of the nose corresponds to the left side of your heart, and vice versa. The whole area tells us a lot about the condition of the heart. Blackheads mean heart congestion, redness indicates blood sugar/blood pressure issues from excess alcohol, sugar, and processed foods. Anger, grief, and stubbornness all damage the heart. You can help the heart by opening your heart emotionally, forgiving, and being willing to understand others. Also, improve cholesterol levels by lowering sugar and refined carb intake and eat healthier cholesterol. You can lower inflammation with omega-3 fatty acid foods like anchovy, sardines, and cod liver oil. Great herbs for the heart include Reishi, Pearl and White Peony.

* Mouth/Chin - Colon/Stomach: Any issues with or around the mouth may indicate a problem with the colon and stomach. Ulcers in the mouth, for example, may indicate the same toxic heat in the stomach or stomach ulcers. The colon is obviously closely connected to the stomach as a major organ in the digestive system - it only makes sense that if things in the stomach are off, the colon will be affected. According to TCM, the most common issue that occurs in the stomach is one of dampness. Dampness is caused by prolonged periods of excess heat, interestingly enough caused by excess raw or cold foods. Because the stomach has to "heat" up our food to match our internal body temperature, when we eat strictly raw or cold foods, the stomach has to drive up HCL production to warm it up, eventually burning the stomach out, leading to dampness. Once an issue of dampness arises, there is often mucus in the colon, yeast and fungal infections and general poor digestive health. Eating too many raw foods or also too many sweet foods can cause problems in this area. If you have a dry mouth or lips, this might indicate a dryness issue in the body, which is the stage between excess heat and dampness. Before matters get worse, seek balance in your diet. Eat mostly warm, lightly cooked foods, which promote healthy HCL production and manage dryness and dampness. You can also remedy these issues with demulcent fiber like chia, marshmallow, slippery elm, and aloe vera.

* Cheeks - Stomach/Spleen: The Stomach and spleen work together to extract Qi from food, they rule digestion. The cheeks are close to the mouth, so much of what applies to the mouth can be applied here. The difference is that more often than not, issues of excess heat show up primarily on this area. When the cheeks are red, it is an indication that the stomach is experiencing inflammation. However, there are a few imbalances that can occur in this area. Most can be remedied by mastering the emotions and surprisingly by drinking enough fluid (only between meals 1-2 hours after eating and 15 minutes prior). The stomach system is the origin of fluids and requires an abundance of fluids, so do not underestimate the importance of good hydration!

In closing, the secret to true beauty comes from within: emotionally, mentally and physically. There is truly no beauty treatment that compares to good health, a good heart and a clear mind. If you desire real beauty, then ultimately, the goal is total wellness. Which is also the goal here at Alitura. Alitura is latin for feeding and nourishing, which is exactly what our skin care products do for your skin. So combine the above wisdom with a proper skin care routine using all-natural products, and shine on you beautiful soul!

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Chinese Face Mapping: An Ancient Guide to Healing Your Face & Body - Alitura Naturals

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The ultimate guide to Chinese Face mapping. Heal your skin problems, from acne to dryness, with face mapping. Learn how everything is connected, from your skin to your organs, and exactly how to improve your skin from the inside out!

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Red Flag #5: Suppression By Authorities  

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Red Flag #5: Suppression By Authorities  

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Definition: The idea that Government officials, Medical and Law professionals are hiding key parts of certain world issues in order to make profit. A large example is the belief that researchers have discovered the cure for most cancers and have decided to not disclose it to the public.

Connection: In this very passionate article, the writer makes big claims on how the CDC are a force of evil. The topic in conversation is that vaccines cause autism in youth. The writer claims that the government has known this since the dawn of modern medicine, the whole belief being that money matters more than the people of a nation. The writer also references how there have be four studies on how their claims are true, all written in the same radical way with only theories as proof. The CDC is a very secretive organization but only because a lot of the things they deal with are dangerous to the public.

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by Kelly Brogan, MD

The dam is leaking, and the flood is coming. Are you ready to stand strong?
Fraud.

