Past Life Regression

[mousepod]

Dear corndogwalker,

I feel I should "unpancake" myself just a little because I have strong feelings about the subject and people here in the thread don't seem to mind if I share them.

First of all, I'm sure you're a terrific guy. I don't think that you joined the LoT to further your profession or gain a new client list. The fact that you are contributing directly to the happiness of someone I respect and admire gives you major bonus points, and indirectly contributes to my own happiness.

But you need to know something about me. I am a skeptic. That may not be as conspicuous in my posts as in Alex's posts, but I am nonetheless. In the past, I have participated in many different religious and "spiritual" rites (from getting sober to getting married) and I don't feel damaged or regretful about any of them. In fact, I have the utmost respect for anyone's belief system if it makes them happy.

For me, there's a difference between a culture that is rooted in belief, and what is most often referred to as "new age philosophy". It's either part of a culture, or it's not. I don't ever hear anyone saying "Let's go down to the synagogue and wrap tefillin. It really centers me - you should try it!" or "Hey, wanna face mecca and pray for a minute - it's a kick." (Unless you're talking to a religious Jew or Moslem, of course). Yet I can't count the number of times someone I know who considers themselves atheistic or even "spiritual" has encouraged me to "try acupuncture (or homeopathy... or reiki... or psychic readings... or regression therapy)... it's just fun (or "it can't hurt to try")". It's either a belief system or it ain't. You can't have it both ways.

Further, I bristle when said encourager is also someone who makes a profit from the practice. At best, it just feels wrong. At worst...

Anyway, that's who I am and what I think. I am always open to a difference of opinion (that's why I'm a skeptic and not an unbeliever), and I promise to "keep an open mind". But you need to know I'm a big fan of evidence.

... and I like pancakes.

Your new friend,
Jesse