Confessions of a Ghost Hunter

[chicagoshadows]

Dear Catholic Answers and forum members and guests,

I confess (hence the title of this post) that I am, or I should say was a ghost hunter! I was originally inspired by the excitement of trying to debunk paranormal anomalies and such (like Harry Houdini aka Erich Weiss once did), or to even validate them. I was sort of an Indiana Jones (which I like to see myself as) of the paranormal world; I was into ghost hunting for the adventure, discovery, and not to mention for the thrills and chills. As I saw it, most of us love a good ghost story...especially if one can be proven to be real.

I used to not rely on any of the other occult fare. I used pseudo scientific equipment that measured changes in the atmosphere that supposedly occurs when otherworldly presences invade our realm. At the time, proving scientifically that another world exists besides that of the living ( to me ) was like catching lightening in a bottle. Even Thomas Alva Edison, inspired by ghost photography, was working on some sort of machine to record voices of the dead, but he died before it was ever constructed-leaving behind no blue prints. He too, like me had a scientific curiosity.

The deeper I got into ghost hunting, the rules that I lived by (i.e my faith) began to bend. I started burning special candles for special favors from the dead (i.e cursing my enemies for which I became obsessed with them), and bathing myself in ritual herbs yet again for special favors such as worldly things. I was disillusioned that the power of King Solomon which to control spirits or demons could be mine, a very dangerous power that could cost one their soul and (or) life! All of the pagans that I associated with held high regards for demons, and claimed that they were vilified by the Roman Catholic Church! In addition, I was led to believe that the Cabala was given to Moses by God and was originally inscribed on the first tablets he brought down from Mount Sinai which he broke upon seeing the golden idol that was an abomination to our Lord. As punishment, he went back up and came back down with new tablets with "Thou shalls and shall nots". I was informed that only certain Rabbi's are trained in the rituals of the Cabala that for which many sorcerers also use . I was also led to believe that some of the Saints were versed in the Cabala for which enabled them to perform miracles such as levitation not unlike Simon Magnus. I also used Ouija boards, and performed seances for which I seldom engaged in. I was led to believe that all of this was justified, and I could still be a Catholic in spite of, but Lord who is remains in my heart told me that all of this is wrong. Just as Adam and Eve had realized their nakedness, I had realized mine for which I returned to my faith and clung to the Lord! My association with pagans and witches started to sicken me. Gathering with them was like sitting down for a meal only to be served rotten flesh!

My ghost hunting days are waning-I am basically reduced to writing ghost stories for my friends newsletter! Many are impressed with my knowledge of the occult and spirits, but I am sickened by it. The occult simply means "hidden knowledge", but one should know the dangers of it anyway, and be aware of its influence in our society. I spoke to a priest about my knowledge, and what he did not know of-he had treated me like a fool! Our money has occult references due to its Masonic heritage-for the Masons are known to fuse religion with the occult, and instead of living like Christ, they strive to be him-they worship a goat headed god baphomet which resembles a demon .

The occult even follows me to the church that I go to. There is this woman there, who wrote a book based on her interpretation on the paranormal and of paranormal sites around Chicago. She wrote in her recent book that our church (which she attends and gives the name of) is haunted and she has rumored that the devil had visited a friend of her mother that came early for morning mass praying the Rosary years ago. According to her story, a man with cloven hoofs in a strange voice said that praying the Rosary wouldn't help this woman. Just imagine, after hearing this author woman's stories, ghost hunters will start going to our church for purposes other than worship. This author is known by the church to give "ghost tours" around Chicago. But I know (but I doubt the church does) that she publicly holds in high esteem a shady soothsayer who practices divination and spirit communication for which he charges for. He claims that the spirits have much knowledge to share with us! She writes about him in her books and considers him a partner or mentor for her business. She even publicly sticks her neck out to defend him from his critics! Moreover, like him, also a Catholic, she publicly affiliates herself with the occult and holds a yearly paranormal conference with this character who though he is Irish,was supposedly also given the title of Indian Shaman from an native American for which he claims to have been bestowed an honorary Indian name as well.

This woman of whom I describe cantors at our church- she also sings in our choir, and I think lectors occasionally as well. I have a feeling that the church doesn't know, but It's between her and God. When I talked to some of the parishioners about the haunted legends of our church that I read in this woman's book, their basic response was "How can a house of God be haunted?" They also claimed not to know of this woman or her books as I guess her reputation doesn't precede her. As far as the occult goes, you have my experiences with it-you don't need to have your own. Go with God-who unlike demons and spirits will provide you with what you need! Take comfort in our Lord Jesus Christ-His yoke is easy and His burden is lite. Amen!

