Derren Brown: Faith Killer? (ritual, mystic, beliefs, experience, atheist)

[Pariah]

Does anybody understand the physiological processes that occurred in the first girl?
It isn't magic and cannot simply be hypnotic suggestion with the flick of a finger, can it?

[Mr Spinkles]

Originally Posted by Mister T

Do you think that is always the case with people who believe in God?

Yes. The only other alternative that I can think of is that God and Aphrodite and Thor and all the others actually exist.

[Mister_T]

Originally Posted by Super Universe

If you believe he really changed her mind with a touch then I have some wetlands I'd like to sell you.

Usually athiests demand proof, this is less proof of something than most religious people provide.

I don't get why athiests are here in RF anyway? Do you think you're going to somehow cause me to forget the incredible awakening experience I had?

Do you think you're going to learn how to make it happen for you?

It's not up to you, or I. If you're not supposed to awaken, you won't.

I'm not an Atheist.

And I made this thread for critical thinking and analysis....not proselytizing (atheistic or religious).

[Vassal]

Originally Posted by Nanda

Whoa nellie! A sexist comment and a dig at atheists in the same post!

Do you even know what sexist means? And my comments were a joke, just like this post and that video.

[Mr Spinkles]

Originally Posted by Vassal

Do you even know what sexist means? And my comments were a joke, just like this post and that video.

I'm not saying that the Derren Brown video is authentic, but I will say that it would hardly be surprising. There are innumerable examples, both historically and in modern times, of people being convinced of something extraordinary by very ordinary means. Alien abductions, the continuing life of Elvis, the 'War of the Worlds' radio broadcast that sent much of the nation into a panic, and essentially every religion and cult that has ever existed (except the one you subscribe to) are great examples.

[Mister_T]

Originally Posted by Pariah

Does anybody understand the physiological processes that occurred in the first girl?
It isn't magic and cannot simply be hypnotic suggestion with the flick of a finger, can it?

Good question. I also feel that girl was "converted" way too easily as were the two guys after her.

Personally I think those people never really questioned their beliefs or tested them to see if they stood up to scrutiny. If they did, they might not have been so easily persuaded.

[Mister_T]

There are more posts I wanted to comment on, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. 'Night guys.

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by Mr Spinkles

No. But it does provide one piece of evidence among many that faith in things such as God and the supernatural can be explained by illusions created by our own minds.

Nah. It just suggests that some people's faith in some instances can be explained by illusions created by their own minds.

But any reasonable person, theist or not, allready knew that.

[Nanda]

Originally Posted by Vassal

Do you even know what sexist means? And my comments were a joke, just like this post and that video.

I guess you missed the green guy having a fit of hysterics to the immediate right of my comment. -->

Not that you deserved it, your "joke" wasn't funny.

[Prometheus]

When I posted this it got no attention so I'm glad it was brought up again.

I think it just shows how easy it is to manipulate people when religion is involved which is what most churches do.