Man Lives on only Sunlight and Water

shotbyadam · 30th April 2012, 09:16 AM

I was reading this recent article of a Swiss woman who died claiming she was partaking in a diet where you live off of water and sunlight only. No food, just sunlight, for nutrition. I'd post the links to this article but I'm new here and am unable to post links in a forum post yet. It was recently in the NY Daily News though, among numerous other sources.

Evidently others have died from this too and they all point to a source of an Indian man who has made a claim that he not only lives on this diet but has also baffled local doctors by living in a hospital, under surveillance, for 120 days with no food. Only water and sunlight. Again, I cannot post a link but the man's name is Hira Ratan Manek and he seems to have stumped scientists from some pretty notable universities. He claims that he absorbs solar energy through his skin and that keeps him not only alive, but that it alleviates all different types of illnesses, including "spiritual illness"

So my skeptic radar went off on this and it sounds to me like this guy has a real claim for the $1 Million Prize if he can prove he only lives on water and sunlight. What do you guys think?

Monketey Ghost · 30th April 2012, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by shotbyadam

I was reading this recent article of a Swiss woman who died claiming she was partaking in a diet where you live off of water and sunlight only. No food, just sunlight, for nutrition. I'd post the links to this article but I'm new here and am unable to post links in a forum post yet. It was recently in the NY Daily News though, among numerous other sources.

Evidently others have died from this too and they all point to a source of an Indian man who has made a claim that he not only lives on this diet but has also baffled local doctors by living in a hospital, under surveillance, for 120 days with no food. Only water and sunlight. Again, I cannot post a link but the man's name is Hira Ratan Manek and he seems to have stumped scientists from some pretty notable universities. He claims that he absorbs solar energy through his skin and that keeps him not only alive, but that it alleviates all different types of illnesses, including "spiritual illness"

So my skeptic radar went off on this and it sounds to me like this guy has a real claim for the $1 Million Prize if he can prove he only lives on water and sunlight. What do you guys think?

Well, I'm ready to be wrong, but my gut tells me that no, the man does not live on only sunlight and water. If he does, he dies in relatively short order.

Lock the guy in a room with a skylight and a water source and let's put it to the test!

Professor Yaffle · 30th April 2012, 09:21 AM

dp

Professor Yaffle · 30th April 2012, 09:23 AM

Quote:

The second study lasted 411 days in 2000–2001, in Ahmedabad, India, under the direction of a 21 member team of medical doctors and scientists led by doctors Sudhir Shah and K. K. Shah, a past President of the Indian Medical Association and current Chairman of the Jainist Doctors' Federation (the latter group aims to "Promote scientific research and medical education based on principles of Jainism").[38] Dr K. K. Shah said "Fasting is a method of curing the meditation of mind and body which has been proved by great jain monks, sanyasis and munis of ancient times. There is a need to propagate these methods during this age of increasing diseases of the body and mind due to over consumptions and increasing with fasting would help maintain perfection.".[37] Dr Sudhir Shah was also involved in the study of Prahlad Jani.[39]
The paper[40] published by Dr Sudhir Shah makes it clear that dozens of people had access to Hira Ratan Manek during the study and he went on at least one excursion: "Most surprisingly, he had himself climbed the famous Shatrunjay mountain (Palitana hill) on 4.4.01, on 401st day of his legendary fasting along with 500 fellowmen without anybody’s help, within 1.5 Hrs. only". The paper reports that the subject lost 19 kg of weight during the study period. Neither the experiment, as described in the paper, nor the paper itself have been validated by any other well-known scientific or medical journal.
A third study allegedly lasted for 130 days in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Pennsylvania under the direction of Dr. Andrew Newberg and Dr. George C. Brainard. Dr Sudhir Shah, who led the previous study, acted as an advisor and consultant to the USA team. However, Dr. Andrew Newberg said that Hira stayed at the University of Pennsylvania only for brain scans on studies of meditation, not his ability to fast indefinitely.
In the documentary "Eat the Sun" (2011-Peter Sorcher), he was caught on camera eating a big meal in a restaurant on 500 Haight Street, San Fransisco, U.S.A.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inedia#Hira_Ratan_Manek

richardm · 30th April 2012, 09:28 AM

Wasn't Randi involved in testing one of these claims a while back? I seem to recall that the non-eater was found mid-test sneaking out of the back of a motel trying to find a KFC or something similarly ludicrous.

