www.skepticsofborley.com

copyright November 2002 by Stephen D. Smith

Having toured most of your site, it would appear you should re-name it www.skepticsofborleyectory.com It would seem that the majority of the visitors are in no way fooled about what went on there-then or even now days. Can I now join your Borley Skeptic's society that de-bunks every thing associated with the paranormal... Oh Pleeeeeease let me I'll debunk eveything people send in. Just Me.

"Just Me" suggests that borleyrectory.com should be renamed skepticsofborleyectory.com because "...the visitors are in no way fooled about what went on there..." There may be some truth in such a statement but I think the Borley Ghost Society has a good mix of members and contributors; and it brings together an array of talents, including historians, theorists, researchers and, yes, skeptics (healthy or otherwise).

However, I'm pretty sure that at least some of the skeptics are simply trying to separate the natural from the supernatural - rather than trying "to de-bunk every thing", as "Just Me" goes on to suggest. It is only through investigation, presentation (of results), debate, and more debate that people can begin to make for themselves an informed opinion as to the truth of the matter at Borley.

Titles that indicate which side of the fence you're on - such as "believer" or "skeptic" - are perhaps misleading. Does a "believer" believe _every_ report of a ghost? Does a skeptic not believe _any_ report of a ghost? I'm a believer but I'm skeptical too, because of the confusion that exists between what is natural and what is supernatural. Therefore, I seek to separate the two in order to know what needs further investigation and what does not. Of course, believers should also be skeptical because of the possibility of fraud.

Anyone who adheres strictly to their side of the fence - and believes all or believes nothing - should have another title: "fool". Classing yourself as a "believer" or a "skeptic" is not terribly important, but being "open minded" is essential - for although opinions on matters such as ghosts, etc. are fairly intrenched (you're either a believer or you're not) those beliefs can be modified without you having to move from your original standpoint.

Bottom line: borleyrectory.com would not be anywhere near as interesting as it is if everyone who wrote on the subject was a "believer" or if everyone was a "skeptic".

With best wishes to all,
Stephen D. Smith