Do you believe in ghosts?? Boo! (POLL)

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DO you believe in ghosts??

  • Yes

    Votes: 7 25.9%
  • No

    Votes: 13 48.1%
  • I'm on the fence (not sure)

    Votes: 2 7.4%
  • Other (explain in post)

    Votes: 6 22.2%
  • Stop being a scaredy cat, zero!!

    Votes: 2 7.4%

  • Total voters
    27
Aug 2, 2009
24,574
4,262
113
#1
Do you believe in ghosts?? :rolleyes: (multiple choise allowed)

 
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mcubed

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2013
1,449
218
63
#2
No. I do not believe in ghost. Not biblical. What I do believe is people see demonic spirits, even if they are taking on the form as a person. I think the gigantic field stuff is just stupid.
 

WineRose

Senior Member
Jan 3, 2017
3,631
265
83
Row A, Column 9
#3
Nahhh. Nah, mate. They ain't real. Come on...

*Walks away, through a wall*

Heh heh heh...
 
S

Stranger36147

Guest
#4
I only believe in the Holy Ghost! Haha........ha.

And the award for the lamest joke of the millennium goes to...ME!
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,799
8,103
113
#5
Well the witch did call up the spirit of Samuel for king Saul... Samuel was ticked about being disturbed though.

Let's see, angels and demons I know exist. Magic is real, though not at all like they show in the movies. Voodoo is real and witch doctors do have a measure of power, though christians do not need to fear it because greater is He that is in us.

Ghosts? I dunno, if I were dead I don't think I would want to hang around and haunt a building. Que bono?
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,581
113
#6
Some things in the Bible that I find to be fascinating about "ghosts":

1. As Lynx said, the witch of Endor brought up something--I don't know if it would be considered a ghost by today's standards, but whatever she brought back, it looked and talked like Samuel. I have heard debates on whether or not it really was Samuel, however, especially since it told Saul, "Tomorrow, you and your sons will be with me." (1 Sam. 28:19)

The church I grew up in believed Saul went to hell because he fell away from God and committed suicide, so obviously, Saul couldn't "be with Samuel" in heaven, so they assumed it was an evil spirit that represented Samuel. (I'm not saying that this is right, I'm only giving one interpretation.

2. The Bible says that the archangel Michael and the devil fought over Moses' body, because Satan wanted to use it to deceive people on earth (Jude 9.)

I have always wondered about this. What on earth could the devil have done with Moses' body to lead people astray, since it would only be subject to constant decay? Would he have sent an evil spirit that would have tried to use the body in order to somehow imitate Moses? I don't know.

3. I have always found it interesting that when Jesus rose from the dead and went to see His disciples, the Bible says that they thought He was a ghost.

But Jesus Himself told them to come closer and examine Him, saying, "A ghost does not have flesh and bones as I have." (Luke 24:39)

Now maybe I'm reading too much into this, but Jesus is the Lord of Lords and the Maker of ALL Things. Notice that He did NOT say, "Ghosts don't exist (you silly, superstitious disciples, you)." Nope. Rather, He said, "Ghosts DO NOT HAVE..." Personally, I would think that if ghosts did NOT exist, Jesus just would have flat-out told them. But that's not what He did.

I have always taken this as a hint that yes, ghosts, or at least some kind of otherworldly spiritual forces DO exist, and while I haven't seen them myself, I have talked to several people who have claimed to see them (including a high school friend who, yes, was a Christian, but was approached by something claiming to be his sister when he was paying his respects at her grave.) His sister, by the way, had been a stillborn--but the apparition talking to him was in the form of a full-grown adult--and yes, I got chills over every bone in my body when he told me about that, not just my spine.

No matter what a person believes, I do know one thing: throughout the Bible, God severely condemns seeking after or tampering with ANYTHING having to do with spirits, so whether we believe in these things or not, we are NOT supposed to have anything to do with them.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,799
8,103
113
#7
Well keep in mind Samuel wasn't necessarily in heaven. Saul and his son would be joining Samuel in death, or in the grave.

All I know is, if I ever do see a ghost I'm calling Batman. He even scares ghosts.

[video=youtube;ViZ5V15Q--I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViZ5V15Q--I[/video]
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,581
113
#9
Well keep in mind Samuel wasn't necessarily in heaven. Saul and his son would be joining Samuel in death, or in the grave.
Good point--I forget that I was raised in churches that believed you go to heaven or hell as soon as you die, and I forget sometimes that some Christians have other beliefs about (I say that not a criticism at all, but just a statement of fact.)

