Your Silly Beliefs Survey

[Deep Dish]

I have begun embarking on what should be a very long argumentative essay, for both my own pleasure and lofty career goals. My intention is to debunk paranormal claims such as homeopathy, dowsing, UFOs, telepathy, and so forth, to help demonstrate and structure the burden of proof as to why “god” is an equally invalid belief. For research purposes, what I would like to obtain from you is what weird beliefs you believe in.

Thank you for your time. I am certain I have probably already started offending your basic beliefs.

 

[Jariel]

An ambitious project there, but I follow your thinking and wish you the best of luck.

I'm very grounded and don't really believe in anything in the list, but I added a conditional vote for esp and telepathy etc. While I don't believe in any kind of spiritual or divine explanation for it, things like NLP have taught that it is possible to read and influence other people's minds and alike through logical means. Also, those who use drugs such as LSD have also reported similar abilities, and were/are even employed by the CIA and other government organisations. So I'd have to say it has some credibility and probably some logical (non-spiritual) explanation.

Centuries ago the idea of the cellphone would be considered a feat of telepathy, but perceptions change as these things become explained. As humans we use a very small percentage of our mental capabilities, which means we have a lot of untapped potential there and a lot of potential "powers" waiting to be learned.


PS. Take a look at "Cold Reading" if you haven't already. There have been some threads in this forum about it.

 

[Don Ronny]

Why are UFOs on that list?

Are you that egocentric that you believe all the life in the unfathomable depths of the universe can be found only on this planet?

Or are you one of those guys that requires carbon and litmus tests to believe anything?

My guess is the former and that you dream of putting every belief system that contradicts yours underneath a microscope to find conclusive proof that you have the collective mysteries of the universe all figured out.

C0cky bastard.

Carry on

 

[Soprano]

****in nerds

 

[ethnomethodologist]

Dude, it's already been done, and it will continue to be done for ages.

Why not write a thesis on the vulnerability and strength of social conformity?

Have you ever confronted a true group of these people in public? They are lame, seriously, retarded and lame, in the literal sense. They are tought to even coax into real conversations. They seriously get the "my brain hurts" thing going on,and you can see it when you start to reveal things slowly to them.

On the other hand, that is also a conspiracy. Conspiracy theories, rumours, all that funk is just ways of having fun. Some see others having so much fun, and they explore deeper into the depths of what they believe to be real, and they see recurring patterns. It's very confusing, I hope you can teach others how to have real fun with it.

I'm sick of treasure of knowledge wh0res, you guys disgust me. Teach the rest of us your secrets. "the truth hurts" but hey, that's why we are here.

Your not going to find many of us who will play into your ruse

 

[PRMoon]

Mind taking is the only way to go mayn! Stick with the Kid!

 

[Deep Dish]

Don Ronny:
Why are UFOs on that list?

Considering the massive size of the universe, it’s mathematically very likely for there to be (or have been) life elsewhere in the universe, albeit not necessarily intelligent life. After all, the case is strong that microscopic fossils of bacteria have been found on our next door neighbor Mars (1)(2)(3), surely there might be more life elsewhere. However, has intelligent life visited us in flying saucers, not really. There has been overwhelming underwhelming demonstration of UFOs. Supposed sightings either turn out to be hoaxes, airplanes, or natural phenomena.

The burden of proof I place on beliefs is quite simple: demonstrate it (in controlled environments). Beliefs which “cannot be disproven” (are nonfalsifiable) fail the test.

ethnomethodologist:
Dude, it's already been done, and it will continue to be done for ages. Why not write a thesis on the vulnerability and strength of social conformity?

There is a need for more critical thinking in our world. There is a war going on against science. Insipid faulty beliefs such as (un)intelligent design threaten education and astrology is disturbingly tremendously popular. It’s extremely dangerous for people to believe in whimsical thinking, demonstrated by the Salem witchcraft trials, a long history of “holy wars,” and charlatans who scam people out of money and their lives. Here we have people like the Pope, George W. Bush, Bill O’Reilly, Pat Robertson, Kevin Trudeau (Natural Cures THEY Don’t Want You To Know About), who wage a war against good thinking and there is always a need for individuals to fight the war back.

I aspire to win the Pulitzer Prize sometime within my lifetime and this is a fine topic.

