Check out this video clip from a news channel...

http://cbs5.com/video/?id=6789@kpix.dayport.com

Ghosts (actually demons, since that's all ghosts are) have been spooking soldiers in New Orleans. It contains clips of a Army Chaplain blessing a building with holy water and the Sign of the Cross to rid the evil presence out of the area.

For those that don't remember the same thing happened after the asian tsunami disaster. Ghost reports everywhere over there. From all my reading into the paranormal it is known that ghosts sightings always seem to happen in places where people die tragically.

I see our armed forces have been going against orders and raiding the ever popular BOURBON street :D

Various people have said that the ghost of Abraham LIncoln haunts the White House. Winston Churchill even claimed to have seen it.
But Lincoln didn't DIE there--he died at Ford's Theater!!
And what's this about ghosts always being demons? I have done some reading on this subject and have never heard this theory before.

But Lincoln didn't DIE there--he died at Ford's Theater!!

Correction: the petersen house across the street the morning after the theater incident

And what's this about ghosts always being demons?

I do not see how incorporeal beings are being visually manifested in a physical universe...this is all very bizarre.
As for ghosts always being "demons" i rarely hear that. Usually the report is the a demon possesses a human, usually a child.

I think its by coincidence that the people who see ghosts/aliens are uneducated hicks or overly-superstitious people (that happen to be alone during the sightings) who seemingly make up the story as they go along. It all seems like some concotion for TV time or money. Either that or these people let their fears and imagination get the best of them.

Originally posted by Evakian
But Lincoln didn't DIE there--he died at Ford's Theater!!

Correction: the petersen house across the street the morning after the theater incident

And what's this about ghosts always being demons?

I do not see how incorporeal beings are being visually manifested in a physical universe...this is all very bizarre.
As for ghosts always being "demons" i rarely hear that. Usually the report is the a demon possesses a human, usually a child.

I think its by coincidence that the people who see ghosts/aliens are uneducated hicks or overly-superstitious people (that happen to be alone during the sightings) who seemingly make up the story as they go along. It all seems like some concotion for TV time or money. Either that or these people let their fears and imagination get the best of them.

OOPS, my bad, or course not Ford's; that's where he was shot.
I wouldn't say that all sightings are by uneducated people tho. There have been many many case over the years of quite upstanding citizens seeing these things...but what they SAW is another matter, true.
We'll have to start a "ghost and scary story" thread when it gets closer to Halloween.:)

We'll have to start a "ghost and scary story" thread when it gets closer to Halloween.

I got raped by Jack the Ripper in the middle of the Bronx when i was 5....

Please people, spare me your stories of seeing ghosts

Although that thread sounds like a good idea in a month ;)

I wouldn't say that all sightings are by uneducated people tho. There have been many many case over the years of quite upstanding citizens seeing these things...but what they SAW is another matter, true.

Noted, but i do believe this seems rather fishy regardless...besides, the majority of alien abductions happens to Billy Joe driving in the backroads of arizona or texas :D

Hey, no biggie.....but shouldn't this mumbo-jumbo "ghost" nonsense be over in the religion forum??

Originally posted by Freethinker
Hey, no biggie.....but shouldn't this mumbo-jumbo "ghost" nonsense be over in the religion forum??
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And what is this religion that worships ghosts??
Oh, I forgot, the holy ghost. :o

Naw, its in the right place.

Well, HORATIOS.......

LOL, I am not going to dismiss these New Orleans fellas' stories out of hand!

"There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy..."

This is a topic that has long interested me. That is, the idea of ghosts. Since the the dawn of mankind, there have been odd stories of "ghosts", "phantasms", "specters". Perhaps a glimpse into the other side.

At the risk of being ridiculed, I would like to state that I have an open mind on this subject. I cannot say that I believe, yet I can't honestly say that I DON'T believe. There is little scientific evidence to explain or support either side.

Yet, consider this. Assuming a person has a soul (and I know that is a big assumption for many), but , for the sake of argument, let's say that it's so..... if a person has a soul, and a soul is pure energy, isn't it correct that since energy can be neither created nor destroyed, after death, this energy must go somewhere?

PS. Evak, when you saw Jack the Ripper, did he FINALLY reveal his identity?? :)

Originally posted by rendova
"There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy..."Oh boy. Now I have to add ghosts to my sig.

Originally posted by rendova
Yet, consider this. Assuming a person has a soul (and I know that is a big assumption for many), but , for the sake of argument, let's say that it's so..... if a person has a soul, and a soul is pure energy, isn't it correct that since energy can be neither created nor destroyed, after death, this energy must go somewhere?The body's energy gets dissipated into the environment complements of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics. For example our thermal energy (body heat) does not float around as a glob of warmth - it spreads out everywhere.

Consider this. If we are in essence a soul then what on earth is that huge, complex and incredible brain for?

Originally posted by Blob

Consider this. If we are in essence a soul then what on earth is that huge, complex and incredible brain for? [/B]
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Possibly to operate the human body( a mode of transportation) in a three dimentional environment?
To interpret this said three dimentional experience into language the soul could understand?

