New new member

More like a classic expression of not being a narcissist. We've both had enough encounters with spirits who unironically claim to be gods or angels who then demand that us lowly humans treat them as such "or else." Likewise we've had enough encounters with spiritualist who think much the same way about whatever their ideology happens to be. We're both smart enough than them to know better at this point.

To add one anecdote: I knew a guy on another forum who was convinced he's the 'New Age Messiah' simply because an Egyptian looking spirit talked to him about cooking. He's since gone on his quest to seek followers and start his own cult.

Welcome to the forum! As you say, you both lead very paranormal lives, and I guess I am the opposite - I have had just a few incidents in my life that were probably paranormal! Nevertheless, I too am sick of the religious types (I seemed to cause a lot of trouble on Skeptiko by banning one such individual), and I think arguing with total sceptics is also pretty pointless by now.

There are some good podcasts on Skeptiko - though I think Alex has hit a rather barren patch recently. I'd suggest you look for Alex's interviews with Rupert Sheldrake, Dean Radin for starters. I can root out a longer list if you are interested.

Many of us  haven't experienced anything like enough paranormal phenomena to be totally certain about things. Indeed, a lot of my conviction comes from that fact that I don't think science has a clue about explaining the mind just in terms of physical matter. Therefore, I would be really interested if the two of you would think about possible demonstrations of the paranormal.

David

Yeah, Mediochre mentioned Sheldrake and Radin a lot. I think I'll try listening to their podcasts or other interviews because I need new listening material for art sessions. It'd be nice to find more individuals like them.

I will admit it took me a very, very long time to accept the paranormal as even existing. It was only until this year that I had enough personal experiences to prove beyond all doubt. And it's funny because in hindsight I had enough evidence to believe it years ago, but we live in a society that is so hardlined against any study or acceptance of it that I think it turns even most people who experience it into unreasonable skeptics in some form.