LDLN - No 034

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Lumières dans la Nuit," number 34, from its 4th year, dated February 1961, is dedicated to exploring truths and guiding humanity toward new horizons. The cover prominently features the headline "CIVILISATION DE FAUX-PROPHETES" (Civilization of False Prophets), quoting Jesus' warning about false prophets and applying it to the materialistic civilization of the time. The magazine's founder is R. Veillith, and it is priced at 0.50 N. F.

Civilization of False Prophets

The lead article, "Civilization of False Prophets," by an unnamed author, draws a parallel between Jesus' warning and the current materialistic civilization, describing it as a "trompe-l'oeil." It argues that while science itself is neutral, the belief that technological progress will lead to a "superman" and a "golden age" is misguided. The article posits that the true "golden age" was in the past, when humanity adhered to "Eternal Divine Laws," referring to the "Earthly Paradise." It quotes René DUCHET, author of "Bilan de la Civilisation Technicienne," who expresses a deep-seated anxiety about the current path of humanity, suggesting that modern life does not meet fundamental human needs. The author expresses profound concern for humanity's future, judging the fruits of current civilization to be bitter. The article concludes that Christianity, in its pure form as brought by Jesus, offers a luminous but perhaps "outdated" path for the current dark era.

Building a New World

André CHATILLON contributes an article titled "CONSTRUIRE UN MONDE NOUVEAU" (Building a New World), which aims to show the path towards renovating a world that has entered a "dead end." Chatillon discusses the consequences of flawed human thinking, leading to global conflicts and the risk of a new world conflagration. He questions the effectiveness of the UN Security Council and proposes that governments, driven by powerful financial interests, have little incentive to dismantle borders and embrace universalism. Using Switzerland as an example, he explains its federal system of autonomous cantons, where the central power has limited interference in cantonal affairs. He argues that this model, with its decentralized governance and local laws, demonstrates the possibility of a much larger federation, even on a global scale.

Chatillon suggests that a global federation could be achieved through the unification of currency and the establishment of a stable political peace. He references the Swiss "Sonderbund" war, caused by the expulsion of the Jesuits and church influence, as an exception to peaceful federation, emphasizing the need for tolerance and respect for diverse beliefs. He advocates for a cooperative system, not communism in its current sense, but a sharing of resources. He cites the Swiss cooperative MIGROS as a material example of how cooperation can improve individual situations by ensuring fair prices and quality, with profits reinvested for development rather than distributed as dividends. He concludes that a global federation is possible under certain conditions: the destruction of hypocrisy, scientific arrogance, and selfish accumulation, replaced by a religion based on founders' teachings, a unified science, and limited egoism.

Elements of Natural Treatment

Raymond DEXTREIT presents the continuation of his study on natural treatments, focusing on the Sun and Air. He explains that sunlight converts blood sterols into vitamin D, crucial for preventing rickets. He highlights that short, repeated sun exposures are preferable to prolonged ones, and that even on cloudy days, natural light is important. He clarifies that light does not sterilize but rather promotes a balanced bacterial flora, aiding in wound healing. Regarding air, he stresses the importance of pure air and deep breathing, noting that partial breathing only fills about three-quarters of the lungs, hindering blood purification and leading to cellular malnutrition. He outlines a four-tempo breathing system (inspiration, pause, expiration, pause) and suggests practicing it in fresh air.

A "PROGRAMME POUR UNE JOURNEE DE TRAITEMENT NATUREL" (Program for a Day of Natural Treatment) is provided, including a cold sitz bath, clay water, breathing exercises in the morning; a breakfast of fruits, nuts, or porridge; a liver-support tisane before meals; a midday meal of fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, and dairy; avoiding snacks; a foot bath before dinner; and a light evening meal. It also suggests a post-meal lemon and honey drink and a laxative tisane or clay poultice for sleep.

