Ghosts, Spirits and posessions...what are they?

[Abira]

I was thinking about others opinions on the existence or non existence of ghosts, spirits etc.

I always believed in the possibility, and that ghosts were not human, only pretending to be human in form…

what is the catholic teaching on this kinda stuff and does this differ from the mainstream opinion?

This seems to be an area of interest in the media and maybe unhealthy interest…with shows ghost hunting etc

Do people believe that they are things to fear or that they are trapped human souls…and does this link in with the belief in pergutory?

I don’t know what to think about this all… I’m not sure of my denomination but have not been taught to believe in purgutory and so i can’t believe that they are trapped human souls…I just wondered what everyone’s thoughts were.

Take care x

 

[I_A]

Like many things there is no “Catholic” teaching on the subject, so you are free to conjecture as long as it does not contridict the faith.

For example purgatory is more a state of being than a place, where/when you are purified of your sins and “let go” of your attachment to sin. I can see how purgatory can fit into accounts I have heard of ghosts.

To clarify purgatory isn’t a trap, its a process.

Apparitions could also be demons sent by Satan.

Apparitions could be people’s imaginations, swamp gas, etc.

Now if you were to say something like ghosts are the love-children of Zeus and the Flying Sphgetti Monster, that would be outside of church teaching.

If you were to say that humans have no souls, that would be outside of church teaching.

I think the media just wants to get people to watch shows. We are expressly forbidden from consulting mediums and the like for a reason. When we invite spiritual beings into our lives what makes people think that they’re just going to get kindly Aunt Sue. If Satan can make that more acceptable to more people he will use every tool at his disposal.

Now if it was a scientific phenomenon going on, which it could very well be that is completly different than trying to contact the dead.

Really we don’t know what these ‘ghosts’ are.

 

[Santos]

There is a book entitled “An Exorcist tells His Story” written by Fr. Gabriele Amorth.

I will quote his writing on the subject, The Power of Satan, “wandering souls” (pg 30):

“Just as it would be wrong to deny the existence of Satan, it is also wrong to accept the prevalent opinion that there are spiritual beings that are not mentioned in the Bible. These are the invention of spiritists, of followeres of the occult, of those who espouse reincarnation, or of those who believe in “wandering souls”. There are no good spirits other than angels; there are no evil spirits other than demons. Two Councils of the Church (Lyons and Florence) tell us that the souls of those who die go immediately to heaven or to hell or to purgatory. The souls of the dead who are present during seances or the souls of the dead who are present in living bodies to torture them are none other than demons. God allows a soul to return to earth only in very rare, exceptional cases, but we recognize that this subject is still full of unknowns.”

Fr. Gabriele Amorth is the Chief Exorcist of Rome. He has performed hundreds of exorcisms over many years. He has written about his experiences in various theological and spiritual journals. I hope this helped…

 

[Abira]

Yeah that’s helped lots. I was thinking how similar this idea is to muslim djin and jewish spirits… I think they must be one and the same but with different names.

 

[Santos]

This seems to be an area of interest in the media and maybe unhealthy interest…with shows ghost hunting etc

The media is big on the issues of spiritual life, it is sad that most people are attracted to this interest not through scripture but through psychics and mediums, like Sylvia Brown.

:nope: Sylvia Brown considers herself Catholic but know that the Catholic Church forbids these practices because they are a rejection of God and a turning towards Satan:

:bible1: “Let there not be found among you anyone who immolates his son or daughter in the fire, nor a fortune-teller, soothsayer, charmer, diviner, or caster of spells, nor one who consults ghosts and spirits or seeks oracles from the dead. Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the Lord” (Dt 18:10-12). “Do not turn to mediums or wizards; do not seek them out to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God” (Lev 19:31). “A man or a woman who is a medium or a wizard shall be put to death; they shall be stoned with stones, their blood shall be upon them” (Lev 20:27).

Fr. Gabriele Amorth in his many years as cheif exorcist of Rome, states through his experience, these spirits, ghosts and wanderig souls reveal themselves as demons. This would make sense to why God opposes such practices as those listed above.

Hmmm… Angels and Demons… It’s a true battle that is before us every day, the cares of this world and our busy lives just make it hard for us to see whats really in front of us.

:bible1: “We are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).

Abira, I know you said that your not sure of your denomination and thats why I want to share with you this cool Catholic Prayer. Write this down, it’s a prayer asking for the protection of God’s Chief Angel, Saint Michael the Archangel.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Power of God cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.


It never hurts to have the Chief Archangel on your side throughout your day

God Bless