Originally posted by Johnny

Not were these things never rooted in the practice of science, but you're completely misinterpreting the institution of science and it's ridiculous. Science itself is, let me be clear with you, not interested in answering the silly question of Demons and Spirits.

Why? There's zero evidence (Not even scientific. Just evidence. Maybe a mass sighting of a Demon. A clear video of one perhaps) of these things happening beyond what some individuals, probably crazy, can purport and claim. There's nothing to hold me back from offering an alternative explanation to their babbling besides schizophrenia, mental health disorder, or just bull********. On the other hand, there's a good chance (now I'll talk science since you're bringing it up and attacking it) many of the scientific beliefs I believe to be true. For instance, I believe in the scientifically verified fact that there are invisible electromagnetic waves travelling in the air around us. Why? Because that's the scientific principle that is allowing us to communicate right now, speak on our cellphones, listen to a fave slay the radio, and prevent airplane collisions. We also have indirect ways of measuring and quantifying these waves. Science can't explain everything, but anything we have explained and used to better ourselves is because of science. We don't die from bacterial infections anymore because of antibiotics. HIV and diabetes are not death sentences anymore because of science. Parkinson's Disease and Depression has been cured in many patients now because of science. Not because of witchcraft and bull********. That has only regressed our society and led to wars, prejudice, and problems for us. It is low-key the basis of ISIS right now, the fact that it has been used to recruit vulnerable individuals, some of who believe that there is some redemption waiting for them if they kill westerners even though there's no evidence to say that.

So sit a bit.

Originally posted by J a y

No.

People always insist on believing things that aren't true. They don't like the truth, which is a shame because we're so technically and scientifically advanced that each and every day we're discovering new and interesting facts about the world we live in.

The majority of people aren't paying attention however, living in fantasy with their spiritualist ideologies, ignorant viewpoints and narrowminded experiences of life.

Each to their own though!

Originally posted by Latinazza

Sorry, but for someone who likes to patronize other members using science as both a shield and a whip, you are posting incorrect info. Neither Parkinson's Disease nor depression have been cured. There is treatment for both conditions, but not a cure. Big difference.

And, as a the daughter of a scientific researcher and a doctoral historian of science myself, I can recommend you a couple of interesting books dealing with the links between magic and science, and traditional healing and medicine. Many people brighter than both you and I have kept their minds open while addressing modernity. While there is a ton of b.s. out there, not everything needs to be disregarded as ignorance or superstition.

But back to the point of this thread, thank you to those who shared anecdotes that they have either read or experienced. A couple of posts have been fun. I still don't believe in demons, but I find the belief in them, and the stories about them, quite fascinating.

Originally posted by Johnny

Thanks for your post. You are correct in saying the better term for me to have used is 'treatment' and not 'cure'. You and I both know what we meant, however, in saying these treatments involving deep brain stimulation are a proxy-cure, ameliorating or disappearing the symptoms of the disease. But I didn't proofread in expectation of someone coming after me for that level of semantics.

We're sharing credentials, so I'll just forward that I am a Ph.D research candidate in molecular neurocognition and so my opinion is not armchair. My days are dedicated to science, in fact one of my principal aims in life is to understand the world through how our brain computes information in the world, so I apologize if my passion for the scientific method and dislike of unfounded claims is offensive.

I agree that there is a lot we don't understand that is not yet explained. As a society I feel like our goal should be to understand, properly, these things and not hand it off to regressive and sometimes dangerous interpretations. Magic is something we don't understand. Science is the process of assigning probable structure and mechanism to this magic. Also many, brighter than you and me, have embraced logical and evidence-based argument. Superstition is the exact definition of things that are otherwise.

And we all, myself included, have the element of ignorance. Which is why it's important for us to share what we know, and not empty lies.

Originally posted by Latinazza

Thank you for the respectful reply. I pretty much agree with all you say and I appreciate having someone who can bring a realistic and objective perspective to a topic that is pertty silly and always based merely on anecdotal claims. I suppose my main concern was the slightly sarcastic tone in a few of your replies. But then again, communicating through a written medium can often lead to misunderstandings. Again, thanks