[Loerwyn]

This came back into my head whilst watching 'The Last Legion', and it's always something I've wanted to know.

Do you believe in magic, or do you think it's just a storytelling device? Do you reckon there was a Merlin and King Arthur, or do you think the existence of dragons is rubbish? Magic is a huge part of a lot of fantasy stories, whether it's channeled through a small number of people but all around everyone (like I see it in Sword of Truth), or whether everyone has a small ability in it and it takes training to realise its full potential.

I'll offer my view so you've got an idea of what I'm after. Basically, I am a believer in magic *to a point*. My feelings are that all these legends and myths have a basis somewhere, especially due to the sheer believability. These beliefs have been around for thousands of years, they're even outlawed by certain religions and maybe countries, and I'd wager hundreds of thousands of people have died due to it.

Take witchcraft for example. Yeah, I don't think they're all green skinned, large nosed, warty hags with a familiar, but I do believe in witchcraft and the rituals involving things like casting the runes or creating potions to cure/cause disease or ailments. Another example, the supernatural or 'ghost world'. My mother is a believer in it, and that's rubbed off on me. I'm not as strong in the belief in it, but I just can't see where else I'd go when I pass on. Even though my body is constantly replacing parts, I'm still me. Surely there's something inside that makes me, well, me! There's also a few of the phenomena I can't even explain.

Funny thing is, I'm from a scientific background. I did well in the sciences at school, and I even progressed to A-level and was thinking about doing it at Uni. But I guess I started to... not believe in science anymore. I can't fathom things like the atom, I can't explain why forces occur, I don't understand how the body works... That's where I think magic came in for me. Nearing the end of my education, I think my belief was at its strongest.

I think I'll end my little bit with a rewording of something I heard, and I completely forgot where I heard it. It won't be exactly how it was in the source, as I can't remember it to quote it. It was something like this:

A forgotten fact becomes myth, and myth slowly becomes legend.

I think that's mostly my reasoning for belief. So, without further ado, please discuss! Or call me an idiot ;)

[Scorpion]

My mother knows how to lay Tarot cards and she studied astrology. She also believes in the paranormal (still at the reasonable level, though) and passed a little of that on to me.
While I don't believe in "ghosts" or "witches", I do think there are energies surrounding us we cannot see or measure (yet) that influence us, our dreams and so on. In a way, these energies could be described as magic.

[tmso]

Or call me an idiot ;)

Ok, you're an idiot. :D

If you believe in magic...

That's just it, isn't it? You believe. Same thing as believing in a deity. Same difference.

[JimF]

I do not believe in ghost, goblins, witchcraft, little green men in flying saucers, the Loch Ness monster, Big Foot, elves, fairies, leprechauns, or any associated creature of myth and legend.

I am all about being able to see it, touch it, document it, and replicate it. I believe in the science, so if someone can produce independently verified evidence of any of the above phenomena then I would be willing to rethink my position.

That being said, I find many of those elements highly entertaining in a work of fiction or in the movies and TV.

Jim

[Obtuse]

I neither believe, nor disbelieve in magic. I have little evidence to support either stance.

On a side note, I think you have it backwards. I think fact becomes legend, and then legend becomes myth, not the other way around. :D

[Daddy Darth]

I so want to believe. When I was much younger thoughts of magic and all things fantastic ruled my mind. Then I got older and the crushing weight of reality set in. I believe that sometimes miraculous events occur and not all things can be explained. Its the same with aliens I guess. I like the old saying "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence." If you think about it though there are lots of fantastic elements around us. Everything from technology to the power of nature. Our world is pretty awe inspring and full of its own natural magic.

Well that was a run on.

[tmso]

Our world is pretty awe inspiring and full of its own natural magic.

Exactly.

I so want to believe.

A part of me is a terrible cynic and another part wants to believe too - so I write... :rolleyes:

[Daddy Darth]

A part of me is a terrible cynic and another part wants to believe too - so I write... :rolleyes:

I fight the inner cynic everyday. Oh, I will tell you one thing I dont believe in though - fate. We make our own lives what we can.

[Chuffalump]

To those of you who say you believe, or want to believe........

WHY?

I'm 38. I have never seen anything in those 38 years that wasn't a result of natural or human forces. My lack of adequate knowledge on the finer physical causes of natural events doesn't cause me to think 'it must be magic or the work of a god'. I just think 'Hmmmm...... must look that up when I get a chance'.

If you want to know the dangers of extreme belief in the supernatural, look at the Salem witch trials, look at the Inquisition, look at the children persecuted as witches in parts of Nigeria (and the UK) just this year.

You may think that a belief in mediums and ghosts et al is harmless but if we don't look at them through a scientific lens we'll be back to the ducking stool in no time.

[PeterWilliam]

If you want to know the dangers of extreme belief in the supernatural, look at the Salem witch trials, look at the Inquisition, look at the children persecuted as witches in parts of Nigeria (and the UK) just this year.

If one evaluates anything, based upon the abuses of that thing, making the case against is always easy, although unfair and disingenuous.