Super Hero Complex

NOTE: This doesn't specifically pertain to just religion. In accordance with forum rules I have to post it here because it contains comments about religion. Otherwise I'd have posted it in philosophy.

As a fake psychologist, I've noticed that 99.9999% of people have the need to create the delusion that they, somebody else, or an imagined being is a super hero (compare with the statistic that 99.9999% of people are idiots). This is called "Super Hero Complex", or SHC.

Often this takes the form of religious beliefs which are, of course, blatantly false, so there's no need to go further into that. Other cases see this complex manifest itself as a regular person believing that they have some kind of magical ability or abilities. Precognitive dreams or visions, telekinesis, clairvoyance, seeing spirits or, perhaps stupidest of all, lycanthropy. Yeah, because you really did for real turn into a werewolf that one time. Sure.

You've probably had the misfortune of encountering one of these psychos at some point. If you have, you may have noticed something; That these freaks can only sustain their illusions by grouping together and hiding from real people. In order to continue to cling to their warped version of reality, they must find a place in which all contradictory ideas can be filtered or avoided. They will cluster together with their like-minded kin and work towards brainwashing each other into actually believing their brand of crap. Such places may be clubs, internet sites, churches, etc.

SHC is also known as "insufficient reality syndrome" for the reason that it apparently stems from people's disappointment upon discovering that magic doesn't exist and that they are just another generic human. Their "solution" is to become just another generic psycho and social outcast (but they can't help it, it's the demons that posses them that make them unable to be normal idiots).

Frighteningly, SHC is contagious. Children, idiots and the children of idiots are most prone. Interestingly, it seems that specific types, while able to cause other types, almost exclusively replicate themselves. It appears that SHC is hereditary. Children who's parents were of a given religion will almost always become the religion of their parents if they develop SHC. It is presently unknown how people can become so freaking deluded.

Thankfully, Super Hero complex is curable. There are many treatments available, but the most effective include growing up and realizing what a tool you are. Other treatments are getting slapped straight, or being educated on basic science; these can -- and should -- also be used in conjunction with other treatments.

Symptoms are generally annoying and may include circular logic, gross ignorance to science, poor hygiene, strange rituals, talking to invisible friends (god, allah, jesus, Captain Planet/Crunch etc.), handing out strongly worded pamphlets, end of the world prophecies, capitalizing pronouns, conspiracy "theories", and much, much, much more. If you or a family member has developed SHC, please take away all magic crystals, religious scriptures, Mac's and cases of Dr. Pepper and call 911 immediately.


See also:

"The AI Effect"

Quote:

---

The AI effect is a term for the tendency for individuals to discount advances in artificial intelligence after the fact. This discounting can come in the form of redefining in their minds what intelligent behaviour means.[/b]

---

Quote:

---

One motivation for the AI effect was suggested by Michael Kearns as "people subconsciously are trying to preserve for themselves some special role in the universe". By discounting artificial intelligence people can continue to feel unique and special. A related effect has been noted in the history of animal cognition and consciousness studies, where every time a capacity formerly thought as uniquely human is discovered in animals (e.g. the ability to make tools, or passing the mirror test), the importance of that capacity is deprecated.[/b]

---

Hmmm, intresting point.

I think it comes from the instinct to eighter be the best in a group (tribe/civilisation) or be around the best of a tribe... like superbeinings called 'gods'.

Agnosts probably think to well about their ties with super-human-powers too. But what about athiest? Not that per difinition they are better people (just better parents, better abortion-doctors and betting at giving people with chronic pain some relief with marihuana), but they don't hold on to their super-duper-imagenairy-friends, do they?

Potentially. After all, some people are atheists just to be rebels (as opposed to being Athiests because they thought about it), although Satanism is a more popular choice in that regard.

Well do you have proof for your statememnt that there is no such things as "magic" powers? You are just talking about it from your prospective.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bonsay

Well do you have proof for your statememnt that there is no such things as "magic" powers? You are just talking about it from your prospective.
[/b]

---

The burden of proof does not lay on someone that sais unicorns do not exist. The burden of proof lies on the unicornialsts.