[TheHem]

Very interesting that I would find this post. I've recently found out that a friend is involved in contacting the dead. This friend is a practicing Catholic but I don't think she thinks there is anything wrong with it. She uses something called a pendulum(?) that hangs on her finger to contact the dead. I'm praying and asking the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom and guidance as to how to approach this subject with her and inform her that this is wrong. I love listening to Sharon Giganti on Catholic Answers. I've thought about forwarding articles but is that just brazen of me? She believes she's in contact with her mother and I have a sense this can really touch a nerve if I tell her she should stop this practice.

[Hineni59]

I used to practice occult methods. But here is what the bible says about that: Deuteronomy 18: 10-12 'There shall not by found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, or one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord." King Saul consulted an oracle (medium) and they called up a dead prophet. The prophet told him he was a dead man for doing that. And he did die. He also lost his mind.

[lucky4075]

My current roommate here in college is good friends with a bunch of people that played around with a ouija board one night. They also played with this thing in a house where someone had been recently murdered I spoke with one of them over the phone about what happened to the group and what went down that night- from what he described to me I would HIGHLY suggest that you never mess around with those things or other occult items. His friends were actually possessed by some form of demons or what have you and 3 6s kept coming up on that thing- this is all the no joke the guy was scared out of his mind describing this to me. I wont describe everything that happened but a couple people became possessed and things went down in that house.

As Catholics we are taught that real evil exists out in the world along with demons etc. I am a firm believer of all of this- there is definitely a third medium or something full of all kinds of spirits etc. I've done a few ghost hunts before and yes they are kind of fun and exciting but I would never consider doing anything along the occult. Trust me- the guy I talked to is not the same person anymore- STAY AWAY FROM POKING AROUND WITH THE DEAD AND DEMONS ETC.

[Spirithound]

Originally Posted by chicagoshadows

Dear Catholic Answers and forum members and guests,

I confess...

As far as the occult goes, you have my experiences with it-you don't need to have your own. Go with God-who unlike demons and spirits will provide you with what you need! Take comfort in our Lord Jesus Christ-His yoke is easy and His burden is lite. Amen!

Dear friend, Have you made a good sacramental confession? Please be at peace.
God bless you

[chicagoshadows]

Originally Posted by Spirithound

Dear friend, Have you made a good sacramental confession? Please be at peace.
God bless you

I have already confessed to God! If I am going to confess to a priest-how do I know if I am confessing to one who is righteous and not a child molester. Why does an excorcist have to be a pious man of God, but when we confess our sins-we confess them to a sinner!?! Isn't sin from the devil? Yes we have free will, but the devil trys to weaken our controll of it! Many priest that I know of are seemingly more interested in raising money to make their churches more beautiful so that people will want to come in pray in them-for this is more important than feeding and clothing the poor. I worked at a Catholic social service agency here in Chicago, and the nun who is in charge there looks righteous in the eyes of her public, but behind her public image, one would never know that she was a Christian. In fact she associates with Chicago politicians, multimillionaires, and even has ties to Barack Obama and members of his cabinet-does she feel that she needs to associate with these types because God doesn't give her everything? To me this seems just as bad as dabbling in the occult! I love it, just like the Jew Pharisees did in Jesus' day, put the burden of the Law on it's people but not adhering to it themselves- does this hit home in the Catholic Church? Did you hear in the news today that the Vatican might have covered up the sin of Danial McCormick all the while he continued committing sin which was covered up by the Vatican repeatedly? My grandfather, a Chicago police officer in the 30's and 40's have caught many priest having affairs with women in their cars- my grandfather would have to knock on the window and say 'father go home!" Jesus had said "My yolk is easy and my burden is lite." I choose to confess my sins to Christ and God who are without sin! Take the sliver out of my eye while I take the plank out of yours- and I say that to the Church as well as all of Its clergy!

Lastly, if a person in the Catholic church (i.e. Pope John Paul II who I call "God of the Polo *edit* Polish) performs a miracle they are beatified or Sainted with no skepticism of demonic forces, but if a lay person performs a miracle, the Catholic church is skeptical and probably thinks that the person is a kook or probably is a practitioner of witchcraft! It is funny that the former Pope is being beatified so quickly as more Church sex scandals are being uncovered -especially ones that have happened under his watch. I guess the Polish want a God, and the Church who needs more followers is producing one for them-just as they did for the Mexicans-the Lady of Guadalupe, for which they (Mexicans or many of them) worship her as a goddess, and don't see her as "Mary" as good Catholics see her in the traditional sense- but yet again the Catholic Church has produced for them-this time a goddess-witches worship goddesses . Mexicans also worship the god of death for whom they call Saint Death or Lady Death (ironically this idol is of Nordic origins) -they have incorporated this false goddess in their Catholic faith and this idol looks like the grim reaper-they worship an idol who is death instead of worshiping The God incarnate who has defeated death. There is a big cult of Mexican Catholics who worship Saint Death in Chicago- probably larger here than anywhere in the United States! Does the Catholic church speak out against this? No, because Mexicans have more families which the Catholic Church loves! So maybe the Church should confess its sins publicly! And I often wonder if the Pope is really the rock of Christ's Church!

