Existence of Ghosts: Yes vs No

[Zandyne]

This is a thread created to direct an anonymous to an appropriate thread for their debate.

This is a thread discussing the existence of Ghosts. Do these spirits/apparitions/emodiments of supernatural phenomena exist? Or are they merely a figmentation of the mind?

Does your proof lie in proving it right/wrong in the areas of science, personal testimony, the words of religious domain or otherwise?

Speak your mind here.

[Catch the Rain]

I believe in them very much, my own experiences have led me to feel this way. Ive seen too many things and heard to many things for me to think they don't. Lol you may think I'm crazy and maybe I am, but I'm happy to believe :D for me, ghosts are very much real.

[Kiryu]

I believe ghost are very real. I have a strange six sense about it.....I blame my mom. We had to leave a couple of house we were going to buy cause they were haunted in a bad way. Make fun of me if you want but this is what I believe.

[Catch the Rain]

I wont make fun of you! I believe too! :D

[Nanaki]

Yes, I believe in ghosts. They are our souls, and when we die, they rise. They can either be a ghost (good), a spirit (neutral), or a poltergist (evil). Ghosts don't do much, they mainly follow people around. Spirits annoy the hell out of people by turning on and off things repeatedly, and other things...but nothing harmful, just playful. And poltergists which will tend to throw knives and actually try to kill people. Yeah...I'm crazy....>.>;

[eastercat]

Yes, I think there are ghost. It's just a feeling. Plus my friend said she had ghost experiences. O_O

[Darkwatch]

Lol.

Show me there's proof of ghost's. I rest my case. =D

[Catch the Rain]

Show me proof there isn't :)

[Darkwatch]

Sure, gladly.

There are many times when people say they have seen a ghost. There are also many times when people have said they have 'sensed' or 'felt' a ghost. You know why, right? It's you. People. A person. A person can imagine or manifest a thought very briefly if they are alone and in the dark. Often times in your home when you close the door you feel like there's something following you. You feel that because it's dark, damp, and you feel like you're about to fall off a cliff. Why do you think so many reports are witnessed in the dark and not in clean light? That's because your mind creates sounds in itself that you perceive as 'close by' that are real. I too, get scared in the dark and hear noises in my house at night. It scares me, sure. But I know it's just my head playing tricks on me. I'm well aware of the power of the human brain, as it can create sounds on its own, and you think they are real.

A common example I can give you is one night when I was sitting in my room ready to sleep, I took a large sigh of relief, and I heard a "Hmph" noise outside my door. I thought it was a person but I didn't actually hear anything anywhere but from my own mouth. I let out a faint 'grunt' that was soft and quiet enough for me to think it was so far away as to be on the outside of my door.

On top of that, people even think that spike readings in electrical waves are from ghosts. When actually, this can be disproved by loose wires or dead electrical zones in the walls of a house. Which again, brings me to the other point--why is it always witnessed in houses? People always report their seeings in houses and not out in the open. It's always an enclosed area.

Tell a firm believer to go into a field, an open, entirely open field. A savanna even. An HONEST person will report seeing nothing. They will have sensed something though. And if you ask them if they are scared they will always say yes because they are so skeptical of being alone at any given moment. People over exaggerate their senses and claim a ghost site as a 'sixth sense'. There's not one piece of physical evidence, sure, but we have ways to prove how ghosts can be disapproved and proven wrong by real case scenario's.

Also, it's been about a year since I ever really studied this stuff. So I kept it as vague as possible.

/thread over

Now, as I was saying. Prove it really exists. =\

[Kingdom Glory]

Ghosts don't exist.
This can actually relate to Christianity in a way.
If you put it this way:
We die
Two choices:
Heaven
Hell.
Heaven = believer
Hell = No :(

[Cin]

Eh...this is a touchy subject for me, and one that I usually have no idea what to say when the time comes for me to speak.

I've never had a ghostly experience, but I personally believe that they...well...not exist but...exist in a different sense...

Well, it's kind of like the whole Jesus thing. He didn't have to exist for himt o be able to cause miracles. He has affected many peoples lives, wether it be bad or good, and wether he ever was alive or his enire life was just a lie, he exists int he hearts of the people that follow him.

I believe this is the way that ghosts exists. When someone dies, those around them that are not ready for them to leave will keep a fragment of them there. Not literally speaking, and not to even say that spirits exist. It's just, if you believe a ghost is there, then it probably is. The word ghost is defined as an imprint left by something that is no longer there. If a person dies and yous till believe they are here with us, then they are a ghost, because they left and imprint on you.

I don't believe in ghosts in the traditional sense, but more int he psychological sense. A person can trick their mind into thinking anything. In fact a few nights ago, I think I had "ghostly" experience. I was sleeping in my bed, and I was thinking about my grandfather. He has alzeimers...(sp?) XP...and he's been okay so far, but recently he's really started going downhill. So this led me to think about my grandmother who died of alzeimers, and just then I felt a weight on my feet, like someone had sat on the bed. I even felt the bed go down a bit. It was weird, and I was scared out of my mind for a few seconds, but I calmed myself down and convinced myself that there was nothing there. The weight lifted and it was probably just my cat or something, even though my door was closed.

All I'm saying is, when you think about something, chances are it will happen. When you are concstantly looking around or behind your shoulder, everything will seem like a threat. Paranoia can mess with the senses. And I was pretty paranoid that night, considering I had watched the Grudge 2 several days before.

