NationStates Jolt Archive

Inspired by the "Your Stance on Hunting" thread and in honor of Halloween.

Do you believe in ghosts? Are there any haunted houses, buildings, vacant lots, whatever in your area?

I'm sort of agnostic on the issue. I feel that it's entirely possible, but we have no way to empirically prove they do or don't exist.

Then again, I'm a nyctophobe, so while I doubt they do exist, I can't quite bring myself to not believe in them.

We have a 13th floor! ;) Scary ain't it? Along with our own building ghosts.

Inspired by the "Your Stance on Hunting" thread and in honor of Halloween.

Do you believe in ghosts? Are there any haunted houses, buildings, vacant lots, whatever in your area?

Yep yep yep yep, ghost do exist.

I don't believe in ghosts, to do so would require you to make the leap of faith that the "soul" which can be changed drastically by a simple head injury can survive unchanged by brain death.

So no I do not believe in ghosts in the classic sense. The ghost report phenomenon cannot be completely ruled out, but it's unlikely it's a remnant of some long dead human. You'd think a spook would find more interesting things to do that fuck with the living. Honestly how many decades would that stay funny?

Inspired by the "Your Stance on Hunting" thread and in honor of Halloween.

Do you believe in ghosts? Are there any haunted houses, buildings, vacant lots, whatever in your area?

Yes, I call it Belgium :p

I think there's something that accounts for all the anecdotes about hauntings and such. Don't necessarily believe that something is the spirits of the deceased or demons, etc.

However, I do have to say, I love the show Ghost Hunters. =p

I think there's something that accounts for all the anecdotes about hauntings and such. Don't necessarily believe that something is the spirits of the deceased or demons, etc.

^ this.

I enjoy ghost stories and visiting "haunted" places, but I don't think the phenomena is caused by "spirits" or whatever. I think it's probably some sort of natural occurrence coupled with group hysteria.

i don't believe in it.

but i did keep reading the Hunting thread as Haunting.... spooky.... ;)

Yes, I call it Belgium :p

Ba-zing. Just don't like Edwinasia see this. ;)

Inspired by the "Your Stance on Hunting" thread and in honor of Halloween.

Do you believe in ghosts? Are there any haunted houses, buildings, vacant lots, whatever in your area?

do ghosts and spirits exist? yes.

are there any presumed to be haunted areas in my state... yes.

An old cowboy went ridin' out one dark and windy day
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw
A plowin' through the ragged sky, and up a cloudy draw

Their brands were still on fire and their hoofs were made of steel
Their horns were black and shiney and their hot breath he could feel
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
He saw the riders comin' hard, and he heard their mournful cry

Yippee-i-yay
Yippee-i-yooo
Ghost riders in the sky

Yippee-i-yay
Yippee-i-yooo
Ghost riders in the sky


Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred , their shirts all soaked with sweat
He's ridin' hard to catch the herd, but he ain't caught 'em yet
'Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snortin' fire... as they ride on, hear them cry

The riders rode on by him, he heard one call his name
If you want to save your soul from hell and riding on our range
Then cowboy, change your ways today or with us you will ride
Tryin' to catch the devil's herd across the endless skys'

Yippee-i-yay
Yippee-i-yooo
Ghost riders in the sky
Yippee-i-yooo
Yippee-i-yay
Ghost riders in the sky
Yippee-i-yay
Yippee-i-yooo
Ghost riders in the sky
Yippee-i-yay
Yippee-i-yooo
Ghost riders in, the sky

http://ghostrider.omegacen.com/images/newGRmythos.jpg

I also believe in ghosts, and like JuNii, there's places by where I live that are supposed to be haunted, including my workplace..

There's just no evidence... nothing that can't be better explained by an application of sound, established principles.

Or - maybe there is, and I've just been lucky?

I'm quite a fan of ghost-ish movies... but that doesn't mean I have to go around thinking they are anything but flights of fancy.

No, not at all. There is no evidence for it and no reason to believe in them
(other than that it can sometimes be fun, to walk in haunted places at night for instance)

ghosts exist alright
dealt with them several times
proving it is another matter.

I don't believe in ghosts, to do so would require you to make the leap of faith that the "soul" which can be changed drastically by a simple head injury can survive unchanged by brain death.

So no I do not believe in ghosts in the classic sense. The ghost report phenomenon cannot be completely ruled out, but it's unlikely it's a remnant of some long dead human. You'd think a spook would find more interesting things to do that fuck with the living. Honestly how many decades would that stay funny?

(edit: also, care to explain what you mean by the "soul which can be changed drastically by a simple head injury can survive unchanged by brain death." thing?) The leap of faith you speak of... soul being unchanged by brain death... Hmm.
An interesting point.

I must think of some way to type this without writing an essay..
Mind(or heart, whatever you prefer),Body, and Soul
Most humans, I would say, think with their bodies, or minds.
Thinking with the soul is where you get into philosophy, and things like that.
I prefer to think with my soul, and am a rather philosophical type of person.
Anyways, thats the best I can do.
Sorry if I came out sounding like a crackpot.

