What is responsible for the animosity on this forum? Is there a single opinion that brings it out?

Well because this is a sensitive subject, and religion is a big aspect of believing in the paranormal. There is a reason people tell you not to bring up religion and politics in discussions. This adds another element because people are in the comfort of their home behind a keyboard, so some feel they can say anything they like with no consequence. Am I guilty of being too hostile at times? I am, BUT I usually feel bad about it later, LOL, and wish I had better composed myself. That's not the case for a few, which actually love the drama and cattiness. Then some who immediately draw a line in the sand, believers on one side, nonbelievers on the other. To have animosity toward someone strictly because she holds a different belief than you is, well, ignorant. It is, I'm sorry. What else could one call it? There are troublemakers in every group of people. If someone groups people as having more friction than another group, that is a perceptual opinion based off his or her life experiences. Not a fact. There are ******* in every group (beliefs, cultural, ethnicity, whatever.). You have the "Christians" on here who preach goodwill towards man and WWJD who then turn around and blast someone for challenging a question. You have "skeptics" on here who preach rational thinking, but will argue the same issue with the same person nonstop. Im talking about some NOT all. That's my point. There are drama mamas and papas in every forum/group. This is just more heated because it is dealing with a core belief. If one was to concede to the other in just the slightest, it would forsaking that. Debating is one thing, being hateful is another. No matter what you believe a good motto for all is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I'm not preaching this in a religious way necessarily, but I believe it's a good motto for mankind in general.

I think members , and I am not sure what clique yet, post volatile, and inflammatory questions, just to get others riled up . It is like some adolescent power trip. I don't mind being around people who don't see my world view exactly like me. I like to make friends with people who are smart, for the most part friendly.and who " listen" to each other. Helping others, helping myself. I have experiences in my life, that I cannot explain, nor prove. It doesn't mean it didn't happen, because I would be lying if I said I don't know of ghosts, etc,. I am not stupid either. I am unfortunately quick to anger and retort. I will do my best not to behave like that. There are some very nice folks here, I have noticed. I have been a member for 8 yrs. I can go months without logging in.I believe in God, and Jesus Christ. that does not make me better than you. I will answer in truth and honesty..I think some folks need help. And others just like attention they get from acting like elementary school age children and they abuse the site. Then there are the weirdo's and the sex trolls, and the young teenagers . Adults 18 and over can give young teens 13 yr s + some very bad advice. Referring them to age restricted web sites, and just over all giving advice in such a way it borders on pederasty. I have also noticed much race related questions,? Community Guidelines and interpreting them so when I report I do it fairly, but I am so into reporting abuse right now. I see inappropriate, intolerant , racist, ,rude ,hateful and obscene goings on here and I will not turn a blind eye to it.. I wonder if I will be able to take it or not. Time will tell.

Well, from a skeptic's point of view, being called a troll simply for offering a dissenting opinion is one thing--by that definition many of the Supreme Court Justices of the US judicial system are trolls, anytime there's other than a 9-0 vote. (Though come to think of it, after the Citizens United vote, maybe there's something to that. except that the majority were trolls in that cases--I've got to find a better example) Then being called sock puppets is a little much--if anyone can't detect the stylistic differences between the skeptics on this forum, they just aren't paying attention.

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Then there's the vile obscene rudeness and Community Guidelines violations exhibited by certain members of the true believers club--we all know the couple I'm talking about. Yet they're the ones to squeal the loudest when they think they've been offended, or in one user whining about how the mean skeptics deleted his posts, as if we had that power to begin with--the only reason posts are deleted are for CG violations, and how someone can't grasp that is baffling.

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Sometimes when I overstep the bounds and get a bit snarky, I'm challenged for it, and I try to remain cognizant and apologize where appropriate. I've even been known to agree that I'm wrong on a certain point from time to time. I don't think I've ever heard a member of the True Believer Club ever apologize for anything, though their violations far exceed mine. If there's animosity here, that's where it's coming from.

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Well, I can understand how some evangelists for paranormal beliefs might be on edge. They work hard to spread their beliefs, but with no evidence to back it up they probably feel a little sensitive about people continually asking for it. I'm sure it wears on them.

I can also understand how people who value science get annoyed with pseudo-scientific claims always being proffered in the Science & Math section yet without a shred of evidence that would withstand even cursory examination in a scientific investigation. Some paranormal enthusiasts even think that Youtube is a source of scientific evidence. You can't argue with such people. If you do, you just get annoyed.

People are often easily offended. Animosity is at times in the eyes of the beholder.

Can I get Best Answer??

We both "Logicals" and "Emotionals" on both the Believer and skeptic sides. And people tend to lump their opponent's other sides under the emotional label.----so "logical" skeptics tend to assume ALL the believers are the emotional "flakey" types who see "Ghosts" everywhere, making logical, experienced believers furious,---While the Believers tend to assume ALL skeptics are the emotional "in denial" types, And tend not to take the Skeptics seriously, thus frustrating the skeptics.

Finally, there is animosity between the "logicals" and "emotionals" on the same sides who think they harm their own causes

This website is literally inundated with poisonous and prolific trolls. They post gibberish in all the categories and they vary in type, magnitude and frequency. This category is not different.

All I can suggest is if you see inappropriate posts or posts that make no sense then, do respond to any of it....report it and move on with your life.

Honest answer: certain people and their attitudes engender more animosity than anything else..