I hope you can all understand my thoughts on this subject, it's not as easy for me to talk about stuff like this when I hardly understand were my views come from in the first place.

[Catch the Rain]

@Cin good answer! :D



Aimed at Darky




Good arguments and valid all! I'll give you that, but when I was younger I saw something, and what I saw was in the open, I used to talk to a neighbour of ours, in fact I once described her to my mom, and you know what? The woman I described had died before i was born, child's imagination? maybe but how could I have known exactly what she looked like? Secondly there are many many stories throughout the world and history itself, whilst I think some sightings etc are bull I also think there are too many reportings for there to be nothing.

The electric spikes you speak of yes I know about those and I agree it is just electric waves, because I believe I looked into both sides, if I'm going to believe something I need to be able to argue for it right? I disagree that is just the human brain, because although the imagination is a very powerful brain there is no way that the things that have happened to me are pure imagination, I have a heck of an imagination so I learn to recognise my own imaginings. For sure sometimes I thought i've felt something when its dark and cold now that I know is my imagination, but there are times I know it isnt.

I dont claim to have a 6th sense as such Maybe some people are more sensitive. I think its unfair to suggest people who believe aren't honest. There is much in science that can disprove the existence of ghosts for sure however remember that science also used to believe in the "criminal gene" and that the earth was flat. New technology presents new evidence and new theories all the time.

So I can't give you solid proof that they exist, but then you havn't given me solid proof they don't. All I can give you is my opinion and ask you to think about it, not believe it because that is your choice, but to think, in the way I looked at both sides.



Wow sory I kinda got carried away there! :D

[Cin]

Hm...actually. Darky, I would like you to answer a question befoe you say anything else.

Have you ever seen that show on the scifi channel? Ghosthunters, I think it's called?

[Pure Beats~]

I personally don't believe in ghosts....but I think that might change because of what the GhostHunters (SciFi) are finding.....CREEPY!!!! Yet cool...

[La Sofa]

Yes I bleive Spirits and Ghost are real. Believe me or not.
My uncle, Mom, and Uncles Girlfriend all actually see little hints of ghost. And me.
I remember one time in the basement in pitch black I saw a snake. And my sister once saw a white person with his head chopped off. I know they are real. You may not. You may not believe me, but I do.

And even if there is some way to get around ALL that. There is this person I know where the spirits talk to him and actually can hear from them what you think. I AM NOT JOKING. He did it to me! I AM NOT JOKING!
I am not some random person talking. You WOULD believe me if you meet him

[Darkwatch]

@Cin good answer! :D



Aimed at Darky




Good arguments and valid all! I'll give you that, but when I was younger I saw something, and what I saw was in the open, I used to talk to a neighbour of ours, in fact I once described her to my mom, and you know what? The woman I described had died before i was born, child's imagination? maybe but how could I have known exactly what she looked like? Easy. Your memory. You might have seen someone who looked like the girl and by chance and coincidence she looked exactly like the woman who died.

Secondly there are many many stories throughout the world and history itself, whilst I think some sightings etc are bull I also think there are too many reportings for there to be nothing.How so?

The electric spikes you speak of yes I know about those and I agree it is just electric waves, because I believe I looked into both sides, if I'm going to believe something I need to be able to argue for it right? I disagree that is just the human brain, because although the imagination is a very powerful brain there is no way that the things that have happened to me are pure imagination, I have a heck of an imagination so I learn to recognise my own imaginings. For sure sometimes I thought i've felt something when its dark and cold now that I know is my imagination, but there are times I know it isnt.Sure it can. You have a huge imagination, as you have just stated, so how can't you feel something different from what you know is your 'true' imagination?

I dont claim to have a 6th sense as such Maybe some people are more sensitive. I think its unfair to suggest people who believe aren't honest. There is much in science that can disprove the existence of ghosts for sure however remember that science also used to believe in the "criminal gene" and that the earth was flat. New technology presents new evidence and new theories all the time.That's because during those times when we thought the earth was flat we were ignorant and had absolutely no knowledge of the earth around us. We have grown to explore anatomy as well, this is why we can safely say 'criminal genes' don't exist. Through time we learn, no? But ghosts are a thing we cannot prove, no matter what. Even over the decades of research gone into it.

So I can't give you solid proof that they exist, but then you havn't given me solid proof they don't. All I can give you is my opinion and ask you to think about it, not believe it because that is your choice, but to think, in the way I looked at both sides. I do look at both sides. I'm an intellectual and usually refuse to believe in something lacking logical proof. Lulz.[/quote]

Hm...actually. Darky, I would like you to answer a question befoe you say anything else.

Have you ever seen that show on the scifi channel? Ghosthunters, I think it's called?No I haven't.

[Cin]

Okay, well you should check it out sometime. It's very interesting. They are not traditionally ghost hunters who run around buildings and go "I feel something!"

They set up cammera, heat sensores, electrical tracers. Things like that all over someone's house who they believe to have a problem with their home and the paranormal. Some of the things they find...well...they're pretty creepy. I realize that I should not believe everything I see on Tv, but the things that they can find on their are...hard to register as fake. I'm not saying I'm convinced that ghosts exists due to this show, I'ms aying it's a very interestig thing to watch, because they're not trying to prove ghosts exist, they're hoping they don't exist. Usually if they find enough evidence, the family will run away.

[Catch the Rain]

Easy. Your memory. You might have seen someone who looked like the girl and by chance and coincidence she looked exactly like the woman who died..

