How blind are you?

Question

Ask yourself and ponder this a few minutes:

How much of the paranormal do you really believe in?

There are actually two ends of the spectrum here - those who are "fluff bunnies" who in the minds of many psychitrist might believe in so many delusional things, they seem schizophrenic. Then you have "skeptical trolls" who don't believe anything thats not written in a text book with cool formulae and such and if you don't think like they do, you're an idiot.

Where do you fall?

I think most people fall somewhere in the middle. Its not so much an attack on those who do fall in the extremes, just a statement. Weather you're so luney you're head is so loose it might come off or its screwed on so tight you can't see anything beyond a narrow comfort zone. I personally I don't believe such folks really have any business messing with the paranormal.

But hey what do I know. If it makes you happy who am I to judge? Just with either end I find it a little fraustrating.

Answer 1

You have to have an open mind. Essentially, always be open to questioning because there really is no right or wrong when it comes to the unknown. Its the only way science can ever advance or evolve. Many of the most ground breaking discoveries are made through leaps of faith.

When I see or experience something unknown/abnormal I note it, check for patterns, create a theory and see if it can be replicated in order to figure out how it works for refinement. I hold on to theories, but I do not cement them as fact because they are the human's perception of reality which the human's perception of reality is full of illusions. Theories in a sense are a way of sorting out the illusions, which is why they constantly evolve.

Basically, I have a highly scientific inquisitive mind. Because of this, I am agnostic and spiritual. I could dump a heap load of detailed unexplainable experiences on anyone's lap, but in the end the individual wouldn't be able to explain it.

Personally, because of the reasons I have listed, I do not like dealing with the far right or the far left because both are ruled by ignorance.

Anyways, here is a bit of information that some may find interesting. Later this year in Europe, there is going to be an experiment underground with high tech equipment to see the theorized "God" particle. The theorized "God" particle has to do with energy materializing. It could shed light onto the paranormal phenomenas.

Edit:

Some of you may think you are "fluffy bunnies" as Acid described, but that isn't true. The reason is because "fluffy bunnies" are people who are pretty much insane to where even the slightest natural thing is automatically labeled a ghost, psychic ability, etc.. The minds of "skeptical trolls" and "fluffy bunnies" are not malleable in any way whatsoever.

Answer 2

I choose to live in an evidence-based world, so lacking compelling evidence to the contrary, my default position is that of a pretty strong skeptic.

When relying on empirical data and the scientific method you can't be fooled by your emotions, your senses or people out to rip you off.  That said, science isn't infallible and monolithic, but it is self-correcting.  As such, I am comfortable aligning my beliefs with it as a default starting point, until I am able to gather more information.  It has yet to fail me.

Personal experience does play into my belief system, but then I know the fallibility of personal experience, so I am not so bold as to assume that my perception of an event is how it actually happened.

I'm not sure how "blind" this makes me.  I do know my belief system is based on logic, rationality and (hopefully) is completely devoid of the cognitive dissonance I see in so many questions and answers here (i.e. believing in one kind of magic while decrying another).

EDIT: Actually, there are a lot of atheists in foxholes:

http://www.maaf.info/expaif.html

EDIT II: I gave this a little more thought.  Although the "fluff bunnies" would fall on a certain side of the spectrum, I don't think they're on the extreme edge.  I believe that position belongs to those who are dogmatic in their belief in the paranormal.  It seems there's a hard-shelled few who are almost evangelical in their belief.  It seems they are willing to embrace anything that is anti-science.  Some of the fluff bunnies and most of the skeptics are at least a little bit flexible in their beliefs.  Not so with the evangelical crowd.

Answer 3

My vision is fine, but I prefer to use my psi-vision, as it shows me so much more than mere reality.  Sure, I bump into a lot of stuff, and have had to be taken to the hospital many times, but the rest of you are really missing out.  My super psi-vision lets me know what is real and not, so I know who is being truthful with their psi-experience.  So far everybody.  I guess I don't really even know what a negative response to this process looks like.  Super Psi.

