Existance of Ghosts

[wertquuuu500]

Well, yeah it is hard to believe. They can also use thermal imaging stuff, as well as an EVP recorder (Electronic Voice Phenomenon).

I saw one of those in a TV special. They put a recorder on a table and it made a really loud bark like some sort of angry German Shepard and then said "Get Out" in a gruff, evil sounding voice, then the air got really hot and the guy picked up the recorder and hightailed it out of there. It turned out that the house was possesed by a demon and they had to bring in a (Catholic Priest) Exorcist.

I used to live in a "haunted" house (I put haunted is quotation because I really don't know what was going on and some of the stuff can be explained). It was a really old house that had been abandoned since the 40s. The lights would flicker and electronics would turn on and off by themselves and the temperature would fluctuate suddenly (we didn't have a airconditioner). Sometime we would think we saw or heard something or feel like we were being watched when there was nothing there. One time we came home and every light in the house was on and most of the windows were open. After a few weeks living there we had the house blessed (not because it was scary, that just what we do when we move to a new house) and most of the strange occurences stopped. After after mass that sunday, the priest told us that he had felt very uneasy in our home. He told us that it was the same feeling he got when he knew he wasn't wanted somewhere and asked us if anything strange had happened in the time we were living there (we hadn't told him about all the stuff that had happened).

Having said that, I should point out that there are many many explanations for ghost sightings which probably discredit the vast majority of sightings. For example:

1. Mojo (see my previous post for a definition). Most ghost sighting occure in very historic places (cemeteries, old houses, batlefields, etc.) which give people strange feelings. In this state, it is possible for people to overreact to natural events and attribute them to the supernatural.
2. Expectation. Many people who see ghosts believe in ghosts or are actually looking for ghosts, it is possible that they are simply seeing what they want to or expect to see.
3. Bad wiring. Bad wiring can cause light to flicker or turn on and off by themselves and alter the settings of heating and airconditioning unites (making the temerature change suddenly)
4. Mistaken identity. This one really only applies to photographs. Many factors can contribute the alteration of photographs, causing things to appear during development that were not actually in the scene which can been mistaken as ghosts.
5. Demonic influence. A demon's (or devil's) job is to cause us to doubt (in God, in the Church, in the after life, etc.) in order to lead us away from God. It is often believed that demons have some level of phyisical influence over this world. If this is true, than it is possible for demons to manipulate material around us in one way or another for the ultimate purpose of making us doubt.
6. Quantum physics. Quantum physicists often theorize that time as we understand it (in a line) is an illusion created by the mind and that all of time is actually occuring right now. Every instant possible has, is, and will happen in a constant state of now. Every instant to the smallest degree is happening at the same time. If this it true, then ghosts and deja vu can both be explained as lapses in the fabric of time and space. Breif instances in which we can look into the past or future.

That last one seems a bit far-fetched, but my point was not actually to explain ghosts, but rather to give examples of some of the ways in which paranormal sightings can be explained.

Mangaman, it sounds like your house might have possessed by an evil spirit or spirits. Not only because of the domestic happenings, but especially because of your priest's reaction and the result of the blessing given to your house.

I know that demons and angels are real, of course. However, I don't think that they qualify as ghosts. The explanation that ghosts are souls from Purgatory asking for prayers is interesting. However, are the souls in Purgatory bound to remain in Purgatory until their debt of temporal punishment is completely paid? Or does God let them leave Purgatory? OR do they communicate from within Purgatory?

[St.Gemma]

No one seems interested in my list of possible explanations of ghost sightings

I thought it was very intersting. Thank you for posting it.

[mangaman]

I know that demons and angels are real, of course. However, I don't think that they qualify as ghosts.

The dictionary defines ghost as:
1.The soul of a dead person, a disembodied spirit imagined, usually as a vague, shadowy or evanescent form, as wandering among or haunting living persons.
2.The center of spiritual life; the soul.
3.A demon or spirit.
But how does everyone else suggest that we define "ghost" for this particular argument? What Constitutes a ghost?

