Anyone believe in the Evil Eye???

[iLander]

I'm one of those people that tends to think "Well, why not? It can't hurt, right?"

So we have a bunch of those little things, purchased by my DD.

Plus our front door is painted blue, which is also supposed to keep out the evil eye.

My view is the exact opposite of Kenny's, he thinks people have been believing in unseen things for generations and that makes them crazy. I think that people have been believing in unseen things for generations, so I think there's a possibility that they're right. Why not?

And what makes the standard Judeo-Christian beliefs any more valid than any other beliefs? Without actual proof for ANY of this stuff, how can we really judge?

So yeah, we have a couple

 

[bee*]

No I don't believe in it at all. I think HopeDream's post earlier is exactly how I feel. I do think if you look for bad things, then you'll see them.

 

[ksinger]

In times past I was a seeker, if you will. I've read oodles of stuff ranging from C.S. Lewis to Starhawk, with parts of the New Testament, Eckhart Tolle, Conversations With God, and A Course In Miracles in between, to name but a few. But at the end of the day, none of it has any proof, and I have finally come to the conclusion that I am a modern to my toenails. I require at least a drab of proof, in the scientific-consensus-repeatable sense of proof. Supernatural beliefs cannot provide that, and I truly believe, based on observations both of historical and modern events, that beliefs untethered from observable reality, are prone to go bad - as in they can lead to some pretty out-there behaviors - like burning people at the stake or flying planes into buildings. Those things could have happened without unsupported belief systems, but in these cases, the unsupported beliefs clearly weren't proof against anything, and were actually the critical factor in giving people license to go off the rails.

So no, I don't believe in the Evil Eye. If simply wishing people ill really worked, we'd all be guilty and we'd likely all be dead. I do however, observe the evil in the human heart, and while it doesn't have the sexy cache of some mysterious force (insert spooky music and shivers) and is far more mundane, when coupled with actions it is also far more powerful than any supposed supernatural "force".

 

[Black Jade]

No, I don't believe in the evil eye. I don't believe anyone has power to ill wish and make stuff happen. I was born in a country where a lot of people believe in this kind of thing and I notice that people who believe it can get sick or something through the power of suggestion. Also, as a last resort, witch doctors poison people with herbs, etc. But that's not supernatural--that's poison. Or auto-suggestion.They do it to get and keep power--if everyone in the area is afraid of you and thinks you have these powers, it is a thrill for some people (and also they can get people to pay them money).

I do believe in God and so therefore I believe in the Devil (who is also in the Bible) but the Devil can't hurt you other than by tempting you to sin (which will bring consequences on you and others every time). If you resist the sin with God's help, you won't get the consequences and you don't need to worry about any evil eye or witch doctor. I believe in the Bible because there is very good evidence for its historical truth through archaeology, textual evidence and evidence from other historical sources. I didn't always believe in it, even though I was brought up in church, because I am not the type to believe something just because others told me to. But I was shown evidence and then had some experiences which convinced me. I won't say more because I think we are not allowed to discuss religion on Pricescope, but there are books out there which sum some of this evidence up, such as Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh MacDowell. Anyone can choose to read or not to read and make up their own mind. I don't think it's my business to make anyone believe anything and neither does God--which is why we have free will and are not puppets! But the evidence is out there if anyone is interested!

Americans now come to my native country and rent out halls and hire witch doctors to give speeches, my mother told me recently. It's unbelievable! They think they are in touch with nature or something--which of course they are. They use completely natural poisons.

 

[kenny]

I'm one of those people that tends to think "Well, why not? It can't hurt, right?"

So we have a bunch of those little things, purchased by my DD.

Plus our front door is painted blue, which is also supposed to keep out the evil eye.

My view is the exact opposite of Kenny's, he thinks people have been believing in unseen things for generations and that makes them crazy. I think that people have been believing in unseen things for generations, so I think there's a possibility that they're right. Why not?

And what makes the standard Judeo-Christian beliefs any more valid than any other beliefs? Without actual proof for ANY of this stuff, how can we really judge?

So yeah, we have a couple

Huh?
I never said that.

My whole thing is I'll express what I find groovy, but then I'll quickly say people vary.
I've written people vary a zillion times here on PS.
How much more clear can I be that I'm NOT saying others are crazy.

What I apply to myself I do not apply to others.
This is apparently a revolutionary concept to some- the idea that there is no universal right everyone must agree upon an buy into.

Unfortunately people have this default thing going . . . when they hear a person express a view they assume the person also feels that opinion applies to everyone else.

Sometimes I suspect that everything that everyone believes (or not) comes true.
If you believe in the evil eye, it's true for you.
If you believe you get 72 virgins in heaven if you blow up those bad guys then it's true for you.
If you believe you will be reincarnated it's true.
If you believe only what there is evidence for, that's true.

All this conflicting stuff is all true because people vary.
Paradox? Sure, but it respects diversity.

 

[VapidLapid]

No evil eye.
many evil tongues and minds.

 

[iLander]

I'm one of those people that tends to think "Well, why not? It can't hurt, right?"

So we have a bunch of those little things, purchased by my DD.

Plus our front door is painted blue, which is also supposed to keep out the evil eye.

