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Question 31

Have you, as an atheist, any belief in 'supernatural phenomena' such as clairvoyance, esp or past life regression therapy?

• No. Where's the evidence? (Todd S. Greene #884)

• I have had my share of strange feelings, dreams, premonitions and the like. I don't give them a supernatural interpretation, though, as I believe that these are all caused by the wonderful abilities of the human mind. When something we read, hear or see strikes us as being significant, our mind stores this information. At some later point, maybe decades later, a certain event may cause this stored information to come out. It may appear that something strange and supernatural is happening, but it's not.

  If, however, a person really believes in such supernatural events as premonitions or reincarnation, there is no reason for that person not to believe in God. I don't see how you can be an atheist and reject the supernatural aspects of religion and, at the same time, accept the existence of other supernatural entities. (Andy S. #133)

• I think that people experience each of these things in much the same way that I believe that people have Religious Experiences --- they experience *something*, but they misinterpret it. (The Ryddler #1115)

• Most of the things that fall into the "supernatural" category I can pretty much say I don't believe. For that matter, I wouldn't put much stock in *any* of it, since all the evidence for these things is hearsay and highly unreliable. On the other hand, I wouldn't completely rule all of it out. The idea that one person could read the mind of another, for instance, is highly unlikely (IMO). *But!* If you could go back in time a couple hundred years, plop a radio down in front of someone from that time period and make it work its "magic," you'd be accused of witchcraft. Until I see convincing evidence, I'll continue to brush the idea off and forget about it, but I'm not about to completely discount the possibility. If I knew everything there is to know, theists would be worshipping *me.* ;) (Beth Wise #859)

• When i am asked such a question as above, I usually answer that all phonomena fall into two categories: natural, and fake. If something SEEMS supernatural, we will either discover it to be fake, or discover a natural basis for it.

  That having been said, I can use various "mind tricks" to boost my body's performance (run faster, hold my breath longer, etc.), get rid of pain, etc; as far as i can tell, however, this is simply a mixture of autosuggestion and some basic biochemistry... it works, but is not in any way supernatural. (MindFlayer #696)

• I have no valid reason to believe that any supernatural phenomenon exist, therefore, I don't believe. Same as God.

  However, I don't feel we have completely described what is 'natural'. Quantum Mechanics would have seemed supernatural a century ago, as would relativistic effects.

  If anything is shown to be repeatable and verifiable yet unexplainable, I will not attribute it to anything supernatural. Instead, I will open my mind up to accept that there is more to be learned about the natural.

  I hope that makes sense. (Mr Peebles #1086)

• Nope. I tried real hard once upon a time to believe in this stuff, but the more I investigated them, the more apparent it became that they were delusions, bad science and outright fraud.

  I was fascinated by the work of J.B. Rhine at Duke for a while when I was about 15 (that's the bad science part).

  Then when I was in my early 20's and under the influence of a very mystical woman who was *really* good in bed, I was strongly taken by the world-view presented in the Seth books by channeler Jane Roberts. My rational thinking skills reappeared shortly after my divorce, and now I find that whole episode mildly embarassing. (Paul Chefurka #1029)

• I believe in both clairvoyance and ESP to some extent, but I don't buy into past life regression therapy; I feel that would require some type of religious belief. (Chani #1118)

• Until they come up with better proof, no. I also don't believe in UFO's, Bigfoot, Crop Circles, Divining Rods, Loch Ness (the monster. I obviously believe in the lake), Channeling, Homeopathy Medicine, Phychics, Ghosts, Vampires, Zombies, or leprechauns. There's more but I think you get the point. :^) (Mark C. #99)