But if we look from from a "scientific" perspective, since scinence is a norm (spelling?) to what is possible and impossible, why couldn't a unicorn exist? But it's true that we have to agree on a reality so we can base things on it. But I have a feeling that there a lot of people like that and you can't change their beliefs just by taking away their crystals... :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bonsay

But if we look from from a "scientific" perspective, since scinence is a norm (spelling?) to what is possible and impossible, why couldn't a unicorn exist? But it's true that we have to agree on a reality so we can base things on it. But I have a feeling that there a lot of people like that and you can't change their beliefs just by taking away their crystals... :P
[/b]

---

Sure, a unicorn could exist. And, yeah, taking their crystals won't solve the problem, but it might make for some laughs.

I'm surprised that no one has thrown a fit over this... A little disappointed, actually.

I guess that just means that I'm right!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mark75

I guess that just means that I'm right!
[/b]

---

Yes, and no... a unicorn could still exist. Yes?

Sure. It's not really even that far-fetched. They're just horses with a horn. It's entirely possible that unicorns or something like them exist or have existed at some point, even if not here on Earth. However, I don't think the issue of what could exist is one worth pursuing. The better question is of what likely exists. As far as I know, there's no evidence nor reasoning to support the idea of the existence of unicorns. Therefore, at this point it is safe to assert that there is no such thing as a unicorn.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bonsay

Yes, and no... a unicorn could still exist. Yes?
[/b]

---

Without any proof, it is as unlikely, yet not 100% impossible, as the flying spagetti monster.

Science doesn't work like that. "Oh wel, but it IS possible." It is about how likely it is. Big Bang theory is pretty likely, yet far from fact, it does't reach the level that the 'theory' of gravity does. Yet we tell about it. I guess we could tell people unicorns might exist, only we would also have to say that the chance they exist if far below 1%.

Or you could just go with classic philosophical style and the timeline approach. Ex:

Absolute philosophers don't believe EVERYTHING exists, but that anything COULD exist. Therefore, it just doesn't exist YET.

So, unicorns don't exist yet, but they will someday, as time is infinite...

Personally, this is all VERY deep, too deep for me. I think if one wants something to exist but it doesn't, if said person wants it badly enough they'll MAKE it exist. That's why people probably have this "superhero" complex. Great inventors and thinkers make history by making the non-existant reality.

What's wrong with wanting something? It's only when one rejects reality itself and accepts no other alternative when things go wrong. So, you can believe in unicorns if you want. Maybe they do exist; it doesn't matter.

Don't start making important decicions off of unproven things, though. I.E. unicorns don't readily affect waking life, but don't jump off a building even if you believe you can fly, because I guarantee your trip will end abruptly, no matter HOW hard you believe it! :bigteeth:

And what is so magical about the unicorns? Their impossibility or their beauty.
What is the magic? When one looks into a TV sreen, all those colourf living images with sounds - don't they seem magical?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Richter

Or you could just go with classic philosophical style and the timeline approach. Ex:

Absolute philosophers don't believe EVERYTHING exists, but that anything COULD exist. Therefore, it just doesn't exist YET.

So, unicorns don't exist yet, but they will someday, as time is infinite...[/b]

---

Well yes, we might even one day clone them ourselves. However, we could also strap a cardbord cone on a pony and call it a unicorn. We could call it a unicorn, even while we know it isn't. Or we could lie to the kids, to it Is true in their minds...

Everything is possible. Only some things are unlikely to eighter be now or will be realised soon.

Quote:

---

Personally, this is all VERY deep, too deep for me. I think if one wants something to exist but it doesn't, if said person wants it badly enough they'll MAKE it exist. That's why people probably have this "superhero" complex. Great inventors and thinkers make history by making the non-existant reality.

What's wrong with wanting something? It's only when one rejects reality itself and accepts no other alternative when things go wrong. So, you can believe in unicorns if you want. Maybe they do exist; it doesn't matter.[/b]

---

Wanting something? You mean greed? And it isn't as much the 'wanting'. It is the furfillment of that 'wanting'. And whatever they fulled their holes with they want everyone to submit to.

Quote:

---

Don't start making important decicions off of unproven things, though. I.E. unicorns don't readily affect waking life, but don't jump off a building even if you believe you can fly, because I guarantee your trip will end abruptly, no matter HOW hard you believe it! :bigteeth:
[/b]

---

Exactly. It is unlikely that all of a sudden you are able to fly. Yet people believe a whole lot less likely things. I dispise that. For their own good, perhaps. But especially because I think it is a bad thing to jump of buildings blindfolded, it could also take out some people that walk on the pavement, and it will splatter blood all over everthing. --> (that was a Metaphore for bad things religious caused.)