My view is the exact opposite of Kenny's, he thinks people have been believing in unseen things for generations and that makes them crazy. I think that people have been believing in unseen things for generations, so I think there's a possibility that they're right. Why not?

And what makes the standard Judeo-Christian beliefs any more valid than any other beliefs? Without actual proof for ANY of this stuff, how can we really judge?

So yeah, we have a couple

Huh?
I never said that.

My whole thing is I'll express what I find groovy, but then I'll quickly say people vary.
I've written people vary a zillion times here on PS.
How much more clear can I be that I'm NOT saying others are crazy.

What I apply to myself I do not apply to others.
This is apparently a revolutionary concept to some- the idea that there is no universal right everyone must agree upon an buy into.

Unfortunately people have this default thing going . . . when they hear a person express a view they assume the person also feels that opinion applies to everyone else.

Sometimes I suspect that everything that everyone believes (or not) comes true.
If you believe in the evil eye, it's true for you.
If you believe you get 72 virgins in heaven if you blow up those bad guys then it's true for you.
If you believe you will be reincarnated it's true.
If you believe only what there is evidence for, that's true.

All this conflicting stuff is all true because people vary.
Paradox? Sure, but it respects diversity.

Oh, sorry, Kenny, I know you didn't actually say that or mean that.

Sometimes I get a bit flippant when I talk/write and make sweeping generalities (the ultimate net crime, right? ) to get toward my point.

I know you respect other's views, I was just rambling. I tend to do that, but I'm glad you told me it bothered you, it gave me a chance to explain. Feel free to do it again in the future!

I think both our posts make the same point, though; that everyone's beliefs are valid for them.

 

[kenny]

. . . I think both our posts make the same point, though; that everyone's beliefs are valid for them.

No problem.
I certainly agree.

 

[iLander]

. . . I think both our posts make the same point, though; that everyone's beliefs are valid for them.

No problem.
I certainly agree.

Thanks, Kenny!

I enjoy you and I certainly don't want to make you feel bad.

 

[ksinger]

I'm one of those people that tends to think "Well, why not? It can't hurt, right?"

So we have a bunch of those little things, purchased by my DD.

Plus our front door is painted blue, which is also supposed to keep out the evil eye.

My view is the exact opposite of Kenny's, he thinks people have been believing in unseen things for generations and that makes them crazy. I think that people have been believing in unseen things for generations, so I think there's a possibility that they're right. Why not?

And what makes the standard Judeo-Christian beliefs any more valid than any other beliefs? Without actual proof for ANY of this stuff, how can we really judge?

So yeah, we have a couple

Huh?
I never said that.

My whole thing is I'll express what I find groovy, but then I'll quickly say people vary.
I've written people vary a zillion times here on PS.
How much more clear can I be that I'm NOT saying others are crazy.

What I apply to myself I do not apply to others.
This is apparently a revolutionary concept to some- the idea that there is no universal right everyone must agree upon an buy into.

Unfortunately people have this default thing going . . . when they hear a person express a view they assume the person also feels that opinion applies to everyone else.

Sometimes I suspect that everything that everyone believes (or not) comes true.
If you believe in the evil eye, it's true for you.
If you believe you get 72 virgins in heaven if you blow up those bad guys then it's true for you.
If you believe you will be reincarnated it's true.
If you believe only what there is evidence for, that's true.

All this conflicting stuff is all true because people vary.
Paradox? Sure, but it respects diversity.

Oh, sorry, Kenny, I know you didn't actually say that or mean that.

Sometimes I get a bit flippant when I talk/write and make sweeping generalities (the ultimate net crime, right? ) to get toward my point.

I know you respect other's views, I was just rambling. I tend to do that, but I'm glad you told me it bothered you, it gave me a chance to explain. Feel free to do it again in the future!

I think both our posts make the same point, though; that everyone's beliefs are valid for them.

Yes, and that would be wonderful if everyone's whackier beliefs did not impact the world in which they function and simply remained harmless and impotent in the privacy of that person's own mind, but unfortunately that is not the case. Sometimes all this acceptance stuff can go too far. Just because I believe the world to be flat doesn't make it so, nor should I teach that in school. Just because I believe some view of reality or the command of some invisible deity demands that I stone someone, spew hate at funerals, or honor kill someone doesn't make it true or right or respect-worthy. It may be "valid and true for ME", but if the rest of the world agrees I'm an evil whacked-out loon, then I might want to take a look in the mirror.

There really ARE things that are true (in the sense that we all agree on them in an axiomatic way and practical way - bridges stay up due to engineering and applied mathematics, not due to being on the back of an invisible turtle, you cannot walk through granite, and gravity sucks, whether you wish to accept it or not. Yet for example, how many people believe that if they only will it hard enough they're going to levitate?

I DON'T respect some belief systems. At all. Sorry. They're just out there, and the further they get from observable reality and the further they get from the simple and classic golden rule, the less respect they get from me. Most are likely harmless, and can be tolerated. But some are absolutely not harmless. But requiring my respect out of some misguided notion of equivalent value? Not a chance.

 

[jstarfireb]

I don't believe in it, but a Turkish friend got me an evil eye amulet pendant, and occasionally I put it on when I need some good luck. Can't hurt, right?