That would be one heck of a coincidence! :eek: :eek:



Sure it can. You have a huge imagination, as you have just stated, so how can't you feel something different from what you know is your 'true' imagination?
..

lol because as I said, I am aware of how my imagination feels! and sometimes things feel different





That's because during those times when we thought the earth was flat we were ignorant and had absolutely no knowledge of the earth around us. We have grown to explore anatomy as well, this is why we can safely say 'criminal genes' don't exist. Through time we learn, no? But ghosts are a thing we cannot prove, no matter what. Even over the decades of research gone into it.
.

lol exactly! We had to learnt to find those things! That is my point exactly! We didn't discover the earth was round over night, it took a long time and many fights, it is entirely possible that with time we will discover ways to prove. Nothing is impossible it may take time but that doesn't mean it makes it any less real! For example gravity! For years no one thought of it! All it took was one apple to fall (lol image of ghost dropping from tree)



I do look at both sides. I'm an intellectual and usually refuse to believe in something lacking logical proof. Lulz

firstly I wasn't being insulting when I said that, its just how your argument came across, well I can say there is no logical solid proof that ghosts don't exist! Show me something that says 100% they're not real, there may be little things that can explain certain occurences but nothing can prove one way or the other at this point in our time.

[Zandyne]

Ghosts don't exist.
This can actually relate to Christianity in a way.
If you put it this way:
We die
Two choices:
Heaven
Hell.
Heaven = believer
Hell = No :(

Out of semi-tangent curiosity, what about people in comas (many many years, not just a couple of months)?

And for future responses, please elaborate on your point rather then leave them short-lined and amibiguous. How EXACTLY does this relate to Christianity and how do "ghosts" relate to Heaven/Hell. All you have said is believers go to heaven and non go to hell (I have not studied the Bible, but I believe there was a difference between "denying/rejecting" God and "being ignorant").

A statement this vague can be interpreted as practically nothing/anything in the debate. If you are going to use Christianity as your source of information, then use quotes, para-phrasing and/or your supporting conclusive details.

Opinion is one thing (the other participating debators have all pointed out that it was all their opinion and left nice, concise contributions accordingly), but what you are doing is trying to use a specific source too broadly. Please remedy this for future debates if you want your points and views to be taken for more then what you have said.

To Cin:
Your point on ghosts is thoughtful and I would actually side with yours for the most part- That ghosts are isn't limited to only "supernatual" but can extend to psychological planes as well.

General Statement:
Personally my opinion on ghosts is that people put "emotion" into objects and such, and even after they're gone you can sort of feel the lingering "feelings" put into them. Almost like how when you look at a picture drawn by an artist, sometimes you can feel how much effort and emotion was put into a single piece as opposed to something just "slapped together". (Think home-made cookies vs the ones mass-produced by machines for a better idea of my point.)

It isn't so much of "there's a ghost in my house" but more like, "I think I can find some common ground with this". Call it psychological empathizing if you will, but that is what I think more of as "ghosts"- its a two-way street not a one-sided situation.

The best way of saying my view on this whole thing is that different people can see different ghosts. Its all a matter of how they are able to interpret it. (Such as when you ask someone to show what anger looks like, you can get a hundred different examples...)

[Roxasvsriku]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I completely agree with Darky on this one. Until I see a damn ghost, I don't believe they exist. =\

[Darkwatch]

lol because as I said, I am aware of how my imagination feels! and sometimes things feel different
But you just stated your imagination is one "heck of an imagination". From that I gather you have a rather large one. So why wouldn't your powerful brain be able to conceive something that you find 'out of the ordinary'?




lol exactly! We had to learnt to find those things! That is my point exactly! We didn't discover the earth was round over night, it took a long time and many fights, it is entirely possible that with time we will discover ways to prove. Nothing is impossible it may take time but that doesn't mean it makes it any less real! For example gravity! For years no one thought of it! All it took was one apple to fall (lol image of ghost dropping from tree) But gravity is way different. To the extreme. Because no matter how many times you drop an apple it will always hit the floor. No one ever claimed to have seen one aim skyward when the dropped it, did they? Sure ghosts aren't impossible to prove, but in my opinion they are, because people misconceive many things as something different. Like when you see a coat stand with a hat on it you may get scared and run away because you think it's a person. When in reality, it was a said coat hanger with a hat.




firstly I wasn't being insulting when I said that, its just how your argument came across, well I can say there is no logical solid proof that ghosts don't exist! Show me something that says 100% they're not real, there may be little things that can explain certain occurences but nothing can prove one way or the other at this point in our time.

Of course we can't prove either way. But arguing is fun to do about this subject, right? xP

[Catch the Rain]

*Being pedantic*

Well you can't physically see the air but it exists! Heck you can't see me so how do you know I exist? Sorry but the whole "until I see it wont believe it" argument is flawed :) no offense



But you just stated your imagination is one "heck of an imagination". From that I gather you have a rather large one. So why wouldn't your powerful brain be able to conceive something that you find 'out of the ordinary'?

Fair enough I see where you're coming from lol it's hard to explain so Ill agree to disagree on tha point!