Answer 4

Physically, I am half blind in one eye, no right Field of vision in my right eye.  :-)  It is true but I still try to keep my humor about it. It was very practical when I was in a divorce with my ex, she always sat on the right side and as long as I did not turn my head to the right, I did not have to look at her.  :-)

Now to what you wanted to know.

I fall into the middle also. I have been active in research in the parapsychology area for over 2 decades and it ties in well with paranormal activities. I also agree about the extremes, I try not to let them bother me though. The same thing goes with Parapsychology and Religion & Spirituality.

EDIT:

inteleye, I can fully relate to what you wrote, that is what started me in this direction. I agree with not asking for the "gift" also, often enough it is not pleasent and is more of a "curse". As with you, I was a believer and to a point still am but with so many charlatans, I am also very skeptical.

Reiki Chick, thumbs up! I very much appriciate your comment; Evaluate the education, motivation and opinions........ There is more than enough reason to question, and you made me smile with your attitude of openness, and openmindedness.  :-)

Just as many would have you believe the existance of many things, others are motivated to deny the same. Progress has been and is being made on different levels that never become open to the public. Consider how much money is invested in research, and where are the results? Consider the military aspects that are available if things of this nature can be controlled. The funding comes from somewhere and if there are no results or progress, generally the funding stops. There is also a division of information so nobody has too much control over use of the information. I do not concern myself with why somthing can or can not be done, I work with how to get past influences that deter the testing and control of the activity. I have seen too much to deny the existance of many things but I also cannot confirm anything. My paycheck comes from the government so I walk a fine line. I may not agree with what happens with the information aquired, but I did sign papers and I will not put my family or freedom in jepordy.

There is a lot of information available, you just have to ask the right questions.

Answer 5

So I'm a 'skeptical troll' to ask for a little bit of evidence before believing?  Do you ask someone for proof that they actually own a house before paying for it?  Do you ask for proof that some guy on the street has a medical license before allowing them to preform surgery on you?  Do you ask for proof that your engineer passed his licensing exams before letting him build a bridge?  Or do you just assume everyone is always telling the truth and couldn't possibly be lying, wrong, or delusional for claiming they can do something the no one has ever, ever been able to do?

EDIT:  No, the white lab coat and stethescope are not enough.  They sell those at my college store.  I could buy one.  Them being in a hospital with an office is enough though - I can safely assume someone else has checked their degree for me.  Skepticism is a healthy thing, especially for scientists.

Answer 6

I used to be totally skeptical of the PEOPLE who made claims concerning the paranormal. Such would be interested in telling their spooky experience or that of someone they know. I still am.

If you were to look at a list of what is considered "paranormal", the list is quite long. In that sense ppl would find things on the list they believe in or have experience with and that on the list they never heard of.

Theres an interesting test just to say of human nature. If you had a group-maybe 30 ppl, and asked everyone, in turn, to say a random number, you would find that most of the time there'd be just as many positive numbers as would be negative. Interesting but big deal!

I've 'seen' a ghost/demon/dead person/ in my home 4 times. I believe such. So I believe its possible that someone has a 'ghost,etc' in their home. I usually dont believe the claims of the events associated with their claim.. I used to be the best skeptic. Not anymore. But again, big deal!

It may be interesting to talk about such things in environments that, at the moment, are condusive to such talk. I'd expect less of this talk at the beach on a sunny day, but a tendency to talk of such things on a night following some catalytic event.

But belief or not, I just as soon leave it alone. To me, its a bit like walking the fence-a field on one side and hungry wolves on the other. The fence, field, and wolves, and literal fence likely dont exist.

(Whether or not I believed that wolves were there, if there were and I fell that way...well.)

I find that ppl will give attention to things they dont understand in direct proportion to their desire to ignore a real life personal problem. THAT is a coping mechanism. And guess what! WE ALL have coping mechanisms. They're real, definable and predictable human nature responses. And they fall in your scale.