 

[Jariel]

Originally posted by Deep Dish
The burden of proof I place on beliefs is quite simple: demonstrate it (in controlled environments). Beliefs which “cannot be disproven” (are nonfalsifiable) fail the test.There is a need for more critical thinking in our world. There is a war going on against science. Insipid faulty beliefs such as (un)intelligent design threaten education and astrology is disturbingly tremendously popular. It’s extremely dangerous for people to believe in whimsical thinking, demonstrated by the Salem witchcraft trials, a long history of “holy wars,” and charlatans who scam people out of money and their lives. Here we have people like the Pope, George W. Bush, Bill O’Reilly, Pat Robertson, Kevin Trudeau (Natural Cures THEY Don’t Want You To Know About), who wage a war against good thinking and there is always a need for individuals to fight the war back.

So well said!! Personally, I'm a big advocate of Socrates. I don't claim to have all the answers, I accept nothing on faith alone and question everything. It got me kicked out of a few Religious Education classes, but at least I wasn't poisoned with hemlock.

 

[ethnomethodologist]

Best of luck to you on the subject. It is deep rooted in peoples minds to act as sheep. There literally are genes that correspond to actions people are able to take. They are being discovered slowly but surely. Occult beliefs are rising fast, they are still a strong part of reality, they are a form of escape, and they won't let go of all of their enjoyment as easily as hearing a scientist disclaim it. They need to hear THEIR leaders say the same thing.

I always believed that we need those types of people in society. A way of weeding out the worst in people. A way to circumvent government control. 1000 years ago a site like this teaching people HOW to seduce people would have been destroyed. As many books and teachings from those days were as well. I can only imagine the types of arguments made against so called religious icons, than I can imagine unrest being caused just from the notion that the general populace might know about it.

Fear is the driving factor of the initial approach, and avarice is the action taken once a substantial base has been created.

I am between two worlds at all times. I can't decide which side to choose. Whether to be part of the problem, or part of the solution, both sides are appealing to me. I enjoy creating problems to see how other people solve them, I also enjoy solving other peoples problems, just to hear their arguments.

Do you prefer somebody who will give you encouragement, and saying wow this, ooh aah that, or would you prefer me to show you arguments against your case?

From how you worded your original question, I assume you want people to give you arguments, so you can form your own counter-arguments.

 

[bbestar]

First Timothy Chapter 2

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

----------

God wants you to be saved, everyone. Religious people, Jews, atheists, muslims. The Wages of Sin is death.

 

[Don Ronny]

Watch it with the Christian stuff bbestar, Deep Dish is just going to ask you for a strand of Jesus' beard so he can test for DNA.

See, if science doesn't confirm it in a "controlled environment", it is simply not real. Good luck finding that beard!

 

[Deep Dish]

ethnomethodologist:
From how you worded your original question, I assume you want people to give you arguments, so you can form your own counter-arguments.

It obviously benefits to understand the minds of the people who I wish to argue against and offend. Right now at an early total of 15 votes, psychic mediums still haven’t received a single vote which suggests, maybe, people are generally accepting it’s fraudulent and therefore I might not have to labor too hard. Arguing that psychics are simply guessing, cold (and hot) reading people, and that people remember the hits and forget the misses, might suffice. It’s too early to say. However, arguing convincingly against the absurdity of “God’s Will” and ESP/telepathy might prove much more work. I definitely expect to fight a tough battle in “God’s Will”.

If anyone wants to put up arguments supporting anything paranormal, feel free to post here. Indeed, it might be useful to form counter-arguments. I will not contest, in this thread, anything which is claimed, regardless of how erroneous. My silence on the matter should not be inferred as agreeing but only that I am devoting my time to my essay.

Don Ronny:
Watch it with the Christian stuff bbestar, Deep Dish is just going to ask you for a strand of Jesus' beard so he can test for DNA.

:woo:

 

[manuva]

I'd be interested to hear of your precise definition of homeopathy. I know from vast experience that a lot of natural remedies work better than western medicine.

An uncanny number of homeopathy skeptics have never tried it as an alternative remedy. I find it astonishing it is even on your list, unless the reference is tongue in cheek.

Edit: I also notice you consider chiropractors amongst your silly beliefs.

While they have some seemingly far-fetched claims linking spinal manipulation to overall health, the benefits of seeing specialists in this field and others similar are so obvious to the experienced patient that even including these on your list casts doubt as to the integrity of your 'research'. It would appear you have already made up your mind and are simply searching for evidence to satisfy your prejudice.

