Edited by simman, 12 February 2009 - 10:20 PM.

Change a skeptic's mind?
#1
Posted 12 February 2009 - 10:20 PM
#2
Posted 12 February 2009 - 10:42 PM
I think, Simman, the thing about posting on boards is that you are going to get peoples' honest opinions. But they are just that: their opinions.
I think the pictures you posted look like hair. That doesn't mean it's 100 percent definite that it's hair. I have posted, in 4 years, a little bit of everything on the 'net. Evps, pictures, orbs, and have had people say "it's nothing, and I am a person who knows exactly what I'm talking about".
I have, on the other hand, told people that I didn't think what they captured was "anything".
I at one time had evps that would scare anyone, clear, raw, evps. Put them on the net, and get "that's not anything, it's this or that". All the while, all hell was breaking loose in our home - things flyin' around, furniture moving - looked like a 3 ring circus in there!
So, dear, I know exactly where you're comin from and exactly how you feel. In the end, you just have to go with your gut, you know why? Because you're the one actually having the experience.
If someone tells you they don't think it's anything, it's not because they are being negative or nasty, they're just trying to help you figure out what's going on at your place. And if someone says, "I think it's hair in the picture", that does NOT mean that they think you're making up stories about everything else, it's just their take on ONE PICTURE. It doesn't mean they are discounting your experience at all.
I know how frustrating it can be, and I really feel for you right now.

#3
Posted 12 February 2009 - 11:54 PM
I grew up hearing from my Dad...."don't believe anything you hear and half of what you see". As a kid, I thought that was a pretty grim view of the world. That is until I had my own children. I realised I was saying to them the same thing using different words and it finally dawned on me what my Dad's whole point was. Think for yourself!
I've been critisized (sp?) for listening to a person's story of hauntings or orbs or whatever, and I ask them "what did you FEEL about it?" When we are there, experiencing something in our house, we are the witness and only our own opinion counts. Everyone else's opinion is just that. An opinion. Especially on a message board.
#4
Posted 13 February 2009 - 03:48 AM
#5
Posted 13 February 2009 - 09:40 AM
First you will never convince me of anything simply from a forum. A forum post has only your opinion, I was not there to counter what you claim. Seldom should you ever take someone's word based solely on their observations simply because they say so unless you know all the conditions present at the time. And just how much of that information can be conveyed in a forum post? Unless the post is pages long, I daresay not enough. So when I call your claim into question, it's nothing personal, it's that I don't have enough information to rule out every possible alternative explanation.
Second, a skeptic is just as hard on his own evidence. If I saw something with my own eyes, I would question it. What else might it have been? And that means doubt everything. Rule out everything else. The trouble is on a forum if I started questioning someone else to that degree, they don't generally like it. They become defensive. Part of this is the ambiguity of the forum format. You can't convey your feelings by typing. So arguments break out. Skeptics have to walk on eggshells to keep from offending someone. In reality though a true skeptic is just as hard on their own evidence as they are on yours.
Third demand the same of a skeptic he demands of you. If he claims something is not paranormal he should also be able to explain why not. Simply saying the orb is dust requires also he have a reason he feels that way.He should be able to support his side as well.
Finally ask yourself the balanced question. You ask, "What does it take to change a skeptic's mind? " The skeptic might ask the same regarding any particular piece of evidence you submit, "What does it take to change YOUR mind? " If you claim it's paranormal, Why do feel so strongly it is that a skeptical approach should be ruled out?
#6
Posted 13 February 2009 - 10:53 AM
#7
Posted 13 February 2009 - 11:21 AM
I definitely think it would require repeated experiences to change someone's mind. But if someone is hell-bent on believing or not believing a certain thing, then there's going to be very little that will sway their opinion to the other side. Experiences, facts, etc etc can be interpreted in any number of ways to suit a person, to support their own viewpoint.
And when it comes down to that, does it really matter whether that person believes you or not? If someone is looking for the truth, they ask others. When you know the truth, it doesn't really matter if others don't believe.
#8
Posted 13 February 2009 - 11:54 AM
My husband, for instance, is extremely skeptical about the existence of spirits or life after death, or anything paranormal. But it doesn't bother me because I feel very differently, and his disbelief doesn't make my feelings less strong.
#9
Posted 13 February 2009 - 07:53 PM
#10
Posted 14 February 2009 - 01:31 PM
#11
Posted 14 February 2009 - 04:41 PM
#12
Posted 18 February 2009 - 04:54 PM
#13
Posted 08 March 2009 - 03:27 AM
Speaking from a researchers point of view, I find infinitely more problems with a pro-paranormal belief system to that of a sceptical one, to be honest(?) In endeavouring to be impartial and objective in a research situation - for the sake of true investigation - I constantly find myself knee-deep and bogged down in unquestioning, pro-paranormal, cultural motifs...... which is infinitely more damaging / water-muddying than anything a sceptic might come out with.
At least if a true sceptic - even a cynic - reports something which might be construed as paranormal, then you think to yourself that 'hey - there might actually be something really going on here?' I've met plenty of believers who see ghosts - or believe they're experiencing the paranormal - everywhere they go, 24/7........ and I know which end of the scale I'd rather be dealing with or trying to assess 'impartially' (which is what research is really all about).
Regards,
Enderfay
#14
Posted 08 March 2009 - 12:55 PM
Just because people may not necessarily come to an agreement on belief vs skepticism doesn't mean the discussion can't be valuable. It's just a way of sharing viewpoints on a subject where "proof" often comes up.
#15
Posted 10 March 2009 - 02:38 AM
Sorry.... but what I was trying to emphasise here is the simple fact that - in a subject which no one knows the first thing about (if they're honest) - there is invariably an underlying notion that sceptics are somehow 'flawed' in some way in taking a more measured and logical approach to the subject. Lol!!
Best wishes,
Enderfay
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