Ghosts, talking in tongues, supernatural phonomena?

Question

I'm a skeptic. I'm a secular atheist. I attribute things like these to delusions, hallucinations, and the like. But I want information on why people do and believe these things beyond the simple "you're crazy." Links would be helpful. Thank you.

Answer 1

Explain this:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4136610474021109864&q=rawlings

Answer 2

I suppose one explanation could be the brain itself. There is a lot that we don't know about the brain, and I've heard of some claims that such things as near-death experiences and ghosts and speaking in tongues are literally, "all in your head". Googling "supernatural, brain" and "religion, brain" came up with some promising links, and I think either Newsweek or Time did an article on it not too long ago.

I do believe in ghosts, but I am willing to admit I may be incorrect in this belief.

Answer 3

The first time you have an encounter with the supernatural will be the last time you ever ask this question. It's all ridiculous and laughable till it happens to you, then you don't think it's funny anymore. Go to Haiti, or spend some time with those that practice Santeria and see if that doesn't give you a new perspective on the supernatural.

Answer 4

The only "ghost" I believe in is the Holy Ghost, derived from the German, "Heilige Geist", which would be better translated into modern English as, "Holy Spirit"! The phenomenon of speaking in tongues is much misunderstood. I've heard many testimonies about people speaking in a language they did not learn; but which was perfectly understood by someone else present. I have also occasionally been given the gift of interpretation of tongues when someone else has given a message in tongues intended for the congregation present. More rarely, I have delivered a message in tongues which required interpretation. Often I pray in tongues where no interpretation is needed since I am speaking only to God.

The Apostle Paul makes mention, in I Corinthians, Chapter 13, of speaking in the tongues of "men and of angels", so not everything said under the influence of the Holy Spirit is uttered in the language of men, unless it is for the edification of the church, in which case someone will be present who can interpret the message - perhaps even the person who uttered the message! Elsewhere in the Bible (Romans 8:26) it is mentioned that sometimes when we know not what to pray, the Holy Spirit makes "intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (KJV)) or, "intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (NIV)

Since God, the Creator, would *have* to be supernatural in order to have had the omnipotence to create the *entire* universe out of nothing, simply by speaking it into existence, it is not really too hard, even for my limited intellect, to glimpse a little bit of his supernatural existence! He is also omniscient and omnipresent!

btw, I also have a Bachelor of Science Degree in psychology and most of my working career was in State Psychiatric Hospitals.

Answer 5

Hey Pheonix,

I can't blame you. I'm more inclined to believe, like yourself, that most parapsychological phenomena is better explained by modern psychiatry or neuroscience. However, in all fairness, allow me to play devil's advocate for a minute: It is true, we may not be able to at this stage, empirically prove or provide substantiative evidence of religious, spiritual, or even psychic phenomena. However, there is such an enormous amount of anecdotal evidence, it is hard to ignore. Even Dr. Sigmund Freud once said: "If I had my life to live over again, I should devote myself to psychical research rather than to psychoanalysis." I think it is very easy to deny these occurrences because a lot of the people who believe in them or purport to have experienced them tend to be irrational (that being "my" experience). Nonetheless, we cannot flat out deny such experiences just as much as we may not be able to prove them, even if we would suspect ourselves to be right most of the time. Even the famed skeptic and magician James Randi who runs the James Randi Educational Foundation admits, he does not "know" if psychic abilities exist (obviously, he would like to find out given the $1 million dollar prize they are offering for proof of its existence).

While I cannot speak for others, I can speak for myself:

I have a very logical and analytical mindset. Granted, I'm not perfect, but I tend not to let emotions cloud my judgment. There have been things "I" have experienced which truly, not even I could explain. The infrequency and varied nature of events I have encountered suggest there might be something about parapsychology we do not fully know about (or as others might say, are willing to accept). I never came into these experiences with any expectations otherwise and during such events, I was in fact fully conscious. Additionally, I am not mentally ill, have any brain abnormalities, on drugs, etc...As to what I have experienced and seen, I cannot replicate them, they just happened.

I'm going to say it flat out: I have seen an "apparition" (whatever that might be), I have had an "out of body experience," I have seen things "move around the room" and I have "heard voices" which were so indescribable, no human vocabulary words I know of, can explain the experience. All of these events, spare for the psychokinesis, occurred while fully conscious. I believe most psychic phenomena occurs during the subconscious state (and of course, with that being said, it is easy to think such people are deluded, mad, or mistaken). I cannot prove what I have told you, of course, but I will say this: just because something feels good doesn't mean it is true. The experiences I have had would suggest there might be more to life. As to what lies beyond the grave, who am I to say, but I would encourage your healthy skepticism and explore this subject with more interest.

While I am not a physical scientist/parapsychologist, If you would like, I'd be happy to further share my research and understanding of the subject.

Answer 6

He who seeks will find. I would recommend not seeking for the world's accounts on the supernatural - Especially in Haiti.

Answer 7

Do you really think you can handle the truth?

It's a lot scarier than fiction.

http://www.spiritlessons.com/Documents/BillWiese_23MinutesInHell_Text.htm

Answer 8

This stuff you are describing can bring about fibromyalgia (chronic pain syndrom) if you mess around with it. I'd leave it alone if I wuzz you.