(1) HOAX: No Subliminal Art RE: Jehovah's Witnesses Watchtower

Lately an elaborate hoax has been spreading via the internet that there are satanic, subliminal images within the artwork of various Watchower publications.

And, while most people agree that this is absurd, there are some who are fooled. I've put together a presentation that should shed light on the trick and eleviate any fears that Christians might have over this.

The term pareidolia describes a psychological phenomenon involving a vague and random stimulus (often an image or sound) being perceived as significant. Common examples include images of animals or faces in clouds, the man in the moon, and hidden messages on records played in reverse. Pareidolia is a type of apophenia.

In statistics, apophenia would be classed as a Type I error (false positive, false alarm, caused by an excess in sensitivity). Apophenia is often used as an explanation of some paranormal and religious claims.

You should understand that pareidolia is commonly experienced; people see shapes, faces and animals in clouds, rock formations and other natural scenes where light and shadows seemingly produce such images. If it happens in nature and/or photographs, then it can happen in paintings of nature and people.

There aren't anonymous insiders who've blown the lid off of something. There are individuals who dislike Jehovah's Witnesses enough to take a naturally occuring phenomenon of light and shadow and present it as something dark, sinister and intentional.

Since looking into this psychological phenomenon I've come to realize that with enough time and sources a person can find everything from smiling puppies to sinister scowls to letters of the alphabet (A, E, I, O, U, etc) to elaborate scenes and detailed objects. All of these types of images can be found within photographs, therefore, the same can be said of paintings. It's simply a product of light and shadow.

If someone were to try and pass this off as intentional they could fool people depending on how slick their presentation is. For example: a magician might claim that his illusions are truly accomplished through supernatural powers. Some people might be so deceived that they actually believe it. On the other hand, logic dictates that the magician is simply talented enough at his slight-of-hand techniques that it's harder to spot what he's really doing to create those illusions.

Trying to pass off pareidolia as intentional (especially if it's aim is to slander an artist's reputation) is the same thing. Some people are more talented than others when it comes to presenting the illusion, and so success rates may vary. However, those who are made aware of what pareidolia is, how common and detailed it can be, and what techniques the storytellers use can shrug off the parlor trick and peer through the smoke and mirrors in order to see the issue with clear eyes.

Contact me for links to my webpages, or visit eBay and search for the listing there.

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[Kwiknitraat]

faithonthemarch, I don't understand you, are trying to show that de watchtower is using subliminal art or not?

[faithonthemarch]

Hi Kwiknitraat. Sorry for the confusion. The Subliminal Image accusation is a HOAX created & spread by anti-JWs. The images in my slide show are from actual PHOTOGRAPHS of NATURE. They show that ANYONE can create such images with ANY visual medium.

Anti-JWs try to trick people.

[Kwiknitraat]

@faithonthemarch okay, but what about images which aren't found bij using a mirror?

Such as the image in youtube.com/watch?v=t51AKoIYTT­g from 5:54 to end.

[faithonthemarch]

@Kwiknitraat Those are also cases of pareidolia, not unlike when someone thinks they see Mother Teresa's face in a cinnamon bun (Google search "Nun Bun").

In part (4) of my slideshow addressing this hoax there are a few images from the photograph that are straight out of the picture and not produced with the use of a mirror. i.e. a polar bear, a meerkat, and the side of an angry man's face.

It's a natural phenomenon. People who hate JWs try to trick people w/ this, plain and simple.

[faithonthemarch]

The images come from photographs I've taken, and then run a mirror across. The reason I've posted these basic clips is just to break the ice and offer a deeper discussion if people are interested.

[toodogg2]

interesting. i'm an Artist, and I DID see a lot of shapes, faces, etc., in those pics. but I shrug it off as my God-given imagination - which all humans possess! big deal! anyone who makes trouble over trivial tings are bothersome, paranoid or just plain OFF!! and seeking to slander the Witnesses is demonic by design and intent.

consider the source, i always say..