S
Steven87
Guest
Do you guys believe in ghosts/spirits on earth. What do you make of them to be, or why they are here?
- Status
A
atsheeran
Guest
The concept of “ghosts” does not fit within the scheme of the Catholic Church’s teaching so I reject it.
When we die we are judged and then we go to either heaven, purgatory, or (God forbid) hell.
Here is what the Catechism says:
When we die we are judged and then we go to either heaven, purgatory, or (God forbid) hell.
Here is what the Catechism says:
S
Steven87
Guest
I don’t know how to explain what I experienced but it was very real. So I firmly believe in ghosts.
I crashed at a friends house one night but we stayed up a majority of the night and I’d say 4am we heard the bathroom taps running and we thought it was one of his parents but as soon as we went in the hall to peak the taps shut off and no one was in the bathroom so of course we freaked out and ran downstairs. Believe me when I say I am not lieing because I am really paranoid about sinning (which a lot of you know) and I would not risk mortal sin by writing a fake ghost story.
And at night you can hear someone walking upstairs and just stop in the middle of the room and you won’t hear anymore steps , and I know its not their parents because when they do go into the kitchen you can hear them go back into their room (it’s a very creeky floor).
At night you can also sometimes hear scratching and knocking on their walls which was the thing that freaked me out the most, I slept over there ALOT before but now it’s down to maybe once a year and I have to fall asleep with the tv on. My friend now has to have the radio on every night when sleeping because of all the weird noises.
I’ve got a lot more stories about that house that I heard from the people living there but won’t start telling them because it is now 4:42 and it is WAY past my bedtime.
I crashed at a friends house one night but we stayed up a majority of the night and I’d say 4am we heard the bathroom taps running and we thought it was one of his parents but as soon as we went in the hall to peak the taps shut off and no one was in the bathroom so of course we freaked out and ran downstairs. Believe me when I say I am not lieing because I am really paranoid about sinning (which a lot of you know) and I would not risk mortal sin by writing a fake ghost story.
And at night you can hear someone walking upstairs and just stop in the middle of the room and you won’t hear anymore steps , and I know its not their parents because when they do go into the kitchen you can hear them go back into their room (it’s a very creeky floor).
At night you can also sometimes hear scratching and knocking on their walls which was the thing that freaked me out the most, I slept over there ALOT before but now it’s down to maybe once a year and I have to fall asleep with the tv on. My friend now has to have the radio on every night when sleeping because of all the weird noises.
I’ve got a lot more stories about that house that I heard from the people living there but won’t start telling them because it is now 4:42 and it is WAY past my bedtime.
B
BibleReader
Guest
There are “ghosts” – semi-detectable spiritual thingies wandering around the earth. I think that most of them are poltergeist-type “tulpas” generated by sinful behavior and occupied by demons, and referred to as the “thorn in the flesh” by Paul in one of his letters. I think that God permits them, to awaken us to the threat of Hell.
P
puzzleannie
Guest
ohh I do believe in spooks, I do believe in spooks
Many times when alone in house, esp if DH is away on business, have I experience phenomena you describe. the explanation always turns out to be a) the cat b) activity outside by the neighbors kids c) a dream usually preceded by heavy doses of pizza or other foods I eat when I don’t have to cook
Many times when alone in house, esp if DH is away on business, have I experience phenomena you describe. the explanation always turns out to be a) the cat b) activity outside by the neighbors kids c) a dream usually preceded by heavy doses of pizza or other foods I eat when I don’t have to cook
B
BibleReader
Guest
puzzleannie,
Years ago, when I did criminal law work, one of my clients who engaged in outrageous sexual misbehavior (orgies) reported that he had heard his first name called by an invisible entity with a very pretty voice of the opposite sex, in his home, in the dark; and also that he was haunted by the sound of birds chirping, directly above his head, when he went outside at night.
A few weeks later, by a startling coincidence, a client in a drug case reported that he had heard his first name called by an invisible entity with a very pretty voice of the opposite sex, in his home, in the dark; and also that he was haunted by the sound of birds chirping, directly above his head, when he went outside at night.
Startled by the perfect symmetry of their confessions, I very, very quietly began a survey of the bad people I was representing in court.
Lo and behold, lots of them were experience those exact same phenomena, and other ghostly effects.
Many of those clients looked at me with astonishment as I asked them if they had this experience and that experience and so on. They had always kept the experiences totally secret, afraid that they either were nuts, or would appear nuts. They wondered, “How could this lawyer know about my great secret???!!!”
My suspicion is that God permits a process in our reality in which persistent serious sin generates a kind of “window” or “pocket” in our reality, in which a demon can fit, and this demon, crazed beast that he is, is energized by and begins to afflicted the sin-tainted person in our reality.
