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Even believers in paranormal subjects can be sceptical, of
those extremists who are trapped in closed
minded sceptisism.
I see myself as a skeptical
believer, maybe even an extreme moderate!
A friend who is also an
expert on these things and a Rabbi, said:
“when a man believes
in nothing, he can believe in anything”
It is only by direct contact
we develop the confidence to obtain the knowledge
which lifts us out from this ignorance.
But remember there is a
fundamental difference between genuine healthy
skepticism, and the entrenched denialism of
cranks like James Randi who refuse to listen
or
be open minded on any aspect,
and twist data to prove their point.
Some years ago a man would
heckle me at all my paranormal talks,
After one meeting I asked
him if he himself had ever seen a ghost,
he smirkingly replied that
he had not,
I then said; ”how
can you not believe in ghosts,
If you have never even
seen one “ ?
Surely you should suspend
judgement.
Herbert Mankusa described
these material people as;
“one dimensional beings,
people expressing their identities and feelings
only through the acquisition of mass produced
objects”
It is this shallowness of
view that underpins scepticism,
For scepticism is allied
to atheism, materialism and communism.
The
sceptical apostle of pessimism Schopenhauer
said;
“to sleep is
good, to die is better, but to never
be born at all that is the answer “
in other words, life
had no deep purpose or meaning.
The biggest cause
of depression is this belief that our
lives have no meaning.
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The biggest cause of depression
is this belief that our lives have no meaning.
One major problem is that
of psychology, where experts tell us that
an obsessive interest with anything is a sign
of psychosis, and scepticism is an obsessive
belief system and a religion to many people,
alcoholics and foodies, clothes fanatics,
football obsessives and religious followers,
we are all told are mentally ill.
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The
big question is where do we draw the
line between belief and non-belief?
Some believe too easily
and some not at all, there seems to
be a sliding rule here,
Where many people
who claim to be sceptical on paranormal
subjects, alternative medicine and U.F.O’s
find they CAN believe that Jesus was
born in a stable to a virgin, there
are 3 people in one God, but that he
was also a man, who could do miracles,
yet he ended up on the cross, and it
was all for us, and a priest can change
a piece of bread and wine into the body
and blood of this God which we then
disgustingly, must eat.
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The old testament is even
more extreme.
Another belief is that this
God wants children to be sexually mutilated,
in the circumcision rites, if God did not
want the end on little boys willies he would
not have put it there, female circumcision
is just barbarism.
Yet God is a kind just God
to some, and a vengeful jealous God to others.
So we need to be continually
aware and respect the beliefs of others.
Let me end on the words
of Epictetus.
“Remember that
you are an actor in a drama of such a part
that it may please the master to assign you
for you a long time or as little as he may
choose, and if he wills you to take the part
of a poor man or a cripple or a ruler or private
citizen, then may you act that part with grace,
for to act well the part that is allotted
to us, that indeed is ours to do, but to choose
is another’s”.
So even if the part to be
played is that of believer or sceptic, we
must respect our neighbor, even if we do not
agree with their views.
T. Stokes paranormal
studies lecturer copyright 2006
Also read THE
COFFIN STACK BY T. STOKES
Skeptic: In ordinary usage,
skepticism or scepticism (Greek: skeptomai,
to look about, to consider) refers to
an attitude of doubt or
a disposition to incredulity either in general
or toward a particular object, the doctrine
that true knowledge or knowledge in a particular
area is uncertain, or the method of suspended
judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism that
is characteristic of skeptics (Merriam–Webster).
In philosophy, skepticism refers more specifically
to any one of several propositions. These
include propositions about the limitations
of knowledge,
a method of obtaining knowledge through systematic
doubt and continual testing, the arbitrariness,
relativity, or subjectivity of moral values,
a method of intellectual caution and suspended
judgment,
a lack of confidence in positive motives for
human conduct or positive outcomes for human
enterprises, that is, cynicism and pessimism
(Keeton, 1962).
