...in psychic powers? Specifically, I am thinking of fast talkers like John Edwards and his ilk. You buying into that whole scene, or...no?
Just for my own information. Honesty counts! Sandy Claws will know if yer lying. [img]wink.gif[/img]
Printable View
...in psychic powers? Specifically, I am thinking of fast talkers like John Edwards and his ilk. You buying into that whole scene, or...no?
Just for my own information. Honesty counts! Sandy Claws will know if yer lying. [img]wink.gif[/img]
I was hoping this was gonna be a bigfoot thread. [img]frown.gif[/img]
...hmmm...well, just for you, TCM, we will also entertain statements concerning Cryptozoology.
I already stated that I can predict a show or movie and it will show in the next 24 hours. Unfortunatly I can not control it, is like it comes as a need of the moment.
Why can't I get the lotto numbers instead !!!! [img]mad.gif[/img]
I'm not sure I "believe" but John Edwards and Sylvia Brown are the most believable. They do the least amount of "fishing".
Let's just say I have a healthy dose of critizism - but still open-minded.
i do for sure, we won't go into why but i am open minded to all things psychic. now some people we all know are full of shit but there are true ones out there
I'm pretty cynical about it too. I find it interesting but it's never been proven.
There's an old magician named the Amazing Randi who is a debunker of charlatans. He has a standing offer of $1 million to anyone who can prove psychic powers exist. There haven't been any takers.
I don't believe anyone can "read minds" or "talk to the dead" of "foresee the future" based purely on the magic of brain power. My take is that there are basically three types of psychics:
1-The very perceptive individual with very keen senses who can read clues in body language, voice tone and other signals that are not so obvious to the subject. These individuals may or may not be aware of how their talent works. This is as close to as "genuine" a psychic could be in my book.
2-The person who manipulates the subject into betraying themselves on an unconsciencious level or actually leads them in a direction that usaully ends in a rather ambivelent or interpretive conclusion.
3-A fraud that sometimes gets lucky.
I do think psychic powers are possible, and that many people have them to an extent, like deja vu shit and the like, but I don't think anyone can really control them, and all "psychics" are completely full of shit.
<font color="#cd6600" size="1">[ September 13, 2004 02:17 PM: Message edited by: TCM Hitchhiker ]</font>
I'm a total non-believer.
Back in college we had a palm reader / psycic lady at a party that we were having. She gave me the usual "You will be sucessful" "You will lead an enriching life" mumbo jumbo. Finally I said that there is no way that my entire life is going to be peaches and cream, I want to hear something bad.
She looked me in the face and said "At 29, you will die in a car accident." [img]eek.gif[/img]
Well, I'm 30 now and can honestly say the last accident I was even envolved in was when I was 24.
my thing is............. we only use such a small portion of our brains, who's to say people that have those gifts just aren't in tune with other parts of the brain.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">What do you expect for two bucks [img]tongue.gif[/img]Quote:
Originally posted by macabeee:
I'm a total non-believer.
Back in college we had a palm reader / psycic lady at a party that we were having. She gave me the usual "You will be sucessful" "You will lead an enriching life" mumbo jumbo. Finally I said that there is no way that my entire life is going to be peaches and cream, I want to hear something bad.
She looked me in the face and said "At 29, you will die in a car accident." [img]eek.gif[/img]
Well, I'm 30 now and can honestly say the last accident I was even envolved in was when I was 24.
I seeeeee a "Fried Chicken" in my future.....
I'll be back [img]wink.gif[/img]
Im kinda on the fence about these kinda things, i sorta believe, and sorts don't. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Interesting. Kinda what I was expecting, though. Hmmm. Let's go deeper:
Those of you who either "believe" or are "on the fence", is this due to any actual event you have witnesses, or due to personal convictions/faith?
Those who don't believe...why not? Must you have evidentiary material for all your beliefs?
Oh, and Fluffles, I talk to the dead all the time. Like...now, for instance. [img]wink.gif[/img]
Feck no!
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">...I knew you would say that! [img]wink.gif[/img]Quote:
Originally posted by EndQuest:
Feck no!
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't really believe in that before, but I am getting sick and tired that it happens very frequently. And no, is not like I will tell you NOW what is gonna happen. It just come without warning.Quote:
Originally posted by -Dark Angel-:
Interesting. Kinda what I was expecting, though. Hmmm. Let's go deeper:
Those of you who either "believe" or are "on the fence", is this due to any actual event you have witnesses, or due to personal convictions/faith?
Those who don't believe...why not? Must you have evidentiary material for all your beliefs?
Oh, and Fluffles, I talk to the dead all the time. Like...now, for instance. [img]wink.gif[/img]
I think it's like a lot of things... 98% of it is total bullshit and a huge con... while the remaining 2% makes you really think seriously about the possibilities...
I think Spore hit it on the head.
I'd have to apply my "willingness to believe" due to my faith in God/heaven/afterlife.
PUBLIC NOTICE: Although I haven't denoted this on any previous occasions, I would like it known that any opinions I express towards any general views or beliefs should be read with an automatic asterisk on the end with the disclaimer (*except for Dark Angel)
As for my beliefs, I sport two core beliefs that may seem at first contradictory but truly in essence compliment each other.
