LDLN - No 025

Magazine Overview

This issue of "LUMIÈRES DANS LA NUIT" (Lights in the Night), dated April 1960, is dedicated to exploring what it terms a "VITAL QUESTION" concerning human nutrition. The magazine, founded by R. VEILLITH, positions itself as a source of truth and enlightenment for humanity, guiding individuals towards new horizons. This particular issue delves deeply into the benefits of a rational, vegetarian diet, contrasting it with the detrimental effects of consuming animal flesh.

The Vital Question of Nutrition

The editorial opens by quoting the Book of Genesis (Chapter I, Verse 29), which states that God gave humanity all "herb bearing seed" and "fruit trees" for their nourishment. The author expresses dismay that such fundamental truths, crucial for human ascension and well-being, remain largely unknown, attributing this to human "inconscience." The magazine's own existence is presented as a direct result of a personal "revolution" eight years prior: the adoption of a strictly vegetarian and rational diet. The founders attest to experiencing remarkable improvements in health, with various ailments fading and endurance increasing significantly over these eight years, notably without the need for any medication and with a drastically reduced incidence of common illnesses like the flu and colds.

The Case for Vegetarianism

The issue features an article by Raymond DEXTREIT, a French specialist in natural living, who has extensively studied and experimented with vegetarian nutrition. DEXTREIT's work, presented in excerpts, reinforces the biblical and ancient wisdom regarding plant-based diets. The article argues that modern humanity has regressed, moving away from natural sources of life. It criticizes contemporary diets, which are described as "unadapted," "refined," "denatured by chemical fertilizers," and "sophisticated." The author laments that people often take more care in maintaining their automobiles than their own bodies, highlighting a "dangerous era of blind progress" driven by financial concerns rather than well-being.

Consequences of a Carnivorous Diet

The magazine asserts that the violation of nutritional laws has tragic consequences. It claims that consuming animal flesh and its by-products condemns two-thirds of humanity to chronic famine, with Christian nations being primary contributors. The article explains that raising livestock requires vast amounts of land, making vegetarianism a more efficient solution for feeding the global population, which is growing at an alarming rate. The author suggests that human egoism is the primary obstacle to adopting this seemingly simple solution.

Physiological and Anatomical Arguments

Further arguments are presented based on physiology and anatomy. The magazine contrasts the temperament of herbivores with carnivores, suggesting that a harmonious diet can lead to easier studies and a calmer disposition in children. It questions the compatibility of being an "animal friend" while tolerating the daily slaughter of animals for consumption. The text posits that many human achievements, religious or idealistic, overlook this "majestic truth." While acknowledging that pure air, daily exercise, and positive thoughts also contribute to health, the magazine emphasizes the paramount importance of correct nutrition. It suggests that the rise in alcoholism and other social ills stems from the body's deficiency in essential nutrients, leading to a constant search for stimulants. Notably, alcoholism is presented as unknown among vegetarians.

Longevity and Modern Life

The issue challenges the notion that modern progress has led to a longer, healthier life. It presents statistics from Paris in 1876 and 1913, showing a decrease in mortality from acute diseases like typhoid and diphtheria, but a significant increase in chronic diseases such as cancer, nephritis, and cirrhosis. The number of interned mentally ill and suicides also rose. Divorce rates also increased dramatically. The magazine contrasts this with historical records from the 18th century, which indicate a much higher number of centenarians. It attributes the perceived increase in average lifespan primarily to reduced infant mortality due to hygiene, while chronic diseases have escalated alarmingly.

The Hounzas and the "Golden Age"

A compelling example is given of the Hounzas, a people near Kashmir, who lived for millennia without notable diseases due to their rational vegetarian diet. However, after World War II, they adopted modern processed foods, alcohol, and meat, subsequently contracting diseases like cancer and tuberculosis. This is presented as evidence of the "progress" and "civilization" that leads to a decline in health. The magazine references Dr. CLAUDIAN's assertion that ancient primitive peoples, as well as Greeks and Romans of the classical era, followed a tradition of a "golden age" where plant-based food was abundant, and animals were not killed for consumption.

Scientific Perspectives on Diet

Raymond DEXTREIT's contribution further explores the anatomical and physiological arguments against meat consumption. He quotes Drs. ALLENDY and REAUBOURG, who state that consuming animal flesh is one of the gravest errors. They argue that human dentition, digestive system, and intestinal length are more suited to a diet of fruits and vegetables, similar to herbivores and frugivores like monkeys. The article contrasts this with the digestive systems of carnivores, which are adapted for rapid assimilation of meat. It highlights that while humans have canines, so do many herbivores, and these are likely used for cracking nuts and seeds. The human jaw's lateral mobility is suited for grinding grains and cereals.