The explanation that ghosts are souls from Purgatory asking for prayers is interesting. However, are the souls in Purgatory bound to remain in Purgatory until their debt of temporal punishment is completely paid? Or does God let them leave Purgatory? OR do they communicate from within Purgatory?

To answer that we must first come to a conclussion for the following questions:
1. Are ghosts real?
2. If ghosts are real, what are they?
3. If ghosts are human souls, why are they not in Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory? Is the relm of the living seperated from the relm of the dead, or do the dea "walk amongst us"?
4. Is Purgatory a actual place, or is it a state of being? Are souls bound IN puragtory or IN A STATE OF Purgatory?
5. If Purgatory is a place that is seperate from the world of the living, how do souls in Purgatory seem to manifest themselves in the world of the living as ghosts? Are the souls in Purgatory bound to remain in Purgatory until their debt of temporal punishment is completely paid, or does God let them leave Purgatory, or do they communicate from within Purgatory?

[blondie2012]

I know that demons and angels are real, of course. However, I don't think that they qualify as ghosts. The explanation that ghosts are souls from Purgatory asking for prayers is interesting. However, are the souls in Purgatory bound to remain in Purgatory until their debt of temporal punishment is completely paid? Or does God let them leave Purgatory? OR do they communicate from within Purgatory?

I think that they are sending an image (sort of) to us from purgatory of themselves as they looked when they were alive, because I am almost positive that they are not allowed to leave purgatory until they have completed their punishment. I may be wrong though. I'll have to ask my priest or youth-group leaders to be sure.I do know that our prayers lessen their time in purgatory. My priest did say this, so I am sure, that they come down as a sign that they need our prayers, at least that is why they usually come down. When they need to ask for prayers, it could mean that they do not have anyone left on Earth that knew them, or who would pray for them.

[Anastasia]

Well, yeah it is hard to believe. They can also use thermal imaging stuff, as well as an EVP recorder (Electronic Voice Phenomenon).

I saw one of those in a TV special. They put a recorder on a table and it made a really loud bark like some sort of angry German Shepard and then said "Get Out" in a gruff, evil sounding voice, then the air got really hot and the guy picked up the recorder and hightailed it out of there. It turned out that the house was possesed by a demon and they had to bring in a (Catholic Priest) Exorcist.

I used to live in a "haunted" house (I put haunted is quotation because I really don't know what was going on and some of the stuff can be explained). It was a really old house that had been abandoned since the 40s. The lights would flicker and electronics would turn on and off by themselves and the temperature would fluctuate suddenly (we didn't have a airconditioner). Sometime we would think we saw or heard something or feel like we were being watched when there was nothing there. One time we came home and every light in the house was on and most of the windows were open. After a few weeks living there we had the house blessed (not because it was scary, that just what we do when we move to a new house) and most of the strange occurences stopped. After after mass that sunday, the priest told us that he had felt very uneasy in our home. He told us that it was the same feeling he got when he knew he wasn't wanted somewhere and asked us if anything strange had happened in the time we were living there (we hadn't told him about all the stuff that had happened).

Having said that, I should point out that there are many many explanations for ghost sightings which probably discredit the vast majority of sightings. For example:

1. Mojo (see my previous post for a definition). Most ghost sighting occure in very historic places (cemeteries, old houses, batlefields, etc.) which give people strange feelings. In this state, it is possible for people to overreact to natural events and attribute them to the supernatural.
2. Expectation. Many people who see ghosts believe in ghosts or are actually looking for ghosts, it is possible that they are simply seeing what they want to or expect to see.
3. Bad wiring. Bad wiring can cause light to flicker or turn on and off by themselves and alter the settings of heating and airconditioning unites (making the temerature change suddenly)
4. Mistaken identity. This one really only applies to photographs. Many factors can contribute the alteration of photographs, causing things to appear during development that were not actually in the scene which can been mistaken as ghosts.
5. Demonic influence. A demon's (or devil's) job is to cause us to doubt (in God, in the Church, in the after life, etc.) in order to lead us away from God. It is often believed that demons have some level of phyisical influence over this world. If this is true, than it is possible for demons to manipulate material around us in one way or another for the ultimate purpose of making us doubt.
6. Quantum physics. Quantum physicists often theorize that time as we understand it (in a line) is an illusion created by the mind and that all of time is actually occuring right now. Every instant possible has, is, and will happen in a constant state of now. Every instant to the smallest degree is happening at the same time. If this it true, then ghosts and deja vu can both be explained as lapses in the fabric of time and space. Breif instances in which we can look into the past or future.