Edit: link to a bit about that test, and also Randi talking about the guy in the OP.

Originally Posted by Randi

One guy tested in California a few years back was discovered to be sneaking out to McDonalds in the wee hours of the morning, though he claimed he only inhaled the burger aroma to stay alive... We didn't believe that...

And on the OP bloke:

Originally Posted by Randi

it was discovered that Manek took a bit more than sunlight for sustenance. His wife had somewhat hyperbolized his claim — what a surprise! — and admitted that he also consumed buttermilk and fruit juices. The miracle begins to fade somewhat at this point, don't you think?

Madalch · 30th April 2012, 09:31 AM

Didn't Randi state that he will no longer accept MDC applications from breathairians, on the basis that they would die if they actually tried to win?

shotbyadam · 30th April 2012, 09:42 AM

The thing I find so sad about these lunatics is that, in spite of their failure, they still have idiot followers who think that they can succeed. Maybe they just don't believe the press that debunks their guru or maybe they are delusional too and just "want to believe". Either way, you'd think the diet wasn't working when you were on the way to the hospital.

Professor Yaffle · 30th April 2012, 09:53 AM

I think that people who actually die from this probably have underlying anorexia.

NeilC · 30th April 2012, 09:53 AM

"local doctors", "paranormal investigators" and "top scientists" are only a few of the groups of people who are apparently easy to "baffle" as far as I can tell.

ddt · 30th April 2012, 09:54 AM

See also this recent thread in GS&P about the Swiss woman and an Australian breatharian guru who had a well-stocked fridge "for her hubby".

Bikewer · 30th April 2012, 10:14 AM

Aside from the obvious cost savings.. why would you WANT to subsist on "nothing"?

RobDog63 · 30th April 2012, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Bikewer

Aside from the obvious cost savings.. why would you WANT to subsist on "nothing"?

...and why would you want to say that you can?

I mean I can understand other pushers of crazy diets; they have pills, books and videos to sell. Do these guys have shares in sun cream and air purifiers perhaps?

If they're trying to recruit disciples it's a pretty short-term strategy; their flock will very effectively self-diminish to zero.

Even if someone purports that only those with special powers and knowledge may exist on air, sunshine and meditation must realise that others may at least attempt the same and put themselves in serious jeopardy?

NeilC · 30th April 2012, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by RobDog63

...and why would you want to say that you can?

I mean I can understand other pushers of crazy diets; they have pills, books and videos to sell. Do these guys have shares in sun cream and air purifiers perhaps?

If they're trying to recruit disciples it's a pretty short-term strategy; their flock will very effectively self-diminish to zero.

Even if someone purports that only those with special powers and knowledge may exist on air, sunshine and meditation must realise that others may at least attempt the same and put themselves in serious jeopardy?

because they want the attention and the aura of mystical power it confers in the eyes of believers.

They either don't care about emulators or thing that anyone trying will end up eating on the sly, Just like they do.

RobDog63 · 30th April 2012, 10:59 AM

Yes agreed. Pretty cynical people aren't they?

wardenclyffe · 30th April 2012, 11:35 AM

Perhaps if his followers stop spending money on food, they can afford to buy prayer mats from him or just give him money or something.

Ward

Battman · 1st May 2012, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Monketey Ghost

Well, I'm ready to be wrong, but my gut tells me that no, the man does not live on only sunlight and water. If he does, he dies in relatively short order.

Lock the guy in a room with a skylight and a water source and let's put it to the test!