But gravity is way different. To the extreme. Because no matter how many times you drop an apple it will always hit the floor. No one ever claimed to have seen one aim skyward when the dropped it, did they? Sure ghosts aren't impossible to prove, but in my opinion they are, because people misconceive many things as something different. Like when you see a coat stand with a hat on it you may get scared and run away because you think it's a person. When in reality, it was a said coat hanger with a hat.


lol them hangers can be frickin scary at times you know? lol true it's different but I wasn't claiming it to be the same I was using it as an example of how we discover things all the time that previously we had never thought possible :)
[/QUOTE]




Of course we can't prove either way. But arguing is fun to do about this subject, right? xP

lol something I really agree with! lol I like arguing with you!

[Darkwatch]

*Being pedantic*

Well you can't physically see the air but it exists! Heck you can't see me so how do you know I exist? Sorry but the whole "until I see it wont believe it" argument is flawed :) no offenseThat is very true, but we know air exists because it has microscopic molecules called 'oxygen' and 'hydrogen'.

But what about Ghosts? You can't put your hand out and touch one, but you can with air since it has atoms.

I can't see you, yes, very much so I can't. But I know there is something over there since how else would you respond to my posts? =P

And seeing is believing is very flawed. But that doesn't mean it isn't logical enough for one such as myself to believe in. =\

[Roxasvsriku]

*Being pedantic*

Well you can't physically see the air but it exists! Heck you can't see me so how do you know I exist? Sorry but the whole "until I see it wont believe it" argument is flawed :) no offense

Wrong. You can prove that there are moles of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc. that do infact exist and make up the atmosphere. Now prove to me that there is a logical explanation for an existance of ghosts.

[Zandyne]

*somewhat playing the devil's advocate*

I'm surprised that no one has brought up, "don't you ever wonder why sometimes animals will at random be doing unnatural things one moment then return to whatever they were doing the next."

ie: A nomally loud and excited dog will cease his cheerful greeting to stare at the space behind you for no reason, then suddenly return back to nomral. (given this isn't typical or recurring behavior)

[Darkwatch]

Here's one logical way, Zandyne (cool name. Haha), the dog might have seen something behind you, such as a book shelf and misinterpreted it as a person.

I don't see why that wouldn't make sense. :/

[Roxasvsriku]

Here's one logical way, Zandyne (cool name. Haha), the dog might have seen something behind you, such as a book shelf and misinterpreted it as a person.

I don't see why that wouldn't make sense. :/

Right, it's usually just a bug or something. I think you guys watch too many movies...=\

[Kroshanks]

Here's an opinion:Every human being has an electrical aura-type of thing.Sometimes when a Radio does'nt work you get close to it,it gets better.Or if you're TV is screwed up and you touch it, it gets better.Who's to say that the energy sort of leaves your body and does things when you die.Like,it leaves traces of itself that are invisible to the naked eye.Also,when I put my guitar cable into the amp,I clutched the plug-end of the jack in my hand and the amp let out a static sound.

[Zandyne]

Here's one logical way, Zandyne (cool name. Haha), the dog might have seen something behind you, such as a book shelf and misinterpreted it as a person.

I don't see why that wouldn't make sense. :/

Right, it's usually just a bug or something. I think you guys watch too many movies...=\

I personally don't believe it (that specific interpretation), but just to play the devil's advocate, I wanted to throw it out there. (No harm in trying to find every angle after all right?)

[Catch the Rain]

Silver_bullet I like your interpretation! It's an interesting one :D


A bug??? That is the explanation for the animal thing? How many dogs do you know that get freaked by bugs?? or bookcases come to think about it *eyes bookcase behind her suspiciously* :eek: and hey I do watch a lot of movies, but I don't think that has any sway since otherwise I would also believe I have magical powers and and that I can be an expert in martial arts by watching one guy fight so on and so forth ! :rolleyes:


That is very true, but we know air exists because it has microscopic molecules called 'oxygen' and 'hydrogen'.

But what about Ghosts? You can't put your hand out and touch one, but you can with air since it has atoms.


Hehehehehe how do you know you can't feel ghosts? You can't actually feel the air, you only know you can because of your knowledge of atoms and molecules!



I can't see you, yes, very much so I can't. But I know there is something over there since how else would you respond to my posts? =P


:p hehehehe true enough point, but there are other people you're not talking to, but they exist right?


And seeing is believing is very flawed. But that doesn't mean it isn't logical enough for one such as myself to believe in. =\

Hmm fair point I guess you find it odd I believe in ghosts so I'm not going to judge you for believeing that theory, however flawed I find it!



I think science is amazing, there are so many things it has proven, so many questions it has answered, such as molecules and atoms! Lol but then as I keep saying (and no I'm not a repetitive person I just think it's a valid point :P) science evolves.


Wrong. You can prove that there are moles of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc. that do infact exist and make up the atmosphere. Now prove to me that there is a logical explanation for an existance of ghosts.

Oh really? And how did we discover molecules etc etc? Hmmm scientists looked more closely at the world around them, they went in depth and found them, I'm not disputing the reality of the air, (lol that would be slightly too out there even for me), but just because we haven't found the evidence yet doesn't mean you can discredit the existence.

Besides scientists used to believe the atom was the smallest thing possible.....until they split it! There is so much that we, as humans, have yet to understand, so unless you can prove me 100% wrong then I'll stay following my belief. Again I can't give you proof as such and in all honesty I prefer the fact that no-one is just agreeing with me to shut me up! But then again you can't give me proof that they don't exist!.

[Darkwatch]

Hehehehehe how do you know you can't feel ghosts? You can't actually feel the air, you only know you can because of your knowledge of atoms and molecules! Not quite, even before I learned about atoms I could feel air. On a breezy day when I could put my hand outside the car and feel the wind push against my hand. How is that not feeling thin air?

