السحر والشعوذة من اعمال الشيطان وطرق علاجها اللجوء الى كتاب الله وخصوصا سورة البقرة لانها تبطل كل عمل ساحر اضافة الى الرقية الشرعية

حنان علي احمد محمود I totally agree (and I am Muslim). On the other hand, I wanted to know if these demonic practices, were treated scientifically! (to understand the mechanism and to prevent itself).

السحر موجود والدليل ان قراءة سورة البقرة يوميا تمنع السحر وتبطله فهي التي لايستطعها السحرة البطلة

Unfortunately, these fascinating areas are often under-researched.

Some of these things are phenomena investigated by science, such as werewolves (probably porphyria), nocturnal demons (sleep disorders such as sleep paralysis), demonic possession (now rebranded psychiatry).

There is also a considerable body of research into irrational beliefs, which has some fascinating insights.

And as for paranormal phenomena, there has also been a lot of research which has, I am afraid, failed to provide any comfort for those who believe in them.

So no, Neil Dagnall , I don't think they are under-researched. And, of course, everyone is entitled to their beliefs (so long as these do not affect the rights of others). Just that in science, you have to show your data (and, sadly, anecdotes, however marvellous, are just anecdotes)

Therein lies the issue - that science is often dismissive of these areas and places a particular lens on investigation. Furthermore, many journal editors reject studies on paranormal phenomena on the basis that they are outside academic interest. This restricts work in the area and constrains certain research fields. In this context, I think that interesting areas are often relatively neglected. So in this sense they are under-researched. If journals have a publishing reluctance and institutions regard the paranormal as nothing more than conventional scientific wisdom it is hard to find resources to conduct concerted research.

Neil Dagnall no, I'm sorry. Science is not dismissive of these areas. Science regards areas that are matters of faith as, well, matters of faith. And if you read the journals you will see that there is a rich literature on paranormal phenomena. I'm interested in them myself, and we have, indeed, overlapping interests in the dark triad, and conspiracy theories.

However, in the case of "paranormal" phenomena, unlike, for example, narcissism, there is, well, a lack of phenomena to research. If psychics were, in fact, able to see the future (for example) they would make big money on the stock exchange instead of eking out a living. If there really were small elemental beings, they would be seen by people who were not suffering from Charles Bonnet syndrome.

I'm not saying that people don't see things, but they don't see things that we can't explain.

Science is prepared, I think, to investigate any phenomenon. So far, nothing has turned up. Though I would jump at the chance, frankly, to investigate!

Not dismissive- then why have Universities closed parapsychology research institutes? Also, positive results are routinely ridiculed for methodology flaws and interpretative errors. The whole field of anomalous psyc developed as an attempt to explain away unusual phenomena using over generalised and stretched ''scientific explanations'. I accept the science is sound but the application is flawed in these instance, however, this is typical of mainstream academic views and approaches to paranormal phenomena.

Furthermore, self-report measurement instruments indexing paranormal belief, omit many belief sets, assess them with a limited range of items or merely lump together different phenomena on the perceived of erroneous similaritie. Not to mention cultural and temporal bias. I am not a believer but I am frustrated by the prejudice and ignorance many researchers in this area encounter.

Finally, positive results have turned up and been published only to be dismissed. The issue here is the one I outlined previously but it the point is worth reiteratIng.

An an interesting debate though.... and it is nice to read positive, constructive criticisms.

Witchcraft and related notions have at times set a foundation for scientific research. Well, some researchers including journal editors may refute relevance of research into these mysteries but I believe there is a lot of science and more to be explored in there.

On the other hand, those who unchallengeably believe in them see science as unpleasant when it comes to scientific interpretations of what they believe.