After the first week, throw a nice big juicy rib eye into the room and watch the fun begin.

xtifr · 1st May 2012, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by Battman

After the first week, throw a nice big juicy rib eye into the room and watch the fun begin.

If it's been a whole week with no water, there's a good change that the "fun" will be: the body sits there, unmoving, and shows no sign of noticing the steak. Three to five days is the general estimate of how long you can survive without water, though there are various factors that can affect that. At best, though, you're probably dealing with someone in a coma, and it's much more likely that you're trying to feed a corpse.

Damien Evans · 1st May 2012, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by xtifr

If it's been a whole week with no water, there's a good change that the "fun" will be: the body sits there, unmoving, and shows no sign of noticing the steak. Three to five days is the general estimate of how long you can survive without water, though there are various factors that can affect that. At best, though, you're probably dealing with someone in a coma, and it's much more likely that you're trying to feed a corpse.

No one ever said anything about no water.

xtifr · 2nd May 2012, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Damien Evans

No one ever said anything about no water.

Whoops, you're right; I misread. I retract my comment.

NobbyNobbs · 3rd May 2012, 03:33 PM

I too subsist on just sunlight and water. However, I require most of my sunlight to be processed through a method I don't at all understand but involves plant life and something called ''photosynthesis''. Moreover, although not a requirement, I often desire some of the plant life to be further processed through the guts of a herbivore. I'd then consume that portion that was left behind in the muscle of the animal.

But really, it's just sunlight and water.

pakeha · 3rd May 2012, 04:00 PM

^
Good one.
Seriously though, the harm these gurus cause is compounded because 'fasting' is widely touted in woo circles as a cure for just about everything.
The reasoning is that by fasting, one liberates the energy needed to digest food to the curative process.
Arnold Ehret, anyone?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Ehret

Also, there is a cultural carry-over that fasting is 'good' or 'holy'.
Remember the stories about Jesus fasting in the NT?

Lukraak_Sisser · 3rd May 2012, 11:29 PM

No need to be so difficult with testing really.

If their claim is true the breath they exhale should contain measurably less CO2 than the ambiant air, as they need to fix their carbon somehow.

anor277 · 4th May 2012, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by NobbyNobbs

.......................

But really, it's just sunlight and water.

And peas, and beans, and nitrogen fixation for protein synhesis.

Just on topic, even with goodwill it would be extraordinarily difficult to test a 'breatharian'. One would actually have to confine them, and monitor them. And, as has been pointed out, one could not do this ethically; the testing would compromise the individual's health.

DevilsAdvocate · 4th May 2012, 01:34 AM

Sunlight and water. That’s all I need. And this paddle game…. Sunlight and water and the paddle game. That’s all I need. And this lamp… Sunlight, water, the paddle game, and this lamp. That’s all I need. And this cheeseburger…

When do I win the Million Thermos Challenge? (I hope I’m not being a jerk.)

maggot9779 · 4th May 2012, 01:54 AM

But seriously, wouldn't your body start to devour itself if you just lived off of water?

Mashuna · 4th May 2012, 05:15 AM

If plants can live off sunlight and water, why not people?

Consider the lilies of the field. . .

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

jojonete · 4th May 2012, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by Madalch

Didn't Randi state that he will no longer accept MDC applications from breathairians, on the basis that they would die if they actually tried to win?

Yes.

From the Challenge Application page:

Quote:

The JREF will not test claims that are likely to cause injury of any sort, such as those involving the withholding of air, food, or water, or the use of illicit materials, drugs, or dangerous devices.

ehcks · 4th May 2012, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by pakeha

^
Good one.
Seriously though, the harm these gurus cause is compounded because 'fasting' is widely touted in woo circles as a cure for just about everything.
The reasoning is that by fasting, one liberates the energy needed to digest food to the curative process.

Do they expect their car to work without gasoline because it liberates the energy required to ignite the fuel?

