I believe in...

[sabotai]

I've always been fascinated with the paranormal. It might sound strange coming from what some people might consider a "devout, hard-core atheist skeptic", but I have always been very interested in mystical and paranormal topics. Including mythical cities and beasts (Bigfoot being one).

Since a few of these topics have come up recently, I'd thought it'd be interesting to take a poll of what people believe in.

Of course, being the hard-core skeptic that I am, I don't believe in any of these things. But, I do like to read about them, watch TV shows on them, etc. Not because I think the people pushing the idea are morons, and in fact the only people I have a problem with are those who insist that people don't believe because they have closed minds. Which, I find interesting because if someone has already made a decision on belief and will never be swayed from in , aren't they the ones being closed mind? I have no problem believing in someone once enough evidence is presented. Aren't the people who are entrenched in belief and will never not believe that ones close-minded to the possibility of being wrong? Of course, in my experience, the people who ship out the "you're just close minded" statements are people who get frustrated when others don't just blindly believe what they are saying....

Anyway, I'm rambling. I do find these topics interesting, despite not being able to help myself and having a bit of fun with the more zealot believers. :)

Anyway, poll time!

I tried to get most of the popular, general ones, though I'm sure I missed a few good ones in there.

[DaddyTorgo]

believe not beleive sab

[sabotai]

believe not beleive sab
Who the hell switched my i and e keys...when spelling that word...at the specific point of the word....

*grumble* *grumble*

[DanGarion]

I think you should have included God and/or a higher power...

[sabotai]

I think you should have included God and/or a higher power...
Thought about it, but thought some whiney christian would get offended by me including their God in a listing of paranormal stuff....

Just kidding. Didn't think it was necessary considering we've had plenty of discussions on that topic before.

[DanGarion]

Thought about it, but thought some whiney christian would get offended by me including their God in a listing of paranormal stuff....

Just kidding. Didn't think it was necessary considering we've had plenty of discussions on that topic before.
Then you should have also included his Holy Flying Spaghettiness!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monsterism

[sabotai]

Then you should have also included his Holy Flying Spaghettiness!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monsterism
Aw crap, I knew I was forgetting a big one. Maybe next time. :D

[Schmidty]

Ghosts for teh win!!!!

I wonder if so many people believe in ghosts because they want to, or if it's because they've witnessed things themselves.

[chinaski]

My GF believes in ghosts and psychics and it drives me NUTS. We've been in a few major fights over it even.

These are my 2 main arguements on the subjects....
1. If psychics exist, how can they not be the most poweful people on the planet? instead, why do they have offices above karate studios and charge you 25 per half hour? Can they do nothing greater than this with their mighty powers?

2. If ghosts exist, how can they not be a major part of every single society that has existed on this planet? If ghosts really do exist, then they would have to be a consistent factor in every human society, since the start of it all. Cavemen would have carved hierglyphics about them, it would have to been written about in every culture; Roman, Aztec, Egyptian...etc. There is no consistency.

[Raiders Army]

Everything except for prophecy. It's too convenient to make the fortune cookie prophecy and say "See!!! I told you so!!!"

To answer you chinaski, I don't think the psychics you're talking about are real. If I had psychic powers, I wouldn't turn a buck with them. You're talking about some serious shit. I would maintain a low profile and not let anyone know I'm psychic (whether that's precognition, telekinesis, telepathy....whatever).

[sabotai]

Any input on some of the "Other" votes?

[sterlingice]

What's a Cryptozoological creature?

SI

[Izulde]

Mmmkay, a few things here. In my opinion, if you believe in prayer, you should believe in magic. They're essentially the same thing in that they invoke the assistance of a diety or dieties.. it's just that the form it takes is different.

With regards to things like tarot card readings, yes, they predict the future *but* and this is *extremely* important, they only predict the future based on the current factors and the state of current factors in that given situation. So if even one thing changes, the future itself will change accordingly.

More to come later.

[sabotai]

What's a Cryptozoological creature?

SI
Chupachabra, Loch Ness, etc. http://www.cryptozoology.com/

[DanGarion]

Mmmkay, a few things here. In my opinion, if you believe in prayer, you should believe in magic. They're essentially the same thing in that they invoke the assistance of a diety or dieties.. it's just that the form it takes is different.

With regards to things like tarot card readings, yes, they predict the future *but* and this is *extremely* important, they only predict the future based on the current factors and the state of current factors in that given situation. So if even one thing changes, the future itself will change accordingly.

More to come later.

Yeah but we all know that magic is the devil ever since Christianity decided pagans were wrong.

[Schmidty]

What's a Cryptozoological creature?

SI

A good-looking U-M alum. ;)


(edited to add wink so as to soften the blow.)

[Izulde]

Yeah but we all know that magic is the devil ever since Christianity decided pagans were wrong.

Yeah, even though the Catholics lifted a lot of pagan rituals and holidays for Christianity. ;)

Hell, they even made pagan dieties saints in the Catholic Church.

