In my house, Jim is very scientifically based, and I have typically come from a little more spiritual side. I've been pretty frank in my blogging that my search for the paranormal is probably equal to my search for belief in God. I've also made it no secret that I am agnostic. Not for lack of belief and not for lack of trying to believe. If I have beliefs, and I am not sure if my view of the universe is belief or wanting to believe – it is that God is far more personal and far less involved in our day to day decisions than traditional religions would have us believe. My view is that, if there is a God, it is more of a unifying presence in the universe that not only connects each of us, but exists as a part of each of us. Like you would dip a cup into the ocean and get some ocean water that is still of the ocean while not being the entire ocean, that is how I see our relationship to God. Somebody dipped a cup into all that is, and the contents of the cup are us.

Interestingly, quantum physics looks at a zero point field theory that shows a field that underlies everything. At our smallest elements, we are ALL made up of the same stuff as everything else. While purists will tell you that the belief that this is moving towards a proof of "God" in some form or another is a misapplication of Quantum Theory, I am not so sure.

Are science, particularly quantum theory, and spirituality moving towards the same answers from different directions? What do you think????

To answer your question, I have no idea. My religion is quite seperate from my paranormal beliefs.

I have heard people say if the paranormal "was" proven this would confirm the after life.

I think how? Would it be the paranormal as we talk about it? Evp's, apparations (sometimes missing body parts) residual hauntings are no afterlife I would want to be part of, IF that would be the proven definition.

Then, I go back to the definition time and time again of what is the paranormal. Why do some say they are "stuck" here and need help to move on. If all the descrpitions of the paranoramal were proven and true, then would not the paranormal be "hell" on earth maybe.

IF there is something more to the afterlife, I hope it is more than the current decription of the paranormal.

Whatever the paranormal is or isn't, it has nothing to do with an afterlife for me.

I get the vibe it's more of a limbo/hell, if they exist, also.

To answer your question, I have no idea. My religion is quite seperate from my paranormal beliefs.

I have heard people say if the paranormal "was" proven this would confirm the after life.

I think how? Would it be the paranormal as we talk about it? Evp's, apparations (sometimes missing body parts) residual hauntings are no afterlife I would want to be part of, IF that would be the proven definition.

Then, I go back to the definition time and time again of what is the paranormal. Why do some say they are "stuck" here and need help to move on. If all the descrpitions of the paranoramal were proven and true, then would not the paranormal be "hell" on earth maybe.

IF there is something more to the afterlife, I hope it is more than the current decription of the paranormal.

Whatever the paranormal is or isn't, it has nothing to do with an afterlife for me.

I get the vibe it's more of a limbo/hell, if they exist, also.

this is such a good question and discussion.

i have stated elsewhere that i am an agnostic. i am for complete separation of education/religion unless a parent chooses to send their child to a religious school. that is their decision and option. otherwise we become the laffing stock of the world for even considering ID being taught beside evolution.

to address your statement, SFtheD, i can only go by the experiences i have had. i am not sure a residual haunting involves ghosts at all. it may be just an imprint. perhaps the very energy of pain, supreme stress etc are enough to leave this.

i don't know why some say they are 'stuck' here. i do believe that sometimes spirits are near us because they love us, they know we are in pain from the loss of their worldly selves. in other words the choose to be where they are. i believe they can come and go as they wish, at least some of them. i do not personally believe in hell, but i have come to wonder if the afterlife isn't another place where learning is involved and some are just better/quicker than others.

i have been interested in the paranormal my whole life, but have been and remain a skeptic. i only truly trust what i have experienced. those experiences have changed the way i look at the subject and the interpretation of results that investigators get.

i realize have probably just confused the issues being discussed, but i know what i've experienced and tha'ts all i can go by.

best,

annie

this is such a good question and discussion.

i have stated elsewhere that i am an agnostic. i am for complete separation of education/religion unless a parent chooses to send their child to a religious school. that is their decision and option. otherwise we become the laffing stock of the world for even considering ID being taught beside evolution.

to address your statement, SFtheD, i can only go by the experiences i have had. i am not sure a residual haunting involves ghosts at all. it may be just an imprint. perhaps the very energy of pain, supreme stress etc are enough to leave this.

i don't know why some say they are 'stuck' here. i do believe that sometimes spirits are near us because they love us, they know we are in pain from the loss of their worldly selves. in other words the choose to be where they are. i believe they can come and go as they wish, at least some of them. i do not personally believe in hell, but i have come to wonder if the afterlife isn't another place where learning is involved and some are just better/quicker than others.

i have been interested in the paranormal my whole life, but have been and remain a skeptic. i only truly trust what i have experienced. those experiences have changed the way i look at the subject and the interpretation of results that investigators get.

i realize have probably just confused the issues being discussed, but i know what i've experienced and tha'ts all i can go by.

best,

annie

Hi and welcome to PUG, MissingK8. /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Thanks for the response. I have my own religion, I'm the only member. Involves trying to be a good person and nature, it's not god based.

I love hearing about others experiences, as I've had none.

I'm an open minded skeptic, very interested in the paranormal and enjoy trying to figure it all out with others.

I think it's all about experiences and what can be learned, or shared.

Actually, there are many members regarding non-god-based goodness.

Probably millions of people.

For me goodness is caused by trying to be good.

I'm always trying. /biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

hmm hard to say but in just my opinion by the time the scientist has exhausted his time proving that there is nothing behind a religion it's usually to late to understand all he needed was alittle faith.

but that is an oxymoron of an idea: it is impossible for a scientist to prove something that he needs to take on faith alone. i don't think most scientists are worrying about how to prove there isn't a god as much as trying to find answers to questions as to how the universe works. again, it's the word 'proof' that makes your statement an impossibility in regards to matters of faith. jmho.

its just a word dont let it disturb

in a forum like this words are all we have to communicate with, rage. i still maintain that faith-based beliefs are not provable by scientific methods. at least not in the present day.