Also; Fucking with people, with no real limit, I think would be fun for many a decade.

*snip*

However, I do have to say, I love the show Ghost Hunters. =p


I despise that show. The people are absolutely pathetic.

No, not at all. There is no evidence for it and no reason to believe in them
(other than that it can sometimes be fun, to walk in haunted places at night for instance)

No evidence at all? Despite all the stories and what not?
No reason? Why not?
I've walked to a nearby graveyard several times, between 7 PM and 2 AM.
It is indeed rather... interesting.

ghosts exist alright
dealt with them several times
proving it is another matter.


Quite right you are.
I've had a few encounters myself, with what -may- have been ghosts, or otherwise.
But yes. Actually proving it... Is a little different.

(edit: also, care to explain what you mean by the "soul which can be changed drastically by a simple head injury can survive unchanged by brain death." thing?) The leap of faith you speak of... soul being unchanged by brain death... Hmm.
An interesting point.

I must think of some way to type this without writing an essay..
Mind(or heart, whatever you prefer),Body, and Soul
Most humans, I would say, think with their bodies, or minds.
Thinking with the soul is where you get into philosophy, and things like that.
I prefer to think with my soul, and am a rather philosophical type of person.
Anyways, thats the best I can do.
Sorry if I came out sounding like a crackpot.
I'm assuming he was referring to cases like Phineas Gage who, after suffering brain trauma, exhibit drastic personality shifts. These people, however, are often completely unaware of their changing values/personalities. This implies a materialist understanding of this "soul" you speak of. Also, many a philosopher would completely disagree with your stance of the soul resulting in philosophical thought rather than reason rooted in the mind. I prefer to think with my rational faculties and also consider myself a "philosophical type of person." ;)
Also; Fucking with people, with no real limit, I think would be fun for many a decade.Agreed. And I think that the people who tend to believe in hauntings generally argue that the "spirits" or ghosts or whatever aren't doing the hauntings by choice, they are stuck in that state.
I despise that show. The people are absolutely pathetic.Hrm? How so? Some of the crew annoys me, but I appreciate that they're at least attempting to apply scientific methods to analyze "hauntings" and approach it from a somewhat objective standpoint (as objective a standpoint as people who actually believe they've had "supernatural" experiences can be).
No evidence at all? Despite all the stories and what not?
No reason? Why not?
I've walked to a nearby graveyard several times, between 7 PM and 2 AM.
It is indeed rather... interesting.

.....

Quite right you are.
I've had a few encounters myself, with what -may- have been ghosts, or otherwise.
But yes. Actually proving it... Is a little different.

Like you said, actually proving something is different than providing anecdotes. While I'm not denying the possibility of hauntings (it fits in with my philosophical framework that sentience is just information accumulation by adaptive systems and it would make sense that a "loop" of information can be trapped somewhere for some reason), I think what those of us who remain skeptical want is definitive, scientific proof rather than some people telling stories, which they very well may believe to be completely true. But belief does not, in itself, provide an objective truth value.

Funny story, though. My roommate is ardently against the possibility of ghosts and thinks that anyone who actually believes in such things is an idiot. Yet...he believes in the possibility of psychics and ESP. I have such a hard time wrapping my head around this weird dichotomous standard; it just drives me nuts.

Inspired by the "Your Stance on Hunting" thread and in honor of Halloween.

Do you believe in ghosts? Are there any haunted houses, buildings, vacant lots, whatever in your area?

Yes, Yes, and Yes I do believe in hauntings. :)

I don't believe in ghosts at all.

No, not at all. There is no evidence for it and no reason to believe in them
(other than that it can sometimes be fun, to walk in haunted places at night for instance)

I don't know. 'Haunted places" have always been wasted on me, then, I fear. I like graveyards, and me and friends used to hang around in them when I lived in the city... but never anything 'spooky'. And buildings that are supposed to be 'haunted' have singularly failed to prove themselves so.

I don't know. 'Haunted places" have always been wasted on me, then, I fear. I like graveyards, and me and friends used to hang around in them when I lived in the city... but never anything 'spooky'. And buildings that are supposed to be 'haunted' have singularly failed to prove themselves so.

I also meant things like horror movies etc.

but accidentally me and my friends had a short discussion about this a few days ago (after someone showed this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nPheyCyNg0)video) and some of them said that even though they didn't believe in ghosts they didn't dare to go to graveyards or haunted sites at night. Why would this be?

and has anybody already given a reason why they believe in ghosts? Although I'll probably won't agree I'm still curious.

There's no such thing as magic, and there's no such thing as ghosts.

Inspired by the "Your Stance on Hunting" thread and in honor of Halloween.

Do you believe in ghosts? Are there any haunted houses, buildings, vacant lots, whatever in your area?

