Do you believe in Black Magic?

Sankari · 12 Feb 2008 at 12:44

Dolph said:
For those who have said it's irrational, what's your take on esoteric martial arts, such as Qigong?

The human body is an amazing piece of kit which can do incredible things if you know how to use it properly. That's my take.

I was a firm believer in ki (or chi, if you prefer the Chinese term) during the days when I learned kendo, but not any more.

platypus · 12 Feb 2008 at 12:47

No it seems ridiculous. Like all forms of magic, it's a nice trick.

Snakedoctor · 12 Feb 2008 at 12:56

romperstomper said:
I had many health problems after finishing on bad terms with a girlfriend once who was a bit weird ,I was convinced she had some how cursed me !

Perhaps you caught something off her?

Beren · 12 Feb 2008 at 13:02

strudey said:
I agree, I thought Beren might have meant that the more you believe something, the truer it is, but on re-reading I can see I was mistaken. Sorry.

Thanks for re-reading me.

The instance of this that really sticks in my mind (though I am not sure it is 'strictly' speaking documented) is in the book Walkabout. It this an Native Australian dies because he has decided he desrves to. He builds himself a platform lies down on it and his heart stops. This seems to me to be a situation where the brain can will the body to die.

If the brain can do this to itself then it would not suprise me to find there are many other things it can do.

What I said, and really mean, is the more you believe in something the more power you grant that something. Whether there is more to it than just placebo - I am not entirely certain.

@if ®afiq · 12 Feb 2008 at 13:12

Gilly said:
No they're not. Rather than being unclear about this, why don't you explain exactly what you think it is, as I believe they are one and the same.

A genie is a Djinn that is a granter of wishes (apparently) - the two names are quite similar so may have the same root.

(And yes, I do believe in the Djinn)

[TR]SweetSpotOz · 12 Feb 2008 at 13:28

Hellsmk2 · 12 Feb 2008 at 13:30

Absolutely not. The unexplained is unexplained because we are not scientifically advanced enough to explain it yet. It's that simple.

Gilly · 12 Feb 2008 at 13:37

@if ®afiq said:
A genie is a Djinn that is a granter of wishes (apparently)

Then they are one and the same. OK, not all djinn are genies but all genies are djinn, and where did I say different to that?

@if ®afiq said:
(And yes, I do believe in the Djinn)

Good for you

Beren · 12 Feb 2008 at 13:40

Hellsmk2 said:
Absolutely not. The unexplained is unexplained because we are not scientifically advanced enough to explain it yet. It's that simple.

*sigh*

There will always be things that are simply inexplicable.

Wouldn't that be simpler? - It's certainly shorter.

The Dread Pirate · 12 Feb 2008 at 13:44

Capn' $qu!ff said:
We don't want to know

Gilly

Gilly · 12 Feb 2008 at 13:50

Just grow up and you'll stop getting edited. It isn't big, it certainly isn't clever.

It does explain a few things though.

shaffaaf27 · 12 Feb 2008 at 13:53

Gilly said:
What worries me is that you probably believe this to be true.

Why should it? Each to his won beliefs, as long as they are not harming others

Gilly · 12 Feb 2008 at 13:54

It is indicative of deeper issues.

gumbald · 12 Feb 2008 at 13:54

To the original question, in a word, "no".

shaffaaf27 · 12 Feb 2008 at 14:00

Gilly said:
It is indicative of deeper issues.

and not of the fact that i am a muslim, and i believe what is int he quran?

Gilly · 12 Feb 2008 at 14:13

shaffaaf27 said:
and not of the fact that i am a muslim, and i believe what is int he quran?

I didn't know you were a muslim, but yes I was of the impression that you'd believe in some form of imaginary friend in the sky.

KNiVES · 12 Feb 2008 at 14:20

I believe in a higher power that kickstarted the big bang, existence and etc, but that's about it.

LordSplodge · 12 Feb 2008 at 14:22

Virdi said:
Do you believe in Black Magic or spells?

Do you think there are people out there, that have the power to put a spell on you for example?

Define "black magic"

magick · 12 Feb 2008 at 14:23

Virdi said:
Do you believe in Black Magic or spells?

Do you think there are people out there, that have the power to put a spell on you for example?

Yes. Though the real ones are few and far between and will never put there abilites on display.

Hellsmk2 · 12 Feb 2008 at 14:24

Beren said:
*sigh*

There will always be things that are simply inexplicable.

Wouldn't that be simpler? - It's certainly shorter.

Yes there will be, but that is because we will never be able to advance enough to explain them. That doesn't mean that magic exists.

I can safely say magic does not exist based on the fact there is not one single shred of evidence in existence anywhere on this planet.

Have your *sigh* back at ya. I believe in common sense.