25 Oct 07
Originally posted by snowinscotlandI guarantee you it's a lie. Works as much as astrology.
Some of these mediums are awesome - they can actually get information from the spirits around us and pass it back to their relatives and other 'loved ones'. What I would like to ask is there anyone out there who has evidence that it actually works?
25 Oct 07
Originally posted by snowinscotlandNo, but it makes for great advertising draws on television.
Some of these mediums are awesome - they can actually get information from the spirits around us and pass it back to their relatives and other 'loved ones'. What I would like to ask is there anyone out there who has evidence that it actually works?
25 Oct 07
Originally posted by snowinscotlandWell that depends on what you mean by evidence. If you mean scientifically acceptable evidence then the answer is no.
Some of these mediums are awesome - they can actually get information from the spirits around us and pass it back to their relatives and other 'loved ones'. What I would like to ask is there anyone out there who has evidence that it actually works?
There are also indications that tell you that someone is faking it.
25 Oct 07
Originally posted by snowinscotlandI've had a couple of dreams that have come true.
Some of these mediums are awesome - they can actually get information from the spirits around us and pass it back to their relatives and other 'loved ones'. What I would like to ask is there anyone out there who has evidence that it actually works?
However, much of what one dreams is based upon one's fears. So, being in a situation similar to that of the dream could trigger reactions which are similar to those in the dream as well.
Meaning that the dream is more of a self fulfilling prophecy than an actual prophecy.
As for reading tea cups, catching garden fairies (and pulling their wings off) and tarot card reading... much of it is just looking and listening to the sucker opposite you.
25 Oct 07
Originally posted by twhiteheadgo on - what is the evidence against?
Well that depends on what you mean by evidence. If you mean scientifically acceptable evidence then the answer is no.
There are also indications that tell you that someone is faking it.
Lots of people who are bereaved get comfort from the information passed back, so there must be something to it all.
25 Oct 07
1 edit
Originally posted by shavixmir...ok, but people believe in it; despite the lack of 'scientific' evidence. Surely the evidence is that people are comforted by the information they get back; is that not enough?
I've had a couple of dreams that have come true.
However, much of what one dreams is based upon one's fears. So, being in a situation similar to that of the dream could trigger reactions which are similar to those in the dream as well.
Meaning that the dream is more of a self fulfilling prophecy than an actual prophecy.
As for reading tea cups, cat ...[text shortened]... and tarot card reading... much of it is just looking and listening to the sucker opposite you.
26 Oct 07
Originally posted by snowinscotlandThat's not evidence. People get comforted by an illusion. If you ask me is it's ok to "lie" to people to make them feel better, that's one thing. If that makes the "lie" further or closer to reality, that's a completely different story.
...ok, but people believe in it; despite the lack of 'scientific' evidence. Surely the evidence is that people are comforted by the information they get back; is that not enough?
26 Oct 07
Originally posted by snowinscotlandThere's something to it - psychology. Those people who believe in it get to hear what they want to hear. They want to believe that the person they have lost is still somewhere out there and that they can still communicate with xym.
Lots of people who are bereaved get comfort from the information passed back, so there must be something to it all.
26 Oct 07
1 edit
Originally posted by snowinscotlandA lot of people are comforted by Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Do you think that they exist?
go on - what is the evidence against?
Lots of people who are bereaved get comfort from the information passed back, so there must be something to it all.
The problem is that the same people who believe in astrology and mediums etc will often also believe in God and belong to a religion that specifically declares those same things to be either false or the work of the devil.
The evidence against it?
1. Lack of scientific evidence. Surely at least one medium in history would have wanted to make a name for himself by submitting to some scientific scrutiny. Unless there is a no evidence clause in the whole thing just like most religions.
2. Many people have shown that the results can easily be faked ie someone who does not communicate with spirits can convince others that he is doing so to the same extent as those claiming to be mediums.
3. Contradiction. If you went to two different mediums you would get two different messages which might contradict each other.
26 Oct 07
Originally posted by snowinscotlandWell, as long as one recognises it's a placebo, then there is nothing wrong with it, no.
...ok, but people believe in it; despite the lack of 'scientific' evidence. Surely the evidence is that people are comforted by the information they get back; is that not enough?
26 Oct 07
1 edit
Originally posted by NordlysI guess that could apply to many areas. If I believe in something enough, it bocomes real (for me anyway); and if I go far enough, it would become damaging for me to have to admit it might not be real (or true), and so my mind would tend to block out any evidence or possibility of evidence that would challenge my belief.
There's something to it - psychology. Those people who believe in it get to hear what they want to hear. They want to believe that the person they have lost is still somewhere out there and that they can still communicate with xym.
I have seen some of these people and they do seem like they have information that would be very difficult to get from elsewhere, however the sort of people who want to believe in mediums or are at least open about them will tend to be the people there. Does that make them complicit in the whole shebang?
the other issue is the 'absence of evidence is not evidence of absence' stuff. However something should have come up by now - or is it like evidence of god?
26 Oct 07
Originally posted by snowinscotlandPerfectly analogy with believing in God, this stuff about believing in communication with dead people.
I guess that could apply to many areas. If I believe in something enough, it bocomes real (for me anyway); and if I go far enough, it would become damaging for me to have to admit it might not be real (or true), and so my mind would tend to block out any evidence or possibility of evidence that would challenge my belief.
I have seen some of these p ...[text shortened]... absence' stuff. However something should have come up by now - or is it like evidence of god?
If you don't believe in mediums or communication with the departed, why would you believe a God? It's in the same level of faith.