A powerful accusation, sensational, provocative. When we think of fraud, what comes to mind? Images of avarice-driven men putting their greed before the best interest of a larger population. Does it feel different when it is a woman behind the mask? What about a woman charged with "Saving Lives. Protecting People." as is the CDC's claim? What if that larger population put at risk is our infants, babies, and children?
Today, I am calling all women, to hear this news, let it permeate deep down to the core of their primal instincts, and say, enough is enough.
As citizens of this capitalist nation, we cannot rely on corporate-sponsored news media for the truth. We must source it from trusted independent outlets, informed experts, and even going to the available science, ourselves. It is time to reclaim our health, and that of our families, once and for all. When we outsource our native wisdom, our belief in the fundamental strength of our minds and bodies, to corporations whose primary fiduciary responsibility is to their shareholders, we are sacrificing ourselves, and our children. Women and children are the sheep being led off the ledge. I have written about a known 4250% increase in fetal demise during the 2009/10 flu season, about evidence-based inefficacy and risks of the pertussis vaccine pushed on pregnant women, about Gardasil killing healthy girls across the globe, fear mongering about SIDS that is actually caused by a visit to the pediatrician, and of the corruption of an infant's birthday by the Hepatitis B vaccine. In rejecting the paradigm of vaccination, it is important to grasp the nature of the political beast that is pushing vaccines into the arms (legs and buttocks) of every American.
This week, devotees to the shrine of conventional medicine that is vaccination, are called to the floor.
After Dr. Brian Hooker's requests through the Freedom of Information Act for original MMR study documentation, a CDC Immunization Safety Researcher, Dr. William Thompson has buckled under the pressure of his conscience, and come forth as a whistleblower. These documents demonstrated a 3.4 fold increase in the incidence of autism in African American boys, expunged from the final study results in a violent act of scientific fraud. Dr. Thompson has since corroborated the CDC's retroactive alteration of the data to eliminate the signal of harm. In light of a 2004 letter confirming CDC awareness and suppression of these findings, CDC head, Dr. Julie Gerberding committed perjury before moving onto her position at Merck in the Vaccine Division. Dr. Hooker has published the unadulterated finding here.

As parents around the world have known for 7 decades, and basic science has supported, vaccines do cause autism. Despite the defiance of the CDC in its refusal to conduct that most basic of studies, a retrospective case-control investigation of autism rates in vaccinated versus unvaccinated children, science has been supporting the connection for years. In a transparent effort to paralyze the conversation, the Institute of Medicine has handily dismissed a causal relationship between vaccination and autism, referencing 4 studies, including the very study in question, and another by now fugitive Paul Thorsen, and one that actually did demonstrate over 50% regression after MMR. Analyses that have been done, outside of Pharma's pocket book, have demonstrated statistically significant correlations between vaccination and autism and suggested that prevention involves less-to-no vaccination.

It is time for us to acknowledge the heinous nature of this one-size-fits-all pharmaceutical assault. There are no green vaccines, no room for a "slowed or alternate schedule" because vaccination itself is predicated on an antiquated misapprehension of individualized immunity. Metals, antibiotics, chemical preservatives, and manipulated animal and human tissues have no place in human ecology. This mismatch is particularly egregious in our current state as a species, hovering on the brink of devolution, in an age of profound transgenerational compromise of mitochondrial dysfunction, detox capacity, and microbiota-supported immunity.

Are We Surprised?

A veritable body-bomb, the MMR contains recombinant human albumin, fetal bovine serum, and chick embryo fibroblasts, and the potential for interspecies activation of unknown retroviruses, molecular mimicry, and reactivation of the virulence of the infectious virus itself - a completely unstudied and medically unacknowledged risk. Conventional medicine, particularly the field of infectious disease, has yet to adopt the new science, which has demonstrated the imperative of individualized risk assessment. There is no effort to screen for, identify, or personalize this intervention based on genetics, lifestyle, or markers of altered immunity. This is the equivalent of hammering a one-sized-helmet on to each child's head, in full knowledge that some fraction of those children will be injured or even killed in this barbaric process. Add to this co-exposures such as nutrient depleted maternal diets, surgical births, formula feeding, ultrasound, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals like Tylenol, and there is only so long we can defend a model of toxicology that ignores the synergy of these risks.

A novel diagnosis, Measles-Induced Neuroautistic Encephalopathy (MINE) appears to be a variant of the most severe complication of measles, Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis, which develops when the body is unable to clear the measles virus. MINE has only been reported in children who have received MMR vaccines. An immature or otherwise compromised immune system appears to be a necessary risk factor for the development of MINE and SSPE. Who is assessing vaccine recipients for this risk factor? Do we even know how?