In classical philosophy, skepticism refers
to the teachings and the traits of the Skeptikoi,
a school of philosophers of whom it was said
that they "asserted nothing but only
opined" (Liddell and Scott). In this
sense, philosophical skepticism, or pyrrhonism,
is the philosophical position that one should
avoid the postulation of final truths. Turned
on itself, skepticism would deny that it is
infallibly certain that skepticism is the
only basic perspective.
In religion, skepticism
refers to "doubt concerning basic religious
principles (as immortality, providence, and
revelation)" (Merriam–Webster).
The word skepticism
can characterize a position on a single claim,
but in scholastic circles more frequently
describes a lasting mindset and an approach
to accepting or rejecting new information.
Individuals who proclaim to have a skeptical
outlook are frequently called skeptics, often
without regard to whether it is philosophical
skepticism or empirical skepticism that they
profess.
definition
of sceptic
... definition of sceptic...
www.brainydictionary.com/words/sc/sceptic216112.html
· Save
Skeptic
: The Skeptics Society & Skeptic magazine
The Skeptics Society is a scientific and educational
organization of scholars, scientists, historians,
magicians, professors and ... www.skeptic.com/
The
Skeptic's Dictionary
A Collection of Strange Beliefs, Amusing Deceptions,
and Dangerous Delusions
skepdic.com/homepage.html
An empirical skeptic is
one who refuses to accept certain kinds of
claims without subjecting them to a systematic
investigation. For many empirical skeptics,
this process is akin to the scientific method.
This does not mean that the empirical skeptic
is necessarily a scientist who conducts live
experiments (though this may be the case),
but that the skeptic generally accepts claims
that are in his/her view likely to be true
based on testable hypotheses and critical
thinking.
Most empirical skeptics
do not profess philosophical skepticism. Whereas
a philosophical skeptic may deny the very
existence of knowledge, an empirical skeptic
merely seeks likely proof before accepting
that knowledge.
Skeptic
News
Tracks new information on various skeptical
web pages.
http://www.skepticnews.com/
Scientific
skepticism
Scientific skepticism
is a branch of empirical skepticism that addresses
scientific claims. Common topics in scientifically
skeptical literature include health claims
surrounding certain foods, procedures, and
medicines, such as homeopathy, Reiki, Thought
Field Therapy (TFT), vertebral subluxations;
the plausibility of supernatural entities
(such as ghosts, poltergeists, angels, and
gods); as well as the existence of ESP/telekinesis,
psychic powers, and telepathy; topics in cryptozoology,
Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, UFOs, crop
circles, astrology, repressed memories, creationism,
dowsing, conspiracy theories, and other claims
the skeptic sees as unlikely to be true on
scientific grounds.
Religious skepticism
Religious skepticism is skepticism regarding
faith-based claims. Religious skeptics may
focus on the core tenets of religions, such
as the existence of divine beings, or reports
of earthly miracles. A religious skeptic is
not necessarily an atheist or agnostic.
Activist skepticism
Activist skeptics, self-described "debunkers"
are a subset of empirical skeptics who aim
to expose in public what they see as the truth
behind specific extraordinary claims. Debunkers
may publish books, air TV programs, create
websites, or use other means to advocate their
message. In some cases they may challenge
claimants outright or even stage elaborate
hoaxes to prove their point.
Because debunkers often
attack popular ideas, many are not strangers
to controversy. Critics of debunkers sometimes
accuse them of robbing others of hope. Debunkers
frequently reply that it is the claimant,
whom they many times accuse of exploiting
public gullibility, who is guilty of abuse.
Habitual debunkers,
especially those who intentionally rely on
pseudoscience masquerading as empirical skepticism,
are sometimes called pseudoskeptics or pathological
skeptics.
Skeptic's
Annotated Bible
The King James Version of the Bible presented
from a skeptic's point of view.
http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/
Skepticism
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An empirical skeptic is one who refuses to
accept certain kinds of claims without subjecting
them to a systematic investigation. For many
empirical skeptics ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeptic
UFO
Skeptic
An information site on the UFO phenomenon
by and for professional scientists.
http://www.ufoskeptic.org/
Australian
Skeptics Home Page
The Australian Skeptics Inc. is a group that
investigates the paranormal and pseudo-science
from a...
http://www.skeptics.com.au/
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