Are there any former Believers who have become skeptics?

Question

Nice Guy...If someone has black contact paper on all their windows and never goes outside...no one could ever convince them that the sun is shining...even if they brought them photos & videos of sunshine.

Answer 1

Unusual things do not happen all the time, but they do happen sometimes.  If they have happened to you, they are likely to have been rare events.  

For a skeptic to believe that paranormal events can happen, usually something has to happen to him or her directly.  But life goes on normally afterwards, and it is easy to second guess yourself.   That is what we are conditioned to do.

It is best to have an open mind either way, and to be willing to say "I don't know."   It is not always necessary to be able to give something a coherent explanation.   It is reasonable to expect to live with uncertainties.

Answer 2

Not to say that strange and unexplainable  things do not happen on occasion because they do.  But people who go looking for that sort of thing tend to find it just because it is on their mind.  I have experienced odd things in the past but nothing to make me really change the way that I think.

Answer 3

Everyone grows up and matures sooner or later.  By which I mean, not physically, but mentally, learning to think rationally.

I loved mysteries - like the Bermuda triangle, and spontaneous combustion, and ESP - when I was young.  Bought  loads of books.  One of my favourite authors was Arthur Koestler.  But when you apply logic, there turns out to be no evidence whatsoever - and I really do mean *no evidence whatsoever* - for any paranormal occurrences.

So the reason they've stopped happening to you is probably that you've grown up.  As to the "proof", well, mention it here and see if it stands up....

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Answer 4

Sort of. In my youth I believed telekinesis was possible, that people had ESP, etc. But this was all based on stories and anecdotes I'd heard, and not on any events that happened to me that defied explanation. Then later as I became more science orientated I began to abandon beliefs in paranormal things since the necessary evidence for them just didn't exist.

Edit: It's a tired rationalization that skeptics don't believe because they blind themselves to it, but it is a time-honored excuse all too often found in faith-based belief systems -- "There are none so blind as those who will not see", for example. Rather, to be skeptic is to be open minded, and not just open minded, but rational at the same time.

Answer 5

I used to be a believer, not because of anything I personally experienced, but because I saw how the paranormal was taken for granted by so many in my culture.  So I began as a true believer.

I was drawn to the paranormal (ghosts in particular) because if this stuff was true then nothing could be more fascinating.  So I researched, read books, explored, asked questions, investigated, read some more, etc.

After a while I noticed the whole ghost thing *always* seemed to be just out of reach, almost by design.  I began to see things more objectively.  My opinion used to be based on what I assumed.  I was forced to alter that opinion to conform with that which I knew or was able to prove or demonstrate.  Rather than assume something exists and then find evidence to support it, I began to assume something didn't exist until it was supported by evidence.  You can probably imagine how much simpler things got after that.

My opinion is still informed by the empirical evidence and data.  If evidence arises in support of ghosts then I will alter my opinion accordingly.

A skeptic isn't one who denies everything out of hand.  Generally, scientific skeptics are people who require empirical data before buying into a belief system.  Please read the following:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeptic#Sci...

Answer 6

I think most folks believe when they're young.It's not that things stop happening.With me they never started.I honestly believe the paranormal is superstition.I don't believe it's real.I'm open-minded though.I'll check out any claim and I'd love to be proved wrong.I doubt,after all this time anyone will demonstrate anything but boasting and trickery.

Edit.There's a difference,Deenie.The sun is a well documented Celestial body.You can feel it.see the effects it has on our planet.You're comparing apples and orbs.

Answer 7

I would like to see some of theis proof you have.

Answer 8

I have always been a beleiver.I have seen strange images every since i have been a child.

Answer 9

I think that I'm a both a believer and a skeptic. As a paranormal investigator, I've experienced things with no natural explanation! For now I'll say they were paranormal, but I'll never stop looking for the natural explanation.

Answer 10

Still believing !!

Answer 11

Like you, these things have slowed down. I have to much proof too.

She Erica my spirit guide does check in on me while I sleep, almost two weeks ago she came and held my hand, and turned me over....that woman just loves to touch.

Answer 12

I am both a believer in a skeptic.

I believe in almost everything.

I am skeptical about someone wanting my money to show me.

I am skeptical about someone telling me to do something based on something paranormal, that may cause harm to myself or others, or is cruel, mean or impolite.