That last one seems a bit far-fetched, but my point was not actually to explain ghosts, but rather to give examples of some of the ways in which paranormal sightings can be explained.

Mangaman, it sounds like your house might have possessed by an evil spirit or spirits. Not only because of the domestic happenings, but especially because of your priest's reaction and the result of the blessing given to your house.

I know that demons and angels are real, of course. However, I don't think that they qualify as ghosts. The explanation that ghosts are souls from Purgatory asking for prayers is interesting. However, are the souls in Purgatory bound to remain in Purgatory until their debt of temporal punishment is completely paid? Or does God let them leave Purgatory? OR do they communicate from within Purgatory?

There's a woman.... oh, I can't remember her name... she's from Yugoslavia or somewhere and she's about 90 years old. She frequently recieves apparitions from the Poor Souls, who ask her to offer a Mass or prayers or sufferings.... It's been happening since she was 30.

[classic777]

Are you talking about Maria Simma? She saw souls from Purgatory before her death. Maria Simma was from Austria though.

[aj.Randalldude]

Are you talking about Maria Simma? She saw souls from Purgatory before her death. Maria Simma was from Austria though.

That could be true, and i'm sure her prayers do help the souls in Purgatory. However, many "apparitions" can be atrributed to mental issues. I'm not saying she's insane or anything, but just know that not all "apparitions" are actual.

[classic777]

No, I'm certain Mairia Simma was legit. There is an excellent book out where Maria Simma was interviewed by a nun titled "Get Us Out of Here". In it she mentions doing severe penances and suffering Purgatory to help the souls that appear that appear to her. She never actually gained anything from her gift as she refused modern conveniences like electricity, and raised her own chickens. Also several priests and bishops who knew her say that she was honest and mentally sound. It still however remains something you can believe or reject, as the Vatican has never taken an official stand on it. God Bless.

[Anastasia]

No, I'm certain Mairia Simma was legit. There is an excellent book out where Maria Simma was interviewed by a nun titled "Get Us Out of Here". In it she mentions doing severe penances and suffering Purgatory to help the souls that appear that appear to her. She never actually gained anything from her gift as she refused modern conveniences like electricity, and raised her own chickens. Also several priests and bishops who knew her say that she was honest and mentally sound. It still however remains something you can believe or reject, as the Vatican has never taken an official stand on it. God Bless.

That's who it was! That book was cool!

Anyway, my point was, concerning this

I know that demons and angels are real, of course. However, I don't think that they qualify as ghosts. The explanation that ghosts are souls from Purgatory asking for prayers is interesting. However, are the souls in Purgatory bound to remain in Purgatory until their debt of temporal punishment is completely paid? Or does God let them leave Purgatory? OR do they communicate from within Purgatory?

statement, that I think God allows the Poor Souls to plead for their cause here on earth. They are helpless concerning their eternal happiness in Heaven, and we're the only ones they can turn to (besides the saints) for help. I suppose they get tired of being neglected.

[blondie2012]

I think God allows the Poor Souls to plead for their cause here on earth. They are helpless concerning their eternal happiness in Heaven, and we're the only ones they can turn to (besides the saints) for help. I suppose they get tired of being neglected.

EXACTLY!!!

[Rose of the dance]

I suppose it would be possible. Although, the souls in Hell are never able to leave, and who would want to ever leave Heaven? Possibly, the souls in Purgatory are here on earth and sometimes we are able to see them.

I always shared that view as well.

[SwiftPhantom]

Maybe ghosts can also be souls in heaven watching over us, maybe because they died a horrible death due to an accident and they don't want anyone else to go that way.

I'll tell you an interesting story.

