Question for Wizard.

[Fingerprint]

Wizard, I have heard you mention on here a few times how you looked into the paranormal years ago, that you read the Bible and went to see a clairvoyant etc. I was just wondering if you have always been interested in this type of stuff or was it something in particular that made you become interested. Were you more interested in the religious side or did you look into other unknown things like ghosts and aliens.

By the way I'm not asking you so that I can preach at you, I'm just interested.

[wizard69]

Finger..I got interested in religion (age 16) when I met a group of pentecostals out evangelising (first time ive admitted this on A.B) Over time I attended their meeetings and listened to what they had to say.During this time I also began to discover other denominations and attended their meetings.Its fair to say that I developed an interest in all things spiritual.But what I also began to find was that some people dont like to have their beliefs questioned too closley.I read the bible voraciously.( I read it from cover to cover many times...every geaneology, every begat, every little bit) I read many christian books and commentaries.I studied church history and the history of different sects and cults.But as well as christianity I also looked into other faiths.I read the koran, attended Krishna meetings, modern day gnostic meetings,spiritualist meetings, all sorts.Then I started to look into the paranormal.I put adverts into magazines asking to meet people of various beliefs. I met wiccans, pagans, satanists, clairvoyants, healers,druids.Again, allsorts.During this time I was reading a book a day on these subjects and attended night classes studying psychology.
At one time I was a member of a local paranormal group.We stayed over in haunted houses and went on ufo watches.I have been involved with ouija boards, practiced tarot reading and divination,performed magical rituals and attempted to have O.B.E's.
cont...

[Theland]

What a long search!
Seriously, are you still searching? Or have you reached the stage where you are satisfied that there is nothing to search for? Just curious.

[wizard69]

I also became interested in (as a result of my fascination with psychology and the workings of the brain) hypnosis,mind altering drugs,the techniques of mind control etc.
But was I looking for "something"? Undoubtably.
Did I find anything? No. Not anything that couldnt be explained rationally anyway.
As Ive stated elswhere on A.B I had more than a passing curiosity about the bible and religion in general during my R.E. lessons at school, but it was only when I REALLY began to look into it that my atheism started to take hold as none of these beliefs held up in the cold light of day.
So what DO I believe?
I believe that life has no particular meaning except than the one we choose to give it . I believe that man is no more than an animal with its own unique set of instincs and drives. I believe in living for now, as there is no afterlife.And I believe that life can be cruel and hard, and that is why religious belief can be a comfort in the face of adversary.
However, as a rationalist, I also believe in love, kindness, compassion and forgiveness...because I experience them daily.I dont need god or belief or religion for that.
Finger..I have had some dreadful times in life (havnt we all)
Broken relationships, addiction problems, prison sentences, psychiatric hospitals, and even suicide attempts. there was no god there for me.But there was the love of those close to me.
Nowadays Im more level headed and my family give me meaning.I have the love of a fantastic woman, I have a great son and a great stepson, I appriciate just been alive and experiancing new things.
Life is just as good without religious belief as it is with it...

[wizard69]

Theland...where did you pop up from?

[wizard69]

Finger...you old rascal...
youve just drawn out a confessional out of me.

[naomi24]

I'm going to say bless you Wizard - and I know you'll know exactly what I mean. x

[wizard69]

err...I didnt sneeze naomi. Must have been Theland

[wizard69]

did you know that the medical name for a sneeze is a sternutation?
just though id share that with you

[naomi24]

Wizard - funny boy! Bless you anyway!!

[Marvelman]

wizard 69,can i thank you for your honest and truthful reply, it has answered many of the thoughts that have been in my head for years about reiigion and life,

[naomi24]

ps. after reading your story, wizard, I meant what I said, but it wasn't meant in a 'religious' sense at all. All you need is love for your fellow man - nothing else matters.

[Fingerprint]

Wizard - Thanks for typing up your confession..................sorry I mean story. It makes a really fascinating read and I'm sure you have a few stories to tell from all of those different experiences. I'm really glad you managed to overcome the problems in your past and find contentment, I'm sure what you have been through will help you to appreciate what you have now even more.

What was the haunted house experience like?

[wizard69]

Theland...think you know the answer to that one.This is all there is.
Finger...The haunted houses were interesting inso much as every little creek was interpreted, amongst the believers, as "ghostley". Personally, all I could hear were the sounds of an old house, timbers settling down etc. The same went on ufo watches.While some people got excited at the glimpse of a light in the distance, I just waited for the aeroplane to come into full view.I eventually got very bored with it all.
Mani...Yes our stories are similar but mine is different in that I sorted my life out without religious belief

[wizard69]

Finger...just curious.Are you male or female?
Tell me to bog off if you want to.

[Fingerprint]

I'm male.

[wizard69]

T. Y Finger.
just helps to know