Paul, in one of his letters, says that he can not get rid of his “thorn in the flesh,” which he expressly defines as a demon from Hell.
In other words, apparently Paul engaged in really, really bad behavior – murdering Christians? – and this generated a “tulpa”-type “pocket” in reality in Paul’s vicinity occupied by a demon, who allicted him regularly.
Years ago, when I did criminal law work, one of my clients who engaged in outrageous sexual misbehavior (orgies) reported that he had heard his first name called by an invisible entity with a very pretty voice of the opposite sex, in his home, in the dark; and also that he was haunted by the sound of birds chirping, directly above his head, when he went outside at night.
A few weeks later, by a startling coincidence, a client in a drug case reported that he had heard his first name called by an invisible entity with a very pretty voice of the opposite sex, in his home, in the dark; and also that he was haunted by the sound of birds chirping, directly above his head, when he went outside at night.
Startled by the perfect symmetry of their confessions, I very, very quietly began a survey of the bad people I was representing in court.
Lo and behold, lots of them were experience those exact same phenomena, and other ghostly effects.
Many of those clients looked at me with astonishment as I asked them if they had this experience and that experience and so on. They had always kept the experiences totally secret, afraid that they either were nuts, or would appear nuts. They wondered, “How could this lawyer know about my great secret???!!!”
My suspicion is that God permits a process in our reality in which persistent serious sin generates a kind of “window” or “pocket” in our reality, in which a demon can fit, and this demon, crazed beast that he is, is energized by and begins to afflicted the sin-tainted person in our reality.
Paul, in one of his letters, says that he can not get rid of his “thorn in the flesh,” which he expressly defines as a demon from Hell.
In other words, apparently Paul engaged in really, really bad behavior – murdering Christians? – and this generated a “tulpa”-type “pocket” in reality in Paul’s vicinity occupied by a demon, who allicted him regularly.
B
burnside
Guest
There is a good link below,but i thought i’d mention a story about a former convent in my home city.After it became a computer centre,a security guard patrolling with his dog at night saw a ghost of a woman.He stated the dog was as scared as he was and dogs don’t imagine things.It was suggested it was the ghost of an old nun who died shortly before the convent closed.I would
like to hear the opinion of a priest member of the Forum,though
i do remember getting up one morning and thinking a certain event had taken place.I soon realized that i had probably been dreaming very soon before i woke up and it was so vivid in my mind that i thought it had actually happened.In other words,like the story of the Loch Ness Monster,
i really don’t know.
americancatholic.org/Newsletters/YU/ay1001.asp
like to hear the opinion of a priest member of the Forum,though
i do remember getting up one morning and thinking a certain event had taken place.I soon realized that i had probably been dreaming very soon before i woke up and it was so vivid in my mind that i thought it had actually happened.In other words,like the story of the Loch Ness Monster,
i really don’t know.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/YU/ay1001.asp
A
atsheeran
Guest
I want to clarify my previous post. I do not believe that “ghosts” are the “lost” souls of human beings, that they are human souls sent back for a final task, or anything like that. I do not believe they are human souls because that does not fit within the scheme of Church teaching on what happens to human souls following death.
That being said, I do not deny that supernatural activity may be occurring. I would stay as far away as possible from such supernatural activity. It is not from God.
That being said, I do not deny that supernatural activity may be occurring. I would stay as far away as possible from such supernatural activity. It is not from God.
W
wcknight
Guest
I believe there are apparitions, as in Mary and Christ visiting folks, and in others being allowed to appear to friends or loved ones. And I believe there are demons, or condemned souls who may return as demons. Both are supported by scriptures. Jesus and the Apostles were reported to have cast out many demons. And apparitions of Moses and Elijah and Jesus Himself appeared in the NT, as well as the spirit of Samuel aappeared to King Saul.
While I was Grand Knight of my KofC council, one of our past grand knights (PGK -Don M) was seriously ill in the hospital, anther PGK (Joe F) went to visit him. Don told Joe that he talked to Dale that morning. (Dale was a mutual friend also a PGK who had passed away the year before.) Joe calmly asked, you know Dale is dead, don’t you ? and Dale replied equally calmly, yes I do.
I think souls are allowed to return for brief appearances before or after significant events. Don passed away the day after Joe and Dale’s visit. For whatever reason Dale was allowed to visit his friend Don just before he died, maybe it was to tell him it was his time, and not to worry because things are as they expected.
Another friend of mine when she was a little girl, just after her mother died saw, her mother a day or two later. She came to tell her everything would be okay. She never saw her again, but it was enough to comfort her, who surely must have been traumatized by her loss at such an early age.
