Why is it so hard for ones to believe in the Paranormal???

Question

The Paranormal seems just as hard for some to believe in as God. Why is this?

Answer 1

For most, if you can't see it, touch it or hear it, then it doesn't exist. Most believers in the paranormal have had some type of personal experience to make them believe. Its true, you cannot believe everything you see on t.v. or hear on the radio. But, if it happens to you then there is no denying it. There is no way to make anyone a believer until we do come up with some way of scientifically detecting, capturing and documenting it. Us paranormal researchers are working on that. There is a lot of equipment out now to help detect paranormal activity, but it is not scientific proof. To me, the EMF readings, EVP recordings, pictures of apparations (which our group has), that is evidence enough for me to believe that there is "something" out there beyond our physical world or understanding. Maybe someday we will uncover the worlds mysteries, but I don't expect that to happen in our life time. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Do you believe everything you're told by everyone? What mental process do you follow when determining whether or not to believe what a stranger is telling you?

Let's practice:

I just spoke with god. He told me we have it all wrong. He said every single person should give me 10% of what they own, on penalty of spanking.

Do you believe me? If so, please email me for instructions on how to submit your 10%. If not, then why not? Is it the lack of evidence? The credibility of the source?

My statements above have exactly the same amount of supporting evidence as the paranormal and the supernatural.

In closing, noting a complete void of empirical evidence supporting the paranormal and supernatural, why is it so hard for you to *disbelieve* in the paranormal?

Answer 3

It's a cultural bias, which has been indoctrinated by our western society, especially over the last 200 years. Many non-western societies have room for, and are comfortable with paranormal experiences and beliefs.

The christian churches have strongly (and violently) suppressed belief and discussion about paranormal experiences and issues that do not conform to their formats and dogma. The western industrial revolution has created a secular culture which does the same.

Do a little reading and thinking... You're kinda stuck inside the box that your culture has put you in. Look outside the lines.

Answer 4

People are scared to know that something out there could be real but unseen, unheard, unknown for so very long. How can people believe in something that they do not think exists? As for God, I am agnostic in that I can't give my opinion either way. But still, I DO believe in the paranormal (since I have witnessed it my entire life) but I cannot just tell someone that these things exist and expect them to believe me. I konw people that say that they believe God exists and they believe in the Bible yet still push away the thought of ghosts and the like when there is evidence of ghosts, spirits, and paranormal activity IN the Bible. This logic I do not understnad but to each his or her own, right?

Answer 5

A lot of scientific tests have been able to simulate paranormal phenomena, magicians can fool you with slight of hand - and there are so many hoaxers out there, not to mention all the debunker's. Plus there are any number of perfectly normal explanations for things that go bump in the night. Paranormal phenomenon fall under the category of hallucinations in science.

But even with all that in mind, there are any number of rational thinkers and such who are members of secret societies that hold ritual gatherings, recite mottoes, have handshakes and symbols but yet deny their groups existence. It almost seems as if these rational thinkers want the paranormal all to themselves.

It's hard because believing is the same as faith - and faith is something that science can't control so it puts no stock in it whatsoever.

Answer 6

There is a big difference between the paranormal and God. One is a religious belief, the other is a superstition being passed off as science.
If there were any evidence to support any of the wild paranormal claims that people make, then it would no longer be called "para"-normal, it would be normal.

Belief in God (except for by certain Christians) is not put forth as a scientific discovery. Its accepted by faith as a belief.

You can believe anything you want. Personally, I feel there is enough un-scientific evidence of God for me to beleive completely in God and the Bible.

However, as the Bible denies that people can become Ghosts, and claims that mediums, psychics, and those with familiars are sinners, and are possessed by demons, I dont think belief in both the Bible and the Occult mix well.

Answer 7

There is no evidence that the paranormal exists. All experiments and tests have been a complete failure.

There is no biological reason for the paranormal to exist. If paranormal powers existed, they would give huge advantages to those who possess them, so they would be strongly selected for by evolution. That does not happen.

There are no explanations within the realm of physics that allow paranormal powers to exist. Physics can detect energy and radiation with sensitivities far beyond anything imaginable and can explain the structure of the atom, but there is no feasible explanation for paranormal powers that fits in with what is known. Any explanation of paranormal powers must fit in with what is already known.

Yes...the paranormal is as hard to believe in as God -- they are both irrational and counterintuitive.

Answer 8

There's that saying about doing the math. Some things just don't add up, especially when you apply logic to them.

Even the Bible has stated or forewarned according to the Messiah or Christ figure that there are those you will know by their works such as illusions or "false"miracles. Saying so doesn't exclude their beliefs or supernatural acts either.

Have you ever really wondered why the rejected messiah that reportedly did so many miracles and was also said to be immortal would leave Earth after just a few years? Is religion actually just based on life after death as our ultimate question? Many people want science to prove these questions and their rejections, rather than avoid them with their own brand of mumbo jumbo.

mum·bo jum·bo or mum·bo-jum·bo (mŭm'bō-jŭm'bō)
n., pl. -bos or -bos.
Unintelligible or incomprehensible language; gibberish.
Language or ritualistic activity intended to confuse.
A complicated or obscure ritual.
An object believed to have supernatural powers; a fetish.

Answer 9

Lot's of people believe in God and not psychics,ghosts,spells and Bigfoot.Many believe in none of them.The fact is there's no proof for any of them.As far as fear of the unknown.Look at the Q&A here.People who believe are the ones afraid.Once you stop believing in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny the rest is pretty easy.
Edit.Dave S with apologies to buttons.You seem to have the habit of using other peoples questions to comment on my answers.Isn't that technicaly a violation?I'd never flag you myself but others might.Anyway it's pretty rude behavior.I did visit your links,did you?.I'll bet no one else could get through them either.Again,my apologies to buttons.

Answer 10

oh Zachary, Not the Santa Clause Gambit again!

I guess you didn't know it is an actual tecnique used to twist argument. You didnt read the links I gave you did you?
You used 4 of them this one answer.

"Lot's of people believe in God and not psychics,ghosts,spells and bigfoot.Many believe in none of them." #9-DOUBTCASTING
"The fact is there's no proof for any of them." #6 SHIFTING THE BURDEN OF EVIDENCE:
"As far as fear of the unknown.Look at the Q&A here.People who believe are the ones afraid." #10 THE SNEER
"Once you stop believing in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny the rest is pretty easy."
#5 THE SANTA CLAUS GAMBIT: This trick consists of lumping
moderate claims or propositions together with extreme ones. If
you suggest, for example, that Sasquatch can't be completely
ruled out from the available evidence,the skeptic will then
facetiously suggest that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny can't be "completely" ruled out either.

They are all listed in the article below.