Among the dozens of questions and requests that we receive every month in our portal, it is not uncommon for us to find that some of them are a bit unusual or incredible. However, in 2008, no other message topped this one.

This is a message from a certain Sebastien from Brazil:

Dear editor,

Good afternoon.

I cannot wait to send you some articles for your appreciation. These articles address several issues, from world events, to self-esteem or even religion. Last year, there wasn’t much discussion regarding this latter subject. However, while religion cannot reconnect man to God, the discussion is becoming more and more intense in all sectors of society, including in the great media. I cannot help but giving my humble contribution with the following articles: Religion in the centre of the world’s discussions; How can we identify false prophets?; The end of religion is near. I’ll be waiting for your email. Best regards.

We always reply to everyone. So, we respectfully said:

Dear Mr. Sebastien,

INESC Porto is an internationally acknowledged institution of excellence and, as such, we always strive to provide an answer to the doubts and questions that trouble mankind. From the material you’ve sent us, we believe that the theme that interests us the most is the second one, “How can we identify false prophets?”. In fact, we have at our disposal advanced optical sensor technology that could be applied in order to analyse the halo which can naturally be used by those who are willing to prove themselves as prophets. A subsequent spectral analysis will give us a safe indication on the most primary deceit. If we combine a Doppler analysis with a moving subject, we can obtain the confirmation that there is a switch to a violet colour (supposedly, the colour of religious ornaments, which therefore indicates that there has been a trip to heaven) or to a red colour, which causes no doubt about its relation to hell.

If we can be of any service, please do not hesitate to send us some new details.
Best regards.

Our “seuf-esteem” (ah!ah!ah!) is so high: so much so we are hallucinating…