God never gives us more than we can bear, and in his mercy, I see these events as his way of showing his love and concern for us. Why it happens with some and not others, only God knows. Maybe these folks are especially devoted to God. Maybe it happenss more often but we do not hear about them.
wc
While I was Grand Knight of my KofC council, one of our past grand knights (PGK -Don M) was seriously ill in the hospital, anther PGK (Joe F) went to visit him. Don told Joe that he talked to Dale that morning. (Dale was a mutual friend also a PGK who had passed away the year before.) Joe calmly asked, you know Dale is dead, don’t you ? and Dale replied equally calmly, yes I do.
I think souls are allowed to return for brief appearances before or after significant events. Don passed away the day after Joe and Dale’s visit. For whatever reason Dale was allowed to visit his friend Don just before he died, maybe it was to tell him it was his time, and not to worry because things are as they expected.
Another friend of mine when she was a little girl, just after her mother died saw, her mother a day or two later. She came to tell her everything would be okay. She never saw her again, but it was enough to comfort her, who surely must have been traumatized by her loss at such an early age.
God never gives us more than we can bear, and in his mercy, I see these events as his way of showing his love and concern for us. Why it happens with some and not others, only God knows. Maybe these folks are especially devoted to God. Maybe it happenss more often but we do not hear about them.
wc
W
wcknight
Guest
Some of the mystics had encounter with apparitions, some quite regularly. And they also had a few encounters with demons posing as either Our Lord or Mary.
Sometimes, the only way they could tell one for the other was the feeling that they felt during or after the apparition. When confronted by a demon in disguise, they felt uncomfortable and fearful during and after. But when Mary or Jesus appeared they were always at peace. The Lord or Mary or the saints do not leave anyone feeling ill at ease.
I would not invite any apparition as that would be playing with fire. Jesus or Mary comes to people completely at random, calling on spirits is forbidden, and as in King Saul’s case, may have condemned him forever.
wc
Sometimes, the only way they could tell one for the other was the feeling that they felt during or after the apparition. When confronted by a demon in disguise, they felt uncomfortable and fearful during and after. But when Mary or Jesus appeared they were always at peace. The Lord or Mary or the saints do not leave anyone feeling ill at ease.
I would not invite any apparition as that would be playing with fire. Jesus or Mary comes to people completely at random, calling on spirits is forbidden, and as in King Saul’s case, may have condemned him forever.
wc
A
atsheeran
Guest
I certainly will not deny the possibility that God would allow something like this. I don’t believe, however, that God would allow human souls to come back for “hauntings”.
As for Don and Dale though. I don’t want to demean what might have been a very meaningful experience, but isn’t it possible that Don just had a particularly vivid dream?
W
wcknight
Guest
Always possible but our friend Joe did not think so, Don was very lucid and not delusional in any way.
wc
P
PeterC
Guest
I think over time most of us have heard various stories related to ghosts. Some have had real or perceived experiences. I think there are enough stories to lead many to suspect the reality of spirits. The nature or the dramatics of the stories are not important. The reaction and feelings of the story teller are what is really important on this thread.
Before I returned to the Catholic Church I sought the spirits on a regular basis. Not the spooky kind but the spirits of dearly departed loved ones. I focused on it for years and years including some serious study. I asked my guardian angel to make himself known to me.
Nothing … Nada …. Zero … Not one iota of experience, evidence of a visit, presence in my mind or memories of my dreams. Try as I might; I could not conjure up anything.
Now … on the other hand …. Return to the church. Pray and pray and pray. Now I can tell you many stories proving The Holy Spirit as well as the answering of so many prayers in many obvious ways. I have had no direct contact with any spirits but I can assure you, through prayer, someone is listening and really working for me. Things are happening.
Try it … you’ll like it!
Before I returned to the Catholic Church I sought the spirits on a regular basis. Not the spooky kind but the spirits of dearly departed loved ones. I focused on it for years and years including some serious study. I asked my guardian angel to make himself known to me.
Nothing … Nada …. Zero … Not one iota of experience, evidence of a visit, presence in my mind or memories of my dreams. Try as I might; I could not conjure up anything.
Now … on the other hand …. Return to the church. Pray and pray and pray. Now I can tell you many stories proving The Holy Spirit as well as the answering of so many prayers in many obvious ways. I have had no direct contact with any spirits but I can assure you, through prayer, someone is listening and really working for me. Things are happening.
Try it … you’ll like it!
S
serendipity
Guest
I had two weird experiences. On was when I was sleeping in a drom room in England, which was supposedly recently build on a site where some graves had to be moved. In the midle of the night I woke up feeling that soem one was in my room. I looked at the door, and it seemed to open a crack and a lighted figure entered the room and stood near the fhead of my bed. The room was very small. I did not hear the door open and the door looked closed once the figure was in the room. I broke into a cold sweat and started to shake. The hairs on the abck of my neck stood up.
