Why are So Many Skeptics Answering The Paranormal Phenomena Questions???

Question

If you dont believe in this stuff why do you bother reading the questions???

and then take the time to answer them only to say that you think its bull S**t anyways???

Why Do you come to this section if it does not intrest you???

Answer 1

Some are on a mission from God, others have good arguments and bring out good counter points, and some are here just to trash people.  

The God people are just hard to explain why they do it.

The intelligent ones I like because they make me think and aren't insulting.

The mean ones are probably not smart enough to express themselves and just strike out at others.

The whole subject of paranormal happenings needs skeptics because some people tend to go way off the deep end with out them.

Answer 2

Taylor..I think you must be new here (on the Paranormal Section). Don't worry or fret...you'll eventually get used to them (the skeptics..and their comments) They kinda "grow" on you after awhile. I think I'd miss them if they left.  (Although sometimes they do kinda hurt us...but I don't think they mean to. I think this is just their "job". I think they think this is their "calling".) Hopefully , soon we'll all get along and be NICE TO EACH OTHER. (me included!) The ones you have to worry about are the ones who "Report" you. They aren't our "friends"...and they need to realize this is a free opinion  section. Only those who are rude or cruel should be reported.(not just because you disagree with them)If you disagree..that's what "thumbs down" is for. Hope you'll hang around a long time with us...and get to know all of us better.

Edit..What I'D like to see on here from the skeptics is some really good explanations. They keep asking us for proof..but they won't give proof that there are other explanations.When I see a GOOD answer from a skeptic..I always give them thumbs up..and sometimes even BA. Once in awhile they'll give good links..and I DO  look at most of their links.We're here (at least I am) to find good answers and explanations..whether they're scientific or paranormal. This section has helped me TREMENDOUSLY..just knowing that there are other people these things have happened to and that I'm not "crazy". (If I am..then this whole paranormal bunch is too!)(and that's not likely) That's all..for now! lol (this is kinda getting to be like a "soap opera" )lol

Edit..eri..I understand you better now.

Answer 3

Why are believers upset when they do?  Why don't the believers just answer themselves?

Answer 4

We don't all fall into nice little boxes carefully filed "Believer" over there, and "Non-Believer" over there.

I'm fairly skeptical, and I examine, research, and to the extent possible, tear apart every piece of evidence, every claim, before I accept it as true.

But I probably have a deeper, more abiding faith in a lot of aspects of the metaphysical than many of the 'believers' here.  I just happen to recognize there's an awfully lot of bs flying around the Internet and a lot of wannabe gurus making claims I have reason to believe are untrue.  Those, I'm convinced, prey on the gullible.

But there is a different sort of skeptic who posts here, a type with such narrow boundaries around the thinking apparatus they believe it's their personal duty to 'correct' or ridicule anyone who allows beliefs outside those boundaries.

All I can tell you is that what they say is meaningless and not worthy of concern.  Many are 'scientists' [they claim], but they embrace their views of reality more similarly to a fundamentalist preacher than a true scientist.  And they're evangelical.

If your beliefs can't stand up against their attacks the problem is in your beliefs, rather than in the inane pronouncements of those you're calling 'skeptics'.

Just my viewpoint.

Answer 5

A better question is, why are so many people not thinking skeptically?

This section does interest me.  I read the questions because I am interested in why people believe in such things: 1) things that have no supporting evidence, 2) things that have better, more logical, more probable explanations, 3) things that require throwing out logic and reason to believe.

Why do people buy into such things?

I'm interested because I am an educator, and one of the most important things you can teach anyone is how to think skeptically and critically examine information.  

You can never go wrong with a little skeptical thinking:  e.g. If you are skeptical about something that ends up being true, well then you only delay your arrival at the truth (for skepticism is a temporary condition) -- If you are skeptical about something that ends up being false, then clearly you are better off.

Answer 6

I think its because everyone is entitled to their opinion, we cannot force one to believe something that someone else believes in :) I enjoy answering questions and sometimes i enjoy reading good skeptical answers not ones that blow off another's question!

Ryan ~ Paranormal Investigator/Researcher~

http://www.theprosonline.com

Answer 7

Skeptics are good to have around for the basic reason they can get your hackles up enough to make you test theory's and recreate incidents to disprove them. Even if they do not believe your testing you know what you have done and have proven them wrong.

