SCEPCOP Forum

Just curious Craig, did you really spend that much time answering someone to help them determine the truth of demons or was it because their name is "hotsy?"

I grew up in a religious home, and the thought that demons existed was not even questioned. I read Peretti and really thought that's how the world was. Never did see anything though. My Aunt, on the other hand, says she's seen at least one demon and Jesus. Demon's scare her so much that she won't watch movies where actors invoke made up spirits and demons; she's afraid the actor invoking them will call real demons into her home. It wasn't just her either, it was my grandparents (they live together) and their whole church. At one point I was dating a Wiccan (not out of rebellion, it just happened that way) and they refused to let her in the house because their church told them that she would carry demons which could kill my grandparents since they were in poor health.

Personally, I always thought that fear of demons was an odd thing for fundamentalist Christians to have. If you're so gung-ho that your god is all-powerful and in control of anything, then what's to be scared of?

Speaking of demons and TAPS and other ghost hunting shows and if one were to take at face value what religionists say; demons are opportunistic ,why aren't they showing up on these ghost hunting shows ?

Only in one episode do I recall a guest investigator claim a demon was about to show itself. As for the other shows. Unless these other shows videoed projectile pee soup spewing about and head spinning or some other obvious manifestation I'm very reluctant to take these ghost hunters at their word. One other thought. Religionists say demons are just looking for an opportunity. I can't imagine a better opportunity for a demon to show itself then ghost hunting.

Is there a difference between a demon and a poltergeist? Both are supposed to be non-human in nature and generally violent yes?

I was raised a fundie, so I'm ok on the religious part of it. I'm just trying to get a handle on the nuances of hauntings as they are secularly perceived. From the sounds of it though, it would seem my confusion is warranted and actually expected given that no two people seem to tell the same tale.

So, I've also gotten mixed vibes from you. Do you like/respect Ghost Hunters (the TV show)? I hesitate to share my feelings on them as I don't want to be off-putting, but I'm curious to know if they are well-thought of in paranormalist circles.