Given a choice, would you opt to receive absolute proof of the existence of the "supernatural"?
Suppose someone offered to show you something which could not be explained in any way except through supernatural means, but would be absolutely terrifying. For example, some sort of ritual which would produce unmistakable proof that malevolent spirits and demons and such surround us.
Would you prefer to know for a certainty that such things exist, or would you rather remain uncertain? Could you ever again endure being alone in the dark if you knew? Or would the knowledge that there is more to reality than just ordinary physical matter be worth the terror?
(Bear in mind this is a hypothetical question. Even if you currently believe there is no such thing as the supernatural, assume for the sake of the question that you may be wrong.)
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30 Answers
I’m with you both, safety in numbers.
No, I figure there’s a reason it’s the unknown. I have to already shield myself from all the “natural” realities (ex:news) so why would I seek out more information that I can’t control. It would just stress me out. I am much happier being open to the idea of the supernatural than actually witnessing it. What’s the point? I don’t want to seek out being traumatized! Now, if the question didn’t include that the experience would be “absolutely terrifying”, my answer may have been different.
I’d take the red pill. I will always opt for truth.
I would definitly opt for not knowing. I could be terrified for life! I’m not willing to take that chance.
This is so far from my reality that I’m having trouble imagining the premise.
I suppose I’d go for it. As long as they can promise that no dogs are going to be harmed and I can get home by dinner.
Sure, I’d want to know, so long as the process of proving it wouldn’t harm anyone.
Yes. I would want to know.
Yes, so I could adjust my thinking of the natural world accordingly.
But, would it be so terrifying I’d lose my mind? Maybe I wouldn’t then.
Knowledge is power. Show me anything that is true. I want to know it.
I like to think that iam willing to take in new knowledge.
No…thank you for the offer but I would rather not know. I am happy as it is and you can keep your demons and malevolent spirits to yourself. <<merrily skips away>>
Denial of the truth is just as foolish as belief in falsehood. I would want to know.
I’m with josie. I only want to know the truth.
Would be cool if it wasn’t malevolent though. Like, couldn’t you just take me on a magic unicorn ride or something?
Well, if it could be proven, it wouldn’t be supernatural; it would be natural.
Actually, I hope that person is me because then I could win a million dollars.
I would be happy enough just having absolute proof that I exist.
No way to fend off the spirits? Only to know they exist all around? No. That would not be enlightening because I would be scared out of my mind. Nothing positive could come of that.
To learn most other things? Yes.
I would want to know.
@Blondesjon thinking you do or do not exist proves that you do indeed exist in the first place :)
Bring it on. Go ahead make my day! I aint afraid of no ghost!
Yes, I would want to know. Indeed, I’ve taken up several offers for such proof, though none have yet been successful. As for being alone in the dark: reality is what it is, regardless of what we think it is. If there already are supernatural things around us when we’re alone in the dark, knowing about them won’t make any difference.
Of course I’d like to know. It would be mind bending and challenging, but if it really is the truth, then it has always been the truth. However “supernatural” it might be, it would necessarily have its place in the sciences and would contribute to the progression of knowledge. As much of a paradigm shift as it would be, and as much as I would initially try to rationalize it by my existing understanding of the natural world, if it was truly as undeniable as you say, if it was the truth, then I would want it known. I fear ignorance far more than truth.
@Smashley
“I fear ignorance far more than truth.”
Quote of the day!
I agree knowledge is important and don’t want to avoid the truth, but do I have to be the one to experience it? In this situation, I’d rather not…..but that doesn’t mean I prefer ignorance.
@KhiaKarma Actually, I don’t need to experience something to know that it’s true. I’ve never experienced the core of the Earth, but I know it has a solid iron core. I’ve never experienced a nuclear explosion, but I know it’s destructive.
As long as there is verifiable evidence, that’s good enough for me.
I’d much prefer the proof. Not knowing about it wouldn’t keep something from potentially hurting or killing me. If it was something benevolent, knowing about it would probably be the best way to form a good relationship.
Nothing is true and nothing is false that is an illusion. But there is more to our lives than our physical being.
@Summum That’s not true. Also, possibly, not false.
Natural religion in modern times is but the worship of science. Has science brought East and West together in peace, or merely made their differences more costly? Has it solved the problems of crime and corruption, or has it merely made these more widespread and dangerous? But the true supernatural religion does, If every one did this “You must love your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength,” and, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”( Mark 12:30, 31)
The world is in confusion, not because the supernatural religion is in the way, but because men have discarded the true supernatural religion.
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