The reason for a belief in ghosts

[BonerMacTittyPants]

People just can't handle the fact that reality is cold and soulless.

Ghosts are the same thing as gods, gnomes, fairies and other myths. First we explain something that we aren't sure about with a made up story, then we get into it because it's more interesting than the truth.

 

[deleted_scifidownbeat]

DELETED

 

[MagicShroom]

I believe in ghosts and hauntings due to the fact that I've experienced them. My theory is this: A ghost is left over energy. When something or some one dies a part of that energy remains and to a certain extent lives on, a haunting is an imprinted memory like an echo. The imprint is usually of a very strong event with a strong emotion attached to it. These left over energies may manifest in various ways. Orbs, sounds, electrical appliances or equipment going on the fritz, objects moving by themselves and a sudden change in room temperature are a few examples of manifestations. They can also affect the human condition, unexplained illness, headaches, mysterious bruises or cuts. Not everyone is sensitive to such phenomenon which is a good thing. I am somewhat sensitive to such things. It's both a blessing and a curse.

Someone in my class had a theory like that but its with abandoned brain waves instead of energy.

 

[Cavouku]

My only theory is one without much back up. Maybe if someone spent a lot of time in an area (and I mean a good deal of your lifespan), then you leave behind, I don't know, whatever radiates from your brain, causing phenomena or happenings. I'm not too informed on the workings of the human head thing.

 

[Cavouku]

I believe in ghosts and hauntings due to the fact that I've experienced them. My theory is this: A ghost is left over energy. When something or some one dies a part of that energy remains and to a certain extent lives on, a haunting is an imprinted memory like an echo. The imprint is usually of a very strong event with a strong emotion attached to it. These left over energies may manifest in various ways. Orbs, sounds, electrical appliances or equipment going on the fritz, objects moving by themselves and a sudden change in room temperature are a few examples of manifestations. They can also affect the human condition, unexplained illness, headaches, mysterious bruises or cuts. Not everyone is sensitive to such phenomenon which is a good thing. I am somewhat sensitive to such things. It's both a blessing and a curse.

Someone in my class had a theory like that but its with abandoned brain waves instead of energy.

Oh crap, I've been plagiarized!

 

[Woem]

So, here is my question to you. Why do you think some people believe in ghosts? To add mystery to an otherwise boring reality, to hope they can become a ghost and be remembered, or something else?

First, here is my question to you: what is your definition of a ghost? We need to get our premises right.

 

[Church256]

OP: Now this makes me think. I always wondered about ghosts. Somethings have made me think they could exist and then there's all the science stuff showing what's realy happening and that makes me think maybe thier is some science behind it all but we havn't dicovered yet.

I dunno why others believe but I believe there is something at work in this world. Maybe ghosts or some sort of science we havn't found yet. Untill it's discovered the ghosts did it. That's all I beleive.

 

[Strategia]

Belief in ghosts and spirits is a supersition from the early days of Homo sapiens, a.k.a. the caveman era, when natural phenomena couldn't be explained through science(tm) and instead supernatural forces were the best explanation for most things that happened. Lightning? Deity. Fire? Spirits. Strange sounds at night? Ghosts.

 

[GodsOneMistake]

Because there is some evidence of their existence, I mean not all that much but there are some things out there than really make you wonder...

For me it isn't as deep as that, it's just simply I've seem some evidence that support it and than I've seen some evidence that doesn't soo, who knows

No there's not if there was even a shred, an iota of evidence demonstratable or able to be held up in a scientific review there would be no discussion of this, it would be the biggest thing to hit humanity in its history, there would be no debate we would all instantly billions of us start beleiving or investigating the matter nothing would be as important.

You do realize people still question evolution right? But that's besides the point, I'm not saying that it's ghosts specifically... All I'm saying is we do have some proof of an unknown phenomenon that has been caught on film... I am also not saying that I am a full on believer of ghosts, I am incredibly skeptical on the idea since it goes against many of my beliefs, but I am also open minded enough to realize that many things have been caught on film or recorded in some way that we cannot fully explain at this time...

 

[Wasurenagusa]

Ever since the day my girlfriend described my recently deceased grandfather, after never meeting him, or seeing pictures of him, I'm a believer.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

I think it's because we all want to be Ghostbusters.

Who you gonna call?

 

[Macgyvercas]

Because there is some evidence of their existence, I mean not all that much but there are some things out there than really make you wonder...

In the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, they frequently detect electromagnetic (something scientific, anyway) anomalies. That's proof enough for me.

 

[vamp rocks]

"Nothing is more commonplace than the wish to be remarkable"

but on topic...

i believe that people believe in ghosts because their minds make connections that make ghosts a probable option... some people do see this connection.. and others dont.. and thus the dividing line is cast...

in short... people beleive because they have convinced themselves mentally..

its like religion.. something that cannot be proved that you put faith in...

 

[thoraxe5000]

Because there is some evidence that they exist.

 

[Arsen]

The scientific explanation can only explain things of a physical nature and as of now there are many, many details of the universe that lay outside our grasp.

People who believe in this logical fallacy will by no means believe in anything unless they experience it personally or it of a physical nature. Until then many will simply state it's their minds playing tricks on them, despite the tricks being quite elaborate and eerie. Sorry, but that argument doesn't hold up. Go to an actual haunted site with an open minded perspective then get back with me and leave the test tubes behind.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

why? because i watch ghost hunters.

That actually justifies pretty much all arguments against the belief in the supernatural. One hour of screaming and talking to a corner which has an "evil aura", according to the - er, "ghost-whisperer", would it be? - making money from it all.

 

[Bucket0Bones]

People refuse to believe that once you are dead there is nothingness.

I would like to believe that you become a ghost/spirit etc. once you are dead but i'm a huge pessimist and i have a scientific mind so i guess its nothingness for me.

 

[jboking]

So, here is my question to you. Why do you think some people believe in ghosts? To add mystery to an otherwise boring reality, to hope they can become a ghost and be remembered, or something else?

First, here is my question to you: what is your definition of a ghost? We need to get our premises right.

You can approach it from whatever angle you want. The impression of stress on another dimension, a ball of energy that wants to rip your legs off, or just that thing you see outside the side of your eye when you aren't focusing. Go nuts.

 

[Mentalgen]

Let's be clear here. Science doesn't have any opinion on the supernatural (ghosts or otherwise) due to their very definition. SUPERnatural, as in existing outside of the natural world. Science is only the study of the natural.

So it is not my scientific opinion that they do not exist, but rather my empirical conclusion that they do not.

Just thought this forum needed some more self-righteous indignation.