Autism is the emblem for modern human health. These children are the canaries in the coalmine. Those whose buckets were full-to-overflowing until the final uninvited drops spill over the edge. They suffer from oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, dysbiosis, and brain-based inflammation and autoimmunity. In the era of vaccine design, it was not even known that the brain had immune function, let alone that our gut microbiome is the mastermind of of our immune response, and that we must cooperate with the bacteria and viruses in our midst. There is no free lunch, no slaughter of bugs, no offensive attack that does not also undermine our own health.

The Flood

Parents are taking back the truth. It is my expectation that this crack in the dam will serve to sound an alarm. To wake women up. To show them that they have relinquished their maternal wisdom, and that it is time to wrest it back. As Dan Olmsted states:

More broadly, these "leaks" in the bulwark of conventional wisdom have been coming for a long time, and not just from people on the inside with information to share.

I'm talking about leaks like all the parents of children on the other side of the elevated-risk stats - MMR shots at 12 months, illness, regression, autism.

Leaks like parents who saw it with other vaccines, at other times - parents who were willing to share what happened to try to keep it from happening again.

Leaks like the original Verstraeten study at the CDC that found a high risk of autism for infants who got the most ethyl mercury by the first month of life, as opposed to the least.

Leaks like the CDC coverup of the soaring autism rate in Brick Township, N.J.

Leaks like all the evidence from low-and-no-vaccine populations with low-to-no autism. Leaks like the unwillingness of the public health authorities to even study the issue.

Leaks like the Hannah Poling case, which the government conceded was triggered by autism, but buried by obfuscation. Leaks like the Unanswered Questions study showing autism all over the place in unacknowledged vaccine "court" rulings.

Leaks like the SafeMinds parents identifying autism as a "novel form of mercury poisoning" more than a decade ago.

Leaks like the Merck scientists who came forward to say the company faked data to make its mumps vaccine look effective.

Leaks like the connection between the first cases of autism reported in the medical literature, in 1943, and the families' exposure to the new ethyl mercury vaccines and fungicides.

Leaks like the whole catastrophic half-a-millennium love affair between the medical industry and mercury, one that should have ended long before the autism tidal wave started carrying away America's children.

Leaks like the most obvious one of all - the explosion of autism and the vaccine schedule at the same time Congress gave the nation's corrupt drug makers a free ride in court, a ride on the backs of America's vaccine-injured children and their stumbling families.

These leaks are becoming a flood, and the flood a tidal wave, just like the autism tidal wave, and the wave is washing away the whole wall of denial built by the same people who just about now are running out of fingers and toes to plug them with.

Deeply ingrained in our most primitive impulses, mothers are wired to protect their children. This protection no longer takes the form of sheltering them from wild animals, warming their bodies from the elements, and procuring foraged food. Today, our charge is to access a fearlessness. To shed a "medicate it, kill it, suppress it!" reflex, and to adopt a deep respect for our coevolution with the natural world, and a powerful rejection of a broken healthcare model that is making us sicker by the minute. If we stand together, our feminine wisdom will cast a shadow so dark that Pharma will run scared. Dig deep for that fearlessness, and let emerging truths like Thompson's support your journey back to self.

Filed Under: Tagged With: Article, Autism, Brian Hooker, Iatrogenic Harm, Microbiome, MMR, MMR Vaccine, Pharmaceuticals, Pregnancy, Vaccines, William Thompson Drug Side Effects, Sane Motherhood

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CDC: You're Fired. Autism Coverup Exposed. - Kelly Brogan MD

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by Kelly Brogan, MD The dam is leaking, and the flood is coming. Are you ready to stand strong? A powerful accusation, sensational, provocative. When we think of fraud, what comes to mind? Images of avarice-driven men putting their greed before the best interest of a larger population.

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Definition: Humans are inherently scared of the unknown and any explanation that can be given is comforting. That can explain this reason for belief as any that information given on an unknown topic is more believable than the idea of something being impossible.

Connection: This article takes a different look at UFOs and how instead of an alien visiting earth, all the objects they see could be Russian or Chinese experimental aircraft. Now while there is no proof of this either it goes well with this reason for belief as no one really knows what these UFOs actually are. This explanation also being a little more realistic than most does not stop the fact the the UFOs are still unexplained and people will try to grasp any information that is thrown their way.

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The US is ignoring UFOs and might be missing proof of alien civilisations, according to a former Pentagon insider.