Leaving the impression that the modern human body is an improved version of an experience chamber for beings that cannot experience such in their natural environment.

Answer: Unknown.

PS. Evak, when you saw Jack the Ripper, did he FINALLY reveal his identity??

Yes...let me just say that Richard Simmons is his reincarnation into this world :D

And what is this religion that worships ghosts??

Many of them do, ancestors, deities, and so on...

Hey, no biggie.....but shouldn't this mumbo-jumbo "ghost" nonsense be over in the religion forum??

Its in the mysticism/metaphysics....that's a perfect spot....

Consider this. If we are in essence a soul then what on earth is that huge, complex and incredible brain for?

Possibly to operate the human body( a mode of transportation) in a three dimentional environment?
To interpret this said three dimentional experience into language the soul could understand?

Leaving the impression that the modern human body is an improved version of an experience chamber for beings that cannot experience such in their natural environment.

I liked that Dan, very insightful.

Answer: Unknown.

But you've gotten a decent defintion spelled out for you :)

Originally posted by Dan Fussell
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Possibly to operate the human body( a mode of transportation) in a three dimentional environment?
To interpret this said three dimentional experience into language the soul could understand?

Leaving the impression that the modern human body is an improved version of an experience chamber for beings that cannot experience such in their natural environment.

Answer: Unknown. A well thought-out answer, Dan.

But problematic from two perspectives:

1. The soul becomes not a helpful explanation but an awkward accessory to be squeezed into the human body.

2. If in an afterlife my soul exists without or beyond the three dimensions; without or beyond my current (English) language; without or beyond my memories and so on - then in what sense is the soul 'me'? It seems that death would then be a discontinuous event and the indestructible soul no more reminiscent of the 'me' (who types this post) than the dispersing atoms of my rotting corpse.

1. The soul becomes not a helpful explanation but an awkward accessory to be squeezed into the human body.

Billions have come to terms with this idea, those that do not believe...very well, no problem. No need to take discomfort in it, as i believe it is truly impossible to tangibly prove to those who do not accept it anyway.

2. If in an afterlife my soul exists without or beyond the three dimensions; without or beyond my current (English) language; without or beyond my memories and so on

Who said we would discontinue such things?
But you have a point, the fact we won't be present in this realm would mean a different use of means for communication...one that is not written or spoken language. You memories may serve as tools and education for you, and if they do not/no longer exist in the new life--you will not be effected.

then in what sense is the soul 'me'?

From my conception in my mother's womb, i was not exactly what i am today, a fully realized human with many capabilities that i did not have then, but i am still me. Although i see a conflict there as changing realms and growing in one realm could not be parallel. Your 'soul' may exist within you now, and may abandon what you are now to go to a different state of existance, but it can still be considered "you", aside from the fact it seems to have left the bonds of materialistic relationships that help design what your personality was in the physical existance.

It seems that death would then be a discontinuous event and the indestructible soul no more reminiscent of the 'me' (who types this post) than the dispersing atoms of my rotting corpse.

Alas, there is no true way to know :)
Many people have different ideas for an afterlife, and even what a soul truly is. One may view the soul as what keeps them alive, another may view it as what causes feelings: you can touch another human and observe them with your senses, but the human traits of love/hatred and so on are caused by a "soul" and other definitions of soul.
If the soul ends just as our body does, very well. But if it continues, that makes quite a bit to fathom.

Originally posted by Evakian
Billions have come to terms with this ideaYou can't take a vote to establish reality.

Who said we would discontinue such things?Anyone who acknowledges 3-D perception, language and memories reside in the brain. If they are reside in the soul then what use the brain?

One may view the soul as what keeps them alive,Being alive is a process not a thing.

another may view it as what causes feelingsRecreational drugs affect moods and feelings - and this corresponds to physiological changes in the brain. The soul is redundant - again it is relegated to extra baggage to be squeezed in.

You can't take a vote to establish reality.

Ideas and theories are not necessarily realities ;) and certainly are not decided by mass opinion.

Anyone who acknowledges 3-D perception, language and memories reside in the brain. If they are reside in the soul then what use the brain?

To control the body as it travels through the time and space of this realm, possibly.

Being alive is a process not a thing.

Your point?
I said One may view the soul as what keeps them alive
The soul is the thing that enables the process in this person's perspective

Recreational drugs affect moods and feelings

Which occur as a result of the brain acknowledging their entrance, same as the body observing the world and gathering information--if i touch a couch, i will feel its cushions, that can result in my mood being altered based upon the comfort with the contact of the body and couch, it goes for drugs also. The brain acknowledges and processes the exterior affects of the world as well as maintaining our "interior" body. Our moods develop based off of what the brain gathers, whether that comes from the "soul's" reaction to such information is disputable.

Originally posted by Blob
A well thought-out answer, Dan.

But problematic from two perspectives:

1. The soul becomes not a helpful explanation but an awkward accessory to be squeezed into the human body.

2. If in an afterlife my soul exists without or beyond the three dimensions; without or beyond my current (English) language; without or beyond my memories and so on - then in what sense is the soul 'me'? It seems that death would then be a discontinuous event and the indestructible soul no more reminiscent of the 'me' (who types this post) than the dispersing atoms of my rotting corpse.
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Reverse the thinking.
Consider that the soul may not exist for man's benefit.
That man exists strictly for the soul's benefit.
Created by a process, solely for a vessel of experience and transport of the soul.
Likened to an experience vacation.