Answer 8

I am a skeptic.  I spend time in the Paranormal section and answer questions for a number of reasons:

First, this is a public forum, not a private club.  All are welcome and all are welcome to speak their minds and leave any sort of answer they choose (assuming it doesn't violate the ToS).  To assert otherwise is insular, exclusionary and elitist.

Second, who says the paranormal doesn't interest skeptics?  On the contrary, I am very interested in the subject.  In fact, I became a skeptic as a direct result in my fascination with the paranormal.  This leads me to my third piont.

Third, as with all people here, I offer answers based on my own experiences.  My motivation to do so is to offer a balanced approach to the subjects talked about here.  As I said, I used to be a true believer.  Because I didn't have access to an alternative opinion and because I was too young to know any better I took it for granted that all things paranormal were as real as the nose on my face.

Many people come on here who are too young to fully understand what they're talking about.  I have seen some really outlandish--and irresponsible--answers given to such impresionable people.  It's my goal to provide them with another perspective on what it is they're asking about so they too don't take for granted things that are unsubstantiated.

Last, I come here for the lively discussions.  I have learned a good deal from both the skeptics and the true believers alike.  I hope I have been able to enlighten one or two people in return.  An open, unrestricted forum is the healthiest atmosphere for learning and the expression of ideas.

If someone's personal set of beliefs is so fragile that it can't withstand any public scrutiny or if you can't defend your ideas, then perhaps that person should consider altering what it is he/she believes.  I know such public airing has forced me to alter what it is I believe in.

Answer 9

Because even skeptics can be interested in the paranormal, or  in reasons why people believe in the paranormal. Personally, I stumbled upon this category and found I enjoyed participating here. People should have the opportunity to hear input from all sides, and I think that's what Yahoo! Answers is supposed to be about.

Answer 10

Honestly it's not even worth asking, it's not the only section that has it happen. Mythology, religion, g*y, political, women's section and who knows what others...they all have people who do it.

Personally I feel it's good to have a healthy amount of skepticism. And even though I'm a strong skeptic doesn't mean I'm not interested in the subject. But I only take into consideration and truly intriguing things. Orbs and whatnot, forget it.

Answer 11

Skepticism is how we advance our patterns of thought

Answer 12

maybe they want for other people to hear ther opinion

Answer 13

Well, I guess it's like asking why  the "religious" people come to the astrology section and bash us and tell us we're going to h**l, etc.  But I hear ya.  Why come to the section if you have no productive input?  You're not impressing anyone with your total ignorance.

Answer 14

Because skeptics like to cause trouble. They are right, and everyone else is wrong. :) Plus many people set themselves up as easy targets.

Myself, I'm a skeptical believer. I didn't believe at all until something happened to me, but I still don't buy into 1/2 of the stuff people say are paranormal.

People who watch the TV shows and then run around in the dark with recorders scare me. They use no scientific theory for what they are doing and are easy pickings for skeptics.

When it comes to EVPs there are different classifications, how many of these people know them? How to really tell the difference between them? And how to properly accept that not everything is paranormal? Generally they don't.

I have about 80 class A EVPs that I've been working on for 2 years now and I'm still not sure about. It amazes me that people can hear something once (most of the time class c or d), and proclaim it a ghost.

Answer 15

For the same reason that atheists answer questions in the religious section.  Many of us used to believe in the paranormal.  But when we actually looked into it and tried it for ourselves, we found out that we had been lied to.  And we're here to warn you about the same thing - being lied to or lying to yourself.

Obviously it interests us.  But that doesn't mean we believe in it.  I don't believe in a god, but I find religion fascinating.

Answer 16

Some who are skeptical want to offer their feedback in hopes of getting people to consider alternatives to certain paranormal beliefs and experiences people have had. Not to say that you should not believe but to consider all possibilities which I think is a good thing. What I dislike are people who come on here and call people names and insult people. That to me to me does not show intelligence but shows what a closed mind that person has and how intolerant they are of other people's beliefs.

Answer 17

Skeptics are bullies, they want our lunch money.

Answer 18

they just want to say your wrong

they can't handel something that is unual

Answer 19

Because the paranormal and bad logic are two of my major interests in life, nu? It's a shame there is so much silliness is promoted in paranormal circles, because it drives away serious discussions and gives arch skeptics endless ammunition.

Now peeps who diss everything paranormal and only come in here to cast doubt and call names, I would assume they are insecure in their beliefs. The same as so called "Christians" who make discussion of Wicca or paganism or philosophy almost impossible in an open on line forum.

Trolls in other words, ignore em and carry on. :)