Christians and ghosts

[Hopeful]

I don't think anyone os offended. You have all the liberty in the world to do so.

The question is whether or not it is wise to use and promote such an unbiblical concept of death and its results.

Is a little bit of occult acceptable? If so where does one draw the line?

I think this is a very good question. Witchcraft is always something we think of as a point to question (and rightly so, of course), but I personally had never thought to question the concept of ghosts in movies or literature. Probably because I grew up with Casper, I never thought of them (ghosts) as being a real problem, because I understood it was fantasy. And Mom and Dad always watched tv and read books WITH us, so there was always opportunity for proper Christian instruction if a question arose that WOULD impact my perception of reality or understanding of Christian ideology.

So, I guess my answer would revolve around THAT. In the "rest of the world", there are books, movies, tv stories about ghosts. I think the prevalence of tv shows, in particular (because in these, most of the ghosts ARE friendly/benign, and often a departed loved one), is because there is an underlying desire that most people who are NOT Christian share--the desire to believe that there IS "life after death" in some form. I personally believe these stories can be used as a door-opener for Christian witness.

I do not see the "ghost stories" as completely harmless, though....especially the ones that are about obviously demonic forces. I personally don't WATCH those kinds of movies, so I can't give an honest assessment of them, however. I just assume that they HAVE to be "all bad" because the entire concept is so replusive to me. BUT, I have to add here that I think all these "slice and dice" movies so popular now are much WORSE than any movies about ghosts could be--because they portray such graphic violence--for the sheer sake of the violence and gore itself, with NO redemption and usually not even the bad guy getting truly "caught". And I think they are worse simply because there is no obvious line drawn between fantasy and reality--which makes them much more able to be viewed as an "appropriate alternate reality" by poor lost souls who have had NO parent to school them otherwise.:tear:

 

[pinoybaptist]

I can tell you a lot of ghost stories, coming from the Philippines, and having lived in far-off mountain villages where I've seen both that which can be naturally explained (like St. Elmo's fire), and that which can't (like someone wailing in the night by a tree where somebody hang himself), but I'd rather not.

Living in areas like that, what really scared me more than ghosts were snakes.

They'd come into houses at night looking for mice, chicken, or ducks.

This male schoolteacher who boarded with us got up early in the morning, about three oclock, to catch the bus in the next village, and didn't light his small lamp, since there was a sliver of moonlight coming in through slits in the roof.

He put on his pants, and reached for his belt, wondered why the end seems a tad too small for the belthole, until he looked down, and saw the head of this small constrictor floating up towards him.

Woke the whole house up, nope woke the next house even, and wet his pants.

Having been bit by a cobra once, I knew how that felt.

Don't mind me, now. Don't wan' derail this thread.

 

[Hopeful]

I can tell you a lot of ghost stories, coming from the Philippines, and having lived in far-off mountain villages where I've seen both that which can be naturally explained (like St. Elmo's fire), and that which can't (like someone wailing in the night by a tree where somebody hang himself), but I'd rather not.

Living in areas like that, what really scared me more than ghosts were snakes.

They'd come into houses at night looking for mice, chicken, or ducks.

This male schoolteacher who boarded with us got up early in the morning, about three oclock, to catch the bus in the next village, and didn't light his small lamp, since there was a sliver of moonlight coming in through slits in the roof.

He put on his pants, and reached for his belt, wondered why the end seems a tad too small for the belthole, until he looked down, and saw the head of this small constrictor floating up towards him.

Woke the whole house up, nope woke the next house even, and wet his pants.

Having been bit by a cobra once, I knew how that felt.

Don't mind me, now. Don't wan' derail this thread.

Okay, I'm terrified of snakes--my sister was bitten by one when we were kids and I still have nightmares about that (she was fine, thankfully). So your post scared me to pieces--may not have derailed the thread, but you definitely derailed my brain!!!
:tonofbricks: :laugh: :laugh:

 

[Martin]

What should be the Christian's attitude toward the exaltation of the dead through using images of "ghosts."

There is no scriptural indication about ghosts, except possibly the appearance of Samuel to Saul. How then should we deal with ghosts, which are depictions of dead souls which have not "passed over" for some reason. Hollywood has made millions out of their depiction of this unbiblical concept.

Should Christians promote the portrayal of ghosts? If believed it gives people the dangerous idea that when they die, they need not fear judgement immediately because they have a chance to be a ghost first and then sort things out.

==Most ghost stories are either (a) imagination, (b) fairy tails, or (c) demonic. I do believe in hauntings, but real hauntings are a result of demonic activity and not dead people. As far as how ghosts are presented on tv (etc), I am not sure we have any control over that. All we can do is refer to the truth when the subject comes up.

Btw, I love horror movies. However those are just FICTION and they are not real.

 

[Humblesmith]

I never knew of anyone who wound up in an emergency room due to ghost attack. So in that regard, I have no worries.

Now, as far as our response to stories of ghosts: use them as an opportunity to witness, but don't get legalistic. Remember Romans 14.

 

[Snitzelhoff]

I do believe in spooks. I do believe in spooks. I do, I do, I do, I do, I DO believe in spooks!

Sorry. Had to.

As to the topic, ghosts would be part of the broader topic of unbiblical things that Hollywood promotes, so naturally, one's view on ghosts in movies is inherently linked to one's view on anything in fiction that contradicts a Biblical worldview.

