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Ghost Files

Ghost Files

7.6.5

Those rumblings across the horizon are not the remnants of holiday fireworks, but rather the gathering of a powerful, summer storm. Though this is a storm not of the atmosphere, but one of the mind—a swirling tempest of paranormal review known only as Ghost Files. Submitted for your approval, I will continue the debate of exorcists versus psychologists. Plus I’ve got a story of a musically-inclined spook and something perhaps you never knew about famous author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Prepare yourself, for the ‘Files are opening…

:: Top Story ::

Daemonic possession has been a common topic for Ghost Files. In recent times, the demand for trained, Catholic exorcists has increased at a rapid rate. The debate on the effectiveness and on the reality of exorcism has likewise increased.

At one end of the spectrum, there are the proponents of exorcism as a means to cure ‘mental illness’ which, as they believe, is caused by malevolent entities taking control of one’s body. At the other end are those who see exorcism as a relic of a dark, unenlightened past. They believe that this primitive practice is merely a response to previously unexplainable afflictions. In this age of technology, they will argue, these ‘daemons’ are best fought with the skilled tact of a psychologist and through the use of psychiatric drugs.

At its core, this is a debate between science and faith. And, as is the case with such debates, they have the potential to flare emotion and continue without end. In Ghost Files, I have tried to present both sides of the argument as well as possible.

The following article, despite the deceiving title, does an excellent job in summarizing each side’s main points, as well as providing a brief summary on the practice of exorcism.

Demonic possession should be treated by psychiatrists, not just exorcists, author says

By Peggy Fletcher Stack - The Salt Lake Tribune

Peck believes that demonic possession should be added to the list of mental disorders, with formal exorcism a viable treatment, if conducted under carefully controlled circumstances. "I strongly suggest that demonology ought to be taken seriously and dealt with scientifically," he says.

***

"Even if we assume for a minute that there are such things as evil spirits and they can take over a person's body, how do you tease that out from other conditions that might mimic it?" asks Stephen Morris, past president of the Utah Psychological Association. "Back in New Testament times, some things were reported as evil spirits that clearly were epilepsy or some other physical condition."

http://sltrib.com/faith/ci_2836264

I chose to highlight the previous quotes because I felt they represented two of the more common viewpoints regarding exorcism. The way I see it, each side reserves the right to believe in daemons, but wishes to remain current with the scientific age. They falter in how they believe science can create a solution.

It is my personal belief that, while daemonic possession could very well be real, and some cases of mental illness could be explained as such, the dangers of treating psychological impairment with just faith healing are far too great. So many mind-altering illnesses are characterized by symptoms identical to cases of possession. A difference of opinion on the source of the ailment could cause a very effective treatment to go unused—possibly to fatal results.

I think that in this debate, as is the case with most debates, neither side may be completely correct in its thinking. If your faith or belief inclines you to use a certain form of treatment, then by all means go ahead and use it. But it is important not to dismiss the other treatments that may be available.

:: Haunting ::

Here’s a classic, if not somber, ghost story of a wayward soul and a lost child with locket.

Ghostbusting on Los Angeles Avenue: Apparition haunts home, likes music and plays with children's toys Jeff Munson - Tahoe Daily Tribune (July 4, 2005)

"I don't know what to think. All I know is that toys will move, the radio will turn on by itself and my kids are scared," said Maya, who rents the Los Angeles Avenue home that he and others say is visited frequently by this ghostly apparition.

http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20050704/News/107040013/-1/rss02

The only thing as saddening as tales of children ghosts, are ghosts trying to make connections with children. The ghost in this article is one such melancholic entity that seems bound to this world with the grief of a lost child.

My main concern with this particular ghost is, despite any good intentions, her poltergeist-like activity is frightening the children she may be wishing to care for. Although I doubt this spirit intended to give them nightmares, her powers of motherly love are gone, and she should pass on.

I found this quote amusing. It brought back some memories of several open-lines callers from Coast to Coast AM:

"One day we're sitting in the room and the dog just moved its head around, like it was following something. She moved her head back and forth, like a dog would follow a fly in the room. But there wasn't any," he said.

My dog has been behaving similarly as of late, however I think it can be explained by the multitude of Minnesotan mosquitoes that have been the bane of my existence these past few weeks. Between the two of them, I’d take a poltergeist without a second thought!

:: Celebrities ::

Although not a dictator by any means (see 6.29.05 Ghost Files), it seems as if famous author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, was also a strong believer in the paranormal.

Conan Doyle's obsession with the afterlife

IAIN LUNDY - Scotsman.com (Thu 30 Jun 2005)

Yet Conan Doyle, who was born into a wealthy Edinburgh family in the mid-19th century, had another side to his personality which few devotees of his work realise. The author who perfected the art of reasoning and common sense in his detective novels was entranced by spiritualism and the occult. Conan Doyle was fascinated by communicating with the afterlife, such as this séance in England around 1930

It is strange to think that the creator of Sherlock Holmes believed in fairies - but it is true.

http://paranormal.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://heritage.scotsman.com/myths.cfm%3Fid=721302005

What I do here with Ghost Files is far from revolutionary (I’ll admit it), but at least I can do it without any backlash from my fan-base (I know you’re out there…somewhere). Conan Doyle didn’t have the luxury of living in a society as open to the world of the paranormal.

In a time of which hunts, Doyle took a great leap of faith in announcing his passion for the occult. And, for that, I salute him.

To be honest, I never knew about this side of Sir Doyle. And, like his fans in the early 1900’s, I too am surprised a man that writes about logical mystery solving would be so involved in paranormal research. Or, that he was friends with Harry Houdini.

It just goes to show you that you can’t judge a book (or author) by its cover.

:: Dead End ::

That’s all for this jam-packed edition of Ghost Files. The 4th has passed, and the days will soon be shorter. But don’t fret, Mr. Noory is back from his vacation to take back the helms of Coast to Coast Am and, before you know it, next week will bring yet another Ghost Files to quench your thirst for the paranormal.

Until then, keep cool and enjoy summer while it lasts!

~Khyron, 2005.

Discuss ghost files @ the USofE HERE