The "Carnivorous" Human Debate

The magazine addresses the debate about whether humans are naturally carnivorous. It references naturalists like CUVIER and BUFFON. CUVIER is cited as stating that humans are primarily meant to consume fruits and roots, with digestive organs suited for mastication and a simple stomach. BUFFON is quoted as saying that humans could live on vegetables like animals, and that their appetite is easily satisfied by nature, implying that excessive meat consumption is an abuse rather than a necessity. The article also notes that herbivores, unlike carnivores, possess sweat glands that allow them to regulate body temperature through perspiration, a trait shared by humans.

The Role of Gravity and Tides

A section by "LE RAISONNEUR" discusses the forces influencing tides, attributing them more significantly to terrestrial movements than to the Moon and Sun. It explains that the Earth is covered by a vast layer of water and that gravity, paradoxically, is what lifts the oceans. The concept of communicating vessels (Pascal's principle) is used to illustrate how differences in weight, caused by factors like the Earth's rotation and centrifugal force at the equator, create variations in water levels, leading to tides. The author aims to simplify complex calculations related to these phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the profound importance of a natural, vegetarian diet for individual and collective well-being, the critique of modern civilization's deviation from natural laws, and the promotion of scientific and historical evidence to support these claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of vegetarianism as a path to improved health, longevity, and a more harmonious existence, positioning it as a crucial step for humanity's future. The magazine advocates for a return to the "sources of life" and encourages readers to adopt a lifestyle that aligns with these principles, viewing it as a noble and essential endeavor for the primordial chain of existence.

This issue of the magazine, identified as 'I3' and part of Volume I, was published in the first quarter of 1960 by R. Veillith. The cover prominently features the article "L'évènement capital de notre histoire: LE RETOUR DU CHRIST ET LA FIN DES TEMPS." by Raymond VEILLITH.

Geophysical and Cosmological Theories

The issue begins with a detailed mathematical and physical explanation of the Earth's shape and its rotation. It calculates the equatorial bulge and its implications for sea levels. The text posits that if the Earth's rotation were to slow down, the equatorial bulge would decrease, causing water to shift towards the poles and rise on coastal regions, particularly in areas like the Netherlands. This phenomenon is used to explain historical observations, such as the Sahara potentially being a sea in ancient times and the existence of the Strait of Dover being impossible if the Earth's rotation were slower.

The article then transitions to explaining the mechanics of tides, specifically the North Atlantic sub-lunar tide. It uses the principle of communicating vessels to illustrate how the Earth's rotation and continental formations influence tidal heights. The text suggests that continental barriers and underwater ridges 'defuse' the natural bulge of water, and when this force is removed, the water redistributes, causing coastal tides. The difference in water height at the center of the Atlantic is calculated to be 0.285 meters for the sub-lunar tide, with the surplus water at the center causing a more pronounced effect on the coasts. The virulence of tides is attributed to the abrupt return of water and the configuration of the coastline, as well as the continental shelf.

Biblical Prophecy and Eschatology

The main article by Raymond Veillith, "LE RETOUR DU CHRIST ET LA FIN DES TEMPS," focuses on biblical interpretations of the end times. It quotes Jesus' discourse to his disciples about the signs preceding his return and the end of the world. The author emphasizes that while the exact day and hour are unknown, the signs of the times can help discern the proximity of this event. The article contrasts the common understanding of 'end of the world' with 'end of the century' or 'end of an era,' suggesting that the former refers to the triumph of good over evil and the completion of an epoch, not the destruction of the planet.

It highlights Jesus' parable of the fig tree as an analogy for recognizing the season of his return. The author asserts that multiple specific events, when occurring together, serve as definitive indicators of this imminent arrival. The article promises to present these precise facts from the Bible and then supplement them with information from private sources, while also acknowledging and addressing potential contradictions.

A key point clarified is that the Return of Christ and the End of Times are not separate events but are intrinsically linked, with the return marking and completing the end. The author references Jesus' discourse in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, noting that some aspects, like the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, do not pertain to the current era.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the intersection of scientific observation (geophysics, tidal mechanics) with religious prophecy (eschatology, the Second Coming of Christ). The editorial stance appears to be one that seeks to reconcile scientific understanding with biblical interpretation, suggesting that both provide evidence for a divinely ordained timeline of events. The magazine also includes practical elements like classified ads ('Petites Annonces') and acknowledgments of reader support ('Reconnaissance'), indicating a community-focused publication. The publication details for subscriptions and contact information are provided, with the publication being printed in the first trimester of 1960.