Michael

 

[Hope of Glory]

OK, here's a question for y'all: How many movies portray ghosts as evil beings and/or angels? How many of those evil beings are departed people who were evil? How many actually portray the ghosts as being something good, benign, etc.?

I know that when I was a kid, stories about ghosts were scary, and usually something unimaginably evil, but at least some movies presented them as people who were dead that I remember. But, I remember things like Mr. Magoo in Scrooge in which it was scary, but not evil.

Are there any movies that portray ghosts in a way that would not violate biblical information that we have?

 

[Hopeful]

I do believe in spooks. I do believe in spooks. I do, I do, I do, I do, I DO believe in spooks!

Sorry. Had to.

Michael

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Point taken!!! I immediately recognized that as "sortof" from The Wizard of Oz and the Cowardly Lion. (What was the word instead of spooks?) One of my favorite movies of all time! Scared me like crazy when I was a kid! Filled with witches, strange characters, etc. Obviously, definitely fantasy. Didn't make me want to fly around on a broom or cast evil spells. But I sure DID want a dress as beautiful as the good witch's...and a pair of shoes like those ruby slippers!
:wavey:

 

[Hopeful]

==Btw, I love horror movies. However those are just FICTION and they are not real.

I guess I actually kinda like old-timey horror movies...it's the newer ones with all the gore and blood that tear me up. My hubby loved them and always tried to get me to watch them with him--shudder!!!! Yeah, I know they're fiction (THANKFULLY!! :laugh: )...but even the advertisements for them upset me! :tonofbricks:

Okay--back on topic now--sorry for the segue...

 

[Cutter]

Cowardly Lion: I do believe in spooks. I do believe in spooks. I do, I do, I do, I do, I *do* believe in spooks.

Spooks was the word.

 

[Hopeful]

Are there any movies that portray ghosts in a way that would not violate biblical information that we have?

Someone else mentioned A Christmas Carol already....the "ghosts" in there were various entities that served as warnings, and the first ghost that appears--Scrooge's dead partner IS a tortured soul (presumably in hell?). Would that qualify?

 

[saturneptune]

The Bible tells us for believers absent from the body is present with the Lord. The parable of Lazarus indicates a place of torment before judgment day. Ghosts do not linger on earth. I have never seen one, nor has anybody I know. 99% of those seeing ghosts and UFOs need to get off the bottle or wacky weed. The other 1% may be seeing some demonic activity. We have the Holy Spirit in us to take care of that. If you cant handle it, call in your local Catholic exorcist.

 

[Martin]

I guess I actually kinda like old-timey horror movies...it's the newer ones with all the gore and blood that tear me up. My hubby loved them and always tried to get me to watch them with him--shudder!!!! Yeah, I know they're fiction (THANKFULLY!! :laugh: )...but even the advertisements for them upset me! :tonofbricks:

Okay--back on topic now--sorry for the segue...

==O, I agree totally. I love the plain ol spooky stuff. I don't like the blood/guts junk. I know some would probably object to my love of those movies but as long as one knows they are only fiction I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[Martin]

Are there any movies that portray ghosts in a way that would not violate biblical information that we have?

==If someone is taking these movies seriously then no. The very idea of dead people (good or bad) hanging around earth after death is unBiblical. The Bible knows of angels, it knows of demons, but it knows nothing of dead people remaining in their homes. In fact Scripture forbids trying to communicate with the dead. So if you do see a dead person (ghost) in your house don't talk to it or try to communicate with it. Why? 1. We are forbidden to do so. 2. It is a demon and not the person who has died.

 

[saturneptune]

OK, here's a question for y'all: How many movies portray ghosts as evil beings and/or angels? How many of those evil beings are departed people who were evil? How many actually portray the ghosts as being something good, benign, etc.?

I know that when I was a kid, stories about ghosts were scary, and usually something unimaginably evil, but at least some movies presented them as people who were dead that I remember. But, I remember things like Mr. Magoo in Scrooge in which it was scary, but not evil.

Are there any movies that portray ghosts in a way that would not violate biblical information that we have?

How about "My Mother the Car?"

 

[Hope of Glory]

The very idea of dead people (good or bad) hanging around earth after death is unBiblical. The Bible knows of angels, it knows of demons, but it knows nothing of dead people remaining in their homes.

This is what I'm talking about. Do you know of any movies that portray ghosts as being demonic or angelic beings instead of a dead person.

 

[tinytim]

I have a theory about how what people actually see when they think they see a ghost is a rip in the space-time continuim (sp?)

But that is all it is.... a theory...

 

[Hopeful]

I have a theory about how what people actually see when they think they see a ghost is a rip in the space-time continuim (sp?)

But that is all it is.... a theory...

Ah, another Star Trek fan! :wavey:

 

[Hope of Glory]

One thing that I have concluded ever since I figured out from scriptures that ghosts aren't really dead people is this: What better way to deceive someone than for a demon to imitate someone and gain trust?

 

[Bro. Williams]

If anything they would appear to be visible manifestations of demons.

That is about all one can figure... (devils for KJVers...). I have oft wondered about this, and have spoke to others and that is about all that I can come up with as well.

I do believe that making any false notion a common thing, in this case the false assumption of being a ghost instead of fire fuel, is extremely harmful and a great tool of the devil. It is a perfect way to soften and steer away from the truth in the name of "entertainment" (harry potter thread revisited?).