Ask Me Help Desk - Question about hauntings and religion

Question about hauntings and religion

I happened upon another question about a haunting wherein many of the answers emphasized the necessity of using Jesus, Allah, or God's name to defeat evil spirits-since humans don't have the power to fight off spirits. Someone said that wherever Jesus is, demons are not.

I am fascinated with this topic-whether it's real or folklore-and the answers that I cited above really have me wondering about things such as stigmata and possession (stuff I've seen in movies). Does that stuff actually happen and if so why does it sometimes happen to religious people (if divine authority drives away demons, how are they able to possess the religious)?

I know some people don't believe in hauntings and spirits, but my question applies to both reality and folklore-so any thoughts would be great. Thanks! (if this belongs in more of a discussion forum-I apologize)

Stigmata (the wounds of Christ) are supposed to be from God, not from a demon. It's a Catholic phenomenon (mostly).

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Stigmata (the wounds of Christ) are supposed to be from God, not from a demon. It's a Catholic phenomenon (mostly).

Oh. I don't know why I never knew that. Thanks for the info. That's a whole other can of worms for me to look into, now!

So I suppose my question only applies to possession and/or other demon hauntings of religious people.

Thanks!

Well, I can speak only concerning the Christian who has been born again. Satan no longer has any real power of them. They can allow a demon to oppress them and give demons access to their minds by not knowing the word of God and who they are in Christ but they cannot be pocessed by a demon. Because the Holy Spirit lives in them. Plus the Bible tells us point blank... Greater is he that is in YOU than he that is in the world. So for the Christian, satan has no authority over them. Because Christ conquered all of that and bought us back at the cross. That is why using Jesus name is so powerful... he defeated Satan and his demons. They are subject to him.

I've notice that atheists and agnostics rarely report being haunted or any supernatural happenings. I wonder if there's a relation there.

NeedKarma-I've made that connection in my mind too.

I, for example, believe in God and really want to believe in the paranormal. I've had several experiences with other people around where they swear it was paranormal but I always write it off if there's any possible way it can be explained naturally. As badly as I want to see a ghost, I think it will be impossible for me to do so unless it's a see-through dead relative or friend who's come back to haunt me. Even then I might check myself in to the asylum.

Agnostics and especially Atheists are especially prone to look at things from a scientific and material standpoint. Anything that could be interpreted as odd or ghostly by someone who's less prone to that way of thinking would be explained away by a more scientific mind.

While I tend to be more grounded in my way of thinking, there's a little room in my mind for the mystical.

ClassyT-thank you for taking time to answer my inquiries!

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Originally Posted by southamerica

While I tend to be more grounded in my way of thinking, there's a little room in my mind for the mystical.

I don't see any reason why atheists and agnostics would not be as grounded as you yet they often are not involved in anything mystical. It's almost as if a strong faith predisposes one to believe in ghosts and supernatural phenomena.

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

It's almost as if a strong faith predisposes one to believe in ghosts and supernatural phenomena.

That's kind of what I was trying to say. I think because some people look for natural causes to things while others look for paranormal/divine/mystical causes, different people would interpret the same experience completely differently. Maybe it's the way our minds are individually wired.

Quote:

Originally Posted by southamerica

I happened upon another question about a haunting wherein many of the answers emphasized the necessity of using Jesus, Allah, or God's name to defeat evil spirits-since humans don't have the power to fight off spirits. Someone said that wherever Jesus is, demons are not.

I am fascinated with this topic-whether it's real or folklore-and the answers that I cited above really have me wondering about things such as stigmata and possession (stuff I've seen in movies). Does that stuff actually happen and if so why does it sometimes happen to religious people (if divine authority drives away demons, how are they able to possess the religious)?

I know some people don't believe in hauntings and spirits, but my question applies to both reality and folklore-so any thoughts would be great. Thanks! (if this belongs in more of a discussion forum-I apologize)

Back to your original question. You might find this link interesting reading when you have time. It speaks directly on the subject.

What the Bible says about: Ghosts, and Psychics

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

I've notice that atheists and agnostics rarely report being haunted or any supernatural happenings. I wonder if there's a relation there.

You are stating this 'tongue in cheek' ? Right ?

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

I don't see any reason why atheists and agnostics would not be as grounded as you yet they often are not involved in anything mystical. It's almost as if a strong faith predisposes one to believe in ghosts and supernatural phenomena.

Could it be, do you think, that satan has no need to oppress athiests and agnostics, but that he seeks to oppress those who have declared their position and opposition? It is the other side of the coin isn't it?