30th April 2012, 09:16 AM	#1
shotbyadam New Blood Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 10	Man Lives on only Sunlight and Water I was reading this recent article of a Swiss woman who died claiming she was partaking in a diet where you live off of water and sunlight only. No food, just sunlight, for nutrition. I'd post the links to this article but I'm new here and am unable to post links in a forum post yet. It was recently in the NY Daily News though, among numerous other sources. Evidently others have died from this too and they all point to a source of an Indian man who has made a claim that he not only lives on this diet but has also baffled local doctors by living in a hospital, under surveillance, for 120 days with no food. Only water and sunlight. Again, I cannot post a link but the man's name is Hira Ratan Manek and he seems to have stumped scientists from some pretty notable universities. He claims that he absorbs solar energy through his skin and that keeps him not only alive, but that it alleviates all different types of illnesses, including "spiritual illness" So my skeptic radar went off on this and it sounds to me like this guy has a real claim for the $1 Million Prize if he can prove he only lives on water and sunlight. What do you guys think?
shotbyadam New Blood Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 10

30th April 2012, 09:18 AM	#2
Monketey Ghost Body of Work Join Date: May 2003 Location: I'm on your screen! Posts: 14,806	Originally Posted by shotbyadam I was reading this recent article of a Swiss woman who died claiming she was partaking in a diet where you live off of water and sunlight only. No food, just sunlight, for nutrition. I'd post the links to this article but I'm new here and am unable to post links in a forum post yet. It was recently in the NY Daily News though, among numerous other sources. Evidently others have died from this too and they all point to a source of an Indian man who has made a claim that he not only lives on this diet but has also baffled local doctors by living in a hospital, under surveillance, for 120 days with no food. Only water and sunlight. Again, I cannot post a link but the man's name is Hira Ratan Manek and he seems to have stumped scientists from some pretty notable universities. He claims that he absorbs solar energy through his skin and that keeps him not only alive, but that it alleviates all different types of illnesses, including "spiritual illness" So my skeptic radar went off on this and it sounds to me like this guy has a real claim for the $1 Million Prize if he can prove he only lives on water and sunlight. What do you guys think? Well, I'm ready to be wrong, but my gut tells me that no, the man does not live on only sunlight and water. If he does, he dies in relatively short order. Lock the guy in a room with a skylight and a water source and let's put it to the test!
	__________________ _{The membership of this forum is henceforth to refer to me as potato-headed Bobby} _{SSKCAS, member in long standing}

30th April 2012, 09:21 AM	#3
Professor Yaffle Butterbeans and Breadcrumbs Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Emily's shop Posts: 15,325	dp
	__________________ I think you'll find it's a little bit more complicated than that. My blog "Well I think I've made it abundantly clear in this thread I have no idea what I'm talking about..." - truethat Last edited by Professor Yaffle; 30th April 2012 at 09:30 AM.

30th April 2012, 09:23 AM	#4
Professor Yaffle Butterbeans and Breadcrumbs Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Emily's shop Posts: 15,325	Quote: The second study lasted 411 days in 2000–2001, in Ahmedabad, India, under the direction of a 21 member team of medical doctors and scientists led by doctors Sudhir Shah and K. K. Shah, a past President of the Indian Medical Association and current Chairman of the Jainist Doctors' Federation (the latter group aims to "Promote scientific research and medical education based on principles of Jainism").[38] Dr K. K. Shah said "Fasting is a method of curing the meditation of mind and body which has been proved by great jain monks, sanyasis and munis of ancient times. There is a need to propagate these methods during this age of increasing diseases of the body and mind due to over consumptions and increasing with fasting would help maintain perfection.".[37] Dr Sudhir Shah was also involved in the study of Prahlad Jani.[39] The paper[40] published by Dr Sudhir Shah makes it clear that dozens of people had access to Hira Ratan Manek during the study and he went on at least one excursion: "Most surprisingly, he had himself climbed the famous Shatrunjay mountain (Palitana hill) on 4.4.01, on 401st day of his legendary fasting along with 500 fellowmen without anybody’s help, within 1.5 Hrs. only". The paper reports that the subject lost 19 kg of weight during the study period. Neither the experiment, as described in the paper, nor the paper itself have been validated by any other well-known scientific or medical journal. A third study allegedly lasted for 130 days in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Pennsylvania under the direction of Dr. Andrew Newberg and Dr. George C. Brainard. Dr Sudhir Shah, who led the previous study, acted as an advisor and consultant to the USA team. However, Dr. Andrew Newberg said that Hira stayed at the University of Pennsylvania only for brain scans on studies of meditation, not his ability to fast indefinitely. In the documentary "Eat the Sun" (2011-Peter Sorcher), he was caught on camera eating a big meal in a restaurant on 500 Haight Street, San Fransisco, U.S.A. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inedia#Hira_Ratan_Manek
	__________________ I think you'll find it's a little bit more complicated than that. My blog "Well I think I've made it abundantly clear in this thread I have no idea what I'm talking about..." - truethat

