Why am I so Wrong? by ProfWag

[ProfWag]

I would really like to open an honest debate about this. First, let me explain myself. I am a skeptic. In fact (if I may use that word), you can even call me a pseudo-skeptic if you'd like since many of the people who read this are pseudo-believers anyway. I don't believe in ghosts, UFOs, Bigfeet (well I do wear a size 14, but...), psychics and/or mediums, astrology in any sense of the word, and a host of other paranormal or conspiracy ideas. Why don't I believe in it? I haven't seen any proof. So, why does that make me so bad? I throw out questions and in return, I get labeled a debunker and/or a pseudo-skeptic, am told my statements are illogical, am told that my opinions are based on personal belief rather than knowledge and that I am terrified that if something is real, I would have to re-examine my beliefs. Not sure what I could possibly be terrified about, but okay, let's go with it anyway. So, what I really want to know is, why am I so wrong to want to see proof of anything before I believe it? I see evidence of almost everything, but there's no proof. 120 years ago, if you had told my great-grandfather that people would be flying all around the world, that people could watch baseball through a box on a wall, or talk in a little "thing" to someone half way around the world he would probably have called you a quack, even without any evidence for the time. There was definitely no proof that those things would be possible. Yet, here we are. I don't believe that I have ever said that any or all of the paranormal claims are crap. All I do is question claims and then get criticized and labeled when I ask for proof. Why? Probably because there is no proof and people who believe are defensive. (Just my perception, open for discussion) I know I get extremely defensive when I'm told that I'm wrong about something. To me, people who are believers or "pseudo-believers" are wrong for believing in something that only has evidence and not proof (regardless of the strength of or lack of strength of the evidence) and are promoting deception to the general public without any proof. Asking for proof of something surely doesn't make me and other skeptics (or even "pseudo-skeptics") worthy of constant ridicule, does it? To conclude, let me say this about myself: I have never been wrong. I thought I was once, but I was wrong...
I hope that we all can keep this civil.

[NinjaPuppy]

I totally don't think that you are ever wrong. There is no right or wrong to things paranormal. Skeptics are not wrong for supporting their views and neither are believers. BTW, I hate that term.. believer. I don't 'believe' in ghosts as they are portrayed in books, movies or TV. I do believe that there are unexplained situations that fit the terminology of 'ghost' or 'spirit' or 'entity' that can't be explained away by saying that there is NO such thing because science can't prove it. And don't tell me that I'm hallucinating either because there are personal experiences of others who may have seen the exact same thing without prior knowledge or prompting.

Just because something doesn't fit into some neat little package of science doesn't make it go away. Just because I can't explain it well enough to another person doesn't make it a lie. Only when certain terminology starts getting slung around like liar, cheater, mentally imbalanced and some of the more nasty names that I've seen in some replies (from both parties I might add) does it make it 'wrong'.

If you don't believe in any of the subject matter, that's fine. You at least ask intelligent questions and offer your point of view. I don't think that any of us here can ask for more than that. IMO, you also present yourself very well in debates and I enjoy your commentary. You have shown me your way of thinking and backed it up with information explaining why you think that way. I don't think there is any other way to make a point in this sort of subject matter.

As a skeptic I don't expect you to agree with me either. If I wanted that, I'd go over to a fluffy bunny forum and play mommy to a bunch of goth wannabe's and spout some bullsh!t about my beliefs. I might as well just mix up a batch of kool-aid and wait for the mothership. I came here looking for some hard core debating and an exchange of ideas and theories and I didn't think it would be easy. It hasn't been easy but it sure has been educational for me and it's been fun at times too.

Does that make me right and you wrong? No. It means we see something from a different perspective that probably won't ever be settled in our lifetimes but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy running some of my beliefs past you skeptics to see what you have to say about it. At least I have the attitude that you might just be right and at least I'm willing to argue the point with you because I value all input.

[ProfWag]

Thanks for your post Ninja! I agree that this has forum has been very educational and eye opening for me as well. I came here to learn and see if my beliefs have merit or if there really is something to this paranormal thing. I've learned that there really is some honest evidence.
You mention something else that I have been wondering. What do I call people who are not skeptical but believe in the evidence? Is there a different name for them as compared to those who believe in most things paranormal without examining evidence or from personal experience? I guess what I'm asking is that I often get called a skeptic or a pseudo-skeptic, but I don't really know what to call those who are on the other side of the fence?

[Eteponge]

As for the "I don't believe in UFOs" bit, I take it that is in regard to them particularly being Aliens from Outer Space? The term UFO simply means Unidentified Flying Object. It is non-contestable that many people throughout history have undeniably seen Unidentified Flying Objects in the sky that defy ordinary explanations when all things considered. That doesn't mean they are Aliens from Outer Space, just that they are UFOs in the exact sense of the word. The Extraterrestrial Hypothesis is merely one of MANY possible explanations of UFOs, not the only one.

[ciscop]

wrong? in this site you are not only wrong
according to koenig you are a pessimist
according to quantum you have a lack of understanding
according to highflyer you are a demon worshiper (if you voted for obama that is)

hahaha

according to me
you are funny
is great to read your rebuttals
they are quite informative and is gotta be awesome to have you as a university professor
do you spread the skeptic gene in your lectures?

[brett]

please define a " pesudo beleiver "

thanks

[NinjaPuppy]

[NinjaPuppy]

[ProfessorX]

[ProfWag]

[ProfWag]

[ProfWag]

[ProfWag]

[Eteponge]

[ProfWag]