Quote:

---

And what is so magical about the unicorns? Their impossibility or their beauty.
What is the magic? When one looks into a TV sreen, all those colourf living images with sounds - don't they seem magical?[/b]

---

Well, what does "magic" mean? I define magic as something that exists and defies current scientific/logical explanation. That doesn't mean that magical things CANNOT be explained; it just means we don't understand them, as of now. I haven't heard of or seen any unicorns, so they'd have to be pretty "magical" to exist right now. A television, on the other hand, while indeed a wondrous thing, is not "magical" as it's workings can be explained with logic and science.

I guess what I'm saying is, magic is a word for the unexplainable, yet clearly existant. There, however, seems to be less and less "magic" in society, as more and more things are able to be explained. Also, our society is very intolerant of anything "out of the ordinary" and is reluctant to change. So, that's why unicorns, if they really did exist, would be magical. They would defy science and logic.

Quote:

---

Well yes, we might even one day clone them ourselves. However, we could also strap a cardbord cone on a pony and call it a unicorn. We could call it a unicorn, even while we know it isn't. Or we could lie to the kids, to it Is true in their minds...

Everything is possible. Only some things are unlikely to eighter be now or will be realised soon.[/b]

---

That's the whole "what's in a name" debate, like from Romeo and Juliet. Still, a unicorn might be a bad example, since ALL it is is a horse with a horn on it's head, at least as far as I know. (I'm not a unicorn expert, sorry. :D) The point is, though, that anything is possible, with time.

What intrigues me is how the human imagination works. Humans have the unique ability to think about things that don't exist yet. That's a pretty powerful ability, for good OR bad.

Quote:

---

Wanting something? You mean greed? And it isn't as much the 'wanting'. It is the furfillment of that 'wanting'. And whatever they fulled their holes with they want everyone to submit to.[/b]

---

Right, it isn't WHAT you believe, but what one does WITH their beliefs that's important. To force one's beliefs, correct or not, onto somebody else is often fruitless. I sure don't like being told what to do for nor reason...

Quote:

---

Exactly. It is unlikely that all of a sudden you are able to fly. Yet people believe a whole lot less likely things. I dispise that. For their own good, perhaps. But especially because I think it is a bad thing to jump of buildings blindfolded, it could also take out some people that walk on the pavement, and it will splatter blood all over everthing. --> (that was a Metaphore for bad things religious caused.)[/b]

---

I dunno. I think as long as you keep your beliefs personal, I say believe whatever the hell you want. As long as you don't hurt youself or others, you can think you can fly. If it makes you stronger and more confident in life, then it may actually be a good thing... Although, I really was laughing out loud at your blood splatter comment. :bigteeth:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neruo

Without any proof, it is as unlikely, yet not 100% impossible, as the flying spagetti monster.

Science doesn't work like that. "Oh wel, but it IS possible." It is about how likely it is. Big Bang theory is pretty likely, yet far from fact, it does't reach the level that the 'theory' of gravity does. Yet we tell about it. I guess we could tell people unicorns might exist, only we would also have to say that the chance they exist if far below 1%.
[/b]

---

Too much southpark!

What is the point of this?

I think my first post is pretty self-explanatory, but I have no idea what's with the unicorn discussion...

unfortunately, i think i may have this SHC, even though i am atheist. I believe that there is something else out there. Something DEEP in our subconcious. DEEP in the parts of the brain we do not use. Something that MAY give us \"super powers\". Im not saying that the bullsh*t in Dragonball Z is possible. But i do believe in a natural energy that keeps us alive. What can we do with this energy? I have no idea. But i guarantee you will will never know until diety based religions are extinct.

All the current laws of physics may become irrevelant. Gravity itslef may just be a figment of our imagination.

But who knows....i may just have SHC

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hard

But who knows....i may just have SHC
[/b]

---

lol tool

What the point of this is, is to prove further my point that Mark needs some faith in what he cant see.

"oh...you cant see the sailboat in the 3D picture?? must not be there"

All i have to say is that some see it...others dont

And if you are trying to say that precog dreams dont exist, then i really need my head checked for a tumor cause i have them almost weekly

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dropout14

What the point of this is, is to prove further my point that Mark needs some faith in what he cant see.