30th April 2012, 09:28 AM	#5
richardm Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,270	Wasn't Randi involved in testing one of these claims a while back? I seem to recall that the non-eater was found mid-test sneaking out of the back of a motel trying to find a KFC or something similarly ludicrous. Edit: link to a bit about that test, and also Randi talking about the guy in the OP. Originally Posted by Randi One guy tested in California a few years back was discovered to be sneaking out to McDonalds in the wee hours of the morning, though he claimed he only inhaled the burger aroma to stay alive... We didn't believe that... And on the OP bloke: Originally Posted by Randi it was discovered that Manek took a bit more than sunlight for sustenance. His wife had somewhat hyperbolized his claim — what a surprise! — and admitted that he also consumed buttermilk and fruit juices. The miracle begins to fade somewhat at this point, don't you think?
richardm Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,270	__________________ Rimmer: Look at her! Magnificent woman! Very prim, very proper, almost austere. Some people took her for cold, thought she was aloof. Not a bit of it. She just despised fools. Quite tragic, really, because otherwise I think we'd have got on famously. Last edited by richardm; 30th April 2012 at 09:32 AM.

30th April 2012, 09:31 AM	#6
Madalch The Jester Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The wet coast. Posts: 8,694	Didn't Randi state that he will no longer accept MDC applications from breathairians, on the basis that they would die if they actually tried to win?
	__________________ As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is incapable of resolving approaches zero. -Vaarsuvius It's a rum state of affairs when you feel like punching a jar of mayonnaise in the face. -Charlie Brooker

30th April 2012, 09:42 AM	#7
shotbyadam New Blood Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 10	The thing I find so sad about these lunatics is that, in spite of their failure, they still have idiot followers who think that they can succeed. Maybe they just don't believe the press that debunks their guru or maybe they are delusional too and just "want to believe". Either way, you'd think the diet wasn't working when you were on the way to the hospital.
shotbyadam New Blood Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 10

30th April 2012, 09:53 AM	#8
Professor Yaffle Butterbeans and Breadcrumbs Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Emily's shop Posts: 15,325	I think that people who actually die from this probably have underlying anorexia.
	__________________ I think you'll find it's a little bit more complicated than that. My blog "Well I think I've made it abundantly clear in this thread I have no idea what I'm talking about..." - truethat

30th April 2012, 09:53 AM	#9
NeilC Graduate Poster Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,331	"local doctors", "paranormal investigators" and "top scientists" are only a few of the groups of people who are apparently easy to "baffle" as far as I can tell.
	__________________ MobileTechie Wokingham Bracknell Computer Repair

30th April 2012, 09:54 AM	#10
ddt Mafia Penguin Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 10,309	See also this recent thread in GS&P about the Swiss woman and an Australian breatharian guru who had a well-stocked fridge "for her hubby".
	__________________ Proud member of the Solipsistic Autosycophant's Group

30th April 2012, 10:14 AM	#11
Bikewer Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 9,514	Aside from the obvious cost savings.. why would you WANT to subsist on "nothing"?

