I think that's a bit unfair Liaconn.
Obviously there are far far worse things going on in this country.
The things you mention far exceed 'embarrassment' in any sense of the word. They are a disgrace.
I find our politicians a national embarassment
I find our ill and elderly left lying on trollies in A&E Units a national embarassment
I find our binge drinkers vomitting all over the street and clogging up aforementioned A&E Units a national embarassment
I find our thugs beating up old people for a few hundred euro a national embarassment
There are many things that make me embarassed for this Country. A couple of hundred people standing in a field, harming no one with their spiritual beliefs or searches is not one of them, to be quite honest.
Imagine if one of these loolahs told you that he/she was staring at the sun in the sky and it turned blue in honour of St. Mary. Then imagine that same person said "and the operation is a small one whereby I crack open your ribs, slow down your heart until it stops and then insert this little beauty".
Or perhaps this one "Your son is doing well in school. He has promise. He is a happy little fella, almost as happy as I was last week when the sun danced around in the sky and God sent rays forth as I sign to us all".
I am with Caveat. You'd have to be mad or stupid to believe any of it. Possibly both.
Is false belief harmless or dangerous?
But everyone thinks that people who believe something that they don't has a false belief. People who believe in God would think that those who believe there is no God have a false belief.
But everyone thinks that people who believe something that they don't has a false belief.
Theres no evidence for the existance of a god. So the believers are believing in something they can never prove. Do you think positive belief in something you can never prove is dangerous?
I realise one cannot prove there is NO god either, but thats a negative belief, people who dont hold a belief in god dont try to do things in the name of 'no god'.
Fair enough MrMan, live and let live - of course.
But I think "... accepting that we are not all alike" and the use of the word "theories" is being overly generous to the sensibilities of these people.
They are deluded, plain and simple - do you not agree?
I don't think it's harmless either - presumably at least some of these people have kids and in the 21st century I don't think it's at all healthy for them to grow up believing it is normal to see 'apparitions' or whatever.
Yes, the sensible thing to do is ignore them and I perfectly understand the need for some people to see things like this - but if I'm honest, as I've said, I find it a national embarrassment.
That said I saw my doctor down, a big happy head on him, gormlessly staring at the sky, there’s no way I’d take medical advice from him again.
Kids believing in apparitions would hardly lead them down a dark path. As has been said before Santa and the tooth fairy are as logical as god to yourself and other posters yet you don't see any harm in giving them something to look forward to?
I know it sounds patronising and Im going to be slated for it but I do feel that if an adult has a genuine belief in god I find it difficult to respect their intelligence.
I believe in God and I have a fairly high IQ, a Masters degree and a responsible job. I know lots of people who believe in God who are incredibly intelligent. In fact, as the majority of people over a certain age in this country probably believe in God, where does that leave things?
hang on now - belief or not in god is one thing.
People believing that they observed magical or supernatural solar activity, for whatever reason, when they didn't, is something else entirely.
They may want to see these things, they may think they saw these things - but they didn't.
Just checking, is anyone actually arguing otherwise?
Imagine if one of these loolahs told you that he/she was staring at the sun in the sky and it turned blue in honour of St. Mary. Then imagine that same person said "and the operation is a small one whereby I crack open your ribs, slow down your heart until it stops and then insert this little beauty".
Or perhaps this one "Your son is doing well in school. He has promise. He is a happy little fella, almost as happy as I was last week when the sun danced around in the sky and God sent rays forth as I sign to us all".
I am with Caveat. You'd have to be mad or stupid to believe any of it. Possibly both.
Hang on now - belief or not in God is one thing.
People believing that they observed magical or supernatural solar activity, for whatever reason, when they didn't, is something else entirely.
They may want to see these things, they may think they saw these things - but they didn't.
Just checking, is anyone actually arguing otherwise?
Is false belief harmless or dangerous?
Well does my belief in God harm you or me? How is my belief dangerous? I just say I believe, I don't say you are stupid or deluded for not believing, which to me is dangerous as it is provocative language.
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