So I just glanced at the poll and see that so far, I'm the only one who voted for "yes, I do believe in ghosts." Wow, that doesn't make me sound crazy at all!! :p

I think it's also important to clarify how we define ghosts, which will probably vary from person to person. Do I believe that each of us has a ghastly form that will stay on after we pass and haunt the earth? Absolutely not. I believe I am a spirit living in a body, and after my death, I will go to be with God, who will one day reunite my spirit and body together into one, living being.

Do I believe that there are evil forces out there that can mimic human beings, whether living or dead? I don't think we have enough evidence to say "yes", but I also don't think we have enough evidence to completely rule it out, either. If the devil himself wanted to use Moses' body to lead people astray, I don't think it's a far stretch to think that evil spirits can pretend to be something--or someone--that they are not ("For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light..." 2 Corin. 11:14.)

As I said, I personally believe that if ghosts truly did not exist, Jesus just would have said so to the disciples (please see earlier post for reference), but that His definition of ghosts was probably not the one that is used in popular culture.

I simply see ghosts as a manifestation of an evil spirit, and not the actual spirit of a human being.

For example... If someone ever comes to CC claiming to be "Seoulsearch", but also claims to like meatloaf, rosemary, and tongue--you'll know right away that it's an evil spirit. :)
 
T

toinena

Guest
#10
If ghost is a dead person walking around doing silly things, I don't believe it for a second. If a person can have spirits, yes. That is Biblical. If a person that had evil spirits dies, and some of them are coming around that is still no ghost, but spirits. Anyway. We have been given authority over spirits in the name of Jesus, and we should rebuke them.

I once encountered a spirit of a dead (famous) person. I didn't even know he was dead, as he just ten minutes earlier had passed away and I saw it on the news afterwards. I didn't get scared, and I wasn't asleep. It was very much real. He blessed me. Was it evil? It didn't feel so. And it wasn't a ghost. So what was it?
 
M

MollyConnor

Guest
#11
I do believe ghosts exist. But they are demons from the enemy. They may talk and take the form of deceased, but they're not them. They are spiritual enemies. It's best to avoid them. I've seen a couple of them. They walk around like normal people...but I know what they are. They look different because you can tell their body isn't real. It's translucent and when I try to look closer at them, they leave. This has only happened twice though. It's been years, thank God!
 
Aug 2, 2009
24,574
4,262
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#13
Hey guys, I kid you not, the temperature in my room just dropped about 5 degrees. I thought i should close my window, but its already closed and I checked the outside temp on the internet and it hasn't changed...






well i guess it could just be the wine wearing off.... (but I only took a few sips)
 
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Mar 11, 2016
3,055
241
63
Singapore
abigail.pro
#15
Ghosts as in dead people's wandering souls? No.
Ghost as in the Holy Ghost. Yes.
Ghost as in fallen angels / evil spirits / demons. Yes.
 

Innerfire89

Senior Member
Aug 23, 2017
586
20
0
#16
I've seen some crazy stuff and I beloved in ghost for a long time, but I think all that ghost are is a demonic distraction and maybe even a hallucination caused by demonic influence on someone.

There's many things that can make creepy sounds and play tricks on the eyes. Fear or lack of sleep can cause hallucinations.
 

OneFaith

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2016
2,270
369
83
#17
Do you believe in ghosts?? :rolleyes: (multiple choise allowed)


Are there ghosts?

In describing someone dying, the Bible says "They gave up the ghost." This means their spiritual soul left their physical body. So technically anyone without a physical body is a ghost/spirit/soul. So in that way, of course ghosts exist. Maybe you meant to be more specific- like "Do ghosts roam the earth."

There have been only three (who appeared, not roamed)- all of whom were godly, not scary- Samuel, Moses, & Elijah, unless you consider Christ a ghost- that would mean seeing Him without His physical body- like on the mount of transfiguration.

When people think of ghosts, they tend to think of souls who were evil when alive, and now roam through the earth causing havoc and fear. This is simply not so. God is in control of all things- therefore ghosts would need to be allowed to roam the earth after death.

The devil was cast down to the earth (physicality) as punishment. He and demons must be in something physical at all times (possibly even a germ). So even they cannot roam the earth freely as a floating spirit. Likewise, such as in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man could not escape his torment to come back to the earth, or go anywhere else. He even requested to Abraham for someone from the dead to go back to the earth to warn his brothers of the place of torment, he was denied. So if someone today is convinced of a ghost, it is either mental illness, or giving in to a tempting thought- which happens by suppressing truth.

Are there still demon possesed?

My answer is in the "Are there mummies" paragraph...

Are there mummies?

