Machines of the Gods

I watched this program last night on the History Channel, Ancient Discoveries: Machines of the Gods and it was really eye-opening. It really goes into detail describing how ancient temples and priests used complex mechanical devices, known chemical and physiological processes and what would amount to parlor tricks as ways to prove to the uneducated populace that gods indeed existed and were very powerful. It's amazing to see them in this light and how you can really relate these priests to being more like magicians and illusionists than conduits to the heavens. Using trickery to get people to attend your temple and have them give you money while you control them with fears. Sound familiar?