Why do you investigate the paranormal and search for ghosts?

Question

I will answer first and am interested in your answers. I was a hard core disbeliever until a ghost appeared to me and even talked. that was 1972 or 1973 about seven or eight years ago I got internet service and started searching ghost and found many sites and eventually learned the modern method and theories and like many I wanted to document ghost and prove they exist.

Over the years my reasons have changed, I disbanded my team and quit the other team I was on and just started investigaiing by myself.
My reason now is not to prove to the disbeliever or share with the believer but for my own spiritual enlightenment. I know there is an after life and I just want to do this for me now and learn all I can. I have almost stopped using all the fancy high tech gadgets ghost hunters like so much because for my purpose my mind is the most valuable tool. I do help those who have a ghost from time to time and help them deal with it in a productive way.

batgirl there are many good websites out there I like
http://www.ghostweb.com/ They have around sixty or so free articles dealing with everything from how to tell if your house is haunted to getting rid of pesky ghosts dust vs spirit orbs, etc.

Other like http://theshadowlands.net/ghost/
and still others like http://www.prairieghosts.com/

I really don't like the last one but that is just me. I have a problem with the idea of teaching ghost hunting as a legitamete science where his members are scientists but no scientific degree and that they will prove ghosts exist one day beyond all doubt. But again that is just my opinion and prefrence.

I also have a problem with the claim of no experts but he seems to believe he is the only expert. Again just my opinion and if I have offended his followers, remember that is just my opinion. he has a huge following.

Edit 2 batgirl go to this question http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkUxV_ihH6Fih1Ufnl7rs7H7xQt.;_ylv=3?qid=20071206122739AAwIAHi and read TR's answer he posted a site that sounds intresting.

Another website I used to frequent in the past has changed format but still has good stories http://www.ghosts.org/links.html
Read these stories with a grain of salt, but still I like a good story

Edti:
I want to thank everyone for answering. I have some really good answers I am not sure who to pick. I may put it to a vote but I don't like to do that. I will leave it open a little longer.

Answer 1

I like your self am about to "disband" my group. Not because I am quitting, but because it is hard to keep everyone focused and the constant fight to not label everything a ghost that you see on film or hear in a recording. We both agree that the best tool is the mind for this work. And while the mind cannot be recorded for scientific purposes, it seems to be the only thing reliable enough to make contact. After reading numerous articles and researching. I have found that the science of physics and the hunt for the paranormal are slowly merging whether hard core science or paranormal hunters like it or not. I have found that there are many in science that have come to believe in some type of afterlife and there are some in the paranormal who have come to believe that science will solve the mystery of the paranormal.I personally have had my own run in so to speak with things that at first scared the hell out of me and now fascinate me. I too was a hard core non believer. At one point in time I even questioned my faith, but things happened and things changed and my faith returned stronger than ever. I firmly believe that at some point in the near future, science will be shaken by what it will discover where it concerns the afterlife, and all of us investigating now will find we were on the wrong track all the time, and it will be so simple.

Answer 2

It depends. I started investigating such things in order to explain some experiences in my youth (5th to 10th grade) for which conventional science failed (and continues to) provide an adequate explanation.
Then I investigated the claims of a Medium because he was listed (to my surprise) when I was searching for ways to cope with Grief to help my mother with the loss of her mother (my grandmother). While the 1500 dollar reading I felt was over priced and was beyond my ability. The $6.95 paperback book that I did buy her seemed to help her through some of her grief.
Whether these claims (mediums) were true or not (in some cases) would be like trying to determine if religious beliefs are true or which is the one true religion.
What was true is that it had a positive healing effect on my mother.
I was thus exposed to an entire world of psychic phenomena and discovered that many prominent scientist (in the past and now) are exploring some of this through experimental science (Parapsychology) which interested me.
However, I also do not lose sight of the human experience especially where these experiences can have a healing effect.
Depending on the area you call paranormal ( a terrible term that is not precise enough) people can also be harmed. Thus, science (esp. the social sciences) in my opinion has an obligation to provide people with accurate information (this is why I post wherever debunkers yell no evidence) with what evidence is available and what the research findings are thus far. No parapsychologist has ever suggested stopping a car or starting a fire with psychokinesis has any experimental evidence to support it. Likewise, therapist that are uninformed about the total human experience and how these experiences differ from experiences brought on by mental disorders can do untold damages with incorrect diagnosis and inappropriate medication.

I recently investigated a haunting of a hotel (famous in New Mexico) with my primary concern being to properly identify the famous ghost. Unfortunately, there is no evidence (so far) for her ever existing (beyond the story) and the case remains in the realm of Urban Legend and if she did live her disappearance is unsolved and her last name unknown. It is not the way I would wish to be remembered. I did not focus on any of the reported sightings or unusual activity as many investigators have done numerous times.

Thus, my reasons are numerous depending on what aspect of paranormal is being discussed.

Denie: I was just using that as an example of extreme difficulty. I don't think that question can be answered by anything other than opinion and faith (versus evidence).
Also, I believe in a postmodern perspective and I don't believe in one absolute truth or one way to truth I believe that individuals and society construct multiple truths.

Answer 3

Well guys how i got started in the paranormal is when i was younger :

“I was six and lived in Trenton , MI . When the family and I were sitting on the living room couch watching TV, they all of the sudden heard a loud crash that sounded like glass breaking. We ran down stairs to find the remains a light bulb in swept into a dust pan with a broom standing next to it , between that experience many things happened in that home such as things flying across the TV stand onto the floor was one creepy experience.Another is when my mother one day was doing laundry and something screamed boo in her ear . What ever was there in the home struck me in the back with a shoving almost like a smack when i was sitting down and watching tv and shortly after My mom had told me at night she would hear footsteps around her bedat night on a daily basis.” In actuality it made me discover as young child that there are other things in this world than just the normal everyday occurrences that take place and that there are truly supernatural events that take place and people choose not to justify , but I didn’t believe everything at first so I started reading on the subject and after many years ( though I was young) I became smarter on the subject, but using science; a lot of things , places and paranormal occurrences can be debunked .
~ first i studied from many years learning the theories, beliefs and ways i could help others living in homes identical to the enviorment i had lived in! Though i am still learning because in the field of paranormal research, who isn't , new theories come out everyday!

I really am curious what is out in the world and the numerous activity to be able to document new research and theories

i want to disprove the many things out there and prove some legit activity to skeptical believers , though i am a skeptical believer my self when it comes down to debunking each case and my team going in with an open mind, i believe there are spirits out there and

this is why i started to investigate the paranormal ; in a nutshell:

~To help others who are in need of Paranormal Assistance ~
~Disprove/Prove claims of haunted locations, Document Research, Create new theories~
~To see the world and Discover Paranormal Occurrences that are out there waiting to be found~

Ryan ~Paranormal Investigator/Researcher~
www.theprosonline.com

Answer 4

I do not investigate such things, but the topic is fascinating to me.
May I ask you for a good site to go to where I may read about this?

I also believe. After my twin died in 1990, she came to me in a dream and described Heaven.

Thanks for asking and for re-awakening my interest.

Answer 5

to psi...Did you ever find the "true" church/religion? Please edit &answer.Thanks.
Wiccan...CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a T.C. on here.(I think you were only Religion TC before...am I right?)
As for investigating to find ghosts..I don't. I'm just trying to understand the things that have happened to me in the past.

Answer 6

so we may better understand the world around us.