Philena wrote:
I think it's sweet. There are so many things I do/won't do out of respect for my incredibly superstitious mama: walk under a ladder, knock on wood, make plans on Sundays, throw salt over my shoulder, talk ill of the dead, etc. Superstitions tend to run deep. I certainly do do those things, I just try not to in front of my mother.
My mother is also somewhat religious, and I am an atheist. I am very respectful about what I say in front of her. That being said, I am also quite keen on those with any sort of popularity/public sway speaking out against religion. It is still taboo in the US, tbh. Yay, Dan!
eevee wrote:
I saw a post on tumblr being like "tell people not to fuck around with summoning ghosts this halloween, it's really dangerous" and I analyzed it for any inkling of a joking tone and I couldn't find any, so I complained to my friend like "do people really believe in ghosts" and he was like "yeah." I pressed him but he stood his ground. Previous to that experience, I was completely convinced that no one actually believed in ghosts and it was all a big joke, basically. Maybe I was right and my friend was fucking around with me and I'm just gullible, but I'm under the impression that people really believe in ghosts and ouija boards and spirits.
So that being said, if you really believe in ghosts and not "fucking around" with them, then I can understand how ouija boards can be offensive? Like, leave the ghosts alone?
Also a quick google search shows that Christianity condemns talking to spirits. So there's that.[/offtopic]
I think that Phil not wanting to offend people with a ouija board is really sweet. Dan, though, probably doesn't give two fucks. Which is who he is, which is also endearing, in a way.
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Philena Phil being superstitious is harmless and endearing, especially since it's Phil.
But I come from a religious family and a deeply religious area and I have come away with very negative experiences from both parties so to me the thought of religion is that knee-jerk reaction of "ew", especially when my family try and impose it on me. So I guess it's just my worldview or something, I wouldn't like... intentionally upset Phil and his superstitions if I was around him, for instance.
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eevee People do believe in ghosts for real. It's one of the less harmful supernatural beliefs, to be sure, but I wouldn't call using a board "offensive". I mean, why do you have to be offensive towards the dead, rather than genuinely curious? Why have malicious intent? Do you know what I mean? Like to me, to offend ghosts is to purposefully use the board to antagonise or mock people, regardless if they are corporeal or not. Most people find it exciting and fun, and not in a mean way.
I want to explain I find a difference between literally offending the actual dead people and offending what the dead people once stood for (activists, people who died to protect their rights, the list can go on). Being disrespectful to a dead person's legacy is a real thing, but offending a dead person isn't, even if they are ghosts.
And then you have the spiralling conversation of what a ghost is. Can it pick stuff up? Is it solid enough to move objects around it? Is it transparent? semi-opaque, just visible enough to see? Is it there all the time or does it vanish? Can it actually harm you or is it just a static ball of energy? Does it have feelings? What does it feel? How does it feel? How does it get picked up in photos? Why does it assume a human body shape rather than just a floaty blob? Does it have memories or a conscience? Does it know right from wrong?
I enjoy my spooks in games and campfire stories, that's about it tbh.
And as someone religious- not Christian,
I don't think she watched enough or the right vids to pick up on the phan undertones though.[/offtopic]
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in my country he could be charged in court for these comments! these are posts that may offend people, but i guess he's surrounded by supportive friends and a fanbase so maybe he feels he could reblog those things? hm maybe as the phandom grows larger he might have to mince his words more online before he gets into a argument.
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PERSONAL OPINION ALERT 
