Inedia:
Inedia (Latin for ‘fasting‘) or breatharianism /brɛθˈɛəriənɪzəm/ is the belief that it is possible for a person to live without consuming food, and in some cases water. It is considered a deadly pseudoscience by scientists and medical professionals, and several adherents of these practices have died from starvation or dehydration. It is an established fact that humans require food and water (nutrients) to survive. [Wikipedia]
Noted in “Eating: Is It Possible for Breatharians to Live without Food or Water?” Joe Nickell, Skeptical Inquirer (May / June 2020):
Some mystics claim to practice inedia—that is, to suspend all eating and, sometimes, even drinking. But are inedics genuine, or do they deceive—either themselves or others? In 1980, a cult founded by Wiley Brooks raised just such questions; he espoused not only giving up eating meat but eventually living off nothing but light and air!
Ya gotta love a cult leader named Wiley. Nickell helpfully provides closure on Wiley’s cult, too!
As to Wiley Brooks—who espoused reverting from carnivorism to vegetarianism, then fruitarianism, liquidarianism, and finally to breatharianism—his followers’ faith was badly shaken when Brooks was discovered making nighttime forays to buy junk food.
The above mentioned Wikipedia link also has information on ol’ Wiley:
Brooks’s institute has set various prices for prospective clients wishing to learn how to live without food, ranging from US$100,000 with an initial deposit of $10,000, to one billion dollars, to be paid via bank wire transfer with a preliminary deposit of $100,000, for a session called “Immortality workshop”. A payment plan was also offered. These charges have typically been presented as limited time offers exclusively for billionaires.
I am almost insanely fascinated to know just who he’s pulled in on that scam, and I’m sure there’s been more than a few takers.
The only better name for that a cult leader that I’ve encountered is prosperity minister Creflo Dollar, but he was, disappointingly, born Michael Smith. So why is his full name Creflo Augustus Dollar Jr.? But he lives up to his name, as you might expect:
Dollar is known for his controversial teachings regarding prosperity theology. He has long been criticized for living a lavish lifestyle. He owns two Rolls-Royces, a private jet, and high-end real estate such as a million-dollar home in Atlanta, a $2.5 million home in Demarest, New Jersey, and a home in Manhattan that he bought for $2.5 million in 2006 and sold for $3.75 million in 2012. Dollar has refused to disclose his salary. For declining to disclose any financial information to independent audit, Creflo Dollar Ministries received a grade of “F” (failing) for financial transparency by the organization Ministry Watch.
His pic on Wikipedia shows he has a nice smile. I admit it, crazy religious cults excite a morbid fascination in me.
