I have had experience with people that assume just because of a new idea that they are roleplayers that watch too much Harry Potter and twilight. Honestly I think you should hear the person out before accusing them of childish roleplaying(no offense to older roleplayers)
I see where you're coming from, and I do agree to an extent. I think that people with such new or radical or ''out there'' ideas should be much more self-aware. They must know how other people will be inclined to react. As the person being opposed, they should try their hardest to do research and define (for themselves and if they're ever questioned) why they think what they do.
99% of the time something a little kooky or off-color comes up in the chatter or forums it is from someone who doesn't know enough about what is already out there in terms of thoughts related to, in favor of, and against their 'new' idea. Essentially, n00bs just spouting out whatever odd thing they've cooked up in their brain today. It comes across as a person entertaining random ideas for undefined reasons, ''just because''. I'm all for ''just because'' thinking, but there is a time and place for it and if these people do intend to take this new idea seriously they need to first develop it more fully internally before externalizing it to others.
And, they get defensive when their idea is opposed or questioned, suggesting instability in their own opinion of their idea. It's the internet, and since we can't converse in person we are left to judge by spelling/grammar and overall tone of what they write. You can tell when someone is pretending they know what they're talking about versus when they blatantly do not, and again versus when they do know their stuff.
New ideas are what make concepts evolve, but if we look at other more popular ''new ideas'' (like, for example, Scientology, robotic companions, transgenic animals, etc) we can see that for every one person who agrees there are ten who don't, making it a relatively slow process. In time I think everything becomes old news, lol.
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"There is no use trying; one can't believe impossible things." -Alice
"I dare say you haven't had much practice. When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." -Queen
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''Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds.'' ~ Albert Einstein
In reply to Gadamlu's quote, "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." -Buddha
In reply to the main topic, I have seen that as well, Flame. I know I may have looked guilty of it a time or two, but I try to think things through with logic and comparing the claims to my own experiences before making a judgment. If someone were to claim something that would, obviously, be known world-wide if it were true at least by the magick community if not by the non-believers as well, obviously I'll wait until the News starts talking about it or until it becomes more well known to be true due to some fact or another that is undeniable. If someone claims something I know is not true, such as being turned into a werewolf or vampire, I do what I always do- correct them and when they insist that they sparkle I laugh. There is another comparison I make, how similar the claims are to recent books and/or movies.
Thanks guys, and Rag (if I can still call you that). We've had our disputes now and then (usually about souls), but I have grown to understand you I know I am a youngster (dont take this as an insult) but I consider you an equal.
Just Thoughts, Bryce
P.S. I am surprised someone didn't reply with a rude message.
