Xochi,
I too am sorry for the flames, but you must have realised that the way you phrased your
initial article would have deeply offended those who do believe (especially a believer
who had been studying for 18 hours straight, took a break at 3am and found an insulting
post in one of his favourite newsgroups). This is one of those topics which comes very
close to the thin line between scientific debate and philosophy/theology. I too am VERY
interested in the physical substrates of consciousness (I am a student of Cognitive
Science (double major) at the University of Queensland).
Unfortunately, at this stage of mankind's scientific understanding, the proof of these
'wild claims' is IMPOSSIBLE. This is simply because the effects of what is known
commonly as 'Witchcraft' are not measurable, or quantifiable and their theories are not
testable - yet. Remember that until only a few hundred years ago magnetism was
considered to belong in the realm of the supernatural.
My objection to your post was that you gave an indication that any and all who believe
in anything to do with the occult were a bunch of lunatics. May I remind you that the
basic elements of ALL religions may be considered to be of supernatural origin and I
wonder if you hold the same opinion of say (for example) those of the Christian faith
many of whom claim to have had 'visions' sent to them by their 'God' and to be able to
'heal' through the power of their 'Lord Jesus Christ'. ie Durant, Joan of Arc, Thomas
Aquinias, any Pope, etc.......
I'm more than happy to discuss my personal system of beliefs with you, but if you're
looking for evidence of telekinesis etc., then witchcraft is not the place to look for
it. I won't discuss those beliefs here, but you're more than welcome to mail me.
Something you may wish to look into (and I'm not exactly sure of the details but could
find them for you) is how naturally-occurring LSD-like neurotransmitters affect
perception. I've heard there's been a marked increase in this particular
neurotransmitter in newborns over the past 20 years.
Regards,
Darren. (Australian gent...)
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"And if my mind should close in fear,
Please pry it open."
-James Hetfield.
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