The Paranormal and The Church

[childinthefaith]

As others have mentioned curiosity about the occult is unhealthy. If you are interested in learning more about how the Church deals with these issues, I’d suggest you stick with genuinely Catholic sources such as talks or books by Roman Catholic exorcists working under the authority of their bishop. Father Gary Thomas and Father Chad Ripperger are two such exorcists.

Some stuff out there by Fr Amorth, the “chief” or whatever the title is, exorcist in Rome.

Also, I want to shout here that everyone who has stated only a Roman Catholic Priest, Exorcist, authorized by his bishop or a bishop, may perform an exorcism. If one is concerned about such a thing with their home or their person, family, etc., contacting one’s parish priest with the relevant information is the first step. He can elevate it to the diocesan level if need be.
In other words, “Don’t try this at home.”

Also, people need to understand there is quite a difference between demonic possession and Opression. Possession indicates one has allowed (the only way it can happen), and evil spirit to enter them. One cannot be possessed without cooperating with it somehow.
*-
Oppre978-ssion on the other hand, right there is a topic for serious consideration for us all. The evil one and his minions prowl and do as they’re able to tempt, deceive, etc., the Christian Faithful into mortal sin.
At this point, I’ve a book recommendation:

Spiritual Combat by Lorenzo Scupoli
ISBN: 978-1-928832-50-8

Blessings All,

 

[EndTimes]

In sprinkling holy water, I did ask the Lord to help me. Each night when I have my talk with Him before sleeping, I ask Him to not ever leave me all alone. He puts my mind to rest because normally I would be very much afraid if something weird happened. I just don’t like it. I never did and never will.

No follower of JESUS likes “weirdness” …

Always remember to call Him … “JESUS”

 

[ListensToTheDead]

I always find it amusing how people claim to believe in the Holy Spirit but you mention a ghost and then they recoil as if one is speaking of something beyond comprehension.

Ghosts are mentioned in the Bible and while I don’t believe there is some electronic device that can prove or disprove the existence of ghosts I hope you all see a ghost before your time is up.

 

[Poet]

Why would any imprint of trauma be left, the person is gone, the soul is gone to its judgement.

To me, this speaks directly to the original question. The EVPs are being used in an attempt to investigate hauntings. There are probably millions of stories of ghostly encounters with entities that seem to be the spirits of those who once lived (and usually suffered) in that spot.

The questions would be–

What are these entities? Are they souls caught here or do you believe they’re all demons trying to trap us?
Is it wrong/ is it dabbling with the occult to use EVPs to investigate what appear to be souls trapped here?

 

[OurLadyofSorrows]

Is it wrong/ is it dabbling with the occult to use EVPs to investigate what appear to be souls trapped here?

Yes it is very wrong. It is being rebellious to God, and disobedient to the Holy See.

God says in Sacred Scripture very clearly not to dabble

 

[Poet]

Yes it is very wrong. It is being rebellious to God, and disobedient to the Holy See.

God says in Sacred Scripture very clearly not to dabble

I’m aware of this and I fully agree. But that misses the question: IS IT dabbling with the occult to investigate what these entities actually are? IF they are souls caught here, as they appear to be, then is it dabbling with the occult?

IF they are souls caught here, as they appear to be, how is it different to try to find out what they are, from a saint asking questions of a soul that appears asking for prayer, to find out what it really is that the saint is experiencing?

 

[OurLadyofSorrows]

IS IT dabbling with the occult to investigate what these entities actually are? IF they are souls caught here, as they appear to be, then is it dabbling with the occult?

IF they are souls caught here, as they appear to be, how is it different to try to find out what they are, from a saint asking questions of a soul that appears asking for prayer, to find out what it really is that the saint is experiencing?

Yes it is, The Church teaches that at death we go to our first judgement, no souls then are trapped. God does not trap souls He created.

You know the diabolic played with saints and pretended to be saints and Angels. Some even attacked saints. We are not these great Saints, We are pilgrims on a journey home to Gos with various measures of holiness each.

A Saint would never be rebellious to God and disobedient to the Holy See.

 

[Poet]

Yes it is, The Church teaches that at death we go to our first judgement, no souls then are trapped. God does not trap souls He created.

The question remains: what ARE these entities that appear to be the souls of those who once lived there?

Do you believe they are demons impersonating souls? Do you believe there is any chance they are anything other than demons?

