154 replies to this topic

[stevenedel]

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Asking questions are always good. But what purpose does it serve when they are aimed at not getting the knowledge but just to counter?

Their purpose is to find out which knowledge can withstand critical questioning, and which crumbles away.

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If an experience or sighting cannot be explained with everyday science, it is paranormal.

I don´t think that is correct, unless you use paranormal to indicate anything we don´t understand. Which would imply that black holes are paranormal, as are large parts of quantum physics. Things that are unexplained are simply that: unexplained. That doesn´t tell you anything about their nature.
Paranormal literally means ´outside the ordinary´. I think it is used to refer to phenomena that are supernatural: ghosts, clairvoyance, etc., things that lie outside the common everyday world and experience.

[MoonChild]

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Things that are unexplained are simply that: unexplained. That doesn´t tell you anything about their nature.
Paranormal literally means ´outside the ordinary´. I think it is used to refer to phenomena that are supernatural: ghosts, clairvoyance, etc., things that lie outside the common everyday world and experience. [/quote]that is just another thought philosophy! just because certain people doesnt understand, certain things just doesnt cease to be! But stevenedel, I appreciate the way you express yourself! 8) but I just differ your views![/quote]

[maharet]

Black holes are a bad example. They occur naturally and we understand the basics of how they work. They can even be quantified.

[plindboe]

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Sometimes, I think the believers feel anyone who questions paranormal beliefs and experiences is just attacking them.

Believers get angry because they "know" the Truth, while skeptics don't make any such absolute claims.

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Skeptics can absolutely keep an open mind but still question "paranormal experiences" - things that can't be explained by conventional means. Cynics will close their mind off.

Indeed cynics close their minds off. To "know" something and not even being willing to consider that it might be wrong is exactly what being close minded is. Many believers need to take a good hard look at themselves and consider the possibility that they could be the actual close minded cynics.

Peter

[MoonChild]

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Believers get angry because they "know" the Truth, while skeptics don't make any such absolute claims.

so does that mean skeptics gets upset because they don't "know" the truth?

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Indeed cynics close their minds off. To "know" something and not even being willing to consider that it might be wrong is exactly what being close minded is. Many believers need to take a good hard look at themselves and consider the possibility that they could be the actual close minded cynics.
Peter

Many believers yes. There are so much of BLIND BELIEFS around...... but also there are so much of CLOSED skeptics too!