The Vampire Occult Thread

[Mercury Angel]

To be fair, vampires don't not exist (intentional double negative) simply because of the modern day media.
How could people imagine vampires before the existance of TV then?

Vampirism, and the symbolism of blood, is something fairly old, and different to each culture that conceived them. There are vampires, or creatures much like what we'd call a vampire, in West Africa and Japan as well.

It's fairly likely that the idea of spirits or demons that prey on blood have existed for each culture since the time blood was recognized for its importance in the body.

[midnyte13]

i contemplated the debate however, this is just such a gray area for most that i didnt want to have more people than is necesary angry at me. so ~bows~.....let us speak on things less obscure

[Sanji]

Originally Posted by Mercury Angel

There are vampires, or creatures much like what we'd call a vampire, in West Africa and Japan as well.

My favorite are the Chinese Hopping Vampires.

Instead of garlic and not being able to enter a house unless invited, they have weaknesses such as sticky rice and Feng Shui.

[Manderlock]

In no way am I mad, you and I presented our views as we saw it thats all.


Mercury Angel if that is your interpritation of the term Vampire, then any animal that eats meat could be considered one. They infact "drink blood" (this means that they eat raw meat, therfore them ingesting blood is a given), but it is my understanding that Vampires are completly sustained byBlood. No water no other means of gaining nutrition. Vampire bats cant even do this.


EDIT: I have been in this damn forum for to long, its time to fire up GW

[zehly]

Ok, let me reiterate, just to make it clear, and not to be condescending towards anyone, but in order to maintain a relatively accurate discussion, I'd like to keep the meaning of the word clear.

The word "occult" is derived from latin ("occultus"). It was used in reference to "knowledge of the secret." Think of it as the opposite of "science."

Oh, do you know what the word "esoteric" (esôterikos, esôtero, esô) means? It's the greek origin for the word "occultus." I'll let you do the research on that, though, as the reason why I included it is a long explanation.

So basically, from this point forward, when I use the word "Occult" or "occult" in my posts (including the original post), I'm refering to "supernatural" or "unseen" forces.

zehly

[Manderlock]

Zehly, while you are correct in the origen of the word, words tend to change meaning as time progresses.

However I will respect your views as you are the OP that started the wonderful thread that has keeped me away from GW for 3 friggen hours.

[Sanji]

Sorry about that zehly, usually when I see occult used (such as how it was used by other posters), it tends to be in the context of occult practices and technique and not supernatural phenomena.

In that case, I am interested in the occult and happens to be a topic I wish I was more educated on.

[Mercury Angel]

Originally Posted by Manderlock

Mercury Angel if that is your interpritation of the term Vampire, then any animal that eats meat could be considered one. They infact "drink blood" (this means that they eat raw meat, therfore them ingesting blood is a given), but it is my understanding that Vampires are completly sustained byBlood. No water no other means of gaining nutrition. Vampire bats cant even do this.

My point is that you're understanding is merely a single understanding.
The properties of a vampire, their purpose, their origin, the method of slaying them all differ based on the culture.

The common factor between vampires is the powerful symbolism of blood. The symbolism that led to ideas such as "Blood brotherhood", "Blood pacts" and "payment in blood".

Right now, blood doesn't mean much to us, in contemporary society. We can synthesize blood, to an extent, but more commonly, we can give blood transfusions, and we do regularly.

However, one can not forget the context of the time period when considering the phenomena.

Also, the idea of a 'spirit' or 'soul' falls strictly under the realm of the occult. The idea is intangible, untestible, and unverifiable. One can not attack another culture or time's beliefs for lacking factual basis when our own has that issue as well, seeing as such a large portion of people, including myself, believe in the presence of a soul.
While not everyone may be in an organized religion, most people will, when polled, say they are religious, and believe in an afterlife.
We are not in a position, as a society, to say another society's illogical beliefs are folly, and our own are absolute, especially when you look at the diversity of our own.

My entire point in this post is not to attack any specific religion or belief, but to establish a level of tolerance. If you don't believe [and I don't] there's no reason to come into this topic and post something like that. It doesn't really contribute, and you put yourself up for similar judgement, which often leads to flamefests.

[zehly]

Originally Posted by Sanji

Sorry about that zehly, usually when I see occult used (such as how it was used by other posters), it tends to be in the context of occult practices and technique and not supernatural phenomena.

In that case, I am interested in the occult and happens to be a topic I wish I was more educated on.

It's ok, I understand that. The supernatural does exist. As long as things cannot be explained, it exists. That's as far as I'm concerned.

The occult is fascinating, mysterious, and yet intimidating.

It has to be there.

[Storm Crow]

Vampires are cool. They're the classic figures of mystery and dark heartendness. They're kinda like necromancers, dark and misunderstood, the poor things.

[the drizzle]

Originally Posted by Shinsei

Vampires suck. I own them easily in Castlevania, thus vampires aren't cool.

ah, not true. In symphony of the night, the best game in the castlevania series, you play as alucard, son of dracula, and thus a vampire.I easily own all the undead as well as humans in that game, so vampires are cool.