30th April 2012, 10:47 AM	#12
RobDog63 Student Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 34	Originally Posted by Bikewer Aside from the obvious cost savings.. why would you WANT to subsist on "nothing"? ...and why would you want to say that you can? I mean I can understand other pushers of crazy diets; they have pills, books and videos to sell. Do these guys have shares in sun cream and air purifiers perhaps? If they're trying to recruit disciples it's a pretty short-term strategy; their flock will very effectively self-diminish to zero. Even if someone purports that only those with special powers and knowledge may exist on air, sunshine and meditation must realise that others may at least attempt the same and put themselves in serious jeopardy?
RobDog63 Student Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 34

30th April 2012, 10:51 AM	#13
NeilC Graduate Poster Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,331	Originally Posted by RobDog63 ...and why would you want to say that you can? I mean I can understand other pushers of crazy diets; they have pills, books and videos to sell. Do these guys have shares in sun cream and air purifiers perhaps? If they're trying to recruit disciples it's a pretty short-term strategy; their flock will very effectively self-diminish to zero. Even if someone purports that only those with special powers and knowledge may exist on air, sunshine and meditation must realise that others may at least attempt the same and put themselves in serious jeopardy? because they want the attention and the aura of mystical power it confers in the eyes of believers. They either don't care about emulators or thing that anyone trying will end up eating on the sly, Just like they do.
	__________________ MobileTechie Wokingham Bracknell Computer Repair

30th April 2012, 10:59 AM	#14
RobDog63 Student Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 34	Yes agreed. Pretty cynical people aren't they?
RobDog63 Student Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 34

30th April 2012, 11:35 AM	#15
wardenclyffe Graduate Poster Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,483	Perhaps if his followers stop spending money on food, they can afford to buy prayer mats from him or just give him money or something. Ward
	__________________ ~~Na eth'er aa, ammre' en ank'aar'eith, d'emner'aa-, asd'reng'aather, em'n'err-aae...~ - Alenara Al'Kher'aat, aged 347

1st May 2012, 07:40 PM	#16
Battman Scholar Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Out on the bald prairie Posts: 90	Originally Posted by Monketey Ghost Well, I'm ready to be wrong, but my gut tells me that no, the man does not live on only sunlight and water. If he does, he dies in relatively short order. Lock the guy in a room with a skylight and a water source and let's put it to the test! After the first week, throw a nice big juicy rib eye into the room and watch the fun begin.

1st May 2012, 09:40 PM	#17
xtifr Muse Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sol III Posts: 563	Originally Posted by Battman After the first week, throw a nice big juicy rib eye into the room and watch the fun begin. If it's been a whole week with no water, there's a good change that the "fun" will be: the body sits there, unmoving, and shows no sign of noticing the steak. Three to five days is the general estimate of how long you can survive without water, though there are various factors that can affect that. At best, though, you're probably dealing with someone in a coma, and it's much more likely that you're trying to feed a corpse.
	__________________ "Those who learn from history are doomed to watch others repeat it." -- Anonymous Slashdot poster "The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore." -- James Nicoll

1st May 2012, 10:23 PM	#18
Damien Evans Up The Irons Tagger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 25,263	Originally Posted by xtifr If it's been a whole week with no water, there's a good change that the "fun" will be: the body sits there, unmoving, and shows no sign of noticing the steak. Three to five days is the general estimate of how long you can survive without water, though there are various factors that can affect that. At best, though, you're probably dealing with someone in a coma, and it's much more likely that you're trying to feed a corpse. No one ever said anything about no water.
	__________________ WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN? - Death "Racism is a disease in society. We're all equal. I don't care what their colour is, or religion. Just as long as they're human beings they're my buddies." - Mandawuy Yunupingu, lead singer of Yothu Yindi

2nd May 2012, 03:03 PM	#19
xtifr Muse Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sol III Posts: 563	Originally Posted by Damien Evans No one ever said anything about no water. Whoops, you're right; I misread. I retract my comment.
	__________________ "Those who learn from history are doomed to watch others repeat it." -- Anonymous Slashdot poster "The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore." -- James Nicoll

