Do you remember when Delilah cut off Samson’s hair? So do I. Or how about the verse about when there will be peace on Earth and the Lion will lie down with the Lamb? This is a famous verse that is depicted in numerous artworks.
They are not in the Bible. At least, not anymore.
Judges 16:19- And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.
I’m not a Bible scholar, but I have read the Good book numerous times, and I don’t remember Delilah sending for a man to cut off Samson hair. I remember she did it herself. If you do an internet search for Samson and Delilah artwork and images, that is how many others remember it as well. What about the Lion and the Lamb?
Isaiah 11:6- The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
These are examples of a phenomenon known as The Mandela Effect. Named after the former South African political prisoner, and later President, Nelson Mandela. Many people recall he died in prison- and remember his funeral and his widow’s speech. I personally remembered his being released from prison and many years, and later becoming South African president, so I originally considered this stuff nonsense on a par with “the Flat Earth theory” and the people who believed it to be quite off their rocker.
Scientists call these false memories confabulation. This involves the brain filling in gaps in memories with other related images and ideas. However, that this happens on a mass scale and with such commonly shared beliefs- there are theories about other explanations such as alternate realities, quantum changes, and other supernatural forces.
Like the above-referenced Bible examples- as I heard more about these phenomenon, I don’t so easily dismiss them as mass hysteria anymore. Do you remember the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz carrying a pistol?
I don’t remember Scarecrow carrying a pistol dangit- do you? But, apparently- he does. How do you remember the line in the Kevin Costner movie Field of Dreams? I remember the whispered, supernatural voice- “if you build it they will come.”
The “they” that will come was the old Black Sox players and other legends- and they did come. Many people remember this as well. But, apparently, in the movie the line is “if you build it, he will come.”
Do you remember a hyphen in KitKat? (There isn’t). Do you remember Mighty Mouse having an “M” on his shirt? (He doesn’t).
How about the old expression “as busy as Grand Central Station?” There is no Grand Central Station- but a Grand Central Terminal- however, it is commonly referred to as “Station”, so that one really doesn’t count.
There are alot of interesting videos on Youtube about the Mandela Effect. I have to say, it is probably all just mistaken memories- but I swear Darth Vader said “Luke, I am your father.” (He didn’t- he said “no, I am your father”) and I know I heard Captain Kirk say “Beam me up Scotty!”- but he never did.
Bill Bean ‘The Spiritual Warrior’- The Mandela Effect
Bondo- the real deal 