It is funny how rightous you seem, one could figure that out by your handel!

[chicagoshadows]

Originally Posted by TheHem

Very interesting that I would find this post. I've recently found out that a friend is involved in contacting the dead. This friend is a practicing Catholic but I don't think she thinks there is anything wrong with it. She uses something called a pendulum(?) that hangs on her finger to contact the dead. I'm praying and asking the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom and guidance as to how to approach this subject with her and inform her that this is wrong. I love listening to Sharon Giganti on Catholic Answers. I've thought about forwarding articles but is that just brazen of me? She believes she's in contact with her mother and I have a sense this can really touch a nerve if I tell her she should stop this practice.

A pendulum is the same as the spirit board. All one has to do is make a cross on a piece of paper with yes on the top of the cross and no at the bottom-on the right an left of the cross there is nothing-then you ask questions like you would on a spirit board-yes no questions. A pendulum is also used in finding spirits, it is a varient of the divining rod. Ghost hunters use both methods-instead of using the traditional wood diving rod, they cut a metal hanger to form two bent rods and they are held in each hand-if they cross together, it is most likely a spirit is near. If you do not believe in this stuff-tell your friend that you are repulsed by it and ask her not to talk about the subject-or end your friendship! It is between her and God! God sees everything and knows everything! And if she is God fearing-remind her of the abomination that she is doing to our Lord!

[Spirithound]

Originally Posted by chicagoshadows

If I am going to confess to a priest-how do I know if I am confessing to one who is righteous and not a child molester?

You don't need to. To assert otherwise is the heresy of the Donatists, which has been condemned from the 4th and 5th centuries.

[Kelley Green]

Originally Posted by chicagoshadows

It is between her and God!

And millions of internet bloggers. Really, what is your point in this forum? To carry on another brand of megalomania using the bible as justification?

Stop. Think a minute. Put your attention where it belongs. IE Not chasing down others. Open the book and read it.

[vince2paul]

Slightly off-topic, is it sinful to watch TV program where it challenge people to stay in a haunted place for a period of time to challenge whatever is there?

[NetStar]

To the OP

I use to "Think" using the Ouija boards were ok and not a "conflict" to my faith. I also use to be big into getting my cards read, palm read, horoscopes ect. I then started to really get into my faith, the Catholic Church and found these things were wrong. I have sense given them up and want nothing to do with them. I have a few family members who think these things are ok and are even into the Wicca. I pray for them.

Thank you so much for sharing part of your life with us, May God use your experience that you share with others about this to let them also see where these things are harmful and not a Glory to God.

[NetStar]

Originally Posted by TheHem

Very interesting that I would find this post. I've recently found out that a friend is involved in contacting the dead. This friend is a practicing Catholic but I don't think she thinks there is anything wrong with it. She uses something called a pendulum(?) that hangs on her finger to contact the dead. I'm praying and asking the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom and guidance as to how to approach this subject with her and inform her that this is wrong. I love listening to Sharon Giganti on Catholic Answers. I've thought about forwarding articles but is that just brazen of me? She believes she's in contact with her mother and I have a sense this can really touch a nerve if I tell her she should stop this practice.

You could forward the articles and say, "Just thought you might find this interesting." and leave it at that in your note to her.

God hears your prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit is Awsome....it just may be that an article could "touch" her heart along with your prayers better than anything you could say to her.

[Spirithound]

Originally Posted by vince2paul

Slightly off-topic, is it sinful to watch TV program where it challenge people to stay in a haunted place for a period of time to challenge whatever is there?

I don't think so.

[obliviuossquire]

Originally Posted by chicagoshadows

I have already confessed to God! If I am going to confess to a priest-how do I know if I am confessing to one who is righteous and not a child molester. Why does an excorcist have to be a pious man of God, but when we confess our sins-we confess them to a sinner!?! Isn't sin from the devil? Yes we have free will, but the devil trys to weaken our controll of it! Many priest that I know of are seemingly more interested in raising money to make their churches more beautiful so that people will want to come in pray in them-for this is more important than feeding and clothing the poor. I worked at a Catholic social service agency here in Chicago, and the nun who is in charge there looks righteous in the eyes of her public, but behind her public image, one would never know that she was a Christian. In fact she associates with Chicago politicians, multimillionaires, and even has ties to Barack Obama and members of his cabinet-does she feel that she needs to associate with these types because God doesn't give her everything? To me this seems just as bad as dabbling in the occult! I love it, just like the Jew Pharisees did in Jesus' day, put the burden of the Law on it's people but not adhering to it themselves- does this hit home in the Catholic Church? Did you hear in the news today that the Vatican might have covered up the sin of Danial McCormick all the while he continued committing sin which was covered up by the Vatican repeatedly? My grandfather, a Chicago police officer in the 30's and 40's have caught many priest having affairs with women in their cars- my grandfather would have to knock on the window and say 'father go home!" Jesus had said "My yolk is easy and my burden is lite." I choose to confess my sins to Christ and God who are without sin! Take the sliver out of my eye while I take the plank out of yours- and I say that to the Church as well as all of Its clergy!

