# ouija boards **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 26, 2003, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539 "2003-05-26T05:15:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![GOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5f9b8f/32.png) [@GOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GOM)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/81 "2003-05-27T15:30:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bullets \* > \*\*how about two people who are working an ouija board while i am > in the room. neither of them knows anything about my relatives, yet they are able to come up with the names of my uncles on my father’s side. > > \*\* Most of us are going to need more details before accepting your story. Had you ever met these two people before? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/82 "2003-05-27T15:42:07Z")
Um, what about the most obvious case in Ouija boards-someone is pushing the planchette and getting a kick out of the guillble! ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/83 "2003-05-27T16:05:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by His4ever \* > **I need to reread the book, it’s been a little while. I don’t know if he himself tested it, which I doubt, since he’s a Christian and wouldn’t be messing with it because divination and communication with the dead is forbidden in the scripture.** Well I’m sold that should be a whack of usefull information right there. A book by and expert who never has anything to do with the thing he is an expert on… I’m thinking of that blind guy in the art gallery again for some reason. \*\* > [@](#): > > You can find the same info on the net somewhere probably. \*\* Ok here is an interesting tid bit for you just because it is in print or on the net doesn’t mean it is true. There are tonnes of sites on teh Net that are utter crap such as: [Flat Earth societies](http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/fe-scidi.htm) [Hollow Earth Theories](http://www.v-j-enterprises.com/holearth.html) even [Faked Moon landing sites](http://www.primeline-america.com/moon-ldg/) None of them have an ounce of credibility to them when properly examined. Just because these little rat turds of wisdom are sitting in the Cornflakes of life don’t assume you’re consuming raisin bran. ---
**Author:** ![lynn73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@lynn73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynn73)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/84 "2003-05-27T16:24:21Z")
Yes, whatever…:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/85 "2003-05-27T16:31:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bullets \* > **how about two people who are working an ouija board while i amin the room. neither of them knows anything about my relatives, yet they are able to come up with the names of my uncles on my father’s side.** Did that uncle’s name begin with a J? Or maybe a P? Was he a medium tallish-man, maybe slightly overweight in later middleage, with his hair rather thinning in his later years? I’m seeing a scar - on his knee - his left knee - from a fall in childhood? ---
**Author:** ![Petter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@Petter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petter)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/86 "2003-05-27T16:42:48Z")
Come on, people, we did the same thing last [November](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=144793&highlight=ouija) and again [in Febuary](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=165624&highlight=ouija), except, besides the usual suspects (hi, **His4ever** ), now we’ve got **GOM** contributing on the spiritual side and **lekatt** contributing… well, general insanity. > [@](#): > > well, i sure as hell didn’t learn anything about ouija boards, but i’m glad i asked the question It’ll end in tears, I tell ya. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/87 "2003-05-27T16:48:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Brutus \* > \*\*The above-linked review is pretty hot and steamy… > > Are they still talking about Ouija boards? 😉 \*\* Yes, the account was accurate. The room becomes warm and the participants flushed. The amount of energy swirling around is incredible. But don’t try it, it can be very unpleasant for beginners. ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/88 "2003-05-27T16:53:20Z")
\<\<\<\<\<\\>\>\>\>\>\>\> ---
**Author:** ![lynn73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@lynn73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynn73)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/89 "2003-05-27T17:04:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lekatt \* > \*\*Yes, the account was accurate. The room becomes warm and the participants flushed. The amount of energy swirling around is incredible. But don’t try it, it can be very unpleasant for beginners. \*\* Actually, **Lekatt** , I wouldn’t recommend trying it at all (Deuteronomy 18:9-14), whether beginner or otherwise. But you’re not going to listen to me, of course. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/90 "2003-05-27T17:09:17Z")
**Lekatt** , Where’d you find that quote in your sig? ---
**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:** [May 27, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/91 "2003-05-27T17:09:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lekatt \* > \*\*Yes, the account was accurate. The room becomes warm and the participants flushed. The amount of energy swirling around is incredible. But don’t try it, it can be very unpleasant for beginners. \*\* Besides, the newbies might trip over the space heaters. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/92 "2003-05-27T17:15:50Z")
Btw, lekatt is a synonym for obdurate. [cite](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=169316&highlight=lekatt) ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/93 "2003-05-27T17:19:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by His4ever \* > \*\*Actually, **Lekatt** , I wouldn’t recommend trying it at all (Deuteronomy 18:9-14), whether beginner or otherwise. But you’re not going to listen to me, of course. 😛 \*\* The main reason I don’t listen to you is that you’re driven by fear. One has two main choices in this world, Love or fear. Love can teach you anything, but fear only allows you to learn what it deems. Love Leroy ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/94 "2003-05-27T17:24:41Z")