And I know I'd never be able to feel a ghost because I know they don't exist (IMO). Any skeptic would report never seeing, feeling, or even remotely sensing the presence of a ghost.



:p hehehehe true enough point, but there are other people you're not talking to, but they exist right?Precisely. It works both ways. XD



Hmm fair point I guess you find it odd I believe in ghosts so I'm not going to judge you for believeing that theory, however flawed I find it! Didn't I just say or imply I didn't believe it?

[Peyton]

I belive that they exist and that is MY choice.
It's to much odd stuff happening all over earth that they cannot exist.
It's so much unexplainable for them not to exicst.
To be frank I belive in them because of all the weird stuff that happens and all the scary stories and theories that not even scientists can explain.
I may think sometimes that it have to do very much with dead peoples prescence.

But sometimes when I am fed up with this I don't even care to think about it.

[[s y n n e ]]

I believe in ghosts. I can't explain why - but I do believe something happens after you die. I've had my own share of experience, I heard someone singing in my house pretty darn loud when I was home alone. My house is small so its real nerve wracking. I didn't find the source, no TV radio anything...but anyways...

I think they are real, but that's just me. =]

[Anniexo]

I'll say yes, since when I was 15 I started to see them, then last year I started to hear them.

[[s y n n e ]]

I'll say yes, since when I was 15 I started to see them, then last year I started to hear them.

whoa - my friend sees and hears them too. Its pretty freaky, but pretty cool. She said she's met a lot of ....colorful ghosts.

[Alpha Sonix]

Yes, I see ghost in my dreams. When I wake up sometimes I see ghost everywhere, the same as I see dead people. I don't know if it's my imagination or not. They just there, chasing me, maybe I watch too much scooby Doo.

[Kingdom Glory]

Yes, I see ghost in my dreams. When I wake up sometimes I see ghost everywhere, the same as I see dead people. I don't know if it's my imagination or not. They just there, chasing me, maybe I watch too much scooby Doo.
It happens to me too.
It's just your brain getting used to the dark.

[Catch the Rain]

Not quite, even before I learned about atoms I could feel air. On a breezy day when I could put my hand outside the car and feel the wind push against my hand. How is that not feeling thin air?

And I know I'd never be able to feel a ghost because I know they don't exist (IMO). Any skeptic would report never seeing, feeling, or even remotely sensing the presence of a ghost.



Lol of course they wouldn't! They're skeptics! Yeah I see your point how you can feel the breeze (lol I used to get in trouble for putting my hands out the car windows :o ), but you can't all of the time! Maybe there has to be a certain situation before you can feel the presence?



Didn't I just say or imply I didn't believe it?

Sorry my mistake I thought you were implying it was a logical argument for one such as yourself to follow! lol my bad!

[Link]

Honestly i do think they exist im saying this because there have been lots of stories about people seeing ghost.

And there is also a lady i forgot her name but she cantalk to ghosts i think i saw her on montel.

So altogether i do believe in ghosts

[Cin]

I don't know about you guys, but I hope ghosts, int he traditional sense, exist. If afte death, i get to hang around the planet for all eternity, well that'd be awesome. Eventually it'd be a pretty sad existence, but I would accomplish a cool dream of mine. To see the end of the world, and everything leading up to it.

[Catch the Rain]

I don't know about you guys, but I hope ghosts, int he traditional sense, exist. If afte death, i get to hang around the planet for all eternity, well that'd be awesome. Eventually it'd be a pretty sad existence, but I would accomplish a cool dream of mine. To see the end of the world, and everything leading up to it.

That would be pretty damn amazing! Well if (i say if for non- blievers) ghosts are real I shall wait with you! I always wanted to see the begining too but I never shall!

[Laurence_Fox]

-Cracks knuckles-

Alright, I've been studying ghosts and the paranormal since I was junior high. Mostly my research was reading stories, listening to EVP, looking at/taking pictures, and ghost hunting.

I believe they're here since so many people have witnessed them in some shape or form. I myself have seen a good deal of them since I can remember.

But I will say this, the 'faces' in wood surfaces that people see? I discredit that right away. It's too easy for a human being to pick out what it wants to see all too easily. Even most EVP isn't credible unless you know the building/area is completely empty save for you and the group of people you're hunting with.

Not all hauntings occur in a building. On the contrary, there are many hauntings that occur in open air areas. Take for example Gettysburg, if you will. Many lost their lives on both sides and I've heard stories from credible hunters saying they've heard cannonfire and the yelling of men as they died. One hunter even saw the battle taken place and there were no reenactments scheduled for that time of day. oo;

I saw a post about 'seeing colored ghosts' I have noticed that some ghosts do have a color to them. Either it's a color that was dear to them in life, I've heard tell of a 'Green Lady' in Ireland which makes sense for the Emerald Isle. But I've found that these colors are sort of a 'mood ring' if you will. Usually malevolent spirits are orange, red, or sometimes yellow. Passive ghosts tend to be blue, green, or white.

I've noticed some trends in the stories I've read.
1) They feel that their work is not done.
2) They don't want to leave loved ones behind.
3) The feel a responsibility/attachment to where they lived or work.
4) They died suddenly.
5) There were strong emotions attached to their death.
6) Their grave/marker was moved/disturbed.

