I Believe in Ghosts
I've been fixated on ghosts for the past few days. There are a few shows on T.V. that I watch that make my skin crawl - Ghost Hunters and A Haunting. They are about people who have experienced paranormal activities and how they dealt with exposing the truth behind the mystery.
A 2005 Gallup poll found that 32% of Americans think ghosts are real. This number seems really low to me, probably because I've never doubted their existence. Maybe people were just too embarrassed to admit their beliefs? Ghost stories have existed as long as we have in every culture. And the people who tell them are not all "crazies," many of them were adamant disbelievers until they were forced to acknowledge what they were experiencing couldn't be explained any other way. Here is a site with a few of the more famous ghost sightings throughout the world. Here is a fun site of "ghost photographs."
I've heard too many ghost stories from close friends and family to discredit them. My uncle lived in a haunted farmhouse, another friend heard parties going on in their attic in the evenings, and a roommate met and spoke with a ghost on a English country road.
So my questions are, do you believe in ghosts? If not, why? Have you had any inexplicable encounters? Does their presence strengthen or weaken your existing beliefs?
Let's hear some ghost stories.
A 2005 Gallup poll found that 32% of Americans think ghosts are real. This number seems really low to me, probably because I've never doubted their existence. Maybe people were just too embarrassed to admit their beliefs? Ghost stories have existed as long as we have in every culture. And the people who tell them are not all "crazies," many of them were adamant disbelievers until they were forced to acknowledge what they were experiencing couldn't be explained any other way. Here is a site with a few of the more famous ghost sightings throughout the world. Here is a fun site of "ghost photographs."
I've heard too many ghost stories from close friends and family to discredit them. My uncle lived in a haunted farmhouse, another friend heard parties going on in their attic in the evenings, and a roommate met and spoke with a ghost on a English country road.
So my questions are, do you believe in ghosts? If not, why? Have you had any inexplicable encounters? Does their presence strengthen or weaken your existing beliefs?
Let's hear some ghost stories.
Comments
Several people have had "ghostly experiences" there.
Yup, I believe. And Yup, I grew up right around the corner from the Toys R Us in the photographs you linked to. That one is totally real. Ask me sometime...
Francis took this awesome folklore class over the summer called Aliens, Psychics and Ghosts and they had a couple of the Indiana Ghost Hunter people come in to talk one day. Here I was hoping for AWESOME unexplained pictures and recordings of things going BOOGEDY BOOGEDY BOO and what I got was scratchy, backwards audio and one shadowing picture of something that MIGHT have been a guy. Or it was a tree. Either way, I was disappointed.
As far as the photographs are concerned, I don't believe they prove anything. I don't think that they've necessarily been doctored, but light, reflection and the lack of context can make anything appear possible. Does anyone remember that case in England at the beginning of the last century? Two girls supposedly had photographed fairies in their yard. These photographs were the topic of much controversy. And even Kodak themselves confirmed that they had not been tampered. Experts said that two young girls, with no knowledge of photo development could have done that work. Well a few years ago, these girls who were then about 96, finally admitted that they faked the photographs. There is a movie that was made about this story that came out probably 10 years ago. All I'm saying is that you can't believe what you see. Do you think the Virgin Mary really reveals herself in tortilla chips or McDonald's chicken nuggets?
Ok that was really long. I'm really not that passionate about this topic.
Being a believer in the soul, I too know that spirits exist. The thing that trips me up is stuff like haunted houses and cemeteries. My understanding of the afterlife provides no illumination on "spirits who don't cross over" or poltergeists.
Heffalump, were you scared when you heard those voices? Footsteps outside would totally freak me out. Tracy - the Toy R Us photo is definitely the creepiest one. I'm going to have to get the scoop from you. I hate when Blogger ruins a good comment!
Draino - I was wondering about the caveman ghost thing. Of course you are right in that most of the ghosts that people report are A.D rather than B.C. Could there be a religious reason for that? Quien sabe.
I remember telling ghost stories while I was younger and I love ghost movies, The Others is great, but I hate anything demon or devil related, so The Exorcist is totally out.
My in-laws say how they had a ghost that was an unpleasant in there house when they moved in 40 or so years ago.
I can't remember specifics, it seems like lights went on and off or rooms were cold, but it was creepy for them.
Someone suggested a priesthood blessing on the home and they've never had any problems after that.
Ghost scare me. I love them and hate them.
Since my husband is an atheist I almost want him to have some ghostly experience so he'll believe in the afterlife.
That would be funny.
My dad grew up on a haunted farm. The whole family has stories about that place. My favorite is one where the dog wouldn't ever go in a particular room in the house. They tried bribing him with steaks and everything, and his fur would just bristle and he would growl.
Ryan H lived in a haunted house in Provo. I talked to him and a girl who lived there before him and they both had stories. That one moved stuff from time to time.
That said, I have no personal experience with ghosts. I may just be incredibly gullible.
We and many others in the neighborhood ran out to get a closer look at what the hurricane was doing to the inside of their house. We heard their screams and could hear the loud noises and see flashing of lamps from inside the house. After a few minutes things settled down and they all ran out terrified.
They had asked for a sign while playing with the board. The interior of their house looked as if it had been blended, nothing where it had originally been, completely trashed.
Let me tell you, when you see a complete living room and dining room flying around the freaking house...you believe.
That story about the hurricane living room is wild! I bet those people didn't play with the ouiji board after that! Weird that it happened in the middle of the day too - you usually hear about all this stuff happening in the dark.
I do like having a good scare once and a while, but Lacey and others, am not interested in knowing/hearing about the evil stuff. That would give me nightmares for the rest of my life. Poor Spike has had an experience or two that has really shaken him up - no telling how long that will affect him.
Okay, really the reason I'm on the blog right now is because I was laying in bed trying to sleep for 45 minutes but kept thinking of all these ghosty comments and couldn't fall asleep because I scared myself so bad. I'm in the front room, have all the lights on and the t.v. blaring and am trying to shake some sense into myself. Silly girl I am.
Melyni in PA
Love your blog!!
I wonder if people are supposed to disclose stuff like that when they sell a house. I have a feeling they aren't but I sure feel bad for anyone who bought a house like that unknowing.
Thanks for your comment!
There might be other rules, but I don't know.
Melyni in PA
I read a great book about scientists trying to prove the existence of ghosts. "Ghost Hunters" by Deborah Blum. It was fascinating and featured one of my favorite psychologists/philosiphers William James
Ang, I don't blame your mom for leaving you in there. One of my favorite noises in the world is OTHER people's babies crying when mine aren't. We have to enjoy it while we can. But still, it must be weird for you to know that you had a dead baby roommate when you were little.