I never thought about this...until psi mentioned ghosts could be about good things too.
2007-11-08 15:34:49 · 9 answers · asked by Deenie 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Alternative ➔ Paranormal Phenomena
For example...when you call upon St. Anthony to help you find something that's lost...is that the same as "calling up spirits"?
2007-11-08 15:36:50 · update #1
"and"...that was a good answer!! Thanks!!
2007-11-08 15:48:37 · update #2
J.S....sometimes I feel like they already did that to me.
2007-11-08 15:56:59 · update #3
Tunsa...I agree...how can you know for sure?? Maybe when/if saints appear...they do healings or miracles...maybe that's the difference.idk
2007-11-09 06:23:40 · update #4
psi...I get what you're saying. Still...people have been "seeing things" (ghosts or whatever) for centuries. Can everybody be mentally ill? Where should the "belief"line be drawn?
2007-11-09 07:06:25 · update #5
This is a very good and important question!
When people claim to see, hear, or speak to religious figures, it is often considered to be a miracle, but when the entity that is communicating is not identified as "god" or one of his agents, it is immediately assumed to be the work of the devil. The message is, "The devil is a deciever, and one can not trust any words that do not come from God."
But, the real question is, who can determine where "voices" or "visions" originate? Are they due to mental unbalance? Is it a result of spiritual enlightenment? Is it just something that is out there that we are lucky enough to see?
In some cases, there are obvious causes, or causes that can be discovered with a little research. In others cases, the causes cannot easily be explained using physical sciences. It is in these second cases that "belief" creeps into the discussion. Is it a saint? Is it the devil? Is it Cleopatra or long lost uncle Joe?
The ghost is in the eye of the beholder. Visions of the Virgin Mary or Gabriel could be described as paranormal phenomenon, religious experience, or self deception based on the person describing the experience. We must each make our own decisions, and, at the same time, realize that there are other opinions that may be just as valid as our own.
2007-11-09 03:37:48 · answer #1 · answered by Tunsa 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Thank you for the mention ;)
Here's just what I think. Some people today study Egyptian mythology (although the Kemetic religion is still practiced by some today. Links below).
However, the ancient Egyptians didn't consider it mythology it was their truth (religion).
So, if its part of your faith (saints) it's true and if it's not part of your faith (ghosts) then it's mythology.
Although Christians struggle with this as at least some versions of the Bible have Jesus saying to the Apostles (when he was resurrected) that he was not a ghost.
Of course that really happened because it's part of the Christian faith but you didn't see a ghost of your Uncle Bob because he isn't mentioned in scripture (and was gasp a Buddhist and everyone knows they just stay in hell and can't come back as ghost).
Are you confused yet?
I'm sure you get the idea.
I have nothing against Buddhist, Christians, Kemetics, or Egyptians they are used only as examples.
2007-11-09 06:35:55 · answer #2 · answered by psiexploration 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
According to the Bible, a saint is one who is sanctified The early Christians were all called saints. Over time, the usage of the term saint came to mean a person who is recognized as having attained a certain level of holiness. For some reason people confuse saint with being dead, when it is just a very holy person, almost without sin that lives to help others.
If you are referring to the Virgin Mary showing up on a piece of grilled cheese, then I think it is caused by dome peoples tendency to be obsessed with religion.
2007-11-10 05:19:28 · answer #3 · answered by Father Ted 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being raised Catholic, I suspect that Catholics may think it's a little sacrilegious to refer to the appearance of saints as mere "ghosts", as if they are something less than God's own appointed agents of communication. God doesn't deal in ghosts, but in souls, after all :) Then again, the Holy Spirit was called the Holy Ghost for a long time. Religion is a very complicated thing :)
2007-11-09 01:10:42 · answer #4 · answered by John 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Doesn't "Saint"refer to their status in Heaven?Appearing as a ghost.Wouldn't that be considered one of the miracles required for sainthood?While a saint appearing to the living,semantically wouldn't be a "Ghost".They would both by definition be apparitions.Does that clear things up?I'm still pretty confused.
2007-11-09 02:55:00 · answer #5 · answered by Dr. NG 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Well, I'd never thought about it that way either. Good question!
I suppose the one big difference is that ghosts are usually perceived as being "trapped" here, and saints are perceived as responding from heaven.
2007-11-08 15:45:40 · answer #6 · answered by and_y_knot 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe that ghost sightings and Catholic-specific ghost sightings have the same cause and are equally valid.
2007-11-09 02:24:35 · answer #7 · answered by Peter D 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
500 years ago you would have been burned at the stake for saying that. Keep up the good work! lol
2007-11-08 15:49:54 · answer #8 · answered by John S 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
b/c they are older then ghost stories and before people realized there were mental health problems out there!
2007-11-08 15:43:25 · answer #9 · answered by musket83 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