About number 6, you know that whole sketch you see in sitcoms/tv shows about '______ was built on an ancient Indian burial ground. It's cursed.' Well it has happened. Can you imagine how many burial sites were paved over/forgotten? I've read in Encyclopedia of Haunted Places compiled and Edited by Jeff Belanger, of a Wal-Mart being built over once such location. Dark shadows were seen by the workstaff/costumers moving through the aisles, not to mention a feeling of unease that occurred. The merchandise up on the shelves would also be knocked down.

[orgXIIIfan]

In SIngapore,we have many cases of ghost sightings and people buying houses and selling them repeatedly.Singapore is a multi-racial country that means that all races and religion live together in harmony.The Muslim have creatures called Jinns.The Buddhists have the Hungry Ghost Festival and people usually get possesed during the festival.

You can do many unbelievable things when you are possesed.

[Cherry]

Very possible that they could exist...I hear voices at night-time (no its not the neighbors or the occasional drunk geezers or even anyone that lives with me)
But what I think is that some people might hallucinate about those things...

Maybe I'm going insane o_0
You can do many unbelievable things when you are possesed.
I second that!

[Enigmatic Soldier]

Yes, I believe in ghosts. They are our souls, and when we die, they rise. They can either be a ghost (good), a spirit (neutral), or a poltergist (evil). Ghosts don't do much, they mainly follow people around. Spirits annoy the hell out of people by turning on and off things repeatedly, and other things...but nothing harmful, just playful. And poltergists which will tend to throw knives and actually try to kill people. Yeah...I'm crazy....>.>;

That is exactly what I think. Also I am an Atheist so where else are you going to go when you die.

[White_Rook]

Also I am an Atheist so where else are you going to go when you die.

Any energy that composed you would simply be transfered on to another system. Nothing is also another option to what happens when you die.

[EvilMan_89]

i say no becuz no one has actually ever seen one. and when we die, we just simply cease to exist. it's like how u never existed before u were born.

[Laurence_Fox]

i say no becuz no one has actually ever seen one. and when we die, we just simply cease to exist. it's like how u never existed before u were born.

No one has seen one? Or is it more that you haven't, I wonder? Apparently you've not read the whole thread.

I realize that this is your belief and I cannot change that. But I have seen/heard/felt too many of them to be able to say that they're not here.

[EvilMan_89]

No one has seen one? Or is it more that you haven't, I wonder? Apparently you've not read the whole thread.

I realize that this is your belief and I cannot change that. But I have seen/heard/felt too many of them to be able to say that they're not here.
oh yea, prove it

[Zandyne]

oh yea, prove it

Prove that you fully cease existing when you die. Prove that you never really exist before you're born too. Are you saying the time prior to birth you do not exist at all?

What about the time spent in the womb? You haven't been born yet, but you still exist.

Be more specific.

Arguing "prove it" does not work in debates like this, it is a dead-line argument if you do.

Side-Note: Dead-line refers to how the opposing side uses it as a constant reason as to why something can never be proved becuase they are constantly demanding for more evidence.....refer to a child's questioning everything with the means of "why?" to no end.

[Catch the Rain]

oh yea, prove it

*sigh* so its this argument again?


*coughs* :p


You Prove that they DON'T! That argument is not an argument at all! Others have given reasons and/or examples at least!

As Saix said, clearly you need to read the entire thread! People have seen them! Not only that but I seem to recall you believe in Past Lives, ghosts are not such a far leap from that! :D

[EvilMan_89]

no one can prove ANYTHING they say here making this argument very futile

[xlilypinkx]

Yup, i beleive in ghosts, i feel strange around my house sometimes.. i think its a ghost. not sure who!

[Zandyne]

no one can prove ANYTHING they say here making this argument very futile

SO with this mindset, you continue to contribute dead-line debates WHY?

As for research, feel free to reference anything you think is relevent to prove your counterpoint, until you do your words mean little in this debate...

[Eclipse]

I dont believe in ghost,as Darky stated,its all in ones mind.when i was like 6 i thought i saw a ghost in my house before we moved here.It was color green a father,mother and their daughter.lol i dont know if i was seing it or if it was fake.i dont know i just ran to my parnets room and slept there for the night hiding under the covers.So its possibly fake.as darky said your mind can imagine lots of things in the dark/night.thats why most reports are indoors in the night.I never heard of a sighting on daylight/indoors.so i have to say that ghosts are fake,but can possibly be lost wondering souls that sill need to accomplish something they couldnt.

[White_Rook]

To be more specific Saix, you've seen things move across the room and all that jazz?

[Laurence_Fox]

To be more specific Saix, you've seen things move across the room and all that jazz?

If you mean like a chair moving across a hall from one room to another with no one present to move it, no strings or any other outside source moving it. Then yes I have seen things move across a room.

And don't tell me it was my imagination.

[Eclipse]

If you mean like a chair moving across a hall from one room to another with no one present to move it, no strings or any other outside source moving it. Then yes I have seen things move across a room.

And don't tell me it was my imagination.

lol it was your imagination.your just imagining things bro.but your probably not.until you or some ghost believer can give us non believers that ghosts are actually real and have proof than we'll believe.but right now there fake for the most part.

[Xemnas7355]

Duh there are ghosts!!! Don't you watch BLEACH?!! No I am joking but i think there are ghosts. Some things are just sooo unexplainable that it can only be described as supernatural.

[tasogarehime]

That's because during those times when we thought the earth was flat

No one ever thought the world was flat that is a myth,

http://www.lewrockwell.com/woods/woods46.html

Anyway back on topic.

