Speaking of people who hang onto archaic belief systems...

As A magician I can attest to how easy it is to fool people.

Mostly they fool themselves.

Many times I have myself been astounded by what will fool most people.

Many years ago when I was employed as a demonstrator at a magic shop in San Francisco one of the tricks I sold many of was the linking rings. A trick I still recommend to any interested in understanding magic and illusion even if you never perform it.

One day a woman and her son who had purchased a set earlier that day came back to the store to exchange the rings he had bought.

They said I had pulled a switch.

After all the rings I used actually "melted through each other".

I showed them the very rings I used for demos. I showed them exactly how I did the trick. It mattered not.

They were convinced that some how I was able to make solid metal melt and reform in my hands.

If I had that ability - I asked - "What am I doing working for commission in a magic shop?"

This is just one example.

I have had people come up to me and describe things they remember me doing that I wish I could do. I have had numerous people ascribe to me some kind of supernatural power no matter how clear I make it that I have no such ability. Again if I had such powers I would not have been working for tips at a night club - I would be trying to solve the problems of the world.

People allow thier minds to fill in details that are not there. Once they accept the "reality" of what the mind has made up it is very hard give that up. As most law enforcement professionals will tell you - eye witness evidence is the least reliable of all.

So while many here post of "knowing" that they have direct experience with spirits or other aspects of they have spent little or no time looking for a more prosaic explanation.

And folks - the simpler explanation is most often the best.

Remember an open mind is important - just not so open that you let all reason fall out.