I didn’t know what to do, since the figure was between me and the door. I pulled the covers over my head shut my eyes and said the rosary until I went back to sleep. Maybe it was a dream. I felt thoroughly awake and was terrifeid in the morning. I didn’t want to speak to any one about it for fear of sounding crazy, and there was no where else I could afford to move. I never saw it again.
Also, late one night I was working in an office by myself. That job was horrible, becuase the peopel were so nasty. Most of them were African (not saying this to imply that Afircans are nasty, but to stress the fact that many of them had firm belief in voodoo or magic for protection). One of the women hated me in particular because she though I had something going on witht he executive director (so far fromt he truth). There were only two women who worked there besides me then. The woman who hated me was from Nigeria and a Senagalese woman, who took me under her wing.
Once the Nigerian left a cup of coffee on my desk. I asked every one who it belonged to, hoping to return it to the owner. The Nigerian said she bought it for me, becuse I always gave them stuff. The Senagalese pulled me aside and told me not to drink anything form her, because she has never done anything nice for me (she even asked me that “why woudl she do something nice for you has she ever even said anyhtign nice to you”), and she probably hexed it. At the time, I thought she was being overly superstitious, but to make her feel better I walked with her and she threw the drink in a toilet and flushed it.
Sorry so much detail, but this was for the background. I was there late one night when every one else had left and I heard a raspy voice scream “get out of here” at me. Again, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and Iflet cold, but I thought some one is having me on, so I walked around the neighboring offices, called out to people to ask who was there and if any one came back. No one was there.
I sat back at my desk and heard the same words again louder. I looked all around my desk thinking this can’t be possible. I was possessed with a sense of fear, but didn’t want to believe it. thought maybe some one left some sort of speaker in my work area. I couldn’t find anything. I heard the voice a third time, even louder and it sounded very angry. I gathered everything and went home for the night. I never worked there alone again. At the same time I didn’t want to talk about this for fear of sounding crazy.
F
Fergal
Guest
***Lk:24:36-43
36 Now, whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them and saith to them: Peace be to you. It is I: Fear not.
37 But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit.
38 And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 See my hands and feet, that it is I myself. Handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have.
40 And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and feet.
41 But while they yet believed not and wondered for joy, he said: Have you here any thing to eat?
42 And they offered him a piece of a broiled fish and a honeycomb.
43 And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them.(DRV)***
Certainly the Apostoles believed in ‘ghosts’ or spirits. Even Jesus had to say he was not one for He ahd flesh and bones. Does this prove that they exist? Of course.
I have had a few experiences alright. Something like seeing shadows etc… never frightening, just an awareness that they are there. When I am aware of their presence I make the sign of the Cross over them in case they are souls in need.
36 Now, whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them and saith to them: Peace be to you. It is I: Fear not.
37 But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit.
38 And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 See my hands and feet, that it is I myself. Handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have.
40 And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and feet.
41 But while they yet believed not and wondered for joy, he said: Have you here any thing to eat?
42 And they offered him a piece of a broiled fish and a honeycomb.
43 And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them.(DRV)***
Certainly the Apostoles believed in ‘ghosts’ or spirits. Even Jesus had to say he was not one for He ahd flesh and bones. Does this prove that they exist? Of course.
I have had a few experiences alright. Something like seeing shadows etc… never frightening, just an awareness that they are there. When I am aware of their presence I make the sign of the Cross over them in case they are souls in need.
A
Ann_Cheryl
Guest
I disagree with you. When I was a teenager I asked a priest about ghost. His answer to me was that the Church has never defined what purgatory was and it was quite possible that ghost were serving their time in purgatory. In the book, The Haunted Priest, sorry I don’t have the priest name at the moment, the priest retells the event of seeing a ghost of a woman’s husband. He says mass for seven days and the man appears again and ascendes to heaven. The priest had surmised that the man was asking his wife for prayers to release him from purgatory. The story struck me because my mother told me a similar story about her family.
Going back to what the priest told me, he said that it was very Catholic to believe in ghost.
B
BibleReader
Guest
I have my own stories, Serendipity.
The being beside the door was probably a rabisu, or “croucher,” the literal translation of the word for “demon” when God tells Cain, “
C
catherinesiena
Guest
I am in the presence of the Holy Ghost…but dead spirits…no probably not.
W
wcknight
Guest
I forget which saint, but one said (in a book that I read) that she often received requests (as in voices, not sure if she got apparitions also) from souls in Purgatory asking for prayers.
wc
wc
W
wcknight
Guest
Some of these stories are pretty creepy… I don’t think I want to be in a room alone anymore 
- Status