55 replies to this topic

[CourtneyDee]

Just something I started thinking about because some people are "secret believers" and I was wondering if anyone here falls into this catagory.

[Vivienne_DuBois]

Hi CourtneyDee,

Nice idea for a poll! I chose “I tell only those very close to me.” I know that here on GV, believing in ghosts and other paranormal beings is pretty much a universal belief or, in the very least, an interest for those, here. But, I’ve found that, out there in the general world, there are quite a lot of people who either don’t believe or think it’s “weird.” I’m fortunate to have friends (and, some family) who are very open-minded and have had their own strange experiences, so I feel safe to bring my thoughts up to them. But, I wouldn’t bring my thoughts or experiences up to anyone unless I was very close to them and know they are open-minded or if I knew they were believers, too.



Amanda

[Crone]

Hmmm.....none of the options work well for me. I don't tell someone that I've just met (it's not appropriate in the work-setting, and my Renny friends already know). If the subject comes up, though, I readily admit to it, and enjoy talking about it if they're interested. I'll admit I've gotten some wierd reactions. Only 1 co-worker knew before our last office Christmas party, and one of the Dr's was asking what kind of things we did on our computer. Well.....GhostVillage came up, of course, then I told him about the paranormal investigation group I belong to. I think I shocked him into being more quiet than he already is.

It's not something I usually start a conversation with, though.

[Shawn333]

I voted "I tell only those very close to me." That's generally true of my personal, weird experiences. But if the topic of spirituality or paranormal things comes up, I have no problem telling anyone what I do believe in. I just might not give them my personal experiences with the stuff. I give people enough reasons to think I'm crazy as is.

[Bluemooncat]

Believing in ghosts and sharing my few paranormal experiances it the LAST thing I worry about sharing with people. There are enough other odd things about me, that believing in ghosts is kinda normal.
Nearly everyone at my job knows I'm "into ghosts" and I was actually approached by an indivitudual who wanted to start a paranormal inverstigation group because someone at our work place had told him I was interested in "things like that" (I didn't join because of the other things going on in my life at that time)
I have only ever had two bad reactions. One was a travel employee who simply refused to talk to me after she found out and the other was my brother. I adore my brother but we have diffrent religous philosipys and his does not allow room for ghosts. He tried to explain to me that ghosts were not real it was only the "devil" trying to "fool" me. 9 i don't argue with him, I just keep quiet. We are too much alike and I do not want to spend the rest of our lives arguing about that!)
I very rarely get a bad reaction and in fact most people imediatly start talking about their own experiances. It might have something to do with working in health care, but I've never felt like I couldn't share that with people.
Talking about being "sensitive" and getting premontions on the other hand . . .. I tend to keep that to myself.

[Yosei]

None of the options quite fit me, either. I tell only other believers, period, regardless of how well I know them. It isn't worth the trouble otherwise.

[NightNGaleX3x]

If someone asks, I'll tell them. If the subject of the paranormal comes up, I'll comment. A lot of people naturally know that I am a believer/enhthusiast since it's one of my biggest passions.

[Oniix]

Since I am on the skeptical side, I tend to not take too long to let someone know. Generally, I find that mixing skeptical thoughts in with the thought that there are plenty of instances where natural or mundane explanations don't fit, helps to ease people's ideas of your interest in ghosts and the paranormal.

[sensitiveinIn]

CourtneyDee, on Aug 16 2007, 06:09 PM, said:

Just something I started thinking about because some people are "secret believers" and I was wondering if anyone here falls into this catagory.

WEEELLL, I DID say I'll tell someone after the first few times of meeting them, BUT...I have my husbands family to live with. I mean not in my house, but pretty near by. SSOOOO, it's been 3-4 yrs.since we moved into this amazing place and I was talking to my mother-in-law last wk. when I NATURALLY and CASUALLY said something about the action in the house, at which point she just looked at me with this blank face...That's when I said to her "OH, didn't I tell you about that?" OF COURSE, she said "NO" well, I told her "I'll tell you all about it later" But honestly, I don't think I want to tell her everything...I don't want her to think I'm a "nut" But on the other hand, a total stranger is just that. The chances of you meeting up with them again are pretty slim. So if the subject comes up, I TELL THEM! Besides you might just find an alli that you didn't know was out there. Peace, Linda

Edited by sensitiveinIn, 17 August 2007 - 08:08 AM.

[Redhead]

Like many who've already posted a reply here, I found that none of the options fit me. I don't hide my interests in the paranormal, but unless the subject comes up in normal conversation, I don't mention it. I have a friend who is openly gay, but he doesn't start conversations with "Hey, did you know I'm gay?" He doesn't avoid the subject, or try to hide his homosexuality, but he doesn't feel the need to talk about it either. It's simply who he is. That is how I feel about my sensitivities and interest with and in the paranormal.

[sensitiveinIn]

Redhead, on Aug 17 2007, 09:17 AM, said:

Like many who've already posted a reply here, I found that none of the options fit me. I don't hide my interests in the paranormal, but unless the subject comes up in normal conversation, I don't mention it. I have a friend who is openly gay, but he doesn't start conversations with "Hey, did you know I'm gay?" He doesn't avoid the subject, or try to hide his homosexuality, but he doesn't feel the need to talk about it either. It's simply who he is. That is how I feel about my sensitivities and interest with and in the paranormal.

Yeah, that's it most of the time!

[CourtneyDee]

I am the same way as most here are. I believe and am by no means ashamed of what I believe, however, I am hesitant to tell someone my thoughts on it because of the judgement that could be passed.

Thank you for all that responded to this!! I love reading them so, keep them coming!!

[allege]

I tend to hold back on telling most people until the subject comes up about ghosts and I can gauge how they will respond.

[leslie_dragonlvr]

I speak openly. I am not afraid of letting people know. I am very open about it. I like for people to know me for who I am. Even my boss, who is the principal of the school where I work, asks me questions now. People who are afraid of the unknown or what they can't see, begin to understand the connections better. If they don't want to talk about it or whatever, I understand, and I let it go.
Its a natural thing and part of our world, why not be open about it.

I've had a few strange looks, but they stay and listen out of their own secret curiosity...lol.

Les

[MoonChild]

Nope, I can't vote either. If the subject comes up for discussion, yes I do share, else who cares!