Have you seen a ghost?

Briana, I see on TV that they have a class-action suit started against Zyprexa manufacturers...lol

Yes I have experienced seeing one ghost and a second one from just physical contact (felt like someone solid there poking me and slapping me but could see nothing). I don't feel that I am particularly sensitive though. The thing about just SEEING a real ghost though is, you often do not realize it is not a solid person standing there, at that moment.

Can I just say how annoying the whole PC thing is in relation to relgious and paranormal beliefs? Why are they somehow untouchable ideas? If we're talking about science and disagree about a theory is one person going to play the "you're being intolerant" card? No. Putting notions of gods and ghosts on some kind of pedestal and claiming that it's somehow rude or impolite to be skeptical of them is silly, and that IS a form of cultural tyrrany. ALL human ideas should be open to debate, critical analysis, and skepticism. Nothing should be sacred (because nothing is).

I agree with you, there should be no sacred cows.

I think what she was refering to was statements that were made to insinuate opinions contrary to the poster proves one is ignorant. Here is an example in this very thread...

"It's a shame we can't ask multiple questions to do correlations in these polls. I saw the results of a Skeptic magazine poll years back that showed that the belief in aliens, ghosts, witches, and gods (of all flavors) were strongly correlated. I've always wanted to supplement that study with questions on geography, education, and ability to think analytically."

And, "Fascinating. What do you think about the invisible dragon that's reported to be in my garage?"

These statements are not opinions, but rather an attempt to suggest those who disagree with the poster are either stupid or without the ability to reason.

But, because I love Ulrika, I support everything she says, even if they are slightly ungracious.

It seems like a reasonable question to me. All She's saying is that it would be interesting to see more demographic data on this issue. She isn't saying anything about what that data may or may not show (aside from the correlation noted by Skeptic magazine).



This comment relates to an excellent essay written by Carl Sagan called "The Dragon In My Garage," that relates directly to the topic at hand. It's a great little piece of writing that's well worth reading. You can find it here.

Chip,

I know you are not naive. I will assume this post is a witticism rather than actual feedback.

You assume incorrectly. It is indeed actual feedback.

Being skeptical is fine. It does not require calling someone else's rationality, educational level, or intelligence into question. Just stick with the lack of credible physical evidence.

Personally I've never had what I could reliably attribute as an encounter with a ghost or disembodied spirit. This despite my "cultural" background. Speaking of that, I once had someone drag me along on a ghostbusting adventure because of my religion. They assumed I would have some sort of special sensitivity. I laughed at this, but it sounded like fun anyway. We visited this old abandoned girls' school that's had rumors of supernatural activity and cultish rituals happening on it for years.

Walking around the property, this guy kept pointing out spots where he or friends had performed cleansing rituals, and asking me what I felt. I just shrugged. The place was really spooky though. Little creaks and skitterings could be heard here and there. As we came around one particularly dark corner, there was a pair of eyes glowing, staring back at us. We stopped in our tracks.

Then the raccoon took off waddling into the nearest bushes.

I remain inclined to be skeptical of anything I haven't witnessed myself.

If you saw the ghost with your physical eyes, then what you were seeing is/was physical, though of a much more subtle configuration of matter.

My exact answer isn't available either : No, haven't seen them but have felt their presence.

On several occasions I have felt a strong presence, which gave me an uncomfortable feeling until I adressed it directly, said I had done nothing wrong to them and that I was scared and that I didn't want to be scared.. Next the presence would leave.

It has happened quite frequently that I would know who was calling me up before the phone would actually ring.. OK that doesn't count as seeing a ghost but imho it is related

Background info : that all happened in the first 25 years of my life, when I was mentally less stable than I am now On some occasions there would be other persons with me who experienced the same. BUT I have no evidence whatsoever...
Another thing is that my mother was told by a well known Dutch paranormal researcher that she shouldn't visit Indonesia ( where my father was born ) because it would destabilize her too much. She had gone to him because she would know things beforehand, like when my brother had fallen into the water on his way home, she was ready at the front door with a towel... And she wanted to know what was going on. She once joked my father combined 2 countries well-known for "paranormal" experiences : Scotland and Indonesia !

Anyway, I definately believe there is more out there It just depends on how strong your antenna is !

I agree with Ananda, similarly I take what others claim with a grain of salt myself, conversely I expect the same of my claims, it's just fair and reasonable to. This kind of supernatural experience is purely a personal thing because often too nebulous for others to perceive at the same time.

I became acquainted with this in another thread a few days back (perhaps by you).

~Ulrika~

Excellent!
Given that you have a technical background, did you happen to document this phenomenon using recording devices such as a digital camera or camcorder? Given that you have a technical background, did you realize that proof of this is event would be significant and take the time to call others to investigate?

Are you a liar?

~Ulrika~

Nver seen a ghost but have experienced paranormal activities. It is attached to my mother for some reason and loves to play games on her. So I got to experience a lot of events and now that she is living with us, I get to experience them again.

Growing up we lived right next to a cemetery. Our property was separated only by a run down stone wall so I spent a lot of my growing up life in that cemetary and experienced a lot of events. One thing I learned was be very careful and specific about what you ask of the spirits! Being general gives them loads of wiggle room to mess with you if they want.

Yes, that was my sloppy use of terms. When I said "seen" what I should have said was experienced. And when I said "ghost" I should have said "the spirits (souls etc) of the dead".

When I was little, I used to visit my grandparents' land and I'd see stuff that I'd definitely chalk up to paranormal activity. I'd always see shadows out of the corner of my eye, but when I turn around, they're gone. Though when I was like eight years old, I caught myself staring at one face to face. Blinked, and it was gone.

Later on, when I was in junior high, I was visiting my grandparents' place for spring break. I was sitting there in their empty double-wide trailor (they were off to work) playing my Sega when I heard footsteps (in that trailor, you can hear footsteps from all the way across it). I just thought my grandma came home early. Well, the footsteps came closer to the TV room and then all the sudden the electricity went out and things got really cold. In the reflection on the TV screen, I saw one of the human shaped shadows standing in the doorway. Turned around and it was gone.

Hmm, that little kid in "The Sixth Sense" isn't the only one who see's dead people.

I see dumb people.

~Ulrika~

Maybe you just lack a sixth sense

I saw a ghost. The most convincing, three-dimensional male person you could imagine, standing looking at me from the porch of my own house. It was dusk and I was out front on the sidewalk, calling my child home. The figure was beyond any doubt dressed in antique clothing.

I had the cold feeling and the tingle down my spine. I feel it faintly now, just at the memory. But I advanced instead of retreating. It was between me and two of my kids.

As I did so, the figure melted, and resolved itself into some jumbled coat, hat, scarf stuff hanging on the pegs (it was late autumn). I think his face was a twisted glove stuck over a peg, etc etc.

I retreated, and he sprang back to life before my eyes, as convincing as before. The illusion was so astonishing I called the neighbours, five or six of us (and our kids) were trotting forwards and back for the next ten minutes. Everybody saw him the same. Those who were not fully warned experienced all the spooky chill and psychic tingle stuff - until they were shown.

It cured every one of us (including the kids) of belief in ghosts forever.

If I had run, or been unable to get closer, I would have sworn to its genuineness for the rest of my life.

The illusion was complete much closer in than I would have dreamed possible. Maybe a bit over forty feet ? We moved the coats (not very much) and it was gone, though we could still see bits when we stood back, because we knew what to look for.