 

[OurLadyofSorrows]

The question remains: what ARE these entities that appear to be the souls of those who once lived there?

Do not dialogue with the devil.

 

[Poet]

Do not dialogue with the devil.

But this is exactly the sort of answer that frustrates people. You are assuming they ARE the devil. I repeat assuming.

Souls have appeared to saints throughout history so I personally don’t see why they can’t appear to others, as well. If these are souls, then it is not having dialogue with the devil to try to find out what they are.

I personally think the OP has a good question and I would like to hear a theologian’s answer to it, or an answer from someone such as Father Ripperger.

 

[Sarcelle]

If I were to walk into a house & notice some weird stuff going on,

I would notify an electrician or a plumber to be honest.

I have a relative (not Catholic) who is a paranormal investigator and he said in the vast majority of cases he’s investigated, a plumber was able to fix the problem.

 

[Sarcelle]

Souls have appeared to saints throughout history so I personally don’t see why they can’t appear to others, as well. If these are souls, then it is not having dialogue with the devil to try to find out what they are.

To be safe offer to pray for them if they do appear to you.

If they are indeed souls in purgatory I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.

 

[SouthCoast]

Old post, sorry for the reply to an old post, but ListensToTheDead has a great point, and one that I’ve brought up a few times. How is that Holy Scripture refers to even Jesus himself interacting with “ghosts,” and we believe wholeheartedly in the Holy Spirit and angels, but find it such a stretch to think that there may be ways in which non-demonic souls are contacting us from a place way beyond our understanding. If the Church teaches specifically against that curiosity, please post proof.

 

[SouthCoast]

One recurring “theme” in these shows is that high EMF is often associated with people ‘experiencing’ things or feeling things. I think the assumption is that the EMF somehow causes or creates the feeling, but what if it is simply opening a channel a little more clearly? I know many many people who were ‘visited’ by their deceased relatives, usually in “a dream” on the night of the relative passing away, but always in a way that seems very real. I don’t believe those were coincidences, random dreams, nor demons.

Bottom line: if you purport to understand how everything works (whether you’re part of the Magisterium or not), then you are wrong. Not only are you wrong, but you are arrogant and need to go confess that arrogance shrug … When I converted to Catholicism, one of the biggest things I had to do was to admit my own arrogance and confess it. One of the toughest things is to admit that we don’t know it all. Humility is a key teaching of the Church, as is mystery – the unknown. Even the unknown based on the known… such as God’s infinite mercy. If we purport to be able to definitively state things as believers, then we are committing the same mistakes as say Baptists, for whom everything is “black and white” and there are no shades of gray. There are, in fact, lots of shades and lots of areas where we as humans (yes, even the clergy and even those who wrote Scripture) do not fully understand. The moment we can have that kind of humility is the moment when we can actually begin to hear what God is telling us… through whatever means he chooses.

 

[EndTimes]

I always find it amusing how people claim to believe in the Holy Spirit but you mention a ghost and then they recoil as if one is speaking of something beyond comprehension.

Ghost is an older term for Spirit… That’s all

Today “ghost” comes across very phony HollyWood-ish

 

[Joanoflark]

An authority figure like St. Thomas? That is great to know. As long as you have support from a Saint, there is nothing more to be bothered about. You have your answer.

 

[EndTimes]

The ‘best’ authority Person is Jesus Himself… A perfect Person to familiarize oneself with…

He can be found in His Gospel. .

He that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, says the Lord.

These are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far we must imitate His life and character, if we seek true illumination, and deliverance from all blindness of heart. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of Jesus Christ.

His teachings surpass all teaching of holy men, and such as have His Spirit find therein the hidden manna.

But there are many who, though they frequently hear the Gospel, yet feel but little longing after it, because they have not the mind of Christ. He, therefore, that will fully and with true wisdom understand the words of Christ, let him strive to conform his whole life to that mind of Christ.

What does it profit anyone to enter into deep discussion concerning the Holy Trinity, if one lacks humility, and be thus displeasing to the Trinity? For it is not deep words that make a man holy and upright; it is a good life which makes a person dear to God.

I had rather feel contrition than be skilful in the definition thereof. If thou knewest the whole Bible, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what should all this profit anyone without the love and grace of God? Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, save to love God, and Him only to serve.

That is the highest wisdom, to cast the world behind us, and to reach forward to the heavenly kingdom.