Why do people insist on spreading certain beliefs of the paranormal?

Question

I said,"I think it may be something in this picture. Like a spirit?" They go,"That's so stupid. Ghosts dont...etc." I mean, there is no proof on what ghosts do and don't do. What is your view on this?

Answer 1

When you deal with the paranormal, you deal with beliefs. Everyone's views are centered around a number of factors, their religious upbringing, personal experiences, level of education, etc. Ghosts, their existance or non-existance, is personal. That being said, everyone has an opinion, even for the lack of tact, it may go completely against yours.

When asking questions, sometimes it is best to really think about what you are asking and what types of answers you want in return. Tailoring your question can help minimize negativity. However, there will always be those types of people that cannot help themselves in belittling others who have a different opinion than themselves.

I know when I answer here, I try to keep my subjective opinions out of my answers unless specifically asked for them. Instead, I try to keep my answers based on the knowledge I hold as a scientist, a professional photographer, and a ghost hunter of 11 years. Even when I do, I still step on toes from time to time... cause it all comes down to beliefs.

Answer 2

Well Kate, I am not sure of the question at hand. I personally have had one single experience of the paranormal so I know for a fact that it does exist, problem is many people have not. You can not blame those who have not witnessed for their skepticism, for you may not be so open minded otherwise.

Edit: Most believers here in YA blindly believe any and every experience / story to be paranormal, leaving all logic and reason behind.  I, as a beliver, have noticed that.

Answer 3

Peoples beliefs come in part because of their personal experiences.  What has happened to one, may not have happened to the next person.  Personally, I would not call anyones opinion stupid, just because I disagree with what an evaluation of a photo or the sounds on an evp.  it is just an opinion, that is all.

Answer 4

Because people are narrow minded. I KNOW ghosts, spirits, etc. exist because there is no way that 3,000+ claims are all people that are psychotic. There are things that we cannot explain and we should not discount them as fake.

Answer 5

People have beliefs that differ.

Answer 6

Every culture has had a belief in an higher being. This stems from the belief of the existence of the 'unseen'. Many people then began to concentrate and notice things that were happening around them that did not have a logical explanation.

People spread their certain beliefs of the paranormal because of their interest in something unexplainable. There is also something in the U.S. called 'freedom of speech' where we can voice our opinions, beliefs, facts, etc. at will. There's no 'proof' of a lot of things; but, we believe in love, hope, faith, trust, etc. and most of all; the faith in the goodness and charity of our fellow man. I choose to believe that their is goodness  and common decency in 'ALL' of us. Can you prove that I am wrong?

Answer 7

people either believe or near beleiev because they really want to (would be pretty cool if any of it is true) OR they have become discouraged by opthers making fun of them, failing to comprehend (condem it if you dont comprehend it), or got super bummed when learning when they thought it was real they found out it was bogus.... it is not stupid to believe but often people are very easy and quick to believe... just watch cris angel mindfreak sometime to see how easyily people jump to being tricked.. some of his stuff is super cool but there are lots that depend or really naive people too

Answer 8

I'm pretty sure you're refering to me (if you're refering to a certain question on Y/A about a picture of an orb). I never said it was stupid. I was just said there was a difference between ghosts and spirits.

I think you could be acting a little petty. After all, I wasn't attacking anyone, I was just answering a question.  

I'm not spreading any beliefs. I was just telling 1 person 1 thing because they asked me if I thought it was a ghost. No I don't think it was a ghost and I think there is a difference between spirits and ghosts.

Believe what you want.

But next time, if you have a problem with an answer I (or anyone else) gives, take it up with THEM and not the whole Y/A community. I allow emails, as do many others.

And if you aren't refering to me and are refering to someone else (and I'm just being paranoid and whacko), then like I said before...take it up with them or drop it. People believe different things.

Answer 9

There's no proof that ghosts exist at all, if they did you'd think that they would behave more consistently. I think the fact that even people who believe in ghosts can't ever agree about their main characteristics supports the idea that they are a figment of the imagination.