This is probably going to sound really stupid and ignorant, but I really do not understand people who claim to be complete skeptics when it comes to religon, and go around debating with the believers arguing they have no proof etc, then start topics saying they believe in demons and things......Or even people, who believe in ghosts and things. They say they are skeptic of religon because there is no proof, but there is no proof of anything paranormal things either....And how can someone who isn't religous believe in demons?

It just seems more and more people are contradicting themselves, and it's rather confusing.

I tend to agree with you. I do not believe in God; nor do I believe in any of the phenomena you mention above.

However, in your view, does the counter-argument apply? Do you, as a believer in God, also believe in demons and other paranormal phenomena that, as yet, have little or no evidence to support them?

I believe in Demons, but really, that's it. It mentions Demons in the Bible, so I believe that they are real. As for paranormal phenomena, I don't think I really believe in anything along those lines....I have had VERY strange experiances before, but I believe theres an explanation for them I just don't understand.

I think most of us these days have "pick and mix" beliefs... a little bit of this and that, whatever we feel comfortable with. I think it's one of the reasons that organized religion is less appealing for a lot of people... too much is defined.

My mum doesn't believe in God, believes in ghosts, isn't sure about telepathy and empathy. She doesn't find her beliefs contradictory. She will argue that there's no proof of the biblical God's existence, but the concept of "proof" can be quite subjective... the fact that she had a frightening experience when she was a child is enough proof for her to believe in ghosts. Others would require scientific evidence, some require just a "feeling".

Even when a person argues that there is no proof of God's existence it doesn't necessarily indicate an unwillingness to believe if proof was offered (in a form acceptable to the person who requires proof). I think an open mind is what leads to the ability to believe in one thing whilst not believing in another, and to the ever changing nature of those beliefs.

I agree as well. I think this is soooooo stupid. Not so much because of the belief but because people seem to mock those "fools" who believe in God but then believe in Goddesses or trees or spirituality or some other contrived version of God.

Its not so much "what" people believe in but this relentless persecution of someone else's belief system while substituting your own.

Yet millions of people saw or believe or not in something that really exists in this multi-dimensional world [including a holy ghost].

I often wonder what would constitute proof of God's existence, what would it take for some people to accept something as such?

For myself, I believe the saying "God is Love". Therefore if God is Love, it is everywhere and holds everything together, it is in everything and all around us. Then again others may not go with that thought at all therefore it really does come down to faith I guess.

The same goes for paranormal incidents, unless someone has one themselves, it will not convince an unbeliever because it did not happen to them, even a believer may have trouble. I think a lot has to be said for personal experience and maybe some things are for just one person alone, with the next person having their own experiences.

I think this is a good way to look at all classifications of paranormal phenomena. Once we as a society can explain an event it stops being defined as paranormal and it is considered normal.

I also think that once we are back in our natural spiritual state of expression, all our human experiences are also considered normal. This is because we do understand it then.

Now if you wish to understand a VERY strange experience when you are human you do need to think outside conventional logic and reach that part of you that does understand everything, your spiritual self. Naturally this is my opinion. Many seek understanding through science. I would say why wait for that when you can find the answer on your own.

Just like I don't understand people who claim that their version of belief is the ONLY one that is real, while denigrating others beliefs as invalid.


"My invisible friend can beat up your invisible friend!"


meh.

The only explanation I can come up with is that maybe they are using the term demon generically for some unfriendly entity? I suppose people who have experienced "hauntings" believe that that is their proof whereas they may have no reason to believe in (for example) the Christian God.

I assume you are speaking about people who are skeptical about all religions though so I'm not really sure why someone would be so adamently against religion but still believe in something that takes a great deal of faith.

I dont believe in God, but i believe in demons, ghosts, etc. The reason being i have personal proof of the existance of these things, but i dont have any proof of the existance of a god, though im not one ot go around arguing about weather god exists or not, you have your opinoin i have mine, but it has taken a lot of time, thought, and experience to lead me to the belief of demons ghosts and such and be able to explain it without a god. There is more definitions for demon than what Christianity has labeled them as, same with ghosts, ghosts can be other things besides disembodied souls.

Had there been a God, we all should at least !try! to listen and follow his every word. Whether it's just the Ten Commandments or a prophesy religion, real legal and governmental laws are based on God [including the Constitution] and are made to be followed for the common good. How many times have you said "Oh my God" expecting some righteous or salvation "right" resulting from it [just comes naturally]? There must be a order, even in a spiritual and dimensional world co-existing or not with our own, whether God is proven or not.

It also mentions a talking donkey amongst other "intersting" things. Do you believe that to be true? Angels?

I'm a former Christian of nearly fifteen years and now an atheist. Do I believe in god? No. Do I believe that it's entirely possible that some sort of supernatural entity--god if you wish to call it that--exists? In all honesty, I would have to answer, yes. Such a thing, quite frankly, is unknowable--at least until we die. How about spirits/ghosts? Yes. That doesn't mean a god or afterlife exists. It just means that I do not understand the phenomena. Could be a very rational, scientific answer.

Kindly,

Sean

I don't say "Oh my God" expecting salvation..? Also, there are many morals in the bible that are good teachings, but I don't believe we should have to use religion to back them up. It's common curtosy to not rape, steal, kill, or do your neighbors wife. Also, the bible says that gay people are horrible and I just can't agree with that. I don't see how following every word of the bible is going to make the world a nice place to live in. Just annoying for those of us that aren't fundies.