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Originally Posted by paraclete

Could it be, do you think, that satan has no need to oppress athiests and agnostics, but that he seeks to oppress those who have declared their position and opposition? It is the other side of tthe coin isn't it?

Well that's really sad. If that's true then it would be a huge reason not to believe in God.

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

Well that's really sad. If that's true then it would be a huge reason not to believe in God.

Assuming it is a conscious decision one can make.

So, I'm thinking there may not be an actual reason in the folklore or study of paranormal science or religion that discusses the relationship here?

The link posted earlier seems to hint that it's largely an avoided topic (HOWEVER, I haven't finished exploring the link)

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Originally Posted by southamerica

Assuming it is a conscious decision one can make.

So, I'm thinking there may not be an actual reason in the folklore or study of paranormal science or religion that discusses the relationship here?

The link posted earlier seems to hint that it's largely an avoided topic (HOWEVER, I haven't finished exploring the link)

That article is more of the religions point of view as it relates to this subject. Its really a this or that option according to that source. Where science comes in it has expanded the horizon and has sought to prove it out through experimentation. Some that has been proven is that everyone seems to carry the "god" gene. Another is how sightings of the paranormal seem to have also associations with magnetic fields and with electricity. Also there are broader definitions. Like a risidual haunting (its like a movie playing over and over) vs a spiritual haunting (one that seems to have independent thought). The first (residual) you can not interact with only observe. The second (spiritual) seems to be interactive (move objects or evp's).

It's a wide ranging subject. Also under the same umbrella as paranormal are the extended abilities of mankind (womankind too). Those of psychic ability. So when the subject comes up its not as narrow as some people think.

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

Well that's really sad. If that's true then it would be a huge reason not to believe in God.

How twisted can you get. The reason to believe in God is he is the only answer to satan

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Originally Posted by tickle

You are stating this 'tongue in cheek' ? Right ?

Nope, entirely serious.

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Originally Posted by paraclete

How twisted can you get. The reason to believe in God is he is the only answer to satan

So if one neither believes in god and satan then that removes a lot of conflict in life doesn't it.

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

So if one neither believes in god and satan then that removes a lot of conflict in life doesn't it.

Blissful ignorance

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Originally Posted by paraclete

Blissful ignorance

Ok, works for me and millions of others, no-hauntings clause included at no extra cost! And what are we missing exactly from living like this?

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

And what are we missing exactly from living like this?

1) the creepiness of hearing strange bumps in the night
2) the cold fingers of spirits marking a trail down your spine
3) the coppery taste of blood when you haven't bitten down on your tongue or lips (yet)
4) your Ouija planchette spinning out of control with a mind of its own and spelling out "Beware, the day has come!"
5) the odd smell of moldy sweatpants wafting over your face whilst you lie in bed at midnight
6) out of the corner of your eye, the glimpse of a black shadow in the shape of excon -- and you hear his cat meow!

You're awesome. :)

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

Ok, works for me and millions of others, no-hauntings clause included at no extra cost! And what are we missing exactly from living like this?

Exactly. Doesn't sound like such a bad deal to me. :)

I'm a Christian. I have never encountered a ghost, demon or anything. It's a BETTER deal for me because I believe Satan has no power over me.

Just because I believe there is a spirtual world out there that includes angels and demons doesn't mean that I focus on them. It is what it is.

Southamerica, this question opens a BIG can of worms if you know what I mean.

A lot of things need to be defined before any real discussion can go forth. Such as what is a REAL Christian? Because there are MANY MANY people that suffer from spiritual issues that CLAIM they are a Christian when in fact, they are not. Yes, these issues DO happen... certainly Hollywood has glorified and exaggerated it, but that doesn't take away from the reality of it all.

These things happen to every sort of person... poor people, rich people, religious people, ATHEISTS and AGNOSTICS, smart people, dumb people. To say this type of thing only happens to people that believe in it is just ignorance. I personally know someone who was FORCED to believe the reality of this, against their wishes, when unexplained phenomena starting happening in his home after his wife's suicide.

Quite frankly the bible covers just about every topic you can think of... psychic phenomena/fortune telling, ghosts, demons, angels, necromancy... most people are just too unwilling to put the puzzle pieced together. Here's a very easy example... the bible is very clear that the human spirit (whether evil or good) does not "hang around" after death but goes to it's place of judgement. It is also very clear that Satan is the 'Father of all Lies' and can appear as an 'Angel of Light', we should expect his followers/angels to do likewise. So when a spirit appears on the scene claiming to be dead aunt Sally... biblically speaking it's quite obvious what kind of spirit it is.

