Why a Psychic Reading Shouldn’t Make You Question Your Atheism – Patheos (blog)

In an article published by Elite Daily, writer Alexandra Strickler explained how a reading from a psychic medium named MaryAnn DiMarco made her question her years of atheism. And whenever someone makes a claim like that, its worth looking at the story with a skeptical eye

First, let me clarify that Strickler (presumably) still identifies as an atheist. In fact, it doesnt even seem like she believes in psychics. She writes in her conclusion:

So, coming out on the other side of my reading with DiMarco, I dont suddenly believe in the all-knowing power of all psychics, nor do I suddenly believe deceased loved ones are guiding me through life.

But, I do believe some people are more intuitive than others, and with the right dedication to that craft, you can harness it to help other people navigate this world, which is exactly what DiMarco is doing.

Lets get the obvious question out of the way: Can you be an atheist who also believes in psychics? Sure. Its not out of the question to dismiss God while believing in other supernatural ideas, including ghosts, Heaven, and karma. Thats not to say those beliefs are rational, but that its possible. The only requirement for atheism is that you dont believe in deities.

Strickler appears to be in that group of atheists who believes in psychics from the start. She writes in the beginning of her article that she believes in a general concept of energies out there in the universe. Whatever that means. (It sounds like a kind of pseudoscience related to the misnamed Law of Attraction.)

I believe that, as human beings, our thoughts and our vibes, if you will, play some part in the overall workings of the universe. They make shit happen, even if Im not entirely sure how they make shit happen.

Despite my skepticism about DiMarcos line of work, I still went into the reading feeling utterly terrified. I may not believe in this stuff, but like most people, I am afraid of the unknown.

So Strickler was already primed to believe; she was ready for someone to fill in the blanks in her beliefs and make them make more sense.

Ultimately, Strickler didnt become a believer, but she said that she was was speechless and seriously freaked out by her reading with DiMarco.

Heres why she shouldnt have been, and why you shouldnt be either should you decide to undergo a psychic reading.

A conversation with DiMarco feels eerily like speaking to someone youve known for a really long time. It felt like I was reconnecting with an old friend or a long-lost family member. She was warm, she was passionate, and she knew way more about me than I ever expected her to.

DiMarco was beyond accurate about this. I tend to feel extremely overwhelmed in a crowded room, and then subsequently drained after most social interactions. However, Ive always personally chalked it up to social anxiety, or me being an introverted person.

But, its interesting to reexamine my introverted personality under the psychic mediums interpretation of me. Its almost as if DiMarco was confirming something I already knew about myself, and helping me reframe that in a different context.

For example, she knew about one of my family members struggles with addiction, even though Ive only discussed this with a small handful of people close to me.

She also knew about the distance between my mother and one of my brothers, and she described me as a gift to my mother.

We dont know how many predictions were misses. We only know which ones struck a chord with Strickler. We also dont know if the medium had a chance to learn anything about Strickler before their meeting (via Google or elsewhere). Its also not weird to suggest there are rifts in a family or that a child is the apple of her mothers eye.

DiMarco went on to predict that Strickler loves the sounds of nature and that she has vivid dreams. Really, who doesnt?

Im unimpressed, and this story certainly didnt make me question my atheism. Strickler would be wise to use the skepticism that guides her thinking about religion to the medium. Would she have felt any differently if a pastor said similar things in a sermon?

Go here to read the rest:
Why a Psychic Reading Shouldn't Make You Question Your Atheism - Patheos (blog)