I live in Sweden, and it being a rational country, all ghosts, vampires and other overnatural beings are put in prison for not existing. Werewolves are permitted(we are very hairy up here) and so are zombies(teenagers). :p

I don't believe in ghosts. Sure, the stories behind ghosts are fascinating, and as a shistory buff, I enjoy the stories, but as for the actual ghosts...it's hard to make that conclusion.

My wife believes in ghosts and that there are things that cannot be explained by natural phenomena and by science. Considering our philosophical differences...wow, you never know, really...

I take the same stance on 'hauntings' as I do on clairvoyance, clairaudience, crystal energy, pyramid energy, telepathy, telekinesis, the akashic record, the tarot, ouija boards, automatic writing, magnetic therapy, cartomancy, yogic flying and other claimed forms of levitation, alien abductions, the Loch Ness Monster/Bigfoot/Chupacabra/Mokele Mbembe et al, divine revelations and religion in general, fairies, pixies, goblins, trolls, demons, angels, imps, cherubim, seraphim, acupuncture, fate, destiny, the Bermuda Triangle (and any others that I've missed... this sentence is already long enough).

That stance is simple. Provide proof, or a testable theory, and I (together with the rest of the rational world) will consider what you have to say.

...crystal energy... Provide proof

Sorry - couldn't let that pass...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piezoelectricity

but accidentally me and my friends had a short discussion about this a few days ago (after someone showed this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nPheyCyNg0)video)


I've seen that video, or another a lot like it. I don't see what the supernatural element of it is supposed to be.. but then, if you keep the scene totally dark, it's hard to tell what anything is.


...and some of them said that even though they didn't believe in ghosts they didn't dare to go to graveyards or haunted sites at night. Why would this be?


I know people who have no supernatural superstitions at all, but don't like the dark... not unreasonably - it isn't the dark that gets you, it's what might be in it.

Sorry - couldn't let that pass...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piezoelectricity
Touché :cool:

I was referring (as I'm sure you realised) to the whole "energy crystals, only $199.99 a set" type things, with all of its "it has changed my life" style of testimonies, but I suppose I should have been more specific.

it isn't the dark that gets you, it's what might be in it.
You are likely to be eaten by a grue *nod*

You are likely to be eaten by a grue *nod*

Jeez.... last time that happened my computer was a Vic 20.

Touché :cool:

I was referring (as I'm sure you realised) to the whole "energy crystals, only $199.99 a set" type things, with all of its "it has changed my life" style of testimonies, but I suppose I should have been more specific.

Like I said, couldn't let that one pass... there is evidence for 'power' in crystals... although I wouldn't like to promise the world is going to suddenly get better just because you've got some.

That's why I left the rest of your list pretty much alone.. although, maybe I should have questioned Chupacabra, also... since the recent 'news'.

No evidence at all? Despite all the stories and what not?
No reason? Why not?
I've walked to a nearby graveyard several times, between 7 PM and 2 AM.
It is indeed rather... interesting.

that's the point, all those stories and really almost no evidence? You can hardly call the movie i posted evidence and yet it's hard to find better evidence, most of it can be rationally explained, and when it can't that doesn't directly mean there is something "supernatural" going on.

damnit i wanted a poll on this one...lol

I only believe in haunting if the ectoplasm is used for transfusions given to younger ghosts who have not yet had a full death.

I didn't believe in ghosts/hauntings until the last couple years.

Have you ever (and are you now) heard of a BBC TV Xmas ghost story called The Stone Tape ? (1972 I think) It gave its name to a whole theory of ghosts as a kind of recording, though the actual story suggested they might record more than just sights. Ghosts wear out. You don't get many older than about 500 years and if you do, they've often been known long before. If anywhere should be full of ghosts, surely it's the Coliseum? Nobody went to a quiet death there. But the nearest we know of any Roman ghost is vague battle noises in Scotland that are probably some wind effect anyway. Then again, I think Carl Sagan's Demon Haunted World talks of an ouija board experiment that appeared to create a ghost, that some in on the game deceived others with the ouija board but then found their 'spirit' acting beyond their control.

Alexandra David-Neel ( http://www.alexandra-david-neel.org/index_stat.htm ) in the 1930s records Tibetan belief in creating a Tulpa an externalised thought-form like authors often say that after a while, a character develops a life of its own so Sherlock Holmes could take opium but just could not visit a prostitute. She developed one she could see as a monk and her servant could be aware of 'having just missed seeing' - and it got out of her control and took her no end of trouble to dispel. It doesn't matter if you say this is all hooey and she was creating a sort of schizophrenic self-delusion because that's roughly how Tibetan Buddhism sees 'normal' life anyway.

So maybe powerful emotions can impress a kind of recording and in turn, the emotions of those affected by it keep it going. If there are any genuine ones and not tales spread by smugglers to keep people away, then things like coaches driven by headless coachmen would fall into that category. The coachman just might have a 'soul' to hang around, but the most credulous would have a hard job to say the stage-coach could :p