Any serious research into these two medical fields alone would take decades. There is still vast disagreement as to the effectiveness of many different types of healing, and to suggest that you are capable of forming a conclusion thorough (difficult, given its immense scope) and neutral (improbable given you have already listed these topics as 'silly') research is to severely underestimate the topic, or overestimate your ability.

I'd be interested in hearing your personal experiences regarding seeing practitioners of these natures. Not in the research sense, but as a patient with an ailment.

If, of course, you haven't ever considered it an option then I not only pity you for you narrow-minded perspective but also doubt you will ever see it as anything other than witchcraft despite any evidence you find elsewhere.

 

[Desdinova]

Astral projection / ESP / Psychokinesis / Telepathy
Astrology (including Horoscopes)
Atlantis / Bigfoot / UFOs
Destiny / Fate / "God's Will (Plan)"
Fortune Tellers (Nostradamus, Edgar Casey, etc.)
Ghosts

I've dabbled in all of this 5hit previously in my life, and I've come up with nothing but no proof that any of it exists or works. I have however known people who's experiences lead them to believe that Astral Projection does happen, and that ghosts do exist. However, I will not believe any of it unless I encounter it personally.

 

[diplomatic_lies]

We shouldn't dismiss all beliefs and hopes so cynically. While logic is a good thing to have, if we were all extremely logical, we would lose the capacity to imagine, dream, hope, and finally, act.

After all, imagination is the basis of invention.

 

[So Many Ways]

I saw a ghost in my room when I was in college, so yeah, I had to check that one.

 

[organizedconfusion]

MY 'SILLY BELIEFS'
*i am insane
*i am a homosexual
*everyone is staring at me
*i have cancer
*i am dying
*i am adopted or my father isn't really my father
*i will die soon
*nobody loves me
*i will kill someone
*every girl wants me
*i have split personalities
*i will die in a car accident
*i will get AIDS
*true love
*Stephanie

 

[Deep Dish]

manuva:
I'd be interested to hear of your precise definition of homeopathy.

An alternative ‘medicine’ whereby supposed medicine is diluted to the point that not one molecule of the supposed medicine is present in a dose. Patients may report feeling better but only due to the placebo effect.

I also notice you consider chiropractors amongst your silly beliefs.

Chiropractors claim there is a mystical intangible spiritual ‘chi’, hence the namesake. Chiropracty certainly has benefits to patients for back/joint problems, hence the disclaimer in my list entry, but a ‘chi’?

There is currently a $1 Million Paranormal Challenge offered by the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) to anyone who can demonstrate a paranormal claim in a controlled environment. Homeopathy and chiropracty (beyond back/joint problems) are explicitedly on the list of qualified paranormal/psuedoscience claims. In fact, I am trying to put together a $10,000 Challenge of my own money to anyone who can satisfactorily successfully pass the JREF Challenge. I happily encourage any doctor practicing homeopathy or any chiropractor to take the Challenge. To wit, people making paranormal claims have either refused to be tested or have thoroughly flunked and the test has been in place for 30 years. I eagerly wait to give $10,000 of my own money—basically everything I own—to homeopathists.

 

[Don Ronny]

Originally posted by Deep Dish
Chiropractors claim there is a mystical intangible spiritual ‘chi’, hence the namesake. Chiropracty certainly has benefits to patients for back/joint problems, hence the disclaimer in my list entry, but a ‘chi’?

You are not the only one trying to discredit centuries of proven practice. Meet Dr. Pomeranz, a Harvard graduate who has spent the last 20 years trying to discredit acupuncture, only to discover that it actually works.

http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/acu_info/interviews/pomeranzart.html

A very interesting read indeed.

 

[Shiftkey]

I believe in a few of the things listed there. I think that given enough time, psychic phenominom will be proven through science - I don't think there's anything "magical" about it, it just hasn't been discovered. Other stuff (especially astrology/horroscopes) I consider crap. I think it's arogent not to think there is intelligent alien life, but I don't believe in bigfoot. Some of the stories about Atlantis might be possible, but I don't believe some of the weird fictional stories about it. I don't think aliens are abducting people or that crop circles are caused by aliens, especially after some of the stuff I've seen on the Discovery Channel about the science behind it.

It obviously benefits to understand the minds of the people who I wish to argue against and offend.

Check out these two sites and tell me what you think. They both have forums.

http://www.psipog.net/

http://www.learnrv.com/