Actually, I am being really unreasonable. However I would like to ask those who have experienced Angel Feathers to....

[DioneTheDiabolist]

...answer a few questions that I have.

1). What does it feel like when you see that feather?

2). What are your thoughts when this happens?

And

3). What would you say are the long term (if any) effects that you would attribute to these encounters.

I understand that this belief has been the subject of some ridicule here. I have no intention of ridiculing anyone. This thread has been inspired by a previous AIBU thread, but is not a thread about a thread. I am not a journalist. I am not seeking results to use in an academic submission or publication. What I am seeking is knowledge and understanding in the hope that I can use it to help others.

IABU for the following reasons:
I only posted in AIBU for the traffic. If MN rule that I have breached guidelines, can it be moved and not deleted.

And I ask the skeptics not to put people off answering honestly. If you think it necessary, I can start another thread for all your thoughts to be discussed. Perhaps the scientifically minded of you could look at this as an information gathering excersise.

Rufus, it's perfectly ok to say "I don't believe you" what's not okay is the presumption that, that view is more valid & to be beaten home & believers are to be mocked & implied as stupid, which is what's happening here at the hands of certain posters & happens on all the " Woo" threads I've seen - disbelieving is fine - it's not for everyone & we all have different life experiences that bring us to where we are. :)

Some lovely further stories

I agree it shouldn't be here, it's a bad idea, but as the OP has already said, this attack mentality happens over in the spiritual section too, so it makes no difference really, these threads always end up like this :(

Thanks rockinhippy

I do absolutely believe that people get comfort from all sorts of things, feathers, butterfly's, bees

But I also think that people who challenge should have a say, I'm sorry if I have missed something but it started jokingly and most people modified their tone once believers started posting

For the record I don't believe in any of it myself and I still think its in the wrong bloody place

Ooh sorry rocking hippy

I am so slow at typing!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think I have mocked or been rude to anyone. I have said that I love symbols, and think they are important. I have said that robins make me happy because they remind me of my much loved mother.

But I have been labeled obnoxious. For asking questions, and offering alternative explanations. This always happens on any sort of thread about supernatural and paranormal beliefs. And often on ones about religion too. If you really don't want to be asked about why you believe something, and how you manage the illogical and irrational elements of your beliefs, then surely you should post in the prayer threads, or in bereavement, or say very clearly in the thread title that you are feeling fragile and want support only.

Meanwhile back in the real world

curlew the really is no hope for you is there, you protest your are innocent & not being obnoxious in yet another arrogant & obnoxious post - which you so obviously just don't see - youbreallyvdo need a reality check

There is a difference between saying "I don't believe" and goading and derailing.

Exactly Dione :)

I had a strange experience. My mum was a carer for a man who then became close so were effectively partners. I knew him well and he believed in feathers being left to let you know that a person is at peace. He related a story after his wife had died of liver cancer in his arms that as the doctor was called and he left her body he went into the front room and on his chair was an enormous white feather.

He related another story that when his mother died he felt she had been around and then would find a large white feather in the hallway or somewhere you couldn't easy explain it on several occasions.

Around five years ago, I was walking my youngest to school and the largest white feather floated down and landed at my feet. Ten minutes later I had a call from my Mum that that partner had died. It was exactly ten minutes before..... So quite a co-incidence really.

I don't recall any of curlew's posts being rude. Her most recent post is a good example. She is upfront about her interest in symbols/mythology/ why people believe what they do, but impatient with the responses to her perfectly reasonable questions. It was another poster, and in fact one of the Angel Feather Brigade, who referred to those who challenge such views as 'self righteous harpies'. That is rude.

Why, those of you who are believers in this extraordinary phenomenon, are so afraid of people asking rational questions about it?

If you can't find a place on Mn for the kind of unchallenging, mutually supportive thread you seem to want, there seem to be hundreds of 'Angel Feather' websites with chat fora on them. Everything on the ones I've glanced at at takes an attitude of awe-struck, unquestioning belief in the phenomenon. Primarily because they are heavily moderated by the 'Certified Angel Practitioner' team that also flogs angel readings, blessings, jewellery, fridge magnets etc etc.

There is a difference between saying "I don't believe" and goading and derailing.

There isn't if you believe that anyone saying "I don't believe" is by definition goading and derailing.

Funniest thread I've read in ages.

For what it's worth - neither Cote nor Curlew have been remotely rude or arrogant - just presenting the common sense view, which is sadly in the minority (as ever).

And what do they get? "Who cares what YOU think? How dare you not respect our childish beliefs"?

Well, I can answer that - because they are not "respectable". Respect for a belief is earned, not demanded.

It is in fact the faithful who get their knickers in a twist over stuff like this, never the skeptics. And I'm pretty sure the reason why is pure embarrassment.

If I was a grown woman who thought a diseased pigeon feather was a message from an angel, I'd be pretty embarrassed by myself too.

Excuse typos/autocorrect fail - I'm sure you get the drift

If my 9.28 post is arrogant and obnoxious, and if my posts on this thread are "goading and derailing" might I suggest you report them to Mumsnet and get them deleted. Because I really, really don't see it. I have no desire to cause offence. I have a real interest in this subject and love to talk about it. But I don't see why any discussion has to be one sided and unquestioning.

Friday, this is not a belief that I hold. I asked my questions in the hope of gaining some understanding of it. There is a difference between saying "I don't believe" and goading and derailing. It is that some people seem not to understand that.

So, if I don't find a feather or a Robin doesn't visit my garden (assuming I have a garden) then nobody who has died gives two hoots about me?

I don't believe any of it.

It doesn't have to curlew lots of others on this thread question it too, no one is taking offence at their posts, because its done in a none goading, none confrontational way, doesn't imply that to believe means you are the same sort of air head that is daft enough to spend a fortune on charlatan cures & gizmos etc etc - as you & a few others do.

I've known plenty of none believes who change their minds, more recently my extremely atheist DF & DB - I've never known a believer who has, once your eyes/mind are open, they are open forever, so the bombastic approach you do have makes no sense if you genuinely have an interest & want to discuss

Exactly, Reeling. Dead people are ignoring you.

Either that or you have yet starting filling your bird feeder.

Rockin, that wouldn't deserve a response even if it was less bedevilled by mis-spellings.

^Exactly, Reeling. Dead people are ignoring you.

Either that or you have yet starting filling your bird feeder^

Point made - rude & goading

Wanders off shaking head & tutting in disbelief at how blinkered some posters are to their own actions

Dead people are very unimaginative, it would seem.

Why do none of them think of trying to communicate with a scientist to share this world changing information that we survive our own deaths?

Is making the curtains flap, spooking cats & babies, fiddling with light switches & dropping feathers the best they can come up with?

Believers, how do you think the feathers get there? Do you believe that the 'angels' create them or do you believe the 'angels' move them around and put them in a place you will notice?

Rockin- please could you do me a favour? Please could you go back over the thread, look at my posts (there haven't been very many) and C&P the ones that are obnoxious, arrogant and bombastic?

Because I really think that you are being unfair to me, and I would like to understand.

I see this is going well... [hides thread]

Move them Ialways :)