All were brilliant PR moves, by the way.

[GoldenEagle]

Asteroids are very real.

[Schmidty]

Asteroids are very real.

Yep, I have one right now, and it burns like hell.

[Solecismic]

A good-looking U-M alum. ;)


(edited to add wink so as to pretend I'm not an obs3ss3d h8r.)

http://img.actressarchives.com/lucy/liu005.jpg

Cryptozoological Creature? Or cute actress?

[GoldenEagle]

Yep, I have one right now, and it burns like hell.
Is it Earth-crossing or just in the belt?

[Schmidty]

http://img.actressarchives.com/lucy/liu005.jpg

Cryptozoological Creature? Or cute actress?

Wow, I never thought she was hot, but she sure is there.

[Schmidty]

Is it Earth-crossing or just in the belt?

Actually, I think it's just a bit below the belt.

[sabotai]

I think it is ridiculous to believe in this entire universe that this one tiny planet is the only one with intellegent life.
Well, that's not what I meant. I was specifically refering to UFO sightings, etc. In that, are aliens visiting the Earth (hence "Alien Visitors" ;) )

[dawgfan]

This thread seems like an opportune place to pimp Carl Sagan's book The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark.

Paranormal topics make for fun contemplation, and I'm not ruling out that some things on that list may yet turn out to provide some form of credible evidence for their existence, but until that point - read Sagan's book.

[Raiders Army]

http://img.actressarchives.com/lucy/liu005.jpg

Cryptozoological Creature? Or cute actress?
I'm glad you went with Lucy Liu instead of Tom Brady.

[MIJB#19]

When recently asked that question, my answer was: "myself".

I stick with that: I believe in myself.

Other than the poll-mentioned things, I know there's more in life than just life itself. Unexplainable things happen on a weekly base in my life, but you get used to it and start thinking it's normal. Well, in the end it is just part of life...

[MIJB#19]

Off-topic dola:
Lucy Liu picWhat's with the white stain on the right boob? Or did i miss some other thread about it?

[GoldenEagle]

Off-topic dola:
What's with the white stain on the right boob? Or did i miss some other thread about it?
http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif

[sterlingice]

When recently asked that question, my answer was: "myself".

I stick with that: I believe in myself.
He's the Loch Ness Monster! Get 'im!

SI

[JeeberD]

Off-topic dola:
What's with the white stain on the right boob? Or did i miss some other thread about it?

I ws wondering the same damn thing. Looks like she had some fun in the limo before whatever event she's at there...

[KWhit]

None of the above.

[Subby]

I believe that children are our future.

Teach them well.

And let them lead the way.

Show them all the beauty....

THEY POSSESS INSIDE!!!!!!

[Kodos]

Bump! Paranormal week continues at FOFC!

[Kodos]

I wish I could say yes to some of these.

[cartman]

I believe in 'i before e, except after c'

[Kodos]

I was gonna say "I believe in correct spellings".

[CAsterling]

Seems odd to have a poll without a Trout option.

Had to say Yes to the Bigfoot one, because whilst I don't believe in Bigfoot or the Yeti, I do believe/hope that Nessie exists.

[Kodos]

A good-looking U-M alum. ;)


(edited to add wink so as to soften the blow.)

See, Schmidty? You can do this! :)

[Blackadar]

I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days.

[heybrad]

I believe that children are our future.

Teach them well.

And let them lead the way.

Show them all the beauty....

THEY POSSESS INSIDE!!!!!!
SEXUAL CHOCOLATE!!!

[Julio Riddols]

I believe in the existence of aliens, but I am unconvinced regarding whether they have actually been here or not.

[Julio Riddols]

I also believe in dola posting to acknowledge I did not realize this was an old ass thread.

[DaddyTorgo]

Bumping these old threads is a fun bit of nostalgia to see the names of old posters.

[Kodos]

Tomorrow I may bump the famous Yeti thread!

[timmae]

I also believe in dola posting to acknowledge I did not realize this was an old ass thread.

That's ok buddy... it took me until something like post 32 to figure the same thing...

Also love the multi-thread thoughts Kodos... superb post!

[EagleFan]

Other: Aliens but not as described in the choice; there can be aliens without them having contacted or abducted. They can be out there and just as mysterious to us as we would be to them.

[EagleFan]

Astrology? Really?

[OldGiants]

I don't believe in anything. There are simply things I know and things I have yet to learn

[BYU 14]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sRYNYb30nxU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[NobodyHere]

Anyone seen bigfoot? - Front Office Football Central (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=43408)

[AlexB]

...miracles, you sexy thing!

[Icy]

Other: Aliens but not as described in the choice; there can be aliens without them having contacted or abducted. They can be out there and just as mysterious to us as we would be to them.

My belief too, hard to justify we are the only ones in the almost infinite universe, and with another life i don't just mean organic life as we understand it right now.