Paranormal vs. The Christian Opinion: Back to Back Views
February 25, 2010
Recently, I changed my e-mail and instant messaging handle to “paranormichelle,” a name I thought was witty and fun. I sent an e-mail out to all my contacts, regarding the change, to let everyone know how to reach me.
This morning, I had a reply in my inbox, from my father-in-law, who is a Baptist missionary, regarding my name change. He has, once before, cautioned me to “be careful” with my interest in the paranormal, not to go looking for activity, etc. In today’s e-mail, he expressed to me that he was genuinely worried about my interest in the paranormal, because he was afraid I was going to get hurt or something. He is also the same person who has said that most paranormal activity is demonic.
I have to roll my eyes at this, because I know better.
How can even Christians make a claim that most paranormal activity is demonic? Christians equate demons and the demonic with evilness and harm. However, I have seen many cases on television and film, and have read and heard about many cases in which the entity or entities haunting someone did not hurt them, but instead, were there to watch over a person, or simply because they were attached or have not moved on.
I will not deny there are demonic entities, as I have also seen, read, and heard about these cases, as well. However, I have heard less about these cases than I have about the cases involving benign entities.
I mean no disrespect to my father-in-law, but it’s laughable to be wary of a interest or hobby just because a group of people (Christians) believe that paranormal activity is almost always demonic.
I have never had an experience myself, nor have I been on an investigation. However, if I were to go on one, I know better to mess around with stuff that can bring on demonic entities. Also, I would be sure to go with an experienced investigator and know how to protect myself–against entities of any kind.
For those reading who are unsure of what to think about the paranormal–know that an interest in the paranormal is not wrong and will bring no harm if you are smart about the situations in which you place yourself. If you are unsure of what can bring on hauntings, read this to inform yourself.
Happy hauntings!
TaraAthenry
mkmiller
Jen Whitten
February 25, 2010 at 5:35 PM
I think it’s worth saying that not all Christians have this perspective on the paranormal. However, most people do associate the paranormal with the occult. I’ve often wondered if it’s right to group them in the same category. I also feel like it’s important to have a balance of evidence and feeling-based (psychic) detection regarding the paranormal, but a lot of people on all sides of the issue don’t seem to feel the same way.
February 25, 2010 at 5:39 PM
Yes, you would be correct. Actually, I have a friend who is a devout Christian, and is a missionary to South Africa, who believes in the paranormal and does not think that it is all demonic or dangerous.
I have no idea how it is in other parts of the world, but in the South, most all Christians feel that the subject of the paranormal is nothing but evil, demonic, and delving into witchcraft.
February 25, 2010 at 10:42 PM
He has a point to a degree. No not all paranormal activity is demonic, in fact most of it isn’t (although I wouldn’t take tv or movies as good sources of information they have an infuriating tendancy to make things up or distort events for example the Snedeker case that the movie “The Haunting in Conneticut” was based on was a severe case of demonic infestation, oppression and possession not ghosts and necromancy had nothing to do with it this is common a lot of truly demonic cases get a white wash by the media because demons aren’t “politically correct”). That said the paranormal isn’t something people should do idly get involved with. It can be extremely dangerous physically, mentally and spiritually if you don’t know how to protect yourself.
February 25, 2010 at 10:49 PM
But that’s just it– I know the dangers. I wouldn’t dabble in stuff that would bring on negative entities. I wouldn’t even go on an investigation unless there was an experienced investigator with me, and unless I knew how to protect myself.
Most of the Christians I know in Central Virginia, my father-in-law included, want to put themselves and loved ones inside a bubble away from something that may have negative consequences.
He needs to realize– going to a public place is just as dangerous. You could get shot. Driving or flying is dangerous. You could get into a wreck and die.
If those sound like pretty ridiculous conclusions, then good. That’s how I feel about someone worrying about my interest in the paranormal.
It’s actually kind of insulting to be worried about in this case, because it makes me feel like he thinks I have no common sense when it comes to the matter.
The truth is, though he is older, I know more about the subject–from both a Christian and non-Christian perspective.
I don’t need to be looked after.
February 28, 2010 at 10:10 PM
I guess I can see your father-in-law’s point about not running off into things blindly and to know what you’re getting into, but what strikes me is how unnecessary the warnings would be if he really knew you.
I don’t know. I guess it would be one thing if you’d send out a message to all your contacts inviting them to join your next seance…but changing your email/IM handle…yeah, don’t get the need for a warning at all from that. I use “dark passenger” for quite a bit of my communications, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to go on a serial killing spree like Dexter…
February 28, 2010 at 10:16 PM
I think he’s uncomfortable even knowing any side of me, if it’s not a Bible-believing, Christian side that shares his very conservative views.
My parents come off the same way. It’s really sad since we live in the same house as they do right now. I’m more like a tenant instead of a daughter.
This goes back to saying that people shun what they do not understand and do not WANT to even attempt to understand.
Even though I will never do anything stupid in the paranormal field, they don’t care. They see the word “paranormal” and automatically associate it with the occult, demons, and evilness.
I’m so glad not everyone is like these people, or else the world might die of self-inflicted ignorance.
March 1, 2010 at 4:06 PM
I have been thinking about this for a few days and just running thoughts through my head of things that I have learned about demons (one of my classes last year involved discussing angels and demons at one point). I think it is important to remember that demons are intelligent. Even though they cannot read our minds like God can, they can learn about us and use that information to deceive us. So, it is plausible that a non-violent voice that claims to be your dead Uncle John could actually be a demon.
They might want a person to believe that they are a relative so that they will be able to stay in the home. Thus, giving them the chance to deceive, since they can talk to us (sometimes, their words to us seem just like our own thoughts).
I am not an expert on the topic, so I am not saying that all paranormal evidence is demonic. I just know that, for me, the information serves as a reminder to be careful.
March 1, 2010 at 5:33 PM
Actually, I sort of get where you’re coming from. Demons are intelligent, from what I know. I believe you also saw the case on Paranormal State, called “I Am Six,” in which the team and the priest that was on call, did an exorcism on a girl named Laura. When trying to exorcise the demon, there seemed to be a voice of a little girl (a medium in which a demon used) to speak through her, to try to trick the team and the priest. So yeah, I believe I know what you’re saying.
You just have to educate and protect yourself. I think it shows a lack of education when someone says all paranormal activity is demonic.
March 8, 2010 at 8:31 AM
To be the Devil’s Advocate (Ironic I Know), like You said, Demons are Intelligent and could Definitely deceive You. The “Friendly” or “Benign” spirit could actually be Demonic and Evil because it is Misleading You from what is Taught by the Bible. Even from a Non Christian view, Its possible that All Activity is “Bad” and we just Dont Know It. Friendly “Uncle John” could End up getting You hurt **Physically, Emotionally, Sprirtually** Indeed we Should be Careful =)