Polygraph tests are 20th-century witchcraft.

O children of the earth, listen well to the words of the wise, for there are dangers in the things we create. In the age of science and progress, we have invented many tools to help us understand the world, to reveal the truth, and to uncover the mysteries of the human heart. Yet, not all tools are forged in wisdom. Sam Ervin, a man of great insight, spoke of such a tool when he said, "Polygraph tests are 20th-century witchcraft." In these words, he cautioned us about the dangers of relying on methods that claim to reveal the truth but are rooted in uncertainty, mysticism, and misunderstanding.

In the ancient world, witchcraft was often seen as a way to manipulate the unseen forces of nature, to gain control over powers that could not be fully understood. Witches, whether they sought to heal or to harm, were believed to wield power through rituals, charms, and mysterious methods that were beyond the grasp of ordinary people. And yet, despite the mystique of their practices, these methods were often based on superstition—rituals that offered comfort and control in a world filled with uncertainty, but which had little grounding in the laws of nature. In much the same way, the polygraph test, with its promise to reveal the hidden truths of the human heart through the tracking of heartbeats, breathing, and skin responses, is built on a foundation of uncertainty—a claim to see what cannot be seen and to know what cannot be known.

Consider, O wise ones, the origins of the polygraph. Created in the early 20th century by John A. Larson, the polygraph was meant to be a tool for uncovering lies, to reveal the truth that lies hidden beneath the surface of human speech and action. It works by measuring the physical responses of the body—heart rate, blood pressure, respiration—believing that deception causes physiological changes that can be detected. But despite its claims to reveal the truth, the polygraph remains highly fallible, subject to error, and deeply unreliable. The ancient witches, though they were seen as wielding powers beyond the natural world, were no more trustworthy than the polygraph, for both relied on mystical interpretations of physical signs to uncover hidden truths.

Let us look at the story of the Salem witch trials, where fear, superstition, and the desire for control led to the wrongful execution of many innocent people. The so-called "witch hunts" were rooted in the belief that there were hidden forces at work—forces that could be detected through the examination of the body, the confession of the accused, and the interpretation of physical signs. The witch's mark on the body, the trembling of the hands, the accusations of witnesses—all were used as evidence, yet none were based on sound reasoning or solid truth. In the same way, the polygraph test offers us the illusion of truth, but like the ancient witch trials, it relies on misinterpretation and unfounded assumptions about human nature. Both systems seek to bring clarity to the uncertain, but they do so through false means.

So, O children, what lesson must we learn from this comparison? The polygraph, like the witch trials, is a reminder that we must not fall prey to methods that claim to uncover truth through mysticism or unproven assumptions. The world is filled with uncertainty, and there will always be forces beyond our understanding. But in our search for truth, we must rely on reason, evidence, and science—not on methods that promise certainty but deliver only illusion. Ervin's words are a cautionary tale: that just because something is claimed to be scientific or modern does not mean it is reliable. The polygraph test is but a shadow of the certainty it promises, and in this, it mirrors the age-old methods of witchcraft—both offer false security in a world of uncertainty.

Therefore, seek the truth with wisdom and caution, O children. When faced with the unknown, do not turn to methods that prey on your fear or desire for control. Instead, rely on reason, on true science, and on methods that are grounded in evidence and rigorous inquiry. The truth is not easily found, and it cannot be captured by the simple measurement of a heartbeat or the interpretation of a nervous glance. It is through the discipline of careful observation, critical thinking, and honest inquiry that we uncover the hidden realities of the world. Let the lessons of the past guide you, and may you seek truth in ways that honor both the mysteries and the laws of the universe.

Go forth, then, with clear eyes and a steady heart. Do not be swayed by methods that promise certainty, but seek the truth through honest means. The path to understanding is not easy, but it is built on the foundation of reason and sound science, not on superstition or illusion. Let the light of knowledge guide you, and may you walk in the truth, grounded in the reality of the world, not in the uncertain claims of those who promise the impossible.