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LifePaparazzi · Mar 31, 2008, 01:47 PM

What is the official Christian position on Paranormal Phenomena? I have been told that many Christians believe that all paranormal phenomena is the work of demons. Yet others believe that there are spirits that have not gone towards the proverbial light? Since, as far as I know, only the Catholics perform exorcism, do Catholics believe that ghosts are all demons? Your input appreciated.:)

N0help4u · Mar 31, 2008, 03:34 PM

Spirits and ghosts are two different things. Sometimes they are hard to tell apart and sometimes demonic spirits will make you believe they are a departed person.
As far as the paranormal Christians are not suppose to involve themselves in some things involving the spiritual realm.

LifePaparazzi · Mar 31, 2008, 04:33 PM

So then, what exactly is a spirit? If there are spirits roaming the earth, why?

Galveston1 · Mar 31, 2008, 05:38 PM

I can only speak for those that I am familiar with. Pentecostals believe in "casting out demons/evil spirits."
These passages may prove helpful.

Matt 8:31
31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
(KJV)

Acts 19:15
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
(KJV)

I is obvious from both these accounts that the evil spirits have will and intelligence. They are disembodied (evil) persons who desire to live in a body. Human preferably. Their origins are not clear. They are not fallen angels, as those have their own bodies. They are not departed humans, as humans are not allowed to roam the earth after death. They are liars, and will impersonate departed loved ones or historical figures when it pleases them. Humans are forbidden by God to have any contact with them, as in a séance.

Fr_Chuck · Mar 31, 2008, 06:16 PM

Ghosts are mentioned in the bible, when Jesus was walking on the water, they believed him to be a spriit or ghost.
So I guess that means that the apostles believed in them??

In the Catholic church an exorcism is always considered a demon or unclean spirit that is to be cast out.
Many other churches have exorcisms, many full gospel or charsmatic churches do them but with less ritual.

LifePaparazzi · Mar 31, 2008, 07:01 PM

So if a séance is against biblical principals, I wonder how ghost hunting is viewed?

N0help4u · Mar 31, 2008, 07:05 PM

It depends on how you go about it. You are not to communicate with spirits, ghosts or dead but I don't think there is really anything wrong with EVP's and investigating the history of a haunted place.

LifePaparazzi · Mar 31, 2008, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by N0help4u

It depends on how you go about it. You are not to communicate with spirits, ghosts or dead but I don't think there is really anything wrong with EVP's and investigating the history of a haunted place.

But then I must wonder; Most EVP's are gained by talking to "whatever" is haunting a place. So, woundn't that be communicating with the spirits?

N0help4u · Mar 31, 2008, 07:19 PM

I don't know to what extent, if at all, EVP's would be okay. I think it is rather borderline to do that if it is okay.