lekatt: Obdurate ignorance and/or propagation of ignorance despite and in spite of logic and facts on the basis of ostensibly superior or greater knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/95 "2003-05-27T19:15:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > \*\*There is no such thing as a “spirit world” **H4E**. Give it up. \*\* Then explain the mystery of [The Magic Ouija of Horror!](http://www.cavernsofblood.com/magic-ouija-board/index.htm) You cannnot explain it. You stand mystified. Unless, of course, you consult the [sacred Eight Ball!](http://8ball.federated.com/) ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/96 "2003-05-27T19:33:39Z")
I’m reminded of a recent episode of _Penn & Teller’s Bullshit!_ that dealt with oujia boards… After some chatter on the background on ouija boards, they got a couple of folks to go to a Hollywood hotel where the ghost of William Frawley (costar of _I Love Lucy_) was supposedly haunting. The folks broke out the ouija board, started asking Frawley’s ghost some questions, and noted the responses. They were then blindfolded and repeated the experiment. **However…** unknown to the participants, after they were blindfolded, the ouija board was rotated 180 degrees, so it was upside-down from the original position. So as they repeated their chat with Frawley’s “ghost,” they moved the pointer to the same positions from previously – even though _the answers were no longer in those spots._ It was laugh-out-loud funny watching these blindfolded folks move the ouija pointer and reciting “yes”/“no” answers, unaware that they were just waving the damn thing around the place. It’s nonsense, kids. And anyone who wants to claim otherwise can get a whack from the clue-by-four from Uncle Cecil himself. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/97 "2003-05-27T19:56:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\*I’m reminded of a recent episode of _Penn & Teller’s Bullshit!_ that dealt with oujia boards… > > After some chatter on the background on ouija boards, they got a couple of folks to go to a Hollywood hotel where the ghost of William Frawley (costar of _I Love Lucy_) was supposedly haunting. The folks broke out the ouija board, started asking Frawley’s ghost some questions, and noted the responses. They were then blindfolded and repeated the experiment. > > **However…** unknown to the participants, after they were blindfolded, the ouija board was rotated 180 degrees, so it was upside-down from the original position. So as they repeated their chat with Frawley’s “ghost,” they moved the pointer to the same positions from previously – even though _the answers were no longer in those spots._ It was laugh-out-loud funny watching these blindfolded folks move the ouija pointer and reciting “yes”/“no” answers, unaware that they were just waving the damn thing around the place. > > It’s nonsense, kids. And anyone who wants to claim otherwise can get a whack from the clue-by-four from Uncle Cecil himself. \*\* Let’s see, if the spirits use the arms of the players, would they not also use the eyes. If you think about it for a spell, who knows, the laugh may be on you. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/98 "2003-05-27T20:20:37Z")
Since we’re now using toys and board games as media for contact with the spirit world, I’ve decided to forego the inconvenience of Ouija and go straight to the hard core occult stuff: Scrabble! You’d be amazed what answers the tiles give you. Though I’m not at all happy to learn my first son will be named “Rtwlaag.” ---
**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:** [May 27, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/99 "2003-05-27T20:21:46Z")
Why would they need they eyes of the players? Are the spirits all blind? (and by calling them “players” are you admitting that it’s a toy?) ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539/100 "2003-05-27T20:21:57Z")
**Simple Experiments to Prove the Ouija Board is Hogwash.** 1. Use a board with unfamiliar alphabet, say Cyrillic. Can you channel a spirit who speaks Russian? 2. Make your own board with a simple symbol-substitution code instead of letters. Don’t let the planchette wielders see the code. Decipher the result only after the “message” is “received.” You can make up any number of these sorts of trials. All of them demonstrate that the planchette wielders must be able to see the board and directly manipulate the pointer for any legible result to be produced. How can a spiritual being be limited to what the participants can see or do? It’s a piece of cardboard with letters on it. It works via the ideomotor effect. It is simple to understand and easy to explain. There ain’t no “fear of the spiritual” or any other hogwash going on here. It ain’t no gateway to the occult. It’s a prosaic object with a rational explanation. Anyone who denies this is either delusional, dishonest, or stupid. Choose one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ouija-boards/177539.md?page=6)