skeptics

as incredible as the WEB is a big problem is personal posts. Too many times arguments happen because of taking statements the wrong way because you can't see the posters face or get an instant answer.

No, I was responding to ghostman50. Sorry about not being more specific.

Mark: I don't know if your responding to my response to this whole convo but it wasnt meant to go towards anyone just a view on what a skeptic really is to me. No one is a specialist like you said I never put anything in my comment to say that any one was, so I hope I didn't make you think otherwise.

Just so we are clear. I never said I was an expert, no one can claim expert status in this field. I was just responding to your statement. I have no bones to pick with you, I just want you to understand being a skeptic is not a bad thing. I respect everyone's opinion, but that does not mean I cannot speak mine!

I know this conversation is mildly out dated... but I would just like to point out and I could be wrong so don't "quote" me on it. From what I have noticed as far as the scientific approach is that people create a hypothesis on what they think could of been the reason for a certain experience, just like people who choose a spiritual approach. Both can be extremely believable depending on the person and there own personal beliefs. So its my opinion that scientific or spiritual people are not so different in the fact that they both hypothesize (spelling?) what they think is going on. We are all skeptics, people can be skeptical about the spiritual part while others are skeptical about the scientific side.

Thanks for the back up lol i think i proved my point

Mark for the most part i agree with you im a very opened minded person but i posted this topic weeks ago so your a little late i think you took my words out of context you dont know me and i dont know you but i respect your oppion with that said you have proved my point about most skeptics so i have to thank you for that lol bc here you come right out of the gate sounding like some kind of expert there arent any experts in this feild last time i checked i sure dont claim to be one i use the Scientific method refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.[1] To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning.[2] The Oxford English Dictionary says that scientific method is: "a method or procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses."[3]
The chief characteristic which distinguishes a scientific method of inquiry from other methods of acquiring knowledge is that scientists seek to let reality speak for itself, and contradict their theories about it when those theories are incorrect,[4] i. e., falsifiability. Although procedures vary from one field of inquiry to another, identifiable features distinguish scientific inquiry from other methods of obtaining knowledge. Scientific researchers propose hypotheses as explanations of phenomena, and design experimental studies to test these hypotheses via predictions which can be derived from them. These steps must be repeatable, to guard against mistake or confusion in any particular experimenter. Theories that encompass wider domains of inquiry may bind many independently derived hypotheses together in a coherent, supportive structure. Theories, in turn, may help form new hypotheses or place groups of hypotheses into context.
Scientific inquiry is generally intended to be as objective as possible, to reduce biased interpretations of results. Another basic expectation is to document, archive and share all data and methodology so they are available for careful scrutiny by other scientists, giving them the opportunity to verify results by attempting to reproduce them. This practice, called full disclosure, also allows statistical measures of the reliability of these data to be established Now with personal experiences such as being slapped accross the mouth being pushed watching things fly accroess the room and you and several others see the same kind of things thats alot different i have witnessed these things and have had these things happen to myself these are things science cant explain its not normal i know that but my main point about skeptics was no matter what you do wheather its using science or otherwise they seem to jump to judgment without even knowing the facts or experiencing anything themselves i dont judge anyone for anything thats why im very open mined to the paranormal now i respect your oppion as i stated so ill leave it at that have a great night and god bless .

Mark Shadley: Ghostman50 posted the thread weeks ago after so many threads on Orbs. I see where you are coming from and I agree 100% but this thread wasn't expressive enough to give the actual point so it reads confusing. Ghostman50 is very opened minded and was defending what he saw and experienced vs people that were debunking him.
Now to the hamburger, Fuddruckers is my 1st choice

I am reminded of the old adage, "It takes all kinds!" We are all personally guided by differing views on subjects that span the spectrum from politics to religion and yes, even the paranormal. We even like to express our views on where to get the best hamburger! (I am a personal fan of In n Out!) Although I may not agree with your views on a subject this does not make my views or ideas any less important or relevant to the issue, but I would never try to attack you or anyone else for their views.

Ghostman50, when you make a blanket statement about skeptics as you did, you are placing yourself firmly into that bracket you have placed those you are so against; skeptics! Yes, I am a skeptic. However, I am not so close-minded that I am not ready to accept rational and well thought out arguments coupled with properly collected evidence. Then again, I am not so open-minded that I let my common sense pour out! There is nothing wrong with questioning you or anyone else about their claims. On the flip side, I am open to critical examination if I provide evidence, or make a claim.

Contrary to your assessment, as a skeptic, I have investigated and experienced some very compelling paranormal activity that has for lack of a better term, shocked me! However, once I am over the initial experience I go to work with my other team members in finding a reasonable explanation. I think 95-97% of the claims out there can be explained reasonably. It is the 3-5% of the experiences we are left with that we cannot explain or debunk. This might come as a shock, but I have even gone so far as agreeing a location has paranormal activity taking place.

Open, intelligent, rational, and relevant discussion on any subject including paranormal subjects helps to educate and make us better investigators in the long run. As a community, we might not agree on certain subjects, but we should always be respectful in our disagreements.

I feel everyone has their own opinions and not everything can be explain