Basically, my belief either way isnt going to put money in my bank account so I dont give it much place in my life. I've got plenty of real, visible, palpable, etc, things to do or deal with.

And yeah, I'm pissed that I live in a haunted house, first of all, and second, only one friend and no church is interested in helping me out.THEREIN DO I FIND HYPOCRISY!! But...I believe in a loving God despite the churches.

I'd be interested in seeing answers using your criteria but listing most of the paranormal claims, astral projections, angels, automatic writing, palm reading. List and ask your question again. You'll get fewer theoretical answers I'm sure, and many more concrete answers, along with their supporting anecdotes.

But, big deal. We cope, and we cope in the same ways! And FYI, mental illness is a coping mechanism. :-0

Answer 7

To start, I believe that there are a lot of mysteries in this world that we do not yet understand.

I also think that we have common beliefs as a society that will be proven wrong someday. - for example, for how many centuries did people believe the world was flat??

I take an active interest in learning about things I don't know about. However, for me its important to always practice critical thinking. Evaluate the education, motivation, and opinions of those who present research and or new concepts.

I find this is particularly important when it comes to paranormal phenomenon because the very nature makes it so hard to prove. Thus more and more people make outlandish claims - some of which could be true  - others are merely distorted fantasy. But its definitely all interesting to ponder don't you think??

Answer 8

There are people who claim a position and look for evidence to support it.  Oftentimes, these people will overlook or dismiss anything that they see that does not agree with their position.  They even create websites and organize into groups that use name calling, ridicule, and half-truths to attack people who do not hold their beliefs.  These people are blind to the truth and extremely damaging to those who are truly trying to determine what is real.

I have seen sites and met people that claim that there is undisputable evidence for nearly any Psi phenomenon.  People searching for answers might run across these sites and believe the unsubstantiated drivel that they read there.  On the other hand, I have seen websites that claim to be skeptical, but are little more than rant arenas.  Again, true seekers may run across these sites and be convinced that every Psi or paranormal event has been debunked or explained via other means.  Both types of sites are hurtful and obstructions to those who are doing real work.

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For things that I have experienced personally, I tend to try to find *any* "natural" explanations for the events.  Some I can explain and others I cannot.  I look much more closely at those that I can't explain and try to determine what the most obvious explanation is.  Sometimes, the explanation that is most likely is not one that has been accepted in traditional science.  Typically, I will further examine those events and continue until the only explanations that are left are either ridiculously complicated or extremely unlikely.  At that point, I make a personal decision.

So, I "believe", but I think my methods also make me very skeptical of any claims - even my own.

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One final note, it is not possible to have a fully formed opinion on this topic just by searching the web for answers.  Those who believe and those who do not believe need to seek out real people who claim to have these experiences or who have performed experiments to test for these phenomenon.  If you don't look for evidence where it is likely to exist, test your beliefs, or examine all of the evidence that is available, your opinion is not scientific, but is instead, sophomoric and uninformed.  Great discussion on this question!  Thanks!

Answer 9

I fall in with the skeptical trolls.That's not what I'd call myself but since it's your question I'll use your term.

I suppose I should take a more middle of the road approach.Next time someone wants to know if it's a demon or a ghost stabbing their friend.Or maybe what the green sphere is over their house every night that they can't photograph.I'll just tell them how special that is.After all who am I to not believe on their word.Speaking for myself,and I'll bet the other trolls will agree.I just want a little backup.I'm not attacking their beliefs.I'm challenging them to,at least in the Science and Math section,be a little scientific.Expect people to question your claims.That's how it works.

Edit.I can tell you,with complete confidence.There are both Atheists and Agnostics in foxholes.

Answer 10

I am sorry there's so many skeptics out there, I ascertain if I haven't had any experiences perhaps I too would be a skeptic.