Hypothesis on Luminous Propagation

René PRADEL offers a hypothesis on the propagation of light, building on previous discussions. He challenges the notion of an "ether" as immaterial and of zero density, proposing instead that it is material and has mass. He likens the ether to fine sand, which flows smoothly, illustrating the concept of fluidity. Pradel suggests that the speed of light is not instantaneous but rather an apparent speed, influenced by the elasticity of matter. He uses an analogy of pendulums connected by a rigid rod to explain how a signal can be transmitted, with the time taken for the receiving pendulum to oscillate to the same amplitude as the emitter determining the perceived speed. He argues that the dispersion of energy over distance causes the intensity of light to decrease, and that the time measured is not the travel time but the time for amplitude capture. He concludes that the "great mystery of light" stems from a misinterpretation, comparing it to a bell ringer and a bell, where the action of pulling the rope is instantaneous, but the sound takes time to resonate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for a spiritual and cooperative approach to life, contrasting it with the perceived superficiality and materialism of modern civilization. The magazine promotes natural living, health, and a re-evaluation of scientific and religious paradigms. There is a clear stance against what it terms "false prophets" and a call for a return to fundamental truths, whether through spiritual teachings or a more rational, cooperative societal structure. The emphasis on natural treatments and a holistic view of health suggests a critique of conventional medical and societal norms. The exploration of physics, particularly light propagation, indicates a willingness to question established scientific theories and propose alternative, albeit speculative, explanations.

This document, titled "NOS LIVRES SELECTIONNES" (Our Selected Books), is presented as issue II of volume II, published in the first trimester of 1961 by R. Veillith in France. It functions as a catalog of recommended books and also features an important lecture by Pierre Guerin.

Selected Books

The primary content is a list of books categorized by subject, with prices in French Francs (NF). The categories and some notable titles include:

• "Objets volants non identifiés" (Unidentified Flying Objects):
• "Mystérieux Objets Célestes" by A. Michel (19.35 NF)
• "Face aux Soucoupes Volantes" by Ruppelt (8.40 NF)
• Astronomie (Astronomy):
• "L'Astronomie Nouvelle" by P. Rousseau (10.20 NF)
• "Notre Amie la Lune" by P. Rousseau (5.95 NF)
• "Les Mystères de l'Espace et du Temps" by H.P. Wilkins (9.70 NF)
• Alimentation rationnelle (Rational Nutrition):
• "Vivre Sain" by A. Dextreit (7.80 NF)
• "La Table et la Santé" by J. Dextreit (5.70 NF)
• "Enquêtes sur le Végétarisme" by J. Dalement (4.50 NF)
• "Des Hounzas aux Yoguis" by J. De Marquette (5 NF)
• Agriculture rationnelle (Rational Agriculture):
• "Traité Élémentaire de Culture Biologique" by A. Châtilion (4.20 NF)
• "Nous Avons Brûlé la Terre" by Michel Rémy (6.90 NF)
• "Fécondité de la Terre" by Dr. E. Pfeiffer (8.40 NF)
• Dangers atomiques (Atomic Dangers):
• "Apocalypse de l'Atome" by F. Gigon (9.75 NF)
• "Paix ou Guerre Atomique" by Dr. Schweitzer (1.90 NF)
• "Le Danger Atomique" by R. Lautié (3.50 NF)
• Prophéties:
• "Les Derniers Jours des Derniers Temps" by Dupont-Fournieux (8.95 NF)
• "Les Prophéties des Derniers Temps" by S. Jacquemin (7.50 NF)
• "L'Ère Atomique et l'Apocalypse" by A.L'Hermite (7.50 NF)
• Problèmes vitaux pour l'homme (Vital Problems for Man):
• "Joie de Vivre" by André Châtillon (5.10 NF)
• "Réflexions sur la Conduite de la Vie" by Dr. Carrel (8.85 NF)
• "Bilan de la Civilisation Technicienne" by René Duchet (7.70 NF)
• Divers (Miscellaneous):
• "La Fiction de l'Attraction Terrestre et Lunaire" by R. Pradel (2 NF)
• "La Bataille du Cancer" by Michel Rémy (6.90 NF)
• "Le Cancer ce Redoutable Inconnu" by Joseph André (2.45 NF)

Additional books are listed on page 2, including titles related to vivisection, Atlantis, and human ether survival.