The government needs to do far more to investigate reports of unexplained objects flying around the sky, wrote Christopher Mellon, who served deputy assistant secretary of defence for intelligence in the Bill Clinton and George W Bush administrations.

A number of videos of US pilots encountering unexplained objects appear to suggest that there exists aircraft far superior to anything known to be held by America or its allies, said Mr Mellon, who is now part of the To The Stars Academy of Arts and Science, an organisation devoted to investigating such phenomena. Those might not be the work of alien civilisations - but if they are not, they appear to suggest that another Earth-bound country such as China or Russia has technology that we do not know about.

Either way, the strange and unexplained videos appear to suggest that there is something that urgently needs to be investigated. But up and down the chain of command in the Pentagon people are anxious about treating the bizarre videos as connected events rather than strange individual occurrences, he claimed.

"If these craft mean that Russia, China or some other nation is concealing an astonishing technological breakthrough to quietly extend its lead, surely we should respond as we did then," Mr Mellon wrote in The Washington Post. "Perhaps Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent chest-thumping claims about propulsion breakthroughs are not pure braggadocio.

"Or, if these craft really aren't from Earth, then the need to figure out what they are is even more urgent."

Much of the resistance against doing so is to do with fear about being ridiculed or pigeonholed as someone who is too concerned about extraterrestrials, he said.

"But nobody wants to be 'the alien guy' in the national security bureaucracy; nobody wants to be ridiculed or sidelined for drawing attention to the issue," Mr Mellon wrote. "This is true up and down the chain of command, and it is a serious and recurring impediment to progress."

Mr Mellon was writing as new footage was revealed by To The Stars that appeared to show pilots tracking an unexplained object as it flew across the ocean. In that video, pilots express surprise that the object is moving so fast, and experts suggested that whatever they were tracking didn't appear as a normal plane.

It followed a set of strange videos and information released by the New York Times at the end of last year. That similar footage also appeared to show US navy pilots tracking unexplained objects.

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The government is ignoring UFO sightings, says former Pentagon insider

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The US is ignoring UFOs and might be missing proof of alien civilisations, according to a former Pentagon insider. The government needs to do far more to investigate reports of unexplained objects flying around the sky, wrote Christopher Mellon, who served deputy assistant secretary of defence for intelligence in the Bill Clinton and George W Bush administrations.

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Definition: Lead to believe that humans have a scripted need to deduce patterns, even there is not one present.

Connection: Ever stare up at the clouds to see what animals or faces you could see and you see something your friend does not see? Well that is most likely because they have tried to determine their own pattern, even when looking at the same thing.

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Definition: Assigning a meaning to unseen things. Such as Gods.

Connection: Over twenty-thousand people believe in a flying spaghetti monster which created the galaxy and controls gravity. FSM is a mix of science and religion. Giving the entity an identity when it has never been seen certainly falls under agenticity.

SIDE NOTE: (Give the video from the link a watch, it sure is something.)

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The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, after having existed in secrecy for hundreds of years, came into the mainstream just a few years ago*.

With millions, if not thousands, of devout worshipers, the Church of the FSM is widely considered a legitimate religion, even by its opponents - mostly fundamentalist Christians, who have accepted that our God has larger balls than theirs.

Some claim that the church is purely a thought experiment or satire, illustrating that Intelligent Design is not science, just a pseudoscience manufactured by Christians to push Creationism into public schools. These people are mistaken - The Church of FSM is legit, and backed by hard science. Anything that comes across as humor or satire is purely coincidental.

Sounds great but where do I start?

For a taste of what we're about, watch this video made by our friend Matt Tillman, an Introduction to Pastafarianism: Spaghetti, Wenches & Metaphysics.

More, please

We believe religion - say Christianity, Islam, Pastafarianiasm - does not require literal belief in order to provide spiritual enlightenment. Much of the transcendent experience of religion can be attributed to the community. And while some members of religion are indoctrinated True Believers, many are not. There are many levels of Belief and each is no more or less legitimate than the other.

That is to say, you do not have to Believe to be part of our Church, but we hope in time you will see the Truth. But skeptics, as well as members of other religions, are always welcome.

What is this business about pirates, and the Beer Volcano, and Stripper Factory?

Religious texts tell us that humans evolved from Pirates. Consider that so-called "science experts" would have us believe humans evolved from primates, pointing towards the shared 99% shared DNA between humans and primates. But humans and Pirates share upwards of 99.9% of DNA.

