Is E=MC2 a theory? From my point of view it depends on who is asking the question. Most knowledge sought by questioners (and all knowledge, if one considers the difference between knowledge and gnowledge) is based on the assumption that truth is simply a relationship to ideas or object-ive facts of ordinary reality, not to actual reality.
Ordinary reality is an illusory construct through which the masses (of people) distort, suppress, and deny all ideas that challenge their delusion of a separate self. Actual reality or actual truth would undermine ego's continuing enslavement of consciousness.
The problem with understanding the actual reality of E=MC2 is similar to how information is processed. Ordinarily, when we come across something, what is presented is filtered through egos stored memory, which seeks to associate with a belief, experience, or condition from its own information data-base. Things that are without familiarity or supporting indoctrinated inner-data to substantiate them have no meaning.
Although many believe they are "opened-minded" very few people are actually are. As David Hume said, "It is not reason which is the guide of life, but custom." When something new crosses our path, ego seeks to associate it with something else; something known to ego.
Humanity has become conditioned to see the world through previous knowledge; perceived through egos filters. Ego does not allow the breaking down of concepts to their lowest denominators, because such reduction is too small for the senses to perceive.
What is E=MC2 ?
To grasp this question, one must let go of processing information through the past; through the beliefs, conditions, and the experience of ego. Ego does not allow truth to be seen. Ego cannot become familiar with E=MC2 because to do so would uncover a deeper understanding of who we really are, and the non-separateness of reality, which is a direct threat to egos status.
E=MC2 is not about a transformation of Energy into Mass, or Mass into Energy. No transformation from one into the other takes place. This Einstein equation simply recognizes two directions of apparent motion.
The splitting of an atomic device alters the inward direction of positive (centripetal) mass to an outward direction of a negative (centrifugal) mass. The only thing converted is direction of movement – from the spiral-in of positive divided light particle (predominant mass), to the spiral-out of a negative divided light wave (predominant energy). There is no conversion of mass into energy; both remain within the field of its activity.
An important point to mention is that nothing, not energy, mass, or divided light actually "moves" as in exhibit #1 moving from A to B. Energy, mass, and divided light duplicates itself, which gives the appearance of motion, like a kinetoscope would flip single pictures to simulate movement. There is exhibit #1 at point A, but at point B it is no longer exhibit #1.
To understand E=MC2 one must have a grasp of Who's Who in Duality. However, the ridiculous ideas of duality held by today's unawakened, ego dominated culture clearly shows that understanding E=MC2 or the next level, MC2 Of course, those on the Long Path will not be able to understand any of that. JV Marco