You look like you've seen a ghost! (ritual, moral, minority)

[s2a]

I confess that I thought this topic would engender more replies than it has; perhaps this is a "been there, done that" subject.

While there have only been (so far) seven unique responses (most with details! ;-)), I find it interesting just the same, that there have yet to be any "NO" responses. Maybe people that don't believe in ghosts..just aren't that interested in discussing why they don't [believe in ghosts].

I also note that no one has offered an opinion/speculation/claim as to what they think ghosts may (or may not) "be", as some sort of lent "explanation" (either natural or supernatural); or if ghosts perhaps suit some specified or unknown reason or purpose in a (as perceived by some) veritable existence.

Maybe I should have asked? ;-)

Buttercup said:

"This subject holds great fascination for me. And I have my theories about 'what' ghosts are though I have never seen one myself."

When time and sufficient motivation permit, please share. Thanks. ;-)

[literal visionary]

with so many people talking about experiences, its kind of hard to say that theres no spiritual realm, could half the freakin world couldn't be crazy, or hallucintaing, its funny that so many people have had such experiences in our society but people that profess such beliefs are deemed crazy

[literal visionary]

Its also funny thatwhile theres no proof whatsoever that existence ends at any time, while there is proof however insubstatial that existance doesn't end. yet people are eager to think that existence does end

[ChrisP]

Originally Posted by s2a

[Note: This topic is not intended as some "trick question(s)", in which some prospectively definitive "right" or "wrong" answer(s) waits lurking in the shadows.]

amazing...

Do you believe that ghosts are both visible and veritably existent entities? Yup, seen em felt em (both physically and through energies)

If YES...then:
1) Have you actually seen (or think you saw) a ghost?

Think I saw, because how can you be 100% certain without it stopping and saying,

"Hi I'm a ghost. No really! Just try and shake my hand"

So yeah, barring complete craziness, I'm fairly certain it was a ghost.

- Did you see it alone, or were other witnesses present at the time? Once with 2 other people there, but 3 other times on my own.

- If so, what did it look like? ... ummm... like a visual phenomena....

- Did it (seem to) look at you? No but it's attention was directed at us.

- Was it someone or something you have seen as being alive, or otherwise tangibly and physically existent at some earlier time in your past? No

- Did it appear as person, or something else (amorphous "entity", animal, "demon", etc.? Amorphous "entity"

- Did the ghost audibly speak (to you); make sounds/noises (in your immediate presence), or cause inanimate objects to move? None of that, but physical sensations Yes. Usually taking the form of pricking like a needle andpins and needles sensations running up and down the body. They always seem to create a feeling of coldness inside too.

- Did you tell anyone else of your sighting/experience? Why or why not? I've talked to a couple of Pagan friends about it, basically because NZ is a very secular country where noone is inclined to believe such things.



As for what are ghosts? Ummmm They seem fairly benign, like they're just watching out of interest, and sometimes they try make contact and that's when the prickling sensations start... kinda like the feeling just before you get an electrical shock... for those of ya fortunate enough to have been shocked

[Maxist]

I beleive that "ghosts" are just another kingdom of life. I have seen one. There was one other wittness. It appeared to be humanoid, although it was from very far away, so I could not really get a good look at it. It was pulsing red and constaintly moving. It did not look at me ---as far as I know, it again, was from far away, and I do not know from where it looks from.

[Scuba Pete]

Rather than repost, I will point you to an ancient thread: Spirit world?

[s2a]

Originally Posted by NetDoc

Rather than repost, I will point you to an ancient thread: Spirit world?

Cool. Thanks to you for that.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by s2a

I confess that I thought this topic would engender more replies than it has; perhaps this is a "been there, done that" subject.

It certainly isn't because you didn't provide an interesting topic along with pertainent questions to accompany the subject. It probably didn't get more turnout because another member started a thread on haunted houses just a couple of weeks ago...and the ghost stories followed. Plus, I don't think this General Discussion section gets quite as much traffic as the debate threads.

Originally Posted by Calvin

I also note that no one has offered an opinion/speculation/claim as to what they think ghosts may (or may not) "be", as some sort of lent "explanation" (either natural or supernatural); or if ghosts perhaps suit some specified or unknown reason or purpose in a (as perceived by some) veritable existence.

My personal take on ghosts is that they are...supernatural spirits of people who have died.

You probably read the story of the ghost my sister saw. Her story and others lead me to conclude that there have been too many accounts of supernatural sightings of formerly living humans to discount and toss away the notion of 'ghosts' . Everyone couldn't be making this stuff up, or just 'seeing things'.

My guess (and guess only mind you),...is that these spirits are trapped somehow. They seemed trapped in a dimension they are unable at this time to get out of. I have heard that most ghostly sightings seem to pair up with a death that is either violent or tragic in some way. I don't know what else to think however....just that most ghostly apparitions are not happy. Something bad happened to them in life and they are trapped in death.

So there's my 2c. How about you? What do you think abou the subject?

[onmybelief]

*No joke*

Me and my father were cleaning out the basement last summer I put a chair solidly on a chest so I could sweep there. Dad was about 15 feet away from the chair and I was sweeping with my back to it. First I felt a draft. Now, my house is drafty but I had never felt anything like that before. I ignored it and couple seconds later I could swear a hand touched my shoulder (my father was about 20 feet away remember). I gasped out loud. He came over asked what was wrong and I told him. At that moment we both heard what sounded like human laughter and the chair fell backwards to the floor with a loud crash. Needless to say we got out of there like a bat out of hell!

[s2a]

Hello Buttercup,

(Why does that phrase sound like an cheap pick-up line in a disreputable saloon? ;-))

After I opined:
I confess that I thought this topic would engender more replies than it has; perhaps this is a "been there, done that" subject.

You said:

It certainly isn't because you didn't provide an interesting topic along with pertainent questions to accompany the subject. It probably didn't get more turnout because another member started a thread on haunted houses just a couple of weeks ago...and the ghost stories followed. Plus, I don't think this General Discussion section gets quite as much traffic as the debate threads.

I always hit the party late. Mea culpa.

I don't visit General Discussion topics much myself, but I wasn't particularly motivated to debate (or attempt to debunk) claims of ghost belief or ghost sightings.

I place ghost sightings/beliefs within the same genre as UFOs. Some f