1-Perception is reality.
2-Science kills magic.
If a perceived action consistantly leads to the same end result, why ask why?
Unfortunately I'm a skeptic too and this forces me to deny all of the above statements.*
<font size="1">*Except the first statement which kind of makes this statement moot.</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thank you drau you just saved me alot of typing. [img]biggrin.gif[/img]Quote:
Originally posted by Drau:
I'd have to apply my "willingness to believe" due to my faith in God/heaven/afterlife.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You see, only works with movie.....couldn't afford the chicken. Had to eat an "empanada"Quote:
Originally posted by Moviemaniac4:
I seeeeee a "Fried Chicken" in my future.....
I'll be back [img]wink.gif[/img]
[img]confused.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'd wager that this is the most prevalant case. Hence the access to commonly unused portions of the brain, Higher Order Thinking Skills perhaps.Quote:
Originally posted by Andyman:
1-The very perceptive individual with very keen senses who can read clues in body language, voice tone and other signals that are not so obvious to the subject. These individuals may or may not be aware of how their talent works. This is as close to as "genuine" a psychic could be in my book.
"Belief" is, of course, a strong word. The research I did years ago in my own quest for faith led me to "accept" certain perceptions. Nothing has been legitimately revealed to me on this specific matter, rather, the basis of my opinion is rooted in the work and findings others have written about, combined with disspelled mythology and reports of phenomena scientifically solved, and topped off with the legends and lore contained in the tomes of various religions. Firmly do I believe in God, and so just as sure am I of the devil. I am aware that God's power is infinite, immeasurable, infallible, and is the pinnacle of balance and harmony throughout all of existance, but evil has limits. I don't profess to know many particulars beyond that. That about sums up my disclaimer, and I've told you that to tell you this:
Evil is defeated. Despite anything Hollywood or popular authors, artists, politicians, whatever may have to say on the matter for the purpose of entertainment or other, Evil has never nor will ever have the upper hand. However, evil will stop at naught to have mankind "believe" otherwise. Evil is relentless because although the decision of supremacy has been affirmed since the beginning, the human soul is not so easily spoken for. While we have been granted free will, the nature of evil is to stifle that choice by any means necessary. Evil will lie, cheat, steal, and destroy to get at the essence of what makes us sentient beings. We are presented with the notion that some have special connections with the next phase of existance - psychics, for example - to devalue our free will, to challenge the purpose of our existance, and to steal away the notion that God even exists. Therefore, I don't accept that any man has the power to predict future events, nor speak directly to the deceased, but rather the presence of evil in such a man will allow him to deceive to an inhuman degree.
Personally, in my journey to find myself and establish my own beliefs, I have experienced many forms of psychic deception, and some that I can't simply explain away as such. Even now I occasionally encounter the kind of deja vu that comes with having previously dreamt about or otherwise perceived events that now unfold in real life. Those who have known me long here know about the premonitions I had that taught me about the Imbalance, and I doubt I'll ever have any solid answer for that mystery aside from an uphill battle with insanity. Biblically, there were those prophets who foretold such things as the lineage of Christ's forefathers, and other holy books have similar predictions. A distinction can be made between divine prophecy and parlor fortune telling, but it's not for me to define. However, when a guy says he talked to my Uncle Joe and he says not to get on the bus next week, I know he's full of shat.
From a more practical and tangible POV, how come Dion Warwick didn't see the bankruptcy coming, and why didn't Miss Cleo know to get out of Dodge when the Feds came knocking? Perspective...
Gawddamn, Fluffles has critical thinking skills! Go figure. [img]wink.gif[/img]
However, he did fail my test. Maybe this will spur him to re-examine that. [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I knew you were going to say that! [img]wink.gif[/img]Quote:
Originally posted by -Dark Angel-:
Gawddamn, Fluffles has critical thinking skills! Go figure. [img]wink.gif[/img]
However, he did fail my test. Maybe this will spur him to re-examine that. [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
i believe due to personal experience and i will leave it at that [img]wink.gif[/img]
...its interesting that so many of you cite (presumably christian) religious faith as conjunctive to your willingness to at least keep an open mind toward "paranormal" issues. Unusual, actually. Not to be isulting at all, but most self-identified christians do not come across as very tolerant of "new age" viewpoints.
That being said, I hjope I am not making anyone defensive...I have no intiention of judging anyone's opinions or beliefs, I just want to hear about them...
One thing is for sure....Science can not explain everything. In fact, some explanation we get are just based on what others write and add to try to give a conclusion. Sure, we learn how babies are born, but is not the "how" it happens but rather "why". Does the soul really exist ? When we die we really cease to exist or as the body, we transform into something else ? What happened BEFORE the big bang theory ?
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">EXCELLENT points! To me, being a skeptic also means accepting that there ARE no answers to certain things...a rather depressing notion, on occasion.Quote:
Originally posted by Moviemaniac4:
One thing is for sure....Science can not explain everything. In fact, some explanation we get are just based on what others write and add to try to give a conclusion.
