The Paranormal, Do you Belive?

[Anichka54]

I wouldn't worry about it, if I were you Anichka54. The OP doesn't come here any more.

Lol, aha, i didn't know that, thanks, it just struck me as being funny.

[sterlingNZ]

I strongly believe in spirits. I don't believe in demons as such - just more mischievious entities. As for vampires, I don't believe in them at all

[h1r3z]

The true definition of Vampire according to commonly used dictionaries is that of a mythical or folklore undead being that preys on the blood of the living. The word is of Slavonic origin describing a being of a malignant nature, or a reanimated corpse who seeks nourishment and often bodily harm by sucking the blood of the living.
The modern definition seems to be a description of anyone or anything (Vampire bats being one of the most widely known) that drinks the blood of another creature. This modern definition cannot be denied to exist, there is proof that it happens all around the globe.

As for the more well known, look up

Gilles de Rais (1404 - 1440)
Vlad Dracula Tepes (1431-1476)
Elizabeth Bathory (The Blood Countess )(1560 - 1614)

Almost every country in the world has accounts of some form of 'Vampirism' - check out these too:

Asasabonsam - W. Africa
Baital - India
Bajang - Malaysia
Baobhan Sith - Scotland
Callicantzaros (or Kallikantzaros) - Greece
Ch'ing Shih - China
Civateteo - Mexico
Dearg-due - Ireland
Empusa - Greece & Rome
Incubus - Europe
Jaracara - Brazil
Krvopijac - Bulgaria
Mulo - Gypsy
Nosferatu - Central & Eastern Europe
Shtriga - Albania
Strigoi - Romania, inclucing Transylvania
Stryx - Roman
Vampyr - Serbia
Vrykolakas - Well known 17th to early 20th Century Greece

Some other variants on the vampire are: dracul (Austrian), kwakiytl (American Indian), lobishomen (Brazilian), murony (Wallachian), ogolgen (Bohemian), otgiruru (African), oupir (Hungarian), owenga (African), talamaur (Melanasian), vapir (Bulgarian), avarcolac (Romanian), sharabisu (Babylonian), brucolacas (Greek), kattakhanes (Singhalese), khadro/dakini (Tibetan), kalika (Hindu), aulak.

The list goes on & on. It makes you wonder though how so many different cultures have such similar accounts.
There are people (and creatures) that drink the blood of others, but the belief has to end before the introduction of 'special powers' such as turning to smoke, bats, superhuman strength etc, and while yes, no doubt a stake through the heart would kill them (as it would any creature) I think it's all the holy water, garlic, crosses, sunlight & such that people think of when deciding whether they 'believe' or not.

Most "rational" people that is

[damian_steele]

Most "rational" people that is ...

Most so-called "rational" people believe that the government and their appointed bodies are there to save them in the event of a major crisis. With that level of blinker wearing, it is any surprise that they also believe in fantastical or mythical creatures?

[sterlingNZ]

I must admit my first thought when thinking of vampires, is the teeth

[thesoapycauldron]

I must admit I do try to find out as much as possible about all things esoteric/ alternative, however vampirism is something that just passes me by. I don't think of teeth, I think of teenage goths...

Also, another Pagan friend of mine pointed out the Holy Sacrament v Vampirism...

The Soap Dragon xxx

[Karrobo]

Hi. I do believe in the paranormal. I don't believe in vampires or demons. but I do believe that some spirits of people (and pets) hang around after they pass on. I've had a few wierd things happen that has made me more open minded about those kind of things.

[aradiablackthorne]

I'm a parapsychologist - so believe in some things but not everything - I am also a Witch

[kraftykerry]

I believe in the paranormal, have had a few incidents before.

As for the rest i think its a load of ballony!!!

Kerry

[onlinegifts]

I do know ghosts are real as have lived in many haunted houses & a old inn/pub. there not that scary!!!
can make you jump somethimes and drive you mad looking for stuff you have just put down a second ago!!! but I do miss them as my house I live in now isn't haunted.
But I don't belive in any of the other stuff like vampires or demons.