A witch turned me into a toad. I got better...

 

@ Brownout , there is a town near you that has a witch get together each year.

They also have year round activities about all kinds of strange stuff ,can't think of

the name right now....maybe one of the central Fla guys know the name.

 

I had two notable experiences, one early childhood, the other in my teens,
the later experience was shared with a friend which I find interesting now.

I don't put it down to ghosts (ie. a real person who was once alive).

And if you wanted to go ghost hunting, as such, or more "paranormal hunting",
it doesn't take specialised equipment.
Hang around Body Health & Harmony shows, practice a traditional Martial Art,
you are bound to run into some isolated component of some thousands of years
old religion or tradition, and experience something you cannot explain.
All it really took was a bit of work.

 

I have posted this before , I was driving on a two lane narrow road ,with 40' foot

deep canals on both sides of the road. All the sudden I lost all of my lights ,pitch

black. I had a dim flash lite trying to see the edge of the pavement ,all the sudden

I saw a bright light shifting from north to south ,very eriee... made it to Yee haw

junction...google it...a small place in the middlle of the Everglades.

 

A witch turned me into a toad. I got better...

You look more like a newt to me.

 

"but I figure everybody is "mentally ill" to some small degree."





Totally agree.


Some more-so than others.

 

Well, I find this interesting. Mostly I am astonished this is been allowed.

We are often warned to stay away from the 'R' word here, but there are people in this world, called spiritualists, that have strong beliefs in what are being called ghosts and that are being made light of in this thread, as a part of their faith that they follow with great devotion. They even have churches and hold regular organized gatherings. I would imagine that they would find some of what has been mentioned here as offensive.

A similar thread on Islam, Christianity or Judaism would not be allowed. Is it that we hold those beliefs in higher regard? Why, because of greater population? We feel we can discuss this freely as there will be fewer zealots to object?

So I have a question, when is okay to talk about someones system of beliefs and make light of it? Could I, for examples, start a thread like this on Buddhism? Raëlism? The Rastefari movement? Druidry?

As far as I am concerned It's all exactly the same and I personally treat one belief in a superhuman controlling power, as I would another. I feel it's all open for discussion, supportive or ridicule. If one is allowed, then all are. However, that does not seem to be the case with most of you , right?

So, to rephrase, at what point and using what criteria is it okay to devalue someone's belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power to the point where it's open to this sort of discussion?

Jus' aksin 'z all!

 

I had vivid nightmares virtually every night that I slept in that house, and they usually involved being set upon by a hideous clawed creature that landed on my chest. One night I awoke with a start because I had lunged at my "assailant",

I had similar experiences in my life, but being who I am I was sure there was a reasonable explanation. I went to ask a doctor about it. It turns out I had been suffering from severe sleep apnea that had a couple of causes. First, as a child I slept in a sagging bed that forced me to lie on may back, so that is the way I learned to sleep. Second, the episodes started when I moved to a neighborhood that had a huge fallow field of ragweed which it turned out I am slightly allergic to. This caused swelling in my airway. Once I took medication for the allergic reaction and learned to sleep on my side, these visitations and nightmares went away.

Just maybe your experience was similarly created.

 

Well, I find this interesting. Mostly I am astonished this is been allowed.

We are often warned to stay away from the 'R' word here, but there are people in this world, called spiritualists, that have strong beliefs in what are being called ghosts and that are being made light of in this thread, as a part of their faith that they follow with great devotion. They even have churches and hold regular organized gatherings. I would imagine that they would find some of what has been mentioned here as offensive.

A similar thread on Islam, Christianity or Judaism would not be allowed. Is it that we hold those beliefs in higher regard? Why, because of greater population? We feel we can discuss this freely as there will be fewer zealots to object?

So I have a question, when is okay to talk about someones system of beliefs and make light of it? Could I, for examples, start a thread like this on Buddhism? Raëlism? The Rastefari movement? Druidry?

As far as I am concerned It's all exactly the same and I personally treat one belief in a superhuman controlling power, as I would another. I feel it's all open for discussion, supportive or ridicule. If one is allowed, then all are. However, that does not seem to be the case with most of you , right?

So, to rephrase, at what point and using what criteria is it okay to devalue someone's belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power to the point where it's open to this sort of discussion?

Jus' aksin 'z all!

I agree with you completely, but I would expand the definition of religion to include any set of beliefs and the actions that those beliefs precipitate. I think that science is a religion to some people.

 

Well, I find this interesting. Mostly I am astonished this is been allowed.

We are often warned to stay away from the 'R' word here, but there are people in this world, called spiritualists, that have strong beliefs in what are being called ghosts and that are being made light of in this thread, as a part of their faith that they follow with great devotion. They even have churches and hold regular organized gatherings. I would imagine that they would find some of what has been mentioned here as offensive.