I fully believe in psychic powers, but I do cast some doubt over John Edwards.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Science, by it's nature can ONLY explain the mechanics of "how" things work. Philosopy & religion handle the "why" parts.Quote:
Originally posted by Moviemaniac4:
One thing is for sure....Science can not explain everything. In fact, some explanation we get are just based on what others write and add to try to give a conclusion. Sure, we learn how babies are born, but is not the "how" it happens but rather "why". Does the soul really exist ? When we die we really cease to exist or as the body, we transform into something else ? What happened BEFORE the big bang theory ?
And DA, upon re-examination of our prior conversations I must say that I did not fall into your trap. In fact I was rather oblivous to it. In other words, I was too stupid to take the bait. [img]wink.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">..."was"? Watch yer tenses, lad... [img]wink.gif[/img]Quote:
Originally posted by Andyman:
...I was too stupid to take the bait. [img]wink.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">EXCELLENT points! To me, being a skeptic also means accepting that there ARE no answers to certain things...a rather depressing notion, on occasion.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Skeptically, I don't think that there are no answers, just that nobody happens to know those answers.Quote:
Originally posted by -Dark Angel-:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Moviemaniac4:
One thing is for sure....Science can not explain everything. In fact, some explanation we get are just based on what others write and add to try to give a conclusion.
Defensive, surely not. My own unorthodox viewpoints could be considered un-Christian or "new age," yet Christianity is what my personal "religion" most closely resembles. I fumbled over a mountain of experimentation and doubt to arrive at my beliefs, and so I know they are my own, they are chosen by me. Moreover, my faith allows for you to have your own as well, even if they differ drastically. I only suggest that each at least considers their eternity, purpose, meaning, existance. It's a rough trip, but a worthwhile journey. Along the way these lesser issues become a bit more insignificant, less troublesome. Depression may have been a side effect of not choosing.
I used to believe in mankind. That faith has dwindled. In fact I doubt whether it exists at all.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Science, by it's nature can ONLY explain the mechanics of "how" things work. Philosopy & religion handle the "why" parts.Quote:
Originally posted by Andyman:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Moviemaniac4:
One thing is for sure....Science can not explain everything. In fact, some explanation we get are just based on what others write and add to try to give a conclusion. Sure, we learn how babies are born, but is not the "how" it happens but rather "why". Does the soul really exist ? When we die we really cease to exist or as the body, we transform into something else ? What happened BEFORE the big bang theory ?
And DA, upon re-examination of our prior conversations I must say that I did not fall into your trap. In fact I was rather oblivous to it. In other words, I was too stupid to take the bait. [img]wink.gif[/img] </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Andy, but science explanation comes from the perspective of someone who watch something and tried to explain it. What you learn is the point of view from someone else. Even Phylosophy and Religion have the same issue. The bible was inspired by God, but it was written by a man.
...rather than "no answers", I should have said "no palatable answers". It does not surprise me in the least that most of the population subscribes to some kind of religious belief, simply because it is far more tenable to live day-to-day believing that there is something beyond our short and pedestrian lives than not. I, for one, am horrified at the joke--that we are thinking, feeling, cogent beings who just...stop. But it doesn't change my sneaking suspicion that that is precisely all there is to it.
But now I am portraying myself as a pure skeptic, and I cannot claim to be that...I am certainly willing to believe anything is "real" regardless of whether we can explain it or not. Maybe we just aren't advanced enow to hit on the explanation--that in no way discredits the fact itself...
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">...yes, Virginia, there is an Andyman...Quote:
Originally posted by Andyman:
I used to believe in mankind. That faith has dwindled. In fact I doubt whether it exists at all.
<font color="#cd6600" size="1">[ September 13, 2004 03:59 PM: Message edited by: -Dark Angel- ]</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Science, by it's nature can ONLY explain the mechanics of "how" things work. Philosopy & religion handle the "why" parts.Quote:
Originally posted by Moviemaniac4:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Andyman:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Moviemaniac4:
One thing is for sure....Science can not explain everything. In fact, some explanation we get are just based on what others write and add to try to give a conclusion. Sure, we learn how babies are born, but is not the "how" it happens but rather "why". Does the soul really exist ? When we die we really cease to exist or as the body, we transform into something else ? What happened BEFORE the big bang theory ?
And DA, upon re-examination of our prior conversations I must say that I did not fall into your trap. In fact I was rather oblivous to it. In other words, I was too stupid to take the bait. [img]wink.gif[/img] </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Andy, but science explanation comes from the perspective of someone who watch something and tried to explain it. What you learn is the point of view from someone else. Even Phylosophy and Religion have the same issue. The bible was inspired by God, but it was written by a man.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Science is the process of putting forth a theory, creating an experiment to prove that theory and recreating the results of that experiment on a consistant basis in order to make accepted as a "law". No one man can do this. This is not the opinion of one person but consensus of the whole scientific community. Newton's laws gravity are proven. The "big bang" theory is just that. E=MC squared is also unproven. Some theories may never be proven.
Maybe we should start talking nonesense again....I am starting to have a headache for using my brain [img]tongue.gif[/img]