Faith in Religious Objects

[Fluffy]

I know of a four/five year old child who saw a ghost once; the person with him was completely convinced of it. Now

a) he was too young to understand even the word 'ghost'
b) he discribed the ghost to the person who witnessed the incident.

Are you guys going to file this under 'overactive imagination' ?

lol Thankyou for the frubals Michel, it made me laugh . I do like to keep an open mind in these areas though... just that extends to the possible benefits that one might garner from experiencing such activity as this. I often wonder what I might do if I ever encountered such strange phenomena but I would certainly record or document it in some way! I cannot understand people who experience such things and don't!

 

[Tawn]

Likewise I try to remain open minded, but the problem is that such phenomena is untestable and seems strongly based on suggestibility (why is it often at night?). Id need very specific information about the incident to be sure about it either way. For now the 'suggestibility' explanation seems most plausible.. since it can be shown and tested.
Theres always the possibility of foul play too - some people just like the attention ghost stories garner and others might just enjoy scaring people.. some such as psychic mediums generate an income on maintaining these beliefs. I watch 'most haunted' all the time.. and im convinced theres more and more foul play going on each time I see it.. after all, theyve gotta keep the ratings up.. doesnt make a good show if nothing happens..
Im unconvinced, but openminded. (I hope.)

 

[Fluffy]

Likewise I try to remain open minded, but the problem is that such phenomena is untestable and seems strongly based on suggestibility (why is it often at night?). Id need very specific information about the incident to be sure about it either way. For now the 'suggestibility' explanation seems most plausible.. since it can be shown and tested.
Theres always the possibility of foul play too - some people just like the attention ghost stories garner and others might just enjoy scaring people.. some such as psychic mediums generate an income on maintaining these beliefs. I watch 'most haunted' all the time.. and im convinced theres more and more foul play going on each time I see it.. after all, theyve gotta keep the ratings up.. doesnt make a good show if nothing happens..
Im unconvinced, but openminded. (I hope.)

I can sympathise with such feelings but in my mind, going along with "suggestibility" for any other reason than practicality or a selfish want (or going against it for that matter ) is as strange as me deciding that my right hand exists based on the evidence of my senses which certainly seem to suggest that it does.