We believe that Pirates were the original Pastafarians and that they were peaceful explorers. It was only due to Christian misinformation that they have an image of outcast criminals today.

No one knows what the afterlife really holds, but we are told FSM Heaven has a Beer Volcano and Stripper Factory.

How Do I Join?

There is no formal membership process and we do not collect money from our members. The site is supported purely by our Certificates of Ordination.

If you're interested in what we're about, please feel free to consider yourself a member.

How Can I Help?

Evangelism is a time-honored tradition of religion, and it's no different with Pastafarianism. Nothing helps the Cause more than Spreading the Word.

Here are a few of my favorite acts of evangelism over the years. Please let these inspire you.

The FSM looks great in parades

How about a Float in honor of the FSM, complete with a crew of Pirates? This is a yearly occurrence at the Fremont Solstice Parade. Check it out here.

You can decorate your Holiday tree with a tree-topper

Every year, Pastafarians from around the world make their Holiday just a little more festive. Tree-toppers have become a tradition. Here are some of my favorites. (Sadly I do not know who is the cute girl in the photo.)

You could ride around in style

Look at all these people enchanted by this display of evangelism. How many joined the Church because of this? What a great display. You can see some more photos Here.

Or how about joining in with some on-campus ministers?

It's a common sight at colleges across the world: Christian evangelists telling us why we're going to their Hell for drinking and having sex. So why not join in the evangelizing? Give the students a choice: the Christian threat of eternal damnation and hellfire, or the chance of FSM afterlife complete with a Beer Volcano and Stripper Factory. You can read more about these Pastafarian gentleman's fine ministry work Here.
Community Outreach
Here's Bruder Spaghettus in Full Pirate Regalia standing next to the sign announcing the time and location of the weekly faith service, Noodlemass. (Other Churches in Germany are allowed this right, so why not Pastafarians).

Show your faith at the workplace

We're living in enlightened times - feel free to wear your religious headwear (yes, it's a colander) at the workplace. In the photo, Mr. Schaeffer is getting sworn in at his new position as council member. You can read more about it Here.

Or on your license photos

Why not wear a colander in your ID photos? Most places are cool with it, and those who are not can surely be poked by the ACLU. In the photo here, Mr. Alm has won the right to wear his Colander in his Austrian ID photo. You can read more about it Here.

Pumpkin evangelism is festive

Why not show your faith next time you carve a pumpkin?

Questions and Answers

Q: Is this a joke?
A: It's not a joke. Elements of our religion are sometimes described as satire and there are many members who do not literally believe our scripture, but this isn't unusual in religion. A lot of Christians don't believe the Bible is literally true - but that doesn't mean they aren't True Christians.

If you say Pastafarians must believe in a literal Flying Spaghetti Monster to be True Believers, then you can make a similar argument for Christians. There is a lot of outlandish stuff in the Bible that rational Christians choose to ignore.

Q: A lot of Pastafarians seem to be anti-religion and/or atheists (why is this?)
A: We're not anti-religion. This is NOT an atheists club. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join our church including current members of other religions. In addition to the Atheists, Agnostics, and Freethinkers who have joined us, we have a number of Christian (and Muslim, and Hindu and Buddhist ...) members and I would love to have more. Note to the religious: You are welcome here.

Let me make this clear: we are not anti-religion, we are anti- crazy nonsense done in the name of religion. There is a difference.

Q: I don't believe you or any of your so-called followers actually believe any of this.
A: Some Pastafarians honestly believe in the FSM, and some see it as satire. I would just make the point that satire is an honest, legitimate basis for religion. Satire relies on truth to be effective. If it's a joke, it's a joke where to understand the punchline you must be conscious of underlying truth.

Compare our religion to those that are built on lies. I am not talking necessarily about mainstream religions (which themselves are often full of mysticism and ad-hoc reasoning), but think of cults, or churches where the leaders are scamming their followers out of money. These are groups where the followers fully believe. Are these churches legitimate since they have many True Believers?

Or can we agree that religion is as much about community as any shared faith. By any rational metric, Pastafarians are as legitimate a religious group as any. Arguably more so, since we're honest and rational.

