Mass or weight makes no difference since gravity acts on them exactly the same way.

Now try it again: why does the nucleus weigh less as a nucleus than the sum of the weights (or mass if you're going get a wild hare up your ass about it) of each individual nucleon in that same nucleus?

If you're so scientific then answer the question instead of slagging it off to "metaphysics crop circles and fantasy". It's pure science. So Geoff the Duck, I charge you to come up with the answer--no one else. Let's see what you really know.