Lecture: Rationalism and the Plurality of Inhabited Worlds

This section features excerpts from a lecture given by Pierre Guerin, a Research Fellow at the Institute of Astrophysics in Paris, to the Union Rationaliste. Guerin's lecture, delivered on November 15th (year not specified, but context suggests late 1960), aimed to challenge conventional scientific perspectives on the possibility of life beyond Earth.

Guerin's Argument on Planetary Habitability

Guerin begins by acknowledging the honor and burden of speaking to the Union Rationaliste, noting that his topic extends beyond his specialty of astrophysics into biology and philosophy. He states that while planetary studies are often considered minor by astronomers, the study of life on planets has been largely neglected, leading to a slow pace of progress.

He discusses the conditions for life, emphasizing that terrestrial life, with its complex organic molecules, is sensitive to temperature. Extreme heat (above +100°C) or cold (below -100°C) makes a planet inhospitable to Earth-like life. He cites examples of planets like Mercury (too hot), and the gas giants Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune (too cold, composed of liquid hydrogen and helium with methane and ammonia atmospheres). Pluto is also considered too cold.

Guerin touches upon the adaptability of terrestrial life, mentioning microorganisms in hot geysers and insects surviving in extreme cold or low pressure. However, he reiterates that temperature remains a critical factor.

Challenging Traditional Rationalism

Guerin intends to argue that the plurality of inhabited worlds necessitates a profound revision of the traditional rationalism inherited from the 19th century. He aims to refute common misconceptions about life on Mars and other planets.

He notes that while scientists have generally approached the problem of extraterrestrial life by assessing planetary habitability based on physical conditions, this is a necessary but insufficient first step. He emphasizes that we only know terrestrial life forms and must consider the possibility of different forms of life.

Scientific Obstacles and Progress

Guerin points to the resistance faced by planetary research, citing the example of American astronomer Sinton's work on Mars in the late 1950s. Sinton's photoelectric apparatus, which could have been developed earlier, was only granted use of the Palomar 5-meter telescope for limited periods, highlighting the often unconscious obstacles to planetary research.

Despite these challenges, planetary research has progressed, moving the question of life in the universe from pure speculation to a subject requiring serious consideration.

Subscriptions and Back Issues

Information is provided for subscriptions to the magazine:

• Annual Subscription (11 issues): Ordinary 5 NF; Support 8 NF.
• Six-issue Subscription: Ordinary 2.75 NF; Support 4.40 NF.
• Foreign Subscription (Annual): Ordinary 6 NF; Support 9 NF.

Payments and correspondence should be addressed to M.R. Veillith at "Les Pins", Le Chambon-sur-Lignon (Haute-Loire), with CCP Lyon 27-24-26.

Free specimens are available upon request.

Additionally, back issues of the collection "Lumières dans la Nuit" (Lights in the Night) are available, with specific issue numbers (5, 10, 21, 28, 29, and 33) priced at 0.50 NF each. All other issues are sold out.

Publication Details

The Director of Publication is R. Veillith. The publication was printed by R. Veillith in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon (Haute-Loire) during the first trimester of 1961.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly promotes rational inquiry into subjects often considered fringe, such as UFOs and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. It aligns with the Union Rationaliste's objective of applying scientific and rational methods to understand phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, encouraging a revision of established scientific paradigms when evidence warrants it, particularly concerning the vastness of the universe and the potential for life beyond Earth. The inclusion of books on nutrition, agriculture, and atomic dangers suggests a broader interest in human well-being and survival in the modern era.