How is it that some "see" spirits?

Question

Where does the ability come from and is it sometimes frightening as well as enlightening? Is there a general theme to their messages? Tell me your thoughts / beliefs whether you can see them or not.

There are some fascinating answers here, I have no clue how I'll choose a best. On second thought, I don't think I will choose a best answer here. Thanks for sharing such interesting thoughts with me.

There are many different beliefs and ways to percieve spirits, nice to see some here.

Answer 1

Some people are just more delusional than others. Not all crazy people have visual hallucinations. Some just hear voices.

Answer 2

How it was explained to me is that in pre-Christian times, people were alot more open-minded to things around them. (If you read the Bible, God's "chosen" people also dabbled in other religions that were in existance at the time) When the Christian Church was established in the Middle Ages, it became sinful and evil to believe that anything existed other than God. Thus, people were mandated what not to believe in and if they valued their lives, they went along. At which point, they quit believing and the entities (which some even believe to be dragons and other mythological creatures) went into hiding. They only showed themselves to those who were open to the possibility. This is why so many children around the world are able to see things that adults can't so it is passed off as strictly their imagination, because they haven't become jaded and closed-minded yet.

Answer 3

Those who aren't bound by societies restrictions have an easier time opening the third eye, which allows one to see the supposedly unseen.

Since young children have not yet had society place restrictions on them, they will often see spirits that adults can not see--hence, they are the ones to say they saw a faerie or a monster. People say, "it's just their imagination," but that's just humanity's way of dealing with the unknown.

Answer 4

Their nature is sensitive to the spiritual realm. It would be the same as measuring Intelligent Quotients of people, some excel.
A very good book to study on this subject is THE SPIRITUAL MAN by Watchman Nee. It is available online at http://www.ministrybooks.org/
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Answer 5

well if you have never been visited by a spirit, it tends to make them harder to see, by those who have never been visited by, TheG-D, Angels or caspers. and yes it can be very frightening, if an Angel comes to tell you G-D is comming to pay you another visit. which could be much much worse than being sent to the principals office. and what the message is, depends upon whose side they are on. so i know Angels exist because i have been visited by Them. and i know the satan exists, cause mr awful pretty bright, paid me a visit too. and i know there is a casper inside of me and others too.

Answer 6

Some believe systems attribute the ability to the innocence one has. The younger you are, the better your ability but when you grow into adult hood you are conditioned not to see them. Others maintain that innocence... thus are labeled crazy...

Answer 7

Throughout Africa south of the Sahara, there is widespread belief that there are two groups of beings who dwell in the spirit world. The first group is made up of divinities, or gods, who have never been humans. The second group consists of the ancestors, or spirits of the dead, whose responsibility it is to ensure the survival and prosperity of their families on earth. Both divinities and ancestors are believed to have power either to help or to harm those on earth. Consequently, both must be shown proper respect and homage.

Similar beliefs are found in many parts of the world. Using various means, people everywhere approach the forces of the supernatural, seeking knowledge of the future and help and guidance in the everyday problems of life. Is it really possible to obtain help from the spirit realm? Jesus Christ, who had lived there, showed that it is. He said: “Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) But to receive that help, we must ask the right person, seek in the right manner, and knock on the right door. If we knock on the wrong door, it may be opened by someone who will do us harm, not good.
It is vital, therefore, to know who live in the spirit realm and who do not. We also need to know the difference between those who will help us and those who will harm us. Finally, we need to know what we must do to receive help from the ones prepared to give it.

The Bible agrees that there is One who reigns supreme in the spirit realm. It describes him as “the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the God great, mighty and fear-inspiring, who treats none with partiality nor accepts a bribe.”—Deuteronomy 10:17.
Long before Jehovah created humans or even the earth itself, he created spirit persons in heaven. The Bible says that at the time when God “founded the earth . . . , all the [angelic] sons of God began shouting in applause.” (Job 38:4-7) There are millions of angels. Jehovah’s servant Daniel wrote of a vision of heavenly things in which he saw “a thousand thousands that kept ministering to [God], and ten thousand times ten thousand that kept standing right before him.”—Daniel 7:10.

Sadly, not all angels have been faithful to God. Some rebelled against him, becoming enemies of both God and mankind. The principal rebel is Satan the Devil. Other angels joined Satan’s rebellion against God. These demon angels are also enemies of people on earth. They too are malicious and evil. In times past, they made some humans speechless and blind. (Matthew 9:32, 33; 12:22) Others, including children, they afflicted with illness or insanity. (Matthew 17:15, 18; Mark 5:2-5) Clearly, no sensible person would want to have anything to do with Satan or those demons.

Satan and his demons want to mislead people about the condition of their dead ancestors, so they promote the lie that people live on after death. One way they do this is through false stories. (1 Timothy 4:1) They also use visions, dreams, and spirit mediums to deceive people into thinking that they have communicated with the dead. But it is not the dead that are contacted. Rather, it is demons who pretend to be people who have died. That is why Jehovah strongly condemns those who inquire of the dead, either directly or indirectly, through other means, such as divination.—Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

Since the dead are lifeless, there is nothing to be gained by worshiping them. Making sacrifices to the dead only promotes the lies of Satan and the demons.

Answer 8

The brain is good at finding patterns. It is geared towards recognizing human faces and voices. It does this so well, that it sometimes sees and hears them when they aren't there.

It's the same way we see faces in clouds.

Answer 9

have you read the book "a man called Peter?" His wife saw Jesus witting on her bed...it doesnt happen all the time but for her it did...I know someone who has heard Gods voice...but its dangerous for unconverted ppl to mess with the occult cuz there are also invisible demons..

Answer 10

In much the same way that other people "see" pink elephants.