[Sanji]

Originally Posted by the drizzle

ah, not true. In symphony of the night, the best game in the castlevania series, you play as alucard, son of dracula, and thus a vampire.I easily own all the undead as well as humans in that game, so vampires are cool.

Technically, Castlevania's Alucard is a half-vampire, but still cool.

I like Hellsing's Alucard better though. Though in Castlevania Alucard's favor, Dracula is a cooler nemesis than the Catholic Church and Nazi Vampires.

Unfortunately, my interest in Vampires tends to be limited to video games, Hong Kong Movies, and Manga. :\

[Manderlock]

Originally Posted by Mercury Angel

My point is that you're understanding is merely a single understanding.
The properties of a vampire, their purpose, their origin, the method of slaying them all differ based on the culture.

The common factor between vampires is the powerful symbolism of blood. The symbolism that led to ideas such as "Blood brotherhood", "Blood pacts" and "payment in blood".

Right now, blood doesn't mean much to us, in contemporary society. We can synthesize blood, to an extent, but more commonly, we can give blood transfusions, and we do regularly.

However, one can not forget the context of the time period when considering the phenomena.

Also, the idea of a 'spirit' or 'soul' falls strictly under the realm of the occult. The idea is intangible, untestible, and unverifiable. One can not attack another culture or time's beliefs for lacking factual basis when our own has that issue as well, seeing as such a large portion of people, including myself, believe in the presence of a soul.
While not everyone may be in an organized religion, most people will, when polled, say they are religious, and believe in an afterlife.
We are not in a position, as a society, to say another society's illogical beliefs are folly, and our own are absolute, especially when you look at the diversity of our own.

My entire point in this post is not to attack any specific religion or belief, but to establish a level of tolerance. If you don't believe [and I don't] there's no reason to come into this topic and post something like that. It doesn't really contribute, and you put yourself up for similar judgement, which often leads to flamefests.

I'm sorry I thought that these where forums where people come to talk and even debate on how they feel about a certain issue................O wait they are

So if I read a thread and feel a. that it is wrong b. I feel srongly about it or c. that I have some info that could be usefull, I will post my thoughts and views on it.

That being said, I can see what you are saying. However I will find it hard to respect a persons belief system if they are still scarred of vampys and wherewolves.

[Thanas]

What did the comment I like blood mean then????

[zehly]

I just watched Dracula 2000 last night. It was cool. I think I should start a vampire RPG in the other forum.

[Arturo02]

Originally Posted by zehly

4. To really twist your mind, think of Schröndingers Cat, the half-dead, half-alive cat.

also the name of Quinn Mallory's cat in Sliders

[Mercury Angel]

Originally Posted by Manderlock

I'm sorry I thought that these where forums where people come to talk and even debate on how they feel about a certain issue................O wait they are

So if I read a thread and feel a. that it is wrong b. I feel srongly about it or c. that I have some info that could be usefull, I will post my thoughts and views on it.

That being said, I can see what you are saying. However I will find it hard to respect a persons belief system if they are still scarred of vampys and wherewolves.

Going onto the N-Gage forums and saying "N-Gage is teh suxxorz" on GameFAQ's will get you moderated, and for good reason. Having an opinion is perfectly valid, but intentionally causing strife by making statements like that is trolling.

Saying something along the lines that you think the government's handling of Katrina was ineffectual, and citing examples, and references to the actions of independent parties performing better, or on the other side, pointing out relavent laws related to government intervention in emergencies and handling of them. However, assuming your opinion was of the former, saying, "Bush sucks and doesn't care about black people" would get you moderated for trolling as well.

The way you've spoken would verge on trolling.

However! Seeing as people are talking about video game vampires and going wildly off-topic, I think defending this is rather pointless, and in that context, your remarks aren't really all that offensive, and most likely would not warrant a moderation.
As much as I'd like to try and nurture a productive and tolerant environment, I can't make people be serious, and seeing as this is far from serious, any defences that would apply to something along the lines of a serious religion would not here.

While I don't agree with most supernatural beliefs, I'd thought this topic was at least going to be objective and respectful to the occult in nature, but in reality, it isn't. Remarks that seem harmless, may not be, really.
Telling a "native-american" [Or whatever the proper term is at this point. I think the politically correct term has changed, and I've forgotten. -_-] you want to learn how to "Indian-give" would be sheer folly.
Bringing up casting love spells to subvert your crush would most likely warrant being ignored by a group of Wiccans.

Between a group of friends, even casual forumites, being entirely accurate and serious isn't all that important, really. If you want to just enjoy yourself, do so. I had just thought this was something different, so I'll show myself out.

Have fun all.

[Sanji]

Originally Posted by Arturo02

also the name of Quinn Mallory's cat in Sliders

Speaking about Sliders/your avatar, John Rhys-Davies is awesome.

[midnyte13]

still no answer to my question.............anyone?