 |
 |
 |
|
Do You Believe that Ghosts are Real?
Posted on Saturday, January 20, 2007 (CST) by Thoth
 Ghosts are different things depending on who you ask. While 32% of Americans believe in ghosts, according to a 2005 Gallup poll, there is a divergence of opinion as to what constitutes a ghost.
Parapsychologists are in favor of the term, apparition, because it's purportedly more precise. An apparition is considered immaterial, but it can seem real and tangible. There are a variety of entities that qualify for the catch-all term, ghost, and here they are, in no particular order.
The spirit of a deceased person could make itself known in its former habitat, i.e., a home or office. In this case, the ghost is said to have a likeness to the deceased either in appearance, behavior, or vocal imitation. Of course, it may not be an imitation!
Other common
uses of the term refer to angels or demons, or even as a synonym for a
person's immaterial spirit, whether or not they're presenting
themselves to others.
Ghosts are
portrayed as having a semi-transparent, unspecific form, loosely
resembling the person they once were. Their motives are helpful,
ominous, or treacherous. Their motions are transient because they pop
in and out. They're often seen fleeing or scurrying. Of course, reports
abound, and these are only a few examples of the alleged behavior of
ghosts.
Ghost mythology is common
in every ancient culture - from the Egyptians, to the Chinese, to the
Europeans of the Middle Ages Ghosts were thought to be the disembodied
soul of the person they once inhabited.
Parapsychologists study
ghosts as part of their living. A parapsychologist seeks to understand
paranormal phenomena. Paranormal phenomena is described as any
phenomenon or occurrence that exceeds the bounds of what is possible,
according to the established principles and laws of science.
Skeptics charge the
controversy with several explanations for suspected ghost sightings.
For instance, Scientists Richard Lord and Richard Wiseman explain that
sound waves having frequencies less than 20 hertz are normally
inaudible, nonetheless, they may cause someone to feel a presence or
shift their mood to anxiety or dread. Carbon monoxide poisoning was
cited as a cause for haunted houses as early as 1921 because it can
cause hallucinations, ill feelings, and a sensation of dread as well.
Another condition,
pareidolia, is a condition that causes someone to recognize human faces
or forms in random patterns. That's kind of like a case of seeing what
you anticipate, hope for, or want to happen, instead of just seeing.
Skeptics aside, extraordinary sightings and stories flow in from all
corners of the world at large.
Let's take a look and see whether or not ghosts might have a scant possibility of really existing.
The New Testament
acknowledges the existence of demons, the real spiritual beings that
tempt, lie, deceive, and physically harm humans. According to the Bible
their intention is to turn people away from God, from the best
interests of the human and what will make then happiest, and to try to
cause humans to think that they're smarter than the All mighty loving
God. Jesus gave humans the power to cast out demons and walk over the
enemy. We have a shield of protection through Christ's blood. A study
of the gospel and the historical teachings of Jesus as it relates to
angels and demons is too important and is a separate area of study
outside of ghosts.
But, before we begin, let's move on to the ghost stories of the world.
The face of Martha Rendell,
the only female to be executed at Fremantle, appears in the window of
the church frequently. The face seems to be produced by ripples in the
glass that reflect light in an abnormal way, but the resemblance is
eerie.
In China, Tuen Mun Road in
Hong Kong is apparently causing excessive death tolls due to "ghosts
popping up in the middle of the road". Drivers avert the apparitions by
veering their cars quickly and end up crashing. Hundreds of people
allege that this highway is haunted, and many claim to have lost
complete control of their automobiles.
Traveling to England we
find a case with some substantial evidence, no pun intended. London's
primary criminal court, the Old Bailey, has an uninvited guest at major
trials. Judges, barristers, and policemen attest to this strange
apparition.
Even Mount Everest has its
ghost in resident, probably the ghost of climber, Andrew Irvine, who
tried to reach the summit in 1924 with George Mallory, but disappeared
on his journey upward. Two climbers in 1975 said that they occupied a
snow hole with him, and other climbers have seen a ghost too.
Ireland has the Temple
Michael, a quint church and castle positioned on the blackwater river,
with a close proximity to Youghal, Co Cork. The place is not used, and
it overlooks the blackwater river. Visitors and local inhabitants of
the region claim to have heard shrieks, screams, lights in motion,
static on cameras over the church grounds, twigs that break without
explanation, and coffins that close and open of their own accord.
In Japan, the tomb of
Masakado near Tokyo is said to be haunted by the ghost of Masakado.
During the 1920's, the Office for the Ministry of Finance was built on
top of it. In 1926, the minister of finance and 10 staff members died
of disease. The tomb was restored. After WWII, however, they attempted
to construct over it again. The driver of the bulldozer died, however,
when it overturned.
The most haunted abode in
Scotland is the Close of Mary King in Edinburgh. It was built in the
1600s, and it contained hundreds of people during the plague of 1645
when they were quarantined. Voices, dogs, and a lady clad in black have
all been recorded.
Several fables, stories,
and accounts arise out of the United States. One of particular interest
is the Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky. It used to
house tuberculosis patients and people refer to it as the most haunted
place ever. More than 60,000 unconfirmed deaths have been reported and
the owners of the property, construction workers and maintenance staff,
and paranormal investigators have claimed one can see unnatural lights
and phantasms darting around the premises at night. The hallways and
rooms are filled with appearances of ghosts.
It is clear that immaterial
entities exist because Jesus cast these personal and evil beings out of
people. They shrieked and screamed and cursed, and this was written
about as an account of real events by the meticulous doctor and
historian, Luke, in the gospel of Luke. Get protection from spirits
through Jesus Christ. Whether or not they're actual people or vicious
demons, Jesus has all power in heaven and on earth, and it says this in
Matthew 28:18.
Paranormal phenomena are alive and well because the physical world isn't all there is.
Copyright 2007 David Slone.
You may use this article only if links and author information is left
intact. Do you believe in ghosts? Visit True Ghost Tales to read real
true ghost stories. The url is http://www.trueghosttales.com. If you
have your own true ghost story you may submit it for publication. There
is also a Ghost and Haunting Websites listing.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