Q: What is the Church of FSM's view on abortion and right to life issues?
A: The Church of FSM's position is that life starts before conception (somewhere around the point of seeing the boobs), and that sperms - as potential humans if allowed to develop - deserve the same protections as fetuses and fully grown people. Anyone who harms sperms is guilty of murder, including pushers of hot water Jacuzzi's and tight-fitting underwears. We are all equal in the eyes of the LORD our Almighty Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Q: We want to use FSM designs for t-shirt, jerseys, posters...
A: It's ok to use FSM materials for your own use and to spread the word - I'm happy to see it. There have been a number of sports team and club shirts - I can provide high quality images/vector designs for screen printing, just let me know.

That said, please do not *SELL* FSM products.

Q: What Does the Flying Spaghetti Monster think of Same Sex Marriage?
A: The CotFSM has no judgement on same sex marriage, for/against; that is to say, all are welcome into the loving embrace of His Noodly Appendage. (And there are many gay/bi members).

Q: In 1000 years will FSM be a mainstream religion?
A: This is something I think about a lot. I sometimes wonder what the Church of Scientology - or lets say the Mormon Church looked like 5 years after Joseph Smith transcribed the scriptures out of the hat with the seer stones. What worries me is that right now I can be pretty sure there aren't a lot of dogmatic nutty FSM people around, but what about in 20 years? What about in 50 years? What about when someone figures out a way to make money out of this and turns it into some new age spiritual enlightenment thing. There are billions of Christians who are crazy serious about their religion who don't necessarily believe the things in the Bible actually happened. So .. yes, I do worry where FSM will go. I think the best we can do is work to instill in the Church positive values that will keep us on a straight path.

Q: How do Pastafarians believe our world was created?
A: We believe the Flying Spaghetti Monster created the world much as it exists today, but for reasons unknown made it appear that the universe is billions of years old (instead of thousands) and that life evolved into its current state (rather than created in its current form). Every time a researcher carries out an experiment that appears to confirm one of these "scientific theories" supporting an old earth and evolution we can be sure that the FSM is there, modifying the data with his Noodly Appendage. We don't know why He does this but we believe He does, that is our Faith.

Q: To what extent do Pastafarians need evidence to support their beliefs? What is considered valid evidence, and why are some religious ideas lacking evidence believed more widely than others? Why is Christianity more widely accepted than Pastafarianism?

A: For many religions, acceptance is due to the time it has been around and due to the number of people who already follow it. For potential followers it's often less a consideration of evidence, and more a judgment that the collective group of followers is better informed. That millions or billions of people already follow this religion is strong social proof that there is something to it. The larger the group and the longer it has been around, the more pronounced the effect.

But nonbelievers are overreaching when they dismiss the phenomenon of religion as wrong and useless because it so often lacks a basis in evidence. The fact that millions of people get something positive out of a religion - even if it is based in superstition - *does* mean something. But that's not to say it's True, only that it has Value. For many people, religion is about being part of a community and being part of something bigger and more important than themselves. These transcendent experiences are something we want to emulate.

Nonbelievers would be better off criticizing only on the negative, damaging parts of religion, and being less judgmental about the idea of religion in general. Nonbelievers get hung up asking for evidence when really we should be looking at why does religion thrive despite evidence? We should be pushing the idea that faith is not equivalent to evidence-based-reasoning without insisting that it's inferior, only that they are different ways of seeing the world. And that the problems happen when these world views clash.

Pastafarianism is different than most religions in that we explicitly make the point that our scripture need not be believed literally. In other religions this is known but not often said out loud (many Christians don't take the Bible literally but won't volunteer this). Pastafarian scripture has some outlandish and sometimes contradictory components - and unlike the scripture of mainstream religion, these pieces were intentional and obvious, and our congregation is aware of this.

About Bobby, a mini-bio.

Age: [current year minus 1980]
Education: Negligible (B.S. Physics)
Location: I grew up in Oregon, USA. College: Oregon, New Zealand. After college I lived in Nevada and then Arizona, and then Oregon again, and then wandering around. I lived on an island in the Philippines for 3 years. Now I'm back in the US.

Occupation aside from prophet of FSM: Hobo, hammock enthusiast. Also various nerdwork around computers.

You are welcome to Contact Me

*1: The Church of the FSM came into the mainstream in 2005 after this open letter was published.

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About " Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

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The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, after having existed in secrecy for hundreds of years, came into the mainstream just a few years ago*. With millions, if not thousands, of devout worshipers, the Church of the FSM is widely considered a legitimate religion, even by its opponents - mostly fundamentalist Christians, who have accepted that our God has larger balls than theirs.