# How much supernatural do you believe in? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 19, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344 "2009-10-19T16:06:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/1 "2009-10-19T16:06:30Z")
In the other poll about the origin of life, 11% of the respondents expressed their belief that life originated from the actions of some deity or being. For the sake of this poll, I am terming such a being as supernatural, as it cannot be explained within our current understanding of how matter and energy behave and interact. For purposes of this poll, I characterize this as belief, rather than knowledge. I’m curious about how and why people decide to believe in some irrational phenomena, but not others. Does anyone not believe in a God/gods, but do believe in other phenomena such as ESP, UFO abduction, etc? ---
**Author:** ![Jettboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jettboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jettboy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/2 "2009-10-19T16:35:08Z")
I fervently believe in _the possibility_ of supernatural phenomena, but I haven’t seen any really substantial proof, so none of the three choices worked for me. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/3 "2009-10-19T16:41:38Z")
> [@Jettboy](#): > > I fervently believe in _the possibility_ of supernatural phenomena, but I haven’t seen any really substantial proof, so none of the three choices worked for me. Ditto–I’m open to the notion that they exist, but that’s different than “believing” in “many” of them. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/4 "2009-10-19T16:43:47Z")
Thanks - I guess that could have been a 4th option. I’m curious, tho - what do you understand by the possibility of supernatural phenomena? If something were proven to exist, then wouldn’t it be “natural,” existing within the natural world whether or not we understood the specific mechanism? Do you distinguish between various types of supernatural phenomena as to whether or not you believe them possible? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/5 "2009-10-19T16:45:52Z")
And folk who believe in many supernatural phenomena, would you be willing to offer at least a partial list? I was trying to figure out how to phrase an option for people who believed in supernatural phenomena _other than_ a God/gods/deity. . . ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/6 "2009-10-19T16:49:58Z")
I guess it depends. Second sight? Ghosts? I put those in the “maybe” pile (though even if it is “maybe”, I’d still suspect they’re incredibly infrequent). Telekinesis? Flight? Those are also supernatural, but strictly in my “no way” pile. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/7 "2009-10-19T16:57:13Z")
What’s more “possible” about ghosts and “second sight” than telekinesis or flight? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/8 "2009-10-19T17:00:58Z")
I remained firmly in the “do not believe” category until someone linked to this ghost sighting video in MPSIMS a few weeks ago: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo8CP9Hhb58) ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/9 "2009-10-19T17:03:46Z")
I believe in a few things that many here would consider completely woo woo, but I believe that there are rational explanations for all of them. For instance, The Secret has been pretty thoroughly raked over the coals here, but some people I respect very much highly recommend it and believe in it. But it’s so dumbed down for the unwashed masses that it took them weeks to get through it. They could stand maybe 5 minutes of it at a time to keep from puking. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/10 "2009-10-19T17:19:24Z")
The Secret is dumbed down from what, exactly? What’s the smart version? What principle in it has the slightest bit of legitimacy? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/11 "2009-10-19T17:25:34Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The Secret is dumbed down from what, exactly? What’s the smart version? What principle in it has the slightest bit of legitimacy? If you really set your mind to something, your subconscious will figure out ways to make it happen. If you take an attitude that good things are going to happen to you, then you’ll find ways to make good things happen. If you think in terms of success, then success will come much easier. It’s nothing hugely mystical, it’s just common sense. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/12 "2009-10-19T17:40:27Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > If you really set your mind to something, your subconscious will figure out ways to make it happen. If you take an attitude that good things are going to happen to you, then you’ll find ways to make good things happen. If you think in terms of success, then success will come much easier. > > It’s nothing hugely mystical, it’s just common sense. It’s also complete [baloney](http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1909019,00.html). Studies do not show that “positive thinking” has any effect at all. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/13 "2009-10-19T17:49:41Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > If you really set your mind to something, your subconscious will figure out ways to make it happen. If you take an attitude that good things are going to happen to you, then you’ll find ways to make good things happen. If you think in terms of success, then success will come much easier. > > It’s nothing hugely mystical, it’s just common sense. That sounds more like [Norman Vincent Peale](http://www.amazon.com/Positive-Thinking-Norman-Vincent-Paperback/dp/B000FFC508/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255974237&sr=1-1). Spend a while strolling through [The Secret](http://www.thesecret.tv/index.html), where you find gems like this : > [@](#): > > Know that there is no such thing as incurable. > > As you love completely and feel the joy within you, disease cannot exist. > > Know and accept that you are perfect as you are right now. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/14 "2009-10-19T17:50:59Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It’s also complete [baloney](http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1909019,00.html). > > Studies do not show that “positive thinking” has any effect at all. Ah yes. I remember reading that the last time this topic came up. The study itself is flawed. What they fail to recognize is that positive thinking only gets results when it’s applied systematically over a long period of time. I hate it when researchers don’t understand the basics of what they’re trying to research. An analogy might be the idea that eating less causes weight loss. Imagine researchers starving some subjects for a day. Those same subjects would probably binge eat the next day and might even gain a little weight. The conclusion? Eating less causes weight gain! ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/15 "2009-10-19T17:51:07Z")
I believe in God but I don’t believe that God is supernatural as in existing outside of nature. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/16 "2009-10-19T17:52:08Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > Spend a while strolling through [The Secret](http://www.thesecret.tv/index.html), where you find gems like this : That’s the dumbed down stuff. Man, that’s REALLY dumbed down. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/17 "2009-10-19T17:52:44Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It’s also complete [baloney](http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1909019,00.html). > > Studies do not show that “positive thinking” has any effect at all. Barbara Erenreich was on The Daily Show last week stumping [her new book](http://www.amazon.com/Bright-sided-Relentless-Promotion-Positive-Undermined/dp/0805087494/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255974650&sr=1-1). It looks interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/18 "2009-10-19T17:53:34Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > If you really set your mind to something, your subconscious will figure out ways to make it happen. If you take an attitude that good things are going to happen to you, then you’ll find ways to make good things happen. If you think in terms of success, then success will come much easier. They really needed to write an entire book and make DVDs to tell you: -Keep your chin up! -You’ll catch more bees with honey than vinegar! -When life gives you lemons make lemonade! -Always look on the bright side! -Don’t worry, be happy! -Smile! The Secret: Optimism for Dummies ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/19 "2009-10-19T17:55:13Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > That’s the dumbed down stuff. Man, that’s REALLY dumbed down. When you refer to The Secret, what do you mean, if not that website and the book it supports? Why refer to The Secret at all if it is such a misrepresentation? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344/20 "2009-10-19T17:58:57Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Ah yes. I remember reading that the last time this topic came up. The study itself is flawed. What they fail to recognize is that positive thinking only gets results when it’s applied systematically over a long period of time. How about a cite to back that up? Why would magical thinking have any effect on external events? the Secret isn’t just about setting goals and trying hard (though that’s pretty overrated too), it says that you can control external evens by thought alone, and that nothing can happen to you unless you want it to happen. The authors were on Larry King a few years ago. There was a case recently in the news about a little girl who had been abducted, raped and buried alive. When they found her body, she was clutching a stuffed animal. LK asked the autors if that child was an execption to the rule that nothing can happen to you unless you want it to happen. They said, “there are no exceptions.” According to them, any child who gets abducted, raped and murdered _wants_ to get abducted, raped and murdered, and “there are no exceptions.” The Secret is vile garbage. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-supernatural-do-you-believe-in/514344.md?page=2)