3rd May 2012, 03:33 PM	#20
NobbyNobbs Gazerbeam's Protege Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Mended Drum Posts: 5,630	I too subsist on just sunlight and water. However, I require most of my sunlight to be processed through a method I don't at all understand but involves plant life and something called ''photosynthesis''. Moreover, although not a requirement, I often desire some of the plant life to be further processed through the guts of a herbivore. I'd then consume that portion that was left behind in the muscle of the animal. But really, it's just sunlight and water.
	__________________ I wish someone would find something I wrote on this board to be sig-worthy, thereby effectively granting me immortality.--Antiquehunter The gods do not deduct from a man's allotted years on earth the time spent eating butterscotch pudding. AMERICA! NUMBER 1 IN PARTICLE PHYSICS SINCE JULY 4TH, 1776!!! --SusanConstant

3rd May 2012, 04:00 PM	#21
pakeha Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 7,957	^ Good one. Seriously though, the harm these gurus cause is compounded because 'fasting' is widely touted in woo circles as a cure for just about everything. The reasoning is that by fasting, one liberates the energy needed to digest food to the curative process. Arnold Ehret, anyone? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Ehret Also, there is a cultural carry-over that fasting is 'good' or 'holy'. Remember the stories about Jesus fasting in the NT?
pakeha Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 7,957	__________________ To a conspiracy theorist, having double standards just means that they have twice as many standards. carlitos Last edited by pakeha; 3rd May 2012 at 04:03 PM.

3rd May 2012, 11:29 PM	#22
Lukraak_Sisser Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,617	No need to be so difficult with testing really. If their claim is true the breath they exhale should contain measurably less CO2 than the ambiant air, as they need to fix their carbon somehow.

4th May 2012, 12:16 AM	#23
anor277 Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 313	Originally Posted by NobbyNobbs ....................... But really, it's just sunlight and water. And peas, and beans, and nitrogen fixation for protein synhesis. Just on topic, even with goodwill it would be extraordinarily difficult to test a 'breatharian'. One would actually have to confine them, and monitor them. And, as has been pointed out, one could not do this ethically; the testing would compromise the individual's health.
anor277 Critical Thinker Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 313

4th May 2012, 01:34 AM	#24
DevilsAdvocate Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,633	Sunlight and water. That’s all I need. And this paddle game…. Sunlight and water and the paddle game. That’s all I need. And this lamp… Sunlight, water, the paddle game, and this lamp. That’s all I need. And this cheeseburger… When do I win the Million Thermos Challenge? (I hope I’m not being a jerk.)
	__________________ Heaven forbid someone reads these words and claims to be adversely affected by them, thus ensuring a barrage of lawsuits filed under the guise of protecting the unknowing victims who were stupid enough to read this and believe it! - Kevin Trudeau

4th May 2012, 01:54 AM	#25
maggot9779 Thinker Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 132	But seriously, wouldn't your body start to devour itself if you just lived off of water?
maggot9779 Thinker Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 132

4th May 2012, 08:15 AM	#27
jojonete Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 149	Originally Posted by Madalch Didn't Randi state that he will no longer accept MDC applications from breathairians, on the basis that they would die if they actually tried to win? Yes. From the Challenge Application page: Quote: The JREF will not test claims that are likely to cause injury of any sort, such as those involving the withholding of air, food, or water, or the use of illicit materials, drugs, or dangerous devices.
jojonete Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 149

4th May 2012, 08:31 AM	#28
ehcks Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,685	Originally Posted by pakeha ^ Good one. Seriously though, the harm these gurus cause is compounded because 'fasting' is widely touted in woo circles as a cure for just about everything. The reasoning is that by fasting, one liberates the energy needed to digest food to the curative process. Do they expect their car to work without gasoline because it liberates the energy required to ignite the fuel?
ehcks Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,685	__________________ Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor