What would it take for you to believe in ghosts?

[elmarko]

Controlled scientific conditions, IE - pass the James Randi test.

Simply seeing one myself would not be evidence, as a greater chance would exists I was hallucinating than ghosts existing.

What about religion? My old boss who was a born-again Christian reckons that he saw Christ.

Either hallucinating or mentally ill.

 

[philstanbridge]

Seriously though, what is a ghost? Having seen a couple of 'unexplained' things in my past and having heard a few stories I'd say I am a believer of the unexplained.

 

[Castiel]

Nothing in media. Having seen two in my youth, I'm not sure even seeing one in person would convince, as I doubt either was any such thing. Not convince long-term anyway. The human mind is no more reliable than photographs.

I'm in the same boat, having experienced such strange goings on several times, I still remain unconvinced. I remain questioning, but I don't really know the answers to those questions or what answers would lead to acceptance, or denial for that matter.

 

[Castiel]

Controlled scientific conditions, IE - pass the James Randi test.

The James Randi test is no longer, and the given criticisms levelled at it, I would prefer a completely independent and unbiased series of testing under strictly controlled conditions by several totally unrelated and independent labs.

 

[Cosimo]

Seeing one might start some belief.

 

[gillywibble]

Waking up covered in ectoplasm.

 

[elmarko]

The James Randi test is no longer, and the given criticisms levelled at it, I would prefer a completely independent and unbiased series of testing under strictly controlled conditions by several totally unrelated and independent labs.

That would also be acceptable.

Basically, any test under strict controlled conditions - to be honest the best thing about the James Randi test was the calling out of various con-artists.

Without 3rd party verification it's impossible to tell to tell the difference between a ghost & a hallucination.

I mean, when I was a child I saw red eyes in bushes & a large figure - but far less assumptions are involved with the explanation - "It was dark, eyes played a trick, over-active imagination, oddity of light or a hallucination" over "Some mythical red eyed monster exists & only I saw it".

 

[Yaayuh!]

having one scream at me in the face

+1

Real experience would probably do the trick, even then i would have to get my head checked to confirm.

The mind is a very powerful thing.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

So would the non believers happily do a quija board in their bedroom?

Why would a childrens toy bother me?

And yes I have used them in the past and yes people push them round the board even though they say they don't.
If the glass moves on it's own that's another matter but it will never happen unless Derren Brown, James Randi, David Copperfield etc are in the room.

 

[aardvark]

So would the non believers happily do a quija board in their bedroom?

of course i would - it was a board game for families you know and never did have anything to do with ghosts.

and it would take actual scientific evidence for me to 'believe' in ghosts.

 

[Efour]

Spectral handjob.

 

[SlyReaper]

I would have to see one for myself, whilst in the presence of at least another witness. Even then, I would retain some skepticism until I'd ruled out any environmental factors that could cause both me and the other witness to hallucinate at the same time.

 

[DanielMMS]

A lobotomy.

 

[mrk]

I've explored plenty of abandoned hospitals, asylums and manors over the years. Places said to be haunted but as of yet have seen nothing but turds left by junkies and other explorers with weak bowels.

I also lived opposite a graveyard for many years and saw nothing.

I'd sooner believe that these "ghosts" are merely things from an alternate universe somehow clashing with our own (multiverse theory) than there being actual ghosts who have nothing better to do than to wander around empty corridors aimlessly.

 

[Glaucus]

How strong a piece of evidence would you need before you would become a believer?

Audio, video, pics. What would it take?

Audio = no buildings especially old wood ones make lots of noises as they move.
Video = no, cameras are subject to many false pictures.
Pictures = same as above

Would need all of those and far more, repetability and scientifically testable.

 

[Bigmonty]

It's much the same as hypnosis, unless it happens to me it's not real.

 

[Pestilence]

I'd need a full on "The Entity" experience. A gay one.

"The Gentity", if you will.

 

[Fus Ro Dah]

I haven't seen a ghost but I've seen a vampire, a werewolf, the undead and a dragon

 

[Theophany]

Waking up covered in ectoplasm.

 

[Reigan]

When I see one...