Possibly, if this were true, the soul may imprint some of the human host. In this way part of you would continue.

Evakian,

Your point?
Redundancy.

The soul is the thing that enables the process in this person's perspective
You see the redundancy? If it is a process why go throwing a thing in the mix?

If we were discussing the redundancy of a boring everyday thing like a cup of tea then I'd have no problem. But when it comes to a fantastical, ill-defined and grandiose thing - such as a soul - then why should I believe it if does not even have reason to exist?

Originally posted by Dan Fussell
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Reverse the thinking.
Consider that the soul may not exist for man's benefit.
That man exists strictly for the soul's benefit.
Created by a process, solely for a vessel of experience and transport of the soul.
Likened to an experience vacation.

Possibly, if this were true, the soul may imprint some of the human host. In this way part of you would continue. Fine - a not inconceivable idea.

Yet it accounts for no evidence in need of explanation; for example I have no pre-birth memories crying out for such a theory. Truly, I see no reason to give it so much as 1% possibility of being true. It is a redundant concept. It is surely a fantastical and vague assertion with no basis and can be dismissed as such.

Do you believe it, Dan? If so how much do you believe it and why?

If it is a process why go throwing a thing in the mix?]

Your body is a thing...actually many, many things...

But when it comes to a fantastical, ill-defined and grandiose thing - such as a soul - then why should I believe it if does not even have reason to exist?

You don't have to believe, no one is forcing you.
I just wanted to state that many people have various reasons as for their "soul's" existance...whether you accept them or not does not detract from the fact there are reasons out there for a soul, despite everyone's disagreements and disbelief, there are reasons to the theory.

for example I have no pre-birth memories crying out for such a theory.

Your brain was not developed to carry them :D
Nah, it would still make sense, this would be a new life, memories of other lives are either not possible for the brain to achieve because they took place in things that are not physical (the brain is a physical thing governed by the laws of this realm, if your past lives were not physical existances then you would be unable to grasp memory of them) or we just do not remember them period. ;)

Originally posted by Blob
Fine - a not inconceivable idea.

Yet it accounts for no evidence in need of explanation; for example I have no pre-birth memories crying out for such a theory. Truly, I see no reason to give it so much as 1% possibility of being true. It is a redundant concept. It is surely a fantastical and vague assertion with no basis and can be dismissed as such.

Do you believe it, Dan? If so how much do you believe it and why?
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I believe something exist within man that is not man.
I have no hope, or wish for this to be true. I feel no need for such continuation after death. I have had a very full and satisfying life. Just a rest-like a light going out-would be fine with me.

The brain may not be capable of carrying memories that were there before its creation, yet, there may be ghosts of experiences not understood by logical thinking.
Since oral or written history began, man has had quite an imagination. He has spoken of fantasy beings, gods, demons, flying spirits, ghosts, and goblins.

Through-out history man has spoken of after lives and the things he could imagine awaited him upon death. Things interpreted by each in a somewhat different way. Yet, the predominant thought that something exists after death. Is this a universal wish or is it a knowing of shared information? No proof seems to exist to support either answer.

If man has a soul, maybe slight impressions could exchange back and forth. This exchange may occur during sleep, when the thinking mind is at rest and the subconcious is more active.

Mankind is facinated with the seemingly magical aspects of imagination either in stories or movies. Fantacies of other dimensions, human flight, and a multitude of abilities.

Are these merely escapes from what we logically call reality or is it reminants of past experience- longing for home.

I merely say, What if? It really does not matter! For what will happen, will happen.

One thing is for sure. If one dwells on the negatives of life and does not enjoy it to its fullest, he has missed something, regardless of what, if anything, comes next.

Originally posted by Blob
Oh boy. Now I have to add ghosts to my sig.

The body's energy gets dissipated into the environment complements of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics. For example our thermal energy (body heat) does not float around as a glob of warmth - it spreads out everywhere.

Consider this. If we are in essence a soul then what on earth is that huge, complex and incredible brain for?

Speaking of the laws of thermodynamics, does this apply to PURE energy? (Light)
If this question sounds dumb, please bear in mind that you're not talking to Stephen Hawking here...:)

"Lisa, in this house we obey the laws of thermodynamics!"

-Homer Simpson


He is perhaps the greatest american to ever "live". :D

Originally posted by rendova
Speaking of the laws of thermodynamics, does this apply to PURE energy? (Light)
If this question sounds dumb, please bear in mind that you're not talking to Stephen Hawking here...:) The 2nd law of thermodynamics applies to all forms of energy - light; heat; sound; motion; gravitational; electromagnetic and so on.

There is no distinction between pure and impure energy - when it comes to the crunch energy is simply motion or waves or the potential for motion & waves.

thanks..sounds like you paid attention in physics class.

Something I neglected to do.

lol

Well I've been in a fair few more physics classes than most, usually as the teacher...