(It's in a book or something called something like "Ghosts of Flight ###" [can't remember numbers)

There was a plane coming in for a landing and one of the lights which confirmed that the landing gear was down burned out. The pilot put the plane on auto and found a spare bulb, only to drop it. The entire crew of the cockpit starts searching for the bulb and the pilot unknowingly nudges the yoke, turning the auto off. The plane goes down inperceptibly and crashes, lots of people die, the ones in the cockpit and the some flight stewards. Because it hit the ground at such a slight angle, some instruments were salvaged and placed in working planes. The story goes on to tell that passangers, stewards and pilots on the planes that had parts from the crashed plane saw ghosts of the people who died on the plane, they would be there one second and gone the next. This happened numerous times and the parts from the plane were removed and the ghost sightings stopped.

Wierd

[Rose of the dance]

Maybe ghosts can also be souls in heaven watching over us, maybe because they died a horrible death due to an accident and they don't want anyone else to go that way.

I'll tell you an interesting story.

(It's in a book or something called something like "Ghosts of Flight ###" [can't remember numbers)

There was a plane coming in for a landing and one of the lights which confirmed that the landing gear was down burned out. The pilot put the plane on auto and found a spare bulb, only to drop it. The entire crew of the cockpit starts searching for the bulb and the pilot unknowingly nudges the yoke, turning the auto off. The plane goes down inperceptibly and crashes, lots of people die, the ones in the cockpit and the some flight stewards. Because it hit the ground at such a slight angle, some instruments were salvaged and placed in working planes. The story goes on to tell that passangers, stewards and pilots on the planes that had parts from the crashed plane saw ghosts of the people who died on the plane, they would be there one second and gone the next. This happened numerous times and the parts from the plane were removed and the ghost sightings stopped.

Wierd

I agree with you about them maybe being souls from Heaven. That's what my mom tends to believe.

[aj.Randalldude]

Maybe ghosts can also be souls in heaven watching over us, maybe because they died a horrible death due to an accident and they don't want anyone else to go that way.

I'll tell you an interesting story.

(It's in a book or something called something like "Ghosts of Flight ###" [can't remember numbers)

There was a plane coming in for a landing and one of the lights which confirmed that the landing gear was down burned out. The pilot put the plane on auto and found a spare bulb, only to drop it. The entire crew of the cockpit starts searching for the bulb and the pilot unknowingly nudges the yoke, turning the auto off. The plane goes down inperceptibly and crashes, lots of people die, the ones in the cockpit and the some flight stewards. Because it hit the ground at such a slight angle, some instruments were salvaged and placed in working planes. The story goes on to tell that passangers, stewards and pilots on the planes that had parts from the crashed plane saw ghosts of the people who died on the plane, they would be there one second and gone the next. This happened numerous times and the parts from the plane were removed and the ghost sightings stopped.

Wierd

Another book which would probably interest everyone would be "Out of the Silent Planet" and the rest of that series by C.S. Lewis. It presents a new perspective of spirits and gohsts.

[Rose of the dance]

Maybe ghosts can also be souls in heaven watching over us, maybe because they died a horrible death due to an accident and they don't want anyone else to go that way.

I'll tell you an interesting story.

(It's in a book or something called something like "Ghosts of Flight ###" [can't remember numbers)

There was a plane coming in for a landing and one of the lights which confirmed that the landing gear was down burned out. The pilot put the plane on auto and found a spare bulb, only to drop it. The entire crew of the cockpit starts searching for the bulb and the pilot unknowingly nudges the yoke, turning the auto off. The plane goes down inperceptibly and crashes, lots of people die, the ones in the cockpit and the some flight stewards. Because it hit the ground at such a slight angle, some instruments were salvaged and placed in working planes. The story goes on to tell that passangers, stewards and pilots on the planes that had parts from the crashed plane saw ghosts of the people who died on the plane, they would be there one second and gone the next. This happened numerous times and the parts from the plane were removed and the ghost sightings stopped.

Wierd

Another book which would probably interest everyone would be "Out of the Silent Planet" and the rest of that series by C.S. Lewis. It presents a new perspective of spirits and gohsts.

Sounds cool. I might check that out! Thanks!

Amanda