From: utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!CAD:tektronix!teklabs!charliep
Newsgroups: net.misc
Title: Re: Mystic-Scientists
Article-I.D.: teklabs.1703
Posted: Thu Jan 27 12:51:25 1983
Received: Sat Jan 29 05:02:32 1983

I took an interest in the subject of mysticism recently; this was a result
of long-time exposure to the subject because of liberal, tolerant attitudes
in the "new age of aquarius".  First, I would be very interested to receive
the results of this request to the network.  Second, I would like that you
read a book called "The Psychology of the Psychic", by David Marks and
Richard Kammann.  Third, I'd recommend that you look into a group called,
Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal.

I assure you that you will find it a very interesting pursuit.  You probably
can guess that I do not place my bets on the paranormal side of the table.
I think that there are many good reasons why people believe in mysticism:
1.  It is very romantic and fun.
2.  We all want to transcend our own limitations.
3.  There used to be a certain amount of peer pressure (i.e, it's cool).
4.  We are frequently faced with striking "coincidences" in the relationships
    between our thoughts and dreams, and our "everyday reality".

There is only one reason not to believe in mysticism:
1.  Up to this point in time, it is absolutely unsupportable by repeatable
    scientific experiments.

Please let me know what you find out from the net...

Charles Perkins
Tektronix