When Christ raised Lazarus from the dead, He said to unwrap him / take off his grave clothes. So technically I guess you could say he was a mummy. Not only he, but Christ raised many from the dead- who could have been dressed like mummies we see in movies today. After Christ and the apostles were gone, and God's Word was complete, miracles ceased (we still have the power of prayer). So no longer do the dead get raised (until Christ returns), no longer are there people who are demon possessed (there is no longer a prophet, Christ, or one of the 12 apostles to cast them out, although through germs, temptation, and mental illness a person can act like they are, but since the demon would not have the 'steering wheel' so-to-speak, they wouldn't be able to do supernatural things such as climbing walls- the person still has complete control over their own body- so it is the same as anyone who listens to a demon (temptation).

Are there zombies?

The Bible speaks of a place between two hills, possibly a graveyard, where dead, decaying bodies were possessed by demons, and people were afraid to pass through there. So technically you could say they were zombies. But again, like I said in the mummy paragraph, that doesn't happen anymore, nor will it again before Christ's return.

What is there to fear?

What we need to watch out for is demons tempting us to do evil. You know that thought that pops into your head, that your first reaction is identifying that it's evil or wrong? That's not you. I don't know how demons can put thoughts in our heads, but God allows it, to test us for heaven. It is not wrong to be tempted, Jesus was tempted. What matters is your immediate reaction to it. Either you quickly flick it away and think of something else, or you consider it. In considering it you either use scripture against it, and thus condemn the thought, or you ignore right and wrong (quit thinking with your mind) and start thinking with your feelings / senses. And when you taste of pleasure you may give in to the temptation (sin)- which gives birth to spiritual death. "Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body, but be very afraid of God who can kill both body and soul."
 
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Apr 15, 2017
2,867
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#18
People are made of body,soul,and spirit,which the flesh is our choice,the spirit is our connection to God while on earth,and the soul makes the decision between the two.

The only thing that will remain of the saints is the soul,and they will have a glorified body.

Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

All spirits go back to God regardless of how the person acted on earth,so the spirit is not part of the make up of people in the afterlife,but it is our connection to God while on earth.

There are no spirits that are roaming around.

Ecc 3:21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

And there is no animal spirits that are roaming around.

Psa 63:9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

The souls are not roaming around,for the people that died in the Lord their souls are with Jesus,and the lost their souls are in the lower parts of the earth.

We would not encounter any ghosts of people,which the disciples seen the transfiguration,but the disciples witnessed things we would not witness,for their belief is not based on faith,for they witnessed the death,burial,and resurrection of Jesus,so they know it is a fact,which assured they would witness,and preach the Gospel nothing wavering,but everybody after that it is based on faith,which is why Jesus said to Thomas,you believed because you seen with your eyes,but blessed is he that has not seen but still believes,with the exception of Paul,for he too needed to know for a fact that the New Testament was true,so he could go boldly to the Gentiles preaching the Gospel nothing wavering.
 
C

cwtch

Guest
#19
Never really thought on it much. Everybody makes good points. Interesting thread :)
 

Solemateleft

Honor, Courage, Commitment
Jun 25, 2017
12,004
3,588
113
#20
As a man of Science (channeling Spock-Logic) I'm of the mind to be open minded to the plausibilities and intrigue to weigh and balance the evidence before jumping to any conclusions - ie are there any logical explanations... My preliminary Google research suggests that there may be some 'there' - 'there' that warrants some explanation of all the claims of unusual incidents, activity etc ...

What does Google Say:

A surprising number of people believe in ghosts. A 2014 UK survey found that 52 percent of participants believed in the supernatural. A 2015 survey by Chapman University found that more than 40 percent of Americansbelieve places can be haunted by spirits. However, there may be a more scientific basis to things that go bump in the night than a restless afterlife.

Here are six logical explanations for ghostly experiences:
6 Scientific Explanations for Ghosts | Mental Floss
1. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
2. INFRASOUND

3. MOLD

4. CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

5. SOMEONE ELSE SAID IT WAS REAL.

6. WE WANT TO BELIEVE.


TOP 5 HAUNTINGLY TRUE FACTS ABOUT GHOSTS

https://www.gatewaymacon.org/top-5-lists/top-5-ghostfacts.cms
1. Spirits have the ability to effect you mentally, physically, and emotionally
2. A ghost does have the ability to manipulate objects
3. A ghost is a ghost and DEMONS are rare
4. Spirits tend to be more concentrated in places that have experienced a lot of death or birth
5. There is no proven reason why ghosts are here or reach out

Ghost Tours are up and are very interesting…

Interestingly/coincidentally: Civil War battlefields are rich with Ghost Tours - are these possibly lost souls?

Ghost Tours | Fredericksburg Virginia

Gettysburg Ghost Tours - Candlelit Walking Ghost Tours in Gettysburg, PA

https://www.visitloudoun.org/listing/leesburg-ghost-tours/483/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Hunters_International