The Paranormal

[The An-Jel]

You know there was a rather significant prediction come true that could only be described as supernatural in my mind.
I am fully agnostic... always have been I am not atheist, deist, or theist... just keep my mind open until enough information comes in for a correct diagnosis to the eternal question... the prediction (and a few lil ones) bug me very much about paranormal happenings. More I think about it I could simply attribute it to good/bad luck but I am not much into kharma or anything like that either.

[UnReAL]

I don't think anyone has truly witnessed a paranormal event. I will remain Agnostic Neutralist to this idea.

[The An-Jel]

What is a paranormal event UnReal to you?

[UnReAL]

Originally Posted by The An-Jel

What is a paranormal event UnReal to you?

An experience involving the paranormal or supernatural. I just don't think such an event has ever been seen or proven.

[NewPath]

Originally Posted by UnReAL

An experience involving the paranormal or supernatural. I just don't think such an event has ever been seen or proven.

I so agree! Our brains can play very convincing tricks on us...

Reminds me of some religious experiences that, as Bill puts it, involves the temporal lobe of the brain.

We believe and experience in many cases what we desire. For instance, a person "witnessing" a loved one returning from the dead in some vague form to leave a meaningful message.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by NewPath

...Reminds me of some religious experiences that, as Bill puts it, involves the temporal lobe of the brain.

We believe and experience in many cases what we desire. For instance, a person "witnessing" a loved one returning from the dead in some vague form to leave a meaningful message.

ah, little glasshoppah: example given is not from cause stated.

The NDE sort of experience you describe comes from stimulation of the Limbic system, not of the temporal lobe.

A very common confusion between cause and effect, and easily forgiven.

[NewPath]

Originally Posted by Bill

ah, little glasshoppah: example given is not from cause stated.

The NDE sort of experience you describe comes from stimulation of the Limbic system, not of the temporal lobe.

A very common confusion between cause and effect, and easily forgiven.

I typed (honest) Limbic system, erased it and typed temporal. I've got to do my homework before shooting off my mouth....someday I'll learn, maybe!

Anyway, isn't this the type of subjective material that comes from that portion of the brain? Which would mean humans cannot trust anything that we might call "paranormal" unless it can be explained objectively.
Mythology alone is a good example of how imaginative the brain can be.

Off to do homework (about the brain)...

[Hisui]

Well I believe in ghosts but I never think they are Gods or God's underlings. They are just like humans who can lie.

Say, you're alone in a dark cave thinking of things in universe (or trying to find revelation) at night and then a ghost comes close and when you see the ghost appear in front of you, he says ; "I am an angel and you are the choosen one. Our God told you to spread His doctrine and bla bla bla....."

then after that you leave the cave and with strong confidence you go to a crowded place and start to yell ; "People, I was choosen by God to bring you from darkness to salvation and....." That's where some beliefs came from.

Sorry if anyone is offended by my words.

[Bill]

Have you considered, Hisui, that the manifestation of ghosts may be nothing more than the over stimulation of the limbic system inside the human brain?

(For those of a technical disposition, the limbic system is the set of brain structures that forms the inner border of the cortex. It includes the hippocampus, amygdala, anterior thalamic nuclei, and the limbic cortex itself. In layman terms, it is the base unit on which all other mental activity sits).

We know that the limbic system has a constant flow of electro magnetic activity taking place: the absence of such activity constitutes the definition of "brain dead". It really is a very important part of the brain.

If you see potential danger, it is part of the limbic system that decides whether you are going to stand and fight, or flee in panic.

Sometimes the system gets more electro magnetic activity than it normally gets. There are a number of reasons that this can happen, from extreme stress, through illness, to laboratory induced electro-magnetic force.

There are many possible outcomes: they include seeing bright lights, hearing voices, floating outside of your own body, and seeing ghosts.

The man sitting in a cave in prehistoric times could, perhaps, hear a rustling sound that he thinks might be a predator about to strike. The stress he feels could possibly induce a limbic reaction, producing a ghost and a voice talking to him. When he reported the incident back to his tribe, if they believed him, his status would be elevated to that of a mystic, who could talk to the spirits.

Not that this necessarily explains every single case of every ghost ever sighted. But have you thought that it might account for some of them?

[UnReAL]

Once again, Bill's explanation is definitely the most rational.