Why are so many skeptics obsessed with the paranormal?Surely, if one doesn't have time for intangibles, one leaves them alone and concentrates on looking at tangible things in the material world.Some may argue a humanitarian quest, delivering gullible people from harm. I don't believe that at all. I suspect it is the work of over-active egos interfering in the lives of others.
Far from it, I would hate to interfere in the lives of others, people have the right to believe whatever they like. However when THEY start interfering in other people lives or start making claims about their beliefs, then I think it's open to criticism.Originally Posted by Grislygherkin
Evidence? Examples? Anything to substantiate your opinion beyond simplistic speculation?
Personally I don't care what anybody believes in, unless they start trying to control my life with their superstitious nonsense. That's why I care about issues such as separation of church and state, evidence-based government policy and so on, far more than whether people go to psychics or not.
Many skeptics are interested in the paranormal. It could be because they wish to investigate the paranormal from a scientific point of view (i.e. properly) or that they're interested in why others believe in the paranormal.
Try not to confuse Skeptics with disbelievers though. Many people who simply don't believe in ghosts/psychics/etc. refer to themselves as skeptics but what they really mean is that they're disbelievers.
Psychics/mediums and alternative medical practitioners are the ones who interfere in other people's lives - often in a very detrimental way.
As skeptics, all we can do is look at these issues from a factual point of view and present the information for those who are looking for it.
I don't really get your point or reason for making it. Perhaps you'd care to expand on it?
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I would say that that "psychics" are prime examples of over-active egos interfering in the lives of others.
Why do teachers teach? Some people know more than others. Wanting to help give others that knowledge is not egotistical. A lot of paranormal things are interesting to study, as is the psychology behind them. Just because you find something interesting and learn a bit about it does not mean you are obsessed. I probably spend about as much time watching the Simpsons as I spend on here. Doesn't mean I'm obsessed with either.
Education aside, many people have had their lives directly affected by paranomal claims, especially psychics. To take an example, Kelly, who posts on the JREF forums, has a child who went missing. She lost quite a lot of money to psychics who pretented they could help her, and endured a lot more pain than was necessary because of the lies they told her while stealing her money. She has now started a charitable foundation to help other people in the same position and spends a lot of her time trying to educate people about psychic fraudsters so she can make sure others don't have to endure everything that she went through. Or maybe she is just extremely egotistical and wants to interfere in everyone else's lives. Which do you think it is?
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