My personal opinion is that James Randi is a bigger con artist than those he claims to �debunk�.

The first thing you learn in understanding the scientific method is that you can manipulate data to make it say what you want, when you don�t use a control in your experiment.

I research the paranormal with scientific skepticism; however people who take things to an extreme like James Randi have no place in Science.

The point is to keep an open mind.

Its interesting, however, that there are many others besides Randi willing to pay for proof. The "Skeptics" appear to be a rather large group.

You are correct; they are a very large group. However, I look at it as taking the easy road. It's very easy to habitually doubt beliefs when they are not proven scientifically.

When you look at it that way, there is no proof that the skeptic is correct, or the paranormal issue in question.

It is much more difficult to look for the real answer, and to strive for the truth.

Personally I see skeptics like Randi as cowardly.

Now....a scientist that uses the scientific method, uses common sense, and remains scientifically skeptic, is going to find more answers to the "truth" simply because they are searching for it in the first place.

Where skeptics just use negative perceptions of doubt on anything not based on science.

Is there a place for skeptics? YES! There have been a lot of people that owe their money and their lives to people that debunk fraudulent paranormal claims.

The point to all of it is to not be so one sided, and not get so rapped up in the feeling that everything not explained by science is fraudulent or not real.

It's about keeping an open mind, remaining balanced and looking at both sides of the story.

I believe Skeptics have a ceartian type of personality that usually limits their ability to think outside the square so to speak,Also they may be afraid...Who knows I am just summising here.

At present one cannot prove nor disprove that paronormal forces exist - a bit like religion really....You either believe in it or you dont <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I also believe we are not meant to know the truth about it as the truth is so extraordinary we coulod not possibly comprehend it,just my 2 cents worth <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Just remember gang almost everything was paranormal at one point in time. Think of the airplane.. it was thought of as being insane that we could actually make something fly...