I'd have to say with all the experiences I've had I have no choice but to believe.
I have had encounters with ghost through out my childhood and into my adult hood.

For a while I even had to deal with Poltergeist activity, because of a girl who was constantly subconsciously attacking a mutual friend out of jealousy. The Poltergeist activity ended when the girl moved out of state.
Things like unplugged phones ringing, electronic toys moving when they were switched off, objects being moved when no one was in the room, disembodied voices, and sightings of entities.
I no longer speak to the girl in question, but my friend still has contact with her, and the girl has apparently tried continue causing the disturbances. She was upset to find out she could no longer do so.

After the death of my older brother our stereo system would turn on full volume at random times, after the death of one of his friends my mother (who before was such a sceptic she refused to believe poltergeist activity that was happening right in front of her.) began to be haunted by foot steps following her or walking up the steps to her bedroom, even in the middle of the day.
right after my grandfather died, the tractor he always used broke down, and the color on our tv went out for the entire day, something it has not done since.

[Tootsie]

I dont believe in ghosts.
Simple,your mind plays tricks on you in the dark.

[Mirai]

I dont believe in ghosts.
Simple,your mind plays tricks on you in the dark.


Unfortunately, that doesn't disprove most ghost sightings. Ever seen Ghost Hunters? I don't believe in ghosts, but the show Ghost Hunters gets me thinking.

BTW, people STILL believe in a flat Earth! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth_Society)

[saxoR_vs_aroS]

i.. i have to say a believer. creepy stuff has happened to me. the items moving, and you know that static theory? i saw clear images, ((i could have sworn one of them was Pablo Escobar)) and the whining of the tv got loud and started to sound like my name. also.....


My nephew (about three at the time) once saw this man hanging out on the other side of a large field at their home. he said to my sister- 'I don't like that man, tell him to go away.' the aunt looked and nothing was there, so he told the kid to stop fibbing. two weeks later, he went to my mothers house, and we started looking at photos. he saw a picture and said,´'there. thats the man i saw,' the man was his grandfather who died before he was born.....

[Xigbar]

I do believe in angels, but ghosts not so much. I think that the reason why we think there is ghosts is because our minds play tricks on us when we are frightened or scared.

[N]

Hmmm....I'm not sure. I've felt I've sensed ghosts and I've seen glimspes of things, but I'm not sure if it were ghosts or just my imagination. Most of the time these glimspes were when I was thinking intently, but sometimes it wasn't just people, it was sometimes these animals, and I think those were from my imagination. But, it depends...I'm not sure though. It depends on if you believe in them or not...

[Laurence_Fox]

lol it was your imagination.your just imagining things bro.but your probably not.until you or some ghost believer can give us non believers that ghosts are actually real and have proof than we'll believe.but right now there fake for the most part.

Mockery, I would remind you, has no place in an intelligent debate. Please keep your responses intelligent and bringing some sort of evidence to support your claim.

You ask me for proof to support the things I have witnessed? Bring me proof of the things you have not. This is a most tiresome and dead end thing to say in such a debate. 'Show me proof ___ exists.' and then the other side counters with, 'Show me proof ____ doesn't exist.'

So onto a new start, I have made several lengthy and informative posts on the subject at hand. Again I say that ghosts DO, in fact, exist. But this is based on my own rather lengthy experience in the subject.

Most of the photos I would bring forth would be dismissed as either good quality Photoshop manipulations or dust/insects/a malfunction of the camera. Skeptics do quite enjoy using their imaginations to come up with all the reasons how it could NOT be a ghost in the image. Any EVPs I would offer would again be dismissed.

So then what am I left with to convince a skeptic of what is etched into my memory? Skeptics will not change my opinion.

[Mirai]

I do believe in angels, but ghosts not so much. I think that the reason why we think there is ghosts is because our minds play tricks on us when we are frightened or scared.

Um... Wouldn't you be frightened or scared AFTER you see it?

It is true that most ghost sightings or paranormal things are misconceptions. However, there may be exceptions. Watch Ghost Hunters on Sci Fi on Wednesdays. There's some creepy stuff in that show.

[xAXELxFIREx]

I'm not really sure if I believe in ghosts, but I believe that there are supernatural things among us.

The night my mother had passed, I woke up in the middle of the night, and thought I heard something crying. At the time, I had no idea that she was dead or anything, but I just felt that she was with me at that time. A lot of strange things happened to a lot of my family members that night, also. My aunt woke up to her dog barking like someone was in the house. My grandmother's alarm clock went off in the middle of the night, and my dad woke up in the middle of the night.

[Zexion13]

I think there could be lingering spirits. What I mean is say someone just died and their ghost lingers. Someone feels that presence. The spirit may move on a little later. I believe we do NOT stay on Earth for eternity, but move on to something different. I don't know what, we could only guess, but I believe that we do move on. I don't think a ghost/spirit will stay on Earth, haunting everyone forever, because I think a lingering spirit is somebodies' way of saying goodbye. When they have said goodbye, they move on.

I wonder what happens to the spirits of anybody who has died in space?

We have solved so many questions that are "How", but seldom have solid proof for "Why".

