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Communication is always a problem. One takes things in context, etc. I don't think most of the, let's call them "materialist-spiritulist fights," are completely due to mis-communication. I think some posters believe some very unusual things (say, perhaps, "supernatural" things) truly exist (even if only "elsewhere" ), and others believe such claims are unreliable.

Obviously, I am not sure--aren't I the one to say that being wrong is extremely common? But, just as obviously from what I've said here and elsewhere, if I want to try to learn, I must begin to sort through my own experiences and the claims of others, and make my best determinations (provisional as they may be) about which are true and which are not. I can then state my results (to myself and others), and continue on. That's all anyone can do.

But, again, those who disagree with me, and feel they DO NOT need to take a stand anywhere...well, why do I hear so much from them? And so ardently? If they don't know anything or believe anything, I can't understand why they have the urge to speak up--ESPECIALLY in discussions about what is true or not true.

I do think, however, what I personally do--from a skeptical perspective--is take with some doubt any claim (or personal experience) which seems truly extraordinary: such as the existence of other worlds, accessible only through the mind.

If I'm in a public place, and a policeman comes by and remarks that there has been a multi-car, multi-fatality accident on highway 101, and traffic is blocked for miles in both directions--I'll probably consider changing my travel plans.

If a homeless person wanders by screaming to nobody in particular that alien ships are coming down and lifting cars by the thousands off highway 101...well, I might glance at the sky--but I won't consider changing my travel plans.

Now...that attitude VERY WELL might end up making me the captive of some rather nasty aliens. But, LET'S TELL THE TRUTH, shall we: It's the attitude VIRTUALLY EVERYONE TAKES....EXCEPT when it comes to some special belief or idea they hold dear...

<blockquote data-quote="SWIMfriend" data-source="post: 3562312" data-attributes="member: 1900">Communication is always a problem. One takes things in context, etc. I don&#039;t think most of the, let&#039;s call them &quot;materialist-spiritulist fights,&quot; are completely due to mis-communication. I think some posters believe some very unusual things (say, perhaps, &quot;supernatural&quot; things) truly exist (even if only &quot;elsewhere&quot; ), and others believe such claims are unreliable.Obviously, I am not sure--aren&#039;t I the one to say that being wrong is extremely common? But, just as obviously from what I&#039;ve said here and elsewhere, if I want to try to learn, I must begin to sort through my own experiences and the claims of others, and make my best determinations (provisional as they may be) about which are true and which are not. I can then state my results (to myself and others), and continue on. That&#039;s all anyone can do.But, again, those who disagree with me, and feel they DO NOT need to take a stand anywhere...well, why do I hear so much from them? And so ardently? If they don&#039;t know anything or believe anything, I can&#039;t understand why they have the urge to speak up--ESPECIALLY in discussions about what is true or not true.I do think, however, what I personally do--from a skeptical perspective--is take with some doubt any claim (or personal experience) which seems truly extraordinary: such as the existence of other worlds, accessible only through the mind.If I&#039;m in a public place, and a policeman comes by and remarks that there has been a multi-car, multi-fatality accident on highway 101, and traffic is blocked for miles in both directions--I&#039;ll probably consider changing my travel plans.If a homeless person wanders by screaming to nobody in particular that alien ships are coming down and lifting cars by the thousands off highway 101...well, I might glance at the sky--but I won&#039;t consider changing my travel plans.Now...that attitude VERY WELL might end up making me the captive of some rather nasty aliens. But, LET&#039;S TELL THE TRUTH, shall we: It&#039;s the attitude VIRTUALLY EVERYONE TAKES....EXCEPT when it comes to some special belief or idea they hold dear...</blockquote>

[QUOTE="SWIMfriend, post: 3562312, member: 1900"] Communication is always a problem. One takes things in context, etc. I don't think most of the, let's call them "materialist-spiritulist fights," are completely due to mis-communication. I think some posters believe some very unusual things (say, perhaps, "supernatural" things) truly exist (even if only "elsewhere" ), and others believe such claims are unreliable. Obviously, I am not sure--aren't I the one to say that being wrong is extremely common? But, just as obviously from what I've said here and elsewhere, if I want to try to learn, I must begin to sort through my own experiences and the claims of others, and [b]make my best determinations[/b] (provisional as they may be) about which are true and which are not. I can then state my results (to myself and others), and continue on. That's all anyone can do. But, again, those who disagree with me, and feel they DO NOT need to take a stand anywhere...well, why do I hear so much from them? And so ardently? If they don't know anything or believe anything, I can't understand why they have the urge to speak up--ESPECIALLY in discussions about what is true or not true. I do think, however, what I personally do--from a skeptical perspective--is take with some doubt any claim (or personal experience) which seems truly extraordinary: such as the existence of other worlds, accessible only through the mind. If I'm in a public place, and a policeman comes by and remarks that there has been a multi-car, multi-fatality accident on highway 101, and traffic is blocked for miles in both directions--I'll probably consider changing my travel plans. If a homeless person wanders by screaming to nobody in particular that alien ships are coming down and lifting cars by the thousands off highway 101...well, I might glance at the sky--but I won't consider changing my travel plans. Now...that attitude VERY WELL might end up making me the captive of some rather nasty aliens. But, LET'S TELL THE TRUTH, shall we: It's the attitude VIRTUALLY EVERYONE TAKES....EXCEPT when it comes to some special belief or idea they hold dear... [/QUOTE]