I am a Christian and according to the Word of God I have authority over these evil powers in Jesus' name. One has to EXERCISE this authority to use it... that is what so many of the "religious" crowd get walked on by the Devil... they either allow it or they are ignorant of their position in Christ. I know for a fact it works... I have had to remove spirits on more than one occasion.

Southamerica, I welcome any further questions/concerns you have.

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Here's a very easy example... the bible is very clear that the human spirit (whether evil or good) does not "hang around" after death but goes to it's place of judgement. It is also very clear that Satan is the 'Father of all Lies' and can appear as an 'Angel of Light', we should expect his followers/angels to do likewise. So when a spirit appears on the scene claiming to be dead aunt Sally... biblically speaking it's quite obvious what kind of spirit it is.

Since you believe in the bible, and are a Christian, then this explanation is what best suits you. That doesn't make it fact, that's just your belief, and you have a right to it. Others believe different things, and their beliefs are just as valid as yours.

When my daughter was little (around 2 years old) she started seeing two older people in her room at night. They only came when she was scared, and they always made her feel safe.

She never met my parents, and she'd never seen pictures. She was too young to understand that Oma and Opa had died before she was born.

One day we were looking through the family album, and we got to a page with pictures of my parents. She said "Those are the two people that come to my room".

To you that was the devil playing tricks. To me it was my parents watching out for my daughter.

Believe what you want, but don't state it as fact, because it isn't.

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

Since you believe in the bible, and are a Christian, then this explanation is what best suits you. That doesn't make it fact, that's just your belief, and you have a right to it. Others believe different things, and their beliefs are just as valid as yours.

When my daughter was little (around 2 years old) she started seeing two older people in her room at night. They only came when she was scared, and they always made her feel safe.

She never met my parents, and she'd never seen pictures. She was too young to understand that Oma and Opa had died before she was born.

One day we were looking through the family album, and we got to a page with pictures of my parents. She said "Those are the two people that come to my room".

To you that was the devil playing tricks. To me it was my parents watching out for my daughter.

Believe what you want, but don't state it as fact, because it isn't.

Interesting Alty, I didn't realize that happened to your little girl. I know you don't call yourself an atheist but a diest. Do believe that we go somewhere when we die? Meaning our soul or spirit goes elsewhere? Because I'm assuming that NK doesn't... he doesn't believe in any kind of spirtual world.

Am I correct, NK ? By the way... were you calling me awesome? I didn't want to jump all over that... but I am awesome and thanks for noticing... ha ha:D

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Originally Posted by classyT

Interesting Alty, i didn't realize that happened to your little girl. I know you don't call yourself an atheist but a diest. Do believe that we go somewhere when we die? meaning our soul or spirit goes elsewhere? Because I'm assuming that NK doesn't...he doesn't believe in any kind of spirtual world.

Am I correct, NK ? btw...were you calling me awesome? I didn't want to jump all over that...but I am awesome and thanks for noticing....ha ha:D

I'm still on the fence about what happens after death. I really want to believe there's a heaven, or a wonderful place that we go to once we die. Is heaven run by God though? As a Deist I don't believe that God cares about his creation, so how could he care about what happens to us after we die? If there is a "heaven" I don't know if it's necessarily run by any God. Maybe it's just another realm, another "universe" that we go to once we die.

I do believe that our souls don't just disappear when we die. I believe that we're so much more then just the bodies that tie us to this earth. I also very much believe that my parents did and still do watch over my family.

I guess there's only one way to find out what happens once we die, and I for one am not curious enough to find out. ;)

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Originally Posted by hauntinghelper

So when a spirit appears on the scene claiming to be dead aunt Sally...biblically speaking it's quite obvious what kind of spirit it is.

Im curious what kind that would be? It seems you have a vandetta against christians.

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Originally Posted by hauntinghelper

A lot of things need to be defined before any real discussion can go forth. Such as what is a REAL Christian?

That's actually a great point: IF Jesus drives away evil forces, then one must GENUINELY have Jesus in his/her heart in order to utilize that protection.

Altenweg, I find that story about your daughter so touching. I lost my grandfather in 2004 and my niece in 2005. He was one of my greatest mentors and a close friend to all of us. She was 8 years old and was already an inspiring believer. I talk to them often before I go to sleep and hope they can hear me, or at least the messages are relayed to them :). Most of all I hope their amazing souls have been put to use elsewhere beside here on Earth.

