A case of demonic possession

[no-body]

I am really not comfortable accepting that an 8 year-old can pull of illusions of misdirection to stun adults out of their wits in this case. That explanation just sounds like the only option a Skeptic has to ‘explain away’ the whole case. Couple that with the boatload of other highly unusual and seemingly paranormal events also associated with the case, and being an open-minded skeptic myself, have to believe the case probably contains elements not understood as normal.

But this is exactly the reason why kids (and the uneducated) get away with pulling off such illusions, adults like you underestimate them. Like I said you don't need to have a study in magic or even be coached by someone, if you practice enough and give off enough misdirection by acting out you will naturally pull off such things. Also factor in mass hysteria to equation, if you act hysterical enough it will spread, etc.

If it wasn’t for all the phenomena attested to by outside adults I would accept the hypothesis that she may just be a garden variety kook and dismiss the case. There is also the viable theory that her openness to spiritual things and powers is what caused caused her to attract malevolent lower entities and further her kookiness.

Like I said I would really like to see someone who knows what they are looking for brought in there with cameras.

 

[George-ananda]

But this is exactly the reason why kids (and the uneducated) get away with pulling off such illusions, adults like you underestimate them. Like I said you don't need to have a study in magic or even be coached by someone, if you practice enough and give off enough misdirection by acting out you will naturally pull off such things. Also factor in mass hysteria to equation, if you act hysterical enough it will spread, etc.

I have been interested paranormal stuff for ages now and have heard everything you are saying above countless times in every such case. And my opinion, when considering the quantity and quality of this type and many other types of 'paranormal' phenomena that the most reasonable conclusion is that things do happen that have no known natural explanation.

We are dealing with anecdotal evidence so the debate can go on forever as nothing can be proved. At some point we each have to come to our own most reasonable conclusion as to what is going on. And two intelligent people can disagree.

Like I said I would really like to see someone who knows what they are looking for brought in there with cameras.

Ever watch the TV shows on professional psychic investigators and all their equipment. And they often conclude that paranormal things are going on. But the fact that they do believe in the paranormal makes them of dubious credibility in the eyes of the Skeptic. The Skeptics are really asking for the impossible; I want someone who doesn't believe in the paranormal to show me the paranormal.

 

[no-body]

I have been interested paranormal stuff for ages now and have heard everything you are saying above countless times in every such case. And my opinion, when considering the quantity and quality of this type and many other types of 'paranormal' phenomena that the most reasonable conclusion is that things do happen that have no known natural explanation.

We are dealing with anecdotal evidence so the debate can go on forever as nothing can be proved. At some point we each have to come to our own most reasonable conclusion as to what is going on. And two intelligent people can disagree.

Well I choose to believe that these "supernatural" incidents that cannot be replicated and analyzed objectively are hokum rather than "proof" but that's just my belief.

Ever watch the TV shows on professional psychic investigators and all their equipment. And they often conclude that paranormal things are going on. But the fact that they do believe in the paranormal makes them of dubious credibility in the eyes of the Skeptic. The Skeptics are really asking for the impossible; I want someone who doesn't believe in the paranormal to show me the paranormal.

I don't see this as impossible if the paranormal is real.

 

[Quirkybird]

I think as science continues to add to our knowledge of how things actually work, I reckon that eventually ALL the things that some believe to be paranormal will be found to have a perfectly logical explanation.

 

[George-ananda]

I think as science continues to add to our knowledge of how things actually work, I reckon that eventually ALL the things that some believe to be paranormal will be found to have a perfectly logical explanation.

Actually I agree with you but at that time science and logical explanations will have expanded to include what we now call spiritual dimensions.