I consider I am a full blown believer, since I have always either seen or felt their presence since are four. Trust me I didn't want this gift, but I learned to grow with it, and it becomes stronger with age, for me anyways. I know I am not a sick person, I just think it's make for a more knowledgeable person. It has been said that I am a medium, since I have spoke at times with the other side. I don't consider them dead, because the spirit never dies, just our temporary bodies that we use.

So now you know where I stand~

Answer 11

Highly Skeptical-Curious. Does that work?

Answer 12

Hi I fall somwhere in the middle cause I don't completely believe in the paranormal stuff but I somewhat do so yeah.

Answer 13

As a paranormal investigator, you have to keep an open mind as well as an open eye.  That is to say that everyone who has claims of activity, is not having a true paranormal experience at all.  It is much easier to say it there is activity or that there is a ghost if you have elminated all the other possiblities.  We have a skeptic on the team as well.  I don't think a ghost could walk up and say boo and he would believe it....but I love him and value him as a team member.  he lends a lot to any investigation he goes on.  The only bad thing is, he is one of the first to have to leave for some reason....and there are things, try as he might, he can't disprove them, bless his heart.

However a room full of Doctors cannot convience me of what I know to be real.  I have seen ghost and spirits since childhood and experienced other things that are paranormal.  In the beginning, they were all just my personal experiences, but with the group, we are able to verify about 80% of what I see.  So if that puts me in the bunny catagory...well..pass the carrots please...

Answer 14

Yeah, I'm not in the extremes. I do tend much more to the skeptical end, though. Also, to say you don't believe in a paranormal claim is not necessarily a statement that the paranormal claim is false, only that you don't have sufficient evidence to make a compelling argument for its validity.

EDIT: I'm sure many would put me in the "skeptical troll" category, but honestly, all I ask for is measurable, testable, reproducible evidence. I don't think it's an unreasonable request.

Answer 15

I swear I just answered something simular to this. I am somewhere in between. I am skeptic but I am also a believer. For me to give something so-say paranormal the time of day, every possible explanation must be considered. I know for a fact that I have witnessed something unexplainable by science.

I find that most people here are either close minded skeptics or people suffering from believer's syndrome.

I am the same way with my religion, Christian. I am not some one who can go on blind faith alone.

Answer 16

To make sense of the world you have to have a set of beliefs that fit together nicely.

If you don't believe that humans have a soul then it is pretty well impossible to believe in ghosts, spirits, demons etc..

Things like ESP and telekinesis are a different kettle of fish and would be believable if someone could actually do that stuff but as far as I know no one has.

So I'm at the skeptical troll end :-)

And, as for being frustrated, how frustrating is it when someone asks if they have a ghost in their house based on a few random ridiculous events, like my tv turned itself on, my dog is staring at the wall and I had a dream about grandma and a dozen people all say 'OMG, that's a ghost for sure, call a priest, smudge yourself, throw out your Ouija board'.

Answer 17

I believe !!  However, I don't go in search of paranormal activity.  I have seen a spirit, but I didn't try to talk to it or chase it away. It scared me is all. It didn't seem to be there to chase me away, so I left it alone. Eventually I moved out of the house, but not in fear.

Answer 18

I am not from Missouri, but I embrace the "show me" attitude.  I am fully open to the possibility of just about anything, given tangible evidence.  I certainly believe there are things science can't explain, but just as certainly need more evidence than is ever posted on here.  Despite this being in the science section, my more scientific based questions get few responses,

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

while "do I have a ghost, I hear a knocking sound at night" or "am I psychic, I know beforehand when the phone is going to ring" get 30 people going "OMG, you have a ghost/ are psychic!!"  The vast majority of people who report these phenomena are some combination of willfully ignorant, plain ignorant, or downright fraudulent.  I don't personally have the time or inclination to go through every claim ever made to check veracity, so I will remain skeptical until I see something convincing or hear of a scientifically accepted study with positive results.