To all, this thread is incredible to me because I'm seeing Christians, Deists, and I believe a couple Atheists discussing something that is normally a "hot" topic (with a lot of hate thrown around), but here on AMHD everyone is able to discuss and learn without any hateful/unhelpful remarks. It's great! I rarely get to discuss the paranormal without some sort of sarcasm or fanaticism involved, and I have a great interest in the paranormal though I have never experienced it.

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Originally Posted by southamerica

I rarely get to discuss the paranormal without some sort of sarcasm or fanaticism involved, and I have a great interest in the paranormal though I have never experienced it.

Someday I'll tell you about my guardian angel, AngelWolf, who's been taking care of me since I was very young. Now that I think of it, he was probably the one who nudged me into an impromptu visit to a woman I hardly knew to save her life.

Comment on califdadof3's post

A vandetta against Christians? In what way? Like I said, biblically speaking, it's quite obvious what kind of spirit it would be.

That's actually a great point: IF Jesus drives away evil forces, then one must GENUINELY have Jesus in his/her heart in order to utilize that protection.

Southamerica you are correct in that statement. While this type of Christian does have the utmost control over these evil powers... the bible does elude to the fact that simply by His name these things have to obey. I know of non-Christians who have used His name to repel an evil spirit, and this is scriptural in that Jesus said some would come to him on the day of Judgement and say "Lord, Lord did we not cast out demons in your name?" and He will say "away from me, for I did not know you".

Comment on califdadof3's post

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Originally Posted by califdadof3
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Originally Posted by hauntinghelper
So when a spirit appears on the scene claiming to be dead aunt Sally...biblically speaking it's quite obvious what kind of spirit it is.

Im curious what kind that would be? It seems you have a vandetta against christians.

A vandetta against Christians? In what way? Like I said, biblically speaking, it's quite obvious what kind of spirit it would be.

Im asking because in most of your posts when you make mention of biblical spirits you infer they are all bad. So that is why Im asking. Is that what your trying to say about all spirits ?

Yes, that is exactly what I am saying when you rule out the angelic and human, there is only one kind of spirit left. Human spirits do not remain on the earth after death. Angelic spirits, when making direct contact with someone, will typically identify themselves as such. However, the bible tells us to test the spirits... more people would do well if they would follow through with this advice.

So, in what way do I have a vendetta with Christianity?

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Originally Posted by hauntinghelper

Angelic spirits, when making direct contact with someone, will typically identify themselves as such.

How do you know this?

Hello NK:

He got an email. What? Spirits don't use the interweb?

excon

Quote:

Originally Posted by hauntinghelper

Yes, that is exactly what I am saying when you rule out the angelic and human, there is only one kind of spirit left. Human spirits do not remain on the earth after death. Angelic spirits, when making direct contact with someone, will typically identify themselves as such. However, the bible tells us to test the spirits...more people would do well if they would follow through with this advice.

So, in what way do I have a vendetta with Christianity?

When you start by making blanket statements and judging others. As when you said " Christian? Because there are MANY MANY people that suffer from spiritual issues that CLAIM they are a Christian when infact, they are not. " your making some huge assumptions when you don't have a right to. Your trying to make yourself and your church as the only one that can be christian. And to me that's not only wrong it shows you have a vandetta against other christians not in your church.

Comment on NeedKarma's post

I understand that not everybody believes the bible to be true. But if you follow it as your guideline, then in more cases that is what happened. True, the bible does say something about entertaining strangers that are really angels. I am talking more specifically about the ones that converse with people and are trying to make contact or give some sort of revelation.

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Originally Posted by hauntinghelper

I understand that not everybody believes the bible to be true. But if you follow it as your guideline, then in more cases that is what happened. True, the bible does say something about entertaining strangers that are really angels. I am talking more specifically about the ones that converse with people and are trying to make contact or give some sort of revelation.

Well you didn't really answer the question. What is the basis for your statement: "when making direct contact with someone, will typically identify themselves as such." Surely the bible addresses it directly?

Comment on califdadof3's post

Well, you see, there are the Christians who believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died for their sins and rose from the dead. Those who have repented of their sins and asked Him to be a part of their life. THAT is what the Bible calls a Christian. Then there are those you simply think that living in America makes them a Christian... or believing that God exists and refuse to take that knowledge to the next crucial step. The Bible tells us that "you say there is a God? You do well, but even the demons believe...and TREMBLE". I hope you can see that fine line between believing God exists and having Him be apart of your life. There IS a difference. So, as you can see I have made no such "blanket" statement. I have in no way brought up denominationalism or who in the Christian faith is "right" or "wrong". I am going according to the revealed Word of God for the definition of what a Christian is... not what someone THINKS it should mean