A similar thread on Islam, Christianity or Judaism would not be allowed. Is it that we hold those beliefs in higher regard? Why, because of greater population? We feel we can discuss this freely as there will be fewer zealots to object?

So I have a question, when is okay to talk about someones system of beliefs and make light of it? Could I, for examples, start a thread like this on Buddhism? Raëlism? The Rastefari movement? Druidry?

As far as I am concerned It's all exactly the same and I personally treat one belief in a superhuman controlling power, as I would another. I feel it's all open for discussion, supportive or ridicule. If one is allowed, then all are. However, that does not seem to be the case with most of you , right?

So, to rephrase, at what point and using what criteria is it okay to devalue someone's belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power to the point where it's open to this sort of discussion?

Jus' aksin 'z all!

This whole argument would be valid if anyone were talking about the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, but nobody is.

 

We are all controlled by our beliefs, regardless of what they are. As to the question of worship, some are willing to admit they worship something(s), but others are unwilling or unable to see themselves as subservient in any way.

 

This whole argument would be valid if anyone were talking about the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, but nobody is.

I am not sure I understand you statement. Ghosts and spirits are a central and defining part of the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power to a Spiritualist.

So, a discussion about say Abraham, Jesus or Mohammad (peace be upon him) and their doings and what we believe in them would be fine and not considered a religious discussion?

 

Geez, you guys ever go Trick or Treat'n? The whole day is about having fun with the whole spirit/ghost/witch thing. Even my Pagan friends enjoy the day (must more than the average person, actually)

 

So, a discussion about say Abraham, Jesus or Mohammad (peace be upon him) and their doings and what we believe in them would be fine and not considered a religious discussion?

Being that these are humans, it should not be a problem discussing them. However, the discussion would quickly devolve into a religious back and forth, and that would be the problem.

 

I agree with you completely, but I would expand the definition of religion to include any set of beliefs and the actions that those beliefs precipitate. I think that science is a religion to some people.

We could, but I think science is a bit apart from other rigorous belief systems. First, it's a part of science to scrutinize itself and leave itself open to discussion, critical analysis, reassessment and change. Doctrine is usually not welcome in scientific circles. It tends to make a poor religion when stacked up against some of the others.

 

Geez, you guys ever go Trick or Treat'n? The whole day is about having fun with the whole spirit/ghost/witch thing. Even my Pagan friends enjoy the day (must more than the average person, actually)

Each religion has it's important day's of worship. I think Halloween figures prominently in several of them. However, I know one follower of Wicca that says we make a mockery of it.

Your post is to my point is a way. We should be able to discuss anything freely

 

We should be able to discuss anything freely

Someone will soon remind us that the owners of this forum make the rules, and that we can discuss anything we like...just not here. I acquiesce to that, and will say no more.

 

I am not sure I understand you statement. Ghosts and spirits are a central and defining part of the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power to a Spiritualist.

So, a discussion about say Abraham, Jesus or Mohammad (peace be upon him) and their doings and what we believe in them would be fine and not considered a religious discussion?

Religions are at their core moral codes. So any discussion about what's right and what's wrong is more of an affront to someone's religion than talking about ghosts. Can we all agree that stealing is wrong? Ask a Romani. Your point is a wild stretch at best.

 

BillO--

Believing in ghosts does not mean you believe in the pagan religions and rituals that may have worshiped them. Ghosts are not inherently part of any religion. Some religions have brought them in and treated them as more, but that is not what this thread is about. This thread is about whether or not you have had personal experiences with ghosts. Saying you believe in ghosts does not make you part of a specific religion. Think of it this way--Do you believe in miracles? The most unexpected things happening at just the right time that works out for the better? Even if you say you do, that does not automatically make you, say, Christian. Miracles are a part of life, not a part of religion. The same goes for the idea of ghosts--it is a part of life, not a part of a religion.

 

@DerStrom & Strantor,

I'm not sure if your arguing my side or not, but I do think your missing my point a little. You do seem to be making my point for me though.

Believing in ghosts does not mean you believe in the pagan religions and rituals that may have worshiped them. Ghosts are not

Right, but not being a religious zealot myself does not prevent a religious zealot from taking offense at my discussing elements of their religion, does it?

Religions are at their core moral codes. So any discussion about what's right and what's wrong is more of an affront to someone's religion than talking about ghosts

The moral codes of all the religions I am aware of a strikingly similar. Most are identical. That you should not steal or murder are rarely considered fodder for a heated religious debate. Things like ghosts, spirits, burning bushes, and spiders on the wall as well as the other trappings and gimmikery of the the specific religiions are what cause holy wars and the deaths of the 'disbelievers'.

Someone will soon remind us that the owners of this forum make the rules, and that we can discuss anything we like...just not here. I acquiesce to that, and will say no more.

Now, this is making my point! Thanks!