Ghost Hunting is it a sin

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eryasregor

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I’ve been invited to go on a ghost hunt. You know, where they walk around an empty building with a microphone and say “give us a sign, give us a sign”. I know that occult practices are a sin, this is more along the lines of documenting objective evidence of paranormal activity.
Do you think it’s a sin?
 
it is not a sin to hunt for something that isn’t there…

like hunting for wolves in NYC

probably a waste of time, though

sort of like the “gold hunters” on the beach w/their military quality metal detectors

if they have fun with it; God bless
 
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I don’t know about it being a sin, but I would not do it. You would be opening yourself up to demonic activity by inviting the paranormal to give you a sign. Run away from any occult practices…the end result is not worth it.
 
you are right

there is a difference between “wasting time”

and engaging in potentially occult practices
 
Yes, having fun with your friends doing something kinda creepy isn’t worth getting entangled with that stuff. Same with ouija boards…I say run FAR away. Of course, Jesus is stronger than the occult…but it’s better to not invite it in.
 
Trying to talk to ghosts in very dangerous. People have gotten involved in the occult/possessed from such activities. I would stay far away.
 
Look up the talks on Demons and Possession by Exorcist Fr. Chad Ripperger, a priest in good standing in the Diocese of Denver.

 
Yes, invoking “spirits” is grave matter, even if you don’t believe anything will actually come of it.

It would be different if you were to simply passively document phenomenon that occurred without human involvement.
 
I’d avoid activities such as these then you don’t have to worry if it’s a sin or not.
 
From my understanding, YES, it is indeed a sin to ghost hunt. This is my understanding;
  1. Some saints indeed believed in ghosts. The ghosts being souls in purgatory manifesting themselves to get us to pray for them. There have been many accounts of this happening, and people would then pray and hold Mass for this individual who seemed to be doing things to get the attention of others.
  2. It is not required to believe in ghosts. We just have to understand what they are regarding Catholic theology.
  3. It is not only OK, but it is necessary that we pray for the dead.
  4. THIS IS THE KICKER; Communicating with the dead the way you see in ghost hunts is forbidden by the Church and regarded as necromancy.
2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future.48 Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.
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I highly suggest you not participate in ghost hunting. Pray for them, but don’t start trying to communicate with them and seeking them out. Asking saints to pray for us is not the same as necromancy.
 
Yes, it is a sin of curiosity. The sin of curiosity pertains to wanting to gain knowledge that is not proper to your state in life.

Since you are not an ordained priest with permission of your bishop to perform exorcisms, it is not proper to your state in life to seek out paranormal activity (whether for documentation purposes or any other).
 
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The thing that struck me most about ghost shows when I was watching thus series where people shared their stories, was just how often they ended in an exorcism. The first time I was thinking, “Huh.” But later on I realized there was a 40 or 50% chance that the tale was going to end with an exorcism. 'Bit creepy.
 
Now, what I CANNOT decide on is cryptozoology, Bigfoot and stuff like that. There are some indications that they are shapeshifters in many legends, possibly making them spiritual creatures, OR possibly a tertium quid, a race of intelligent shape shifting beings siding either with the angels or the demons. That’s actually a serious theory proposed by the 17th century work “Demoniality.” In the experience of the priest author, there are some spirits that are impervious to exorcism and routinely hide blessed objects.

What would THAT be? Curious.
 
Trying to catch undiscovered animals isn’t an occult practice (whether it’s a wild goose chase is another matter).
 
The bible mentions: necromancy, and mediums are serious sins. Which is trying to contact the dead. It says these are occupt practices and are an abomination to God.

Also: the bible says that satan can pretend to be an angel of light, anything that is encountered could be satan or demons tricking you,

The ouijii board is based on contacting a demon or soul to ask them questions and people who use this occult practice for ‘fun’ end up needing deliverance from an exorcist
 
It’s in Deuteronomy - it is forbidden to attempt to talk with the deceased.
I found this - Elder Cleopa talking about Saul being punished by God for attempting to talk with ghosts:
“Those who concern themselves with this and call upon the spirits of the dead, bring in as support the example of Saul who sought from the sorceress the invocation of the soul of Samuel (1 Sam. 28). Those who have fallen into this delusion of Saul should know from his punishment that they are culpable before God. For, because of this very transgression, Saul lost his kingdom and his life and was punished by God to be killed with his own sword. The punishment of Saul for his unlawful conversing with the dead is related in Holy Scripture thus: So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; and inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse (1 Chr. 10:13-14).
In the Old Testament the Lord commands the following: Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God (Lev. 19:31). And elsewhere: A man or also woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them (Lev. 20:27). The invocation of the spirits of the dead is hateful before God Who has never given it sanction among His people: … there shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD (Deut. 18:9-14). God considers this abomination one of man’s greatest revolts against His Will.”
http://orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/ec_magic_occultism.aspx
Here is another thought in my head - how do you know who answers when they do answer? You kind of have to end up in trusting a voice or presence you can’t see, you know it is not God because you were not invoking God but someone who would just answer, while you are material and frail and capable of being objected by that presence easily.
But my greatest concern would be displeasing God, because it is Him who we must fear not a ghost. You go there thinking you are strong in faith and will be alright. But what if that ghost will scare you and all your fear will be dedicated to it? You will lose your confidence in your faith and bring unhappiness to you out of pure…curiosity (like Eve’s).
 
Yes it is a sin. , look at what happened to that guy in the Bible

It’s also dangerous
 
eryasregor said:
I’ve been invited to go on a ghost hunt. You know, where they walk around an empty building with a microphone and say “give us a sign, give us a sign”. I know that occult practices are a sin, this is more along the lines of documenting objective evidence of paranormal activity.
Do you think it’s a sin?
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Not a sin but pretty stupid. There is nothing to hunt and find!
 
Given we are not to Divine, soothsayer, consult mediums etc, read western or Chinese horoscopes, it’s a sin.

Covered in one of the commandments
 
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