Something really strange just happened

[InSwamTiddler]

I’ve NC for this as I’m not sure what to make of it and I’m really confused.
Back story - I was raised Catholic, but I’m atheist now. I work in a science based field and for as long as I can remember I have believed in the factual, empirically provable reality of things. I don’t believe in God or the afterlife, or ghosts / paranormal stuff.

Nearly 9 years ago my dad died. He died very suddenly and unexpectedly at a young age in my childhood family home.

Due to some circumstantial things, I’m currently living back in my family home.
My mum has mentioned a few times over the years that she’s felt my dad’s presence here and I’ve always been openly kind to her about it, but thinking “nope. Your imagination is going crazy because you’re grieving”. She’s mentioned she’s felt pressure on the bed as if someone has sat down on it next to her for example.

Anyway, this morning DP has left for work and I was still in bed. I was listening to him brushing his teeth, then popping the kettle on so I was definitely awake, but a little drowsy.

I felt him get back into bed with me and thought “what’s he doing?”... it’s not unusual for him to pop back into the bedroom and give me a hug or kiss before leaving the house.

I felt the heaviness of him pressed against my back and his arms wrapped around me. There was a heat between my shoulder blades I have never felt before but I wasn’t scared but I knew it wasn’t DP then. I heard the front door open so DP was leaving the house. Then my whole back went tingly a bit like pins and needles but not in an unpleasant way.

When it was happened I felt calm and warm but I’m freaking out now and can’t stop crying. Sounds silly but I feel like it may have been my dad.

I was 100% awake, not dreaming. I leant over and flicked the lamp on straight after.

Does anyone believe in this stuff? I never have but now I’m questioning everything.

Saying you know a lot about the paranormal does not equate to a claim to be a scientist - self-evidently.

It's noticeable, bigcuddly, that you can't substantiate your claim that Bertrand's posts are rude, gaslighting and offensive. That being the case, how about having the grace to withdraw it?

And what are these 'other sources', according to you, big?

Saying you know a lot about the paranormal does not equate to a claim to be a scientist - self-evidently that isn't exactly how the discussion went, deepan.

It's noticeable, bigcuddly, that you can't substantiate your claim that Bertrand's posts are rude, gaslighting and offensive. That being the case, how about having the grace to withdraw it?

I think you are wrong, deepan, and if it is still confusing, here is an illustration for you:

Person 1: "I have just found out that my brother is seriously ill. It is really odd, as I hadn't spoken to him for months and months and then a couple of days ago I was standing in the kitchen and it was almost like my father, who died years ago, was standing there, and he said that my brother was ill. It was because of that I phoned him."

Appropriate response: "Wow, that all sounds so hard, I am sorry" (but see note below)

Inappropriate response:

"You are making extraordinary supernatural claims. Prove it. If you can't prove it, I don't believe it. It is for you to provide the evidence."

Note to appropriate response – if asked later in conversation whether the responder believed in things like that it is ok to say things like “No. I always find myself finding a rational explanation for things” it is all about context and respect.

HTH

And note that bertrand wasn't the only person to make similar comments (I was responding to her last comment) and these points have been made to other posters over and over in this thread and others. People made the same point to M3lon up thread for example.

bigcuddly- if you can find a single example of me responding to someone posting about a distressing situation they are currently in in the style of your exemplar inappropriate response, I will make a donation to a charity of your choice.

You haven’t answered my question big. What do you think Einstein means in the quotation you seem to think supports your views?

And your last post is absolutely ridiculous. Bertrand has not been in any way insensitive to someone who identified themselves as in the grip of a recent bereavement or crisis.

Madame, I was using the Shakespearean quotation (Hamlet) out of context deliberately.

FWIW, I double-majored in English lit and Philosophy. Which doesn't make me an absolute authority but certainly qualified to quote Shakespeare accurately if the spirit moves me.

bertrand just read through this thread and other threads where other posters have said similar things. No need for dramatic gestures. Try to avoid saying "you have made extraordinary claims" if people haven't. Otherwise, best of luck to you.

And your last post is absolutely ridiculous no it isn't. In relation to the Einstein quote, if you want to understand what he was talking about, google the quote and it will take you to the essay he wrote.

I am going to bail on this now, because I can see it going on endlessly round in circles, and we all have better things to do, and all that is left to say is I apologise if I have trodden on any toes, best wishes to all those who posted stories, and I hope everyone has a great Christmas or equivalent.

You call another poster ride, gaslighting and offensive, post lies and then bail when asked to justify yourself. Pretty horrible behaviour, frankly.

I haven't posted lies, and my behaviour hasn't been horrible. I am sorry you feel like that, though.

You have posted lies. You said that I had responded to people in distress with “You are making extraordinary supernatural claims. Prove it. If you can't prove it, I don't believe it. It is for you to provide the evidence.“
That is a lie.

The morning after my mum died these two magpies appeared outside our kitchen window. Never seen one from the house before or since.

FWIW, I double-majored in English lit and Philosophy. Which doesn't make me an absolute authority but certainly qualified to quote Shakespeare accurately if the spirit moves me

I studied Hamlet for O level at the age of 14, which was more than enough to qualify me to quote chunks of it accurately, but doesn't make me an authority on ghosts. Madame wasn't questioning the accuracy of the quote, but its relevance.

Wrong highlight, Deepan.

Madame, I was using the Shakespearean quotation (Hamlet) out of context deliberately

The spirit world exists because my family and I lived in a "haunted" house for nearly eight years. I did not
believe in ghosts until I lived in this house. Now I most firmly do. And that is that.

The spirit world exists because you lived in a haunted house? Wow.

Yes. In my experience, it does.

@bertrandrussell the illustration was not a real situation and there are no direct quotes, from you or anyone else. There were therefore no lies. The illustration was to illustrate how some comments on these sorts of threads can cause upset, even if no upset was intended.

I have apologised for my part. I found your posts very upsetting and have done in the past, and from what you say you feel the same way.
Do you think we could move forward and agree to try not to upset anyone in future and to be sensitive about each other's point of view, while still explaining our own, in a tolerant and sensitive way?

shiveringtimber, so if you hadn't lived in a haunted house then the spirit world would not exist?