Lastly, if a person in the Catholic church (i.e. Pope John Paul II who I call "God of the Polo *edit* Polish) performs a miracle they are beatified or Sainted with no skepticism of demonic forces, but if a lay person performs a miracle, the Catholic church is skeptical and probably thinks that the person is a kook or probably is a practitioner of witchcraft! It is funny that the former Pope is being beatified so quickly as more Church sex scandals are being uncovered -especially ones that have happened under his watch. I guess the Polish want a God, and the Church who needs more followers is producing one for them-just as they did for the Mexicans-the Lady of Guadalupe, for which they (Mexicans or many of them) worship her as a goddess, and don't see her as "Mary" as good Catholics see her in the traditional sense- but yet again the Catholic Church has produced for them-this time a goddess-witches worship goddesses . Mexicans also worship the god of death for whom they call Saint Death or Lady Death (ironically this idol is of Nordic origins) -they have incorporated this false goddess in their Catholic faith and this idol looks like the grim reaper-they worship an idol who is death instead of worshiping The God incarnate who has defeated death. There is a big cult of Mexican Catholics who worship Saint Death in Chicago- probably larger here than anywhere in the United States! Does the Catholic church speak out against this? No, because Mexicans have more families which the Catholic Church loves! So maybe the Church should confess its sins publicly! And I often wonder if the Pope is really the rock of Christ's Church!

It is funny how rightous you seem, one could figure that out by your handel!

-Something to remember is that clergy, and religious members, are human. They make mistakes just like everyone else. When it comes to any sacrament we must recognize the one who instituted it, Jesus. We are NOT given graces from holy or sinful people, we are grated grace from God alone. With the Sacrament of Reconciliation we must remember that the person confessing is not being absolved from sin by the confessor, they are being forgiven by God. The priest is there for a few reasons, one of which is that he is in persona Christi, being the one to physically represent and make the physical signs of forgiveness as he says his prayers and blessings upon you. The priest is also there to represent the Body of Christ, His holy Church, for when we sin we not only sin against God but also our neighbor, because all sin in some way effects those around us whether we see it directly or not. Also, the state of grace that the priest is in has nothing to do with your absolution. just like the woman who is involved with different ministries at your parish, including being a lector or cantor... the Body and Blood of Christ as well as the Word of God can never be tarnished by the sinfulness of our humanity, because no creature is above their creator. No human on this earth is perfect, the only one who has ever come into existence is Jesus Christ, and as we well know he said in His authority "let one without sin cast the first stone." We aren't here to be judges of those around us, if we are disgusted with those who we see at worship then we ourselves fall into the sin of pride as we judge the spiritual state of others. As for the Nun you mentioned, hasn't even Christ sat with Tax Collectors and the corrupt of his time? He called to them in his own special way, being the example for them until they were made clean. I pray that before you judge, you remember the frailty of humanity and the Power and Majesty of the only perfect and true person, Jesus Christ.

May the Lord bless you and keep you all the days of your life!

[soylatte2]

Hello ChicagoShadows . Thank you for sharing.

I feel so much freedom and peace now that I have (recently) left my Ghost Hunting days behind me. I am still very good friends with people whom I've met during that period of my life. I've done almost a hundred paranormal investigations in the last 2 years or so - using equipments to gather information/data, going to various locations - private homes, businesses and historical places. Have seen/ used items of , what they call "divination". I even posted here not too long ago, trying to explain why I do it but the Holy Spirit was working His fire in me and I know that I no longer want to do it. I'd rather be in search for Life (This life and Eternal) than death.

I've heard enough and seen enough and the least I can do is pray for these souls. My curiosity was replaced by peace in the realization that it is not my place to know. If a space is haunted, then so be it, I'll pray for the soul of both the living and the dead. My fascination has been replaced by sympathy and compassion, we all are part of the Body of Christ and the members of Church Militant, Suffering and Heaven Triumphant should pray for each other.

And there are those that are seen and unseen, as we profess in our Creed, I would much rather explore more about the Body of Christ and the Church He has founded.

I don't claim to know all there is about my Catholic Faith, but the reason why I did it was because I do not know my Faith well enough.

Anyway, here is what the Catechism states on things like these:

2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future.48 Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

Another document that is helpful for me was

Jesus Christ The Bearer Of The Water of Life

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/po...ew-age_en.html