[MisuzuKamio]

I think this may sound a bit odd but, I personally always believed that when we die, our spirits, as well as our bodies, become part of the earth again. But that means that parts of us become parts of new things, like the wind, the oceans, the plants, other people even. But I think when someone dies, someone who is close to us or someone that we know, (I don't believe that it is exactly a GHOST per say) we can detect it somehow because of the memories that we have.
So I think when people think that they 'feel' someones presence, or believe in something they think is a ghost, it is their hearts coming in contact with a piece of someone who remembers them too.
As for those shows on TV where they go to 'discover ghosts' and 'white noise' and all of that--I think most of that are just coincidences(sp) and people trying to make the slightest bit of noise sound like someone talking. I don't believe in that kind of paranormality.
I know i may sound a bit weird saying this, but I really believe that to be true. (It's also why I couldn't kill anything for the life of me, because it could be part of somebody I know)

[Zexion13]

I think this may sound a bit odd but, I personally always believed that when we die, our spirits, as well as our bodies, become part of the earth again. But that means that parts of us become parts of new things, like the wind, the oceans, the plants, other people even. But I think when someone dies, someone who is close to us or someone that we know, (I don't believe that it is exactly a GHOST per say) we can detect it somehow because of the memories that we have.
So I think when people think that they 'feel' someones presence, or believe in something they think is a ghost, it is their hearts coming in contact with a piece of someone who remembers them too.
As for those shows on TV where they go to 'discover ghosts' and 'white noise' and all of that--I think most of that are just coincidences(sp) and people trying to make the slightest bit of noise sound like someone talking. I don't believe in that kind of paranormality.
I know i may sound a bit weird saying this, but I really believe that to be true. (It's also why I couldn't kill anything for the life of me, because it could be part of somebody I know)

No, that doesn't sound odd to me, I could believe that. I mean, isn't that why they call it the life CYCLE? I'm not so sure about the spirit, well maybe not the entire spirit, anyways. I can believe that PART of our soul would get left behind and return into the Earth.

[Amethyst Grave]

Ghosts do Exist cos, When the soul leaves the body, it obviously wants to get to the light(heaven, whatever)The Devil dosent want this to happen so he tricks some to going to hell. Some are lucky and get straight to the light, Some cant get out of a place(like a house or the place where they died) so they just linger, looking for a way out, some have found the light and are just visiting, Some get lost on theway to the light, and some get angry they cant find the light and start chucking things about! Perfect Proof!

[Blademaster Mai'kel]

I believe ghosts are purgatory-bound spirits. When a soul is in purgatory, they need but a single prayer to release them.

[ShadowMancer]

I say they're real. my sis would disagree. one time i was on KH-vids, and the back door suddenly flew open halfway and closed again. they say it was the wind, but the door was locked. also, i was at home, and this black hooded figure appeared and i'm like, OMG!!! it's Organization XIII!!! And I still belive it. Nobodies and ghosts do exist. (I know, the whole nobody thing, go ahead and call me pscho! but i saw him again.

[Zexion13]

I say they're real. my sis would disagree. one time i was on KH-vids, and the back door suddenly flew open halfway and closed again. they say it was the wind, but the door was locked. also, i was at home, and this black hooded figure appeared and i'm like, OMG!!! it's Organization XIII!!! And I still belive it. Nobodies and ghosts do exist. (I know, the whole nobody thing, go ahead and call me pscho! but i saw him again.

Off Topic: Sorry that just sounded like one of those "One time at Band Camp..." except you put "One time, one Kh-vids...." lol

Back on: Um, I would disagree with you on the whole Nobodies exist, because those characters are just made up by someone, they are just part of a game. A really awsome game.....meh, but it is what you believe, so I am not trying to change what you believe.

If you read what I wrote on the topic, then you will have an idea of what I believe...

[killedbyoathkeeper]

This may sound weird but........... I don't believe in ghosts......... I believe angels were sent down to watch over us and that's what we sense and/or see....

[Laurence_Fox]

This may sound weird but........... I don't believe in ghosts......... I believe angels were sent down to watch over us and that's what we sense and/or see....

I'm sorry. But no angel would look like some of the things I have seen. No angel would look like a disembodied skull in a black cloak running at me with a meat cleaver.

Now what can I say that hasn't been said in my already lengthy posts on the subject?

Spirits can be anything from disembodied voices to full apparitions. Some of these, I think are 'spectral fingerprints' if you will. Almost like a memory of a time being affixed. Sort of like a photograph that moves, if that makes any sense. Or selecting a specific scene in a DVD.

Just think of it on a grander scale.

I would think the existence of ghosts would be a comfort. To know that there is something after we die. Even if we just linger and eventually fade completely it is still something.

But I don't think I would like ghosts to be scientifically proven to exist. Because then I wouldn't see a reason to go ghost hunting anymore. It would almost take the fun out of it.

[killedbyoathkeeper]

Me, my family, and my church agrees with my previous statment......... End of story........... Goodbye...........

[Laurence_Fox]

Me, my family, and my church agrees with my previous statment......... End of story........... Goodbye...........

I would remind you this is an INTELLIGENT DEBATE. A line like you have provided doesn't allow the debate to continue. It is a dead-end arguement that does not allow for a rebuttal. Please elaborate with examples to make your view seem more solid.

[Jest]

Blarg! I believe in both ghosts and angels. As to what the two entities are as a whole, is out of my reach. (I know, made no sense, COMPLETELY tired). But I have a fun time looking at orbs on photographs XD

[HellKitten]

I do believe in spirits, it is however weather animals do. I believe they do because we're considered animals. Human's just think they are higher than others. Even if they don't I know we are being watched over by someone, who cares about us.