"oh...you cant see the sailboat in the 3D picture?? must not be there"

All i have to say is that some see it...others dont

And if you are trying to say that precog dreams dont exist, then i really need my head checked for a tumor cause i have them almost weekly
[/b]

---

I had a dream last night. Allah told me you totally fell for it, he is laughing is ass off :)

It isn't a tumor, it is the same as people that dream daily about how they were in a previous life. Man, your mind could make up you were adolf hitler and you would believe it.

I have SHC.

How existance came to exist is already beyond comprehension. It's not hard for me to see that either this was all created somehow - what exactly happened 15 billion years ago, no one knows, but the easiest way to look at is to say there is a Creator (God). Either that, or everything, including yourself, is just a dillusion and does not really exist.

Now for my rant: ;)

The real problem in this world is people like you Mark75. This is what causes problems in this world. I've come to realize, it's not religion itself that's the problem - it's the people like you who can't respect other people's beliefs. Thank God you aren't a leader of some country out in the middle east because World War III would have just began if you were.

And what good would sitting around taking everything as it is would do? Like someone mentioned above, the people who make some of the greatest discoveries are the ones who believe there is more to life then what we already knew/know.

Where there is belief - there is potential. Everything has the potential to exist until disproven.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by blade5x

Where there is belief - there is potential. Everything has the potential to exist until disproven.
[/b]

---

So believing in something that has the potential to exist is okay? Killing for something that has the potential to exist is okay/ Discriminating for something that has the potential to exist is okay? Xenophobio thanks to something that has the potential to exist is okay?

If Mark could be a leader in a middle-eastern country, the world would be so that probably there wasn't a war now. Allmost all 'terrorists' do what they do because of their religion. And America's revenge-war also is heatend by religious 'intrest' aka hate.

Don't play the 'ohhh, but it's like totally okkaaayy to believe eeeefferyythiiig ^__^ cuz likeee, its sooo happyyy'-hippy man. It makes hippies look bad.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neruo

So believing in something that has the potential to exist is okay? Killing for something that has the potential to exist is okay/ Discriminating for something that has the potential to exist is okay? Xenophobio thanks to something that has the potential to exist is okay?

If Mark could be a leader in a middle-eastern country, the world would be so that probably there wasn't a war now. Allmost all 'terrorists' do what they do because of their religion. And America's revenge-war also is heatend by religious 'intrest' aka hate.

Don't play the 'ohhh, but it's like totally okkaaayy to believe eeeefferyythiiig ^__^ cuz likeee, its sooo happyyy'-hippy man. It makes hippies look bad.
[/b]

---

I respect what athiests believe, but that's not the belief I decided to take. I don't sit here saying, "God is so obvious, he is a man superbeing who created us, you need to stop being a tool and grow up, and start believing in him". I honestly don't care what person A or person B believes in as long as it does not concern me. I don't see why others do.

And about him being a leader - only after slow gradual change that would take generations. Put him there no - it's not happening. And you are right about terrorists, there are a few of these "bad religions" that specifically target others, I forgot about that while I was typing my post, but the main problem is people who can't respect other people's beliefs in the end. Look at Hitler, or even the Christains who practically invade other countries and try to "force" their beliefs onto other people. It just doesn't work in the end. For now, or atleast a good amount, we will have different beliefs, and there is nothing you can do to change that. The best way to cope with that is just to respect others beliefs. Is that really that hard to do?

"Killing for something that has the potential to exist..." - is that the best you can come up with? No sane person would ever do that, and what does killing people have to do with scientifcally proving something like God?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by blade5x

there are a few of these "bad religions" that specifically target others, [/b]

---

There arn't really any 'bad religions', just bad people. The koran isn't any less violent then the old testament, only in some countries where the islam is in control they took a wrong turn.

Quote:

---

"Killing for something..." - is that the best you can come up with? No sane person would ever do that, and what does killing people have to do with scientifcally proving something?
[/b]

---

It had to do with not finding everything 'fine', just because it is possible. And no sane person would ever do that? Nicely said, no sane person would. To bad every day people die because for and by religious matters. Alot of people Do have it in them to kill for their 'religion'.