World without Ghosts?

6th

Ok this article is interesting enough as it is but there aim is to make a huge effort to help souls to pass into heaven. Whether spirits are trapped or whether heaven exists is not really the question here. Obviously if something like this does work as the aim it to, could we have a ghost-free world by 2012?

Mediums, psychics and paranormal investigators are to gather near Cambridge for the world's first spiritual festival.

David Wharmby, a medium and paranormal researcher organising the event, said: "The purpose of this event is very clear and simple.

"Many people believe in ghosts and many people believe in a heaven. But if there is a heaven, why can we see ghosts?

"This is because many ghosts, or spirits, don't make it to heaven. Death is a traumatic event and they often don't find their way there. This event is designed to guide spirits home."

The festival will be held simultaneously with events in the USA, Canada and New Zealand.

By uniting the four festivals participants hope to create an energy that will help the spirits find their way to heaven in an "en masse passing over", which will be the culmination of the event.

It is one of four planned events to take place every other year until 2012 and will be broadcast live on the internet in an attempt to gather together spiritualists from across the world.

Now on a seperate note but from the same article:

But the Rev Mark Mills-Powell, rector of St Mary's Church in Linton, says he has concerns.

He said: "I am saddened and disappointed to hear this event is happening.

"I would encourage Christians not to get involved as the Bible warns against this kind of practice."

Its a noble cause and promotes heaven but is their problem that it is not mans place to usher the passed towards heaven?

Full Article

kshiel

While these peoples motives seem to be good. I dont think what he is trying to accomplish would work. I suppose this also comes down to belief, I dont believe all ghost etc are trapped. I dont think people just see spirits who need help in someway. Even by his thought, ghost will never cease to exist as long as people pass over or die.

I do like the thought of people coming together for the common good of others but I think publicity or something else maybe at play here also.

6th

I agree that it does not fit in with my presonal beliefs (though whos t osay they dont have it right?) but the idea is a beautiful one. Saying that I would be left with nothing to Investigate.

As for publicity, its a semi commercial thing anyway with stands and entertainment but sure bringing about a greater awareness is always a good thing. Lets not forget of course that its happening on the weekend before Holloween

ladybirdirl

Seems like an ok idea to me to have this festival thing but I've a question.

If ghosts can sometimes appear to tell al iving person something or give them a sign or some such, then the ghost is not trapped so why the need for an 'en masse' send 'em up to heaven.

and why would it be assumed that they would all just head up to heaven on request?

Ladybird:)

6th

They are doing this based on their belief system. Its like asking why are catholics doing confession.

MonkeyWrench

They are gathering them together so they can blow them all up in one go.:D

stevenmu

Well, I'm a sceptic as you know Ted. I'm not sure where they got the idea that ghosts simply can't find heaven and need directions, but I come out with some crazy ideas myself from time to time, so fair enough. What bothers me is that they think that they can somehow provide said directions. Without having looked into it in much detail, from what I do see it looks like a pure commercial venture to me.

6th

Following the Su-na-me (not gottan try spell it), i know alot of spiritual groups sent out alot of "energy" to help the souls of the dea on their way. This just seems like a similarly nice gesture - with a bit of profit thrown in.

dib

Seems like quite a nice idea to me. I'd like to think that there are nothing but positive intentions behind it.
The fact that the organisers are trying to make a few quid out of it isn't a bad thing in my opinion. More power
to them.

While I don't necessarily believe in a "heaven" so to speak, I have to wonder how this would turn out. Surely
there are souls bound to this earth that, according to certain belief systems would not be permitted entry to such
a place. By that reckoning, if they haven't found their way into a heaven, or, more than likely been denied
entry, then surely they haven't found their way into it's opposite (hell) either. If all the deserving souls are moved
on, and all of the "undeserving" are left with no choice but to stick around, things could become very unpleasant.

Just a thought, and admittedly quite an incredible one, but I've always thought that some benevolent spirits
stay here to care and protect. I'd like to think that this is a choice that is made, not just "something to do" while
they take a ticket and get in line!

6th

dib wrote:

Surely there are souls bound to this earth that, according to certain belief systems would not be permitted entry to such a place. By that reckoning, if they haven't found their way into a heaven, or, more than likely been denied entry, then surely they haven't found their way into it's opposite (hell) either. If all the deserving souls are moved on, and all of the "undeserving" are left with no choice but to stick around, things could become very unpleasant.

On that point I read an article today about Mary Ann Winkowski, who is the Medium the show The Ghost Whisperer is based on and she made this comment:

She doesn’t know what’s on the other side, but said she has seen pedophiles and murderers walk through the same white light.
“I have to believe there’s someone standing at the end with a clipboard,” she said.

Also from that article is the below comment which would be her understanding of "moving spirits on":

She grew up in Cleveland and her grandmother, who she said had a less powerful gift, would take her to haunted houses to tell ghosts to leave when she was only 4 years old. She said she first discovered her talent at the age of 2.
She learned early on that spirits have 72 to 80 hours, starting at the final memorial service, to walk through an aura of white light that surrounds them after they die. But some don’t want to leave, especially those whose family disobeys their burial wishes.
By picturing in her mind a white light, and then mentally drawing it in a wall big enough for a person to walk through, she asks spirits to leave and they do.

ladybirdirl

6th wrote:

They are doing this based on their belief system. Its like asking why are catholics doing confession.

I get that they're doing that but where's the explanation as to why they need to send these souls anywhere - maybe they are just benevolents looking after people? Just sounds a bit dubious to me

I agree with dib, I don't necessarily hold that it's people who are stuck because they need to work off something dodge that get left here, wouldn't that make things unbalanced. Maybe they choose to stay here?

6th

These people believe that spirits which are here to help have passed over and come back to give guidance and help out but that these other trapped souls need to be herded towards the pearly gates.

Like i said their ideas dont fit with mine and thats fine. I just thought an event like this on such a scale should be noted due to the fact it is given attention to something which many people dont acknowledge - that ghosts exist.

I for one will be "tuning in" at the time this event takes place and doing my little bit. Just because our ideas might not match I believe sending out this much positive thought can make a difference.

torinoblue

We already live in a world without ghosts.

Mission accomplished.

6th

Really? and could you add anymore to your post?

torinoblue

Well I could say ghosts don't exist, but I don't know if that results in bannage because of your weird rules.

I know you guys are deluded and there is no talking to you. I have no interest in arguing so that's all.

The festival sounds like a good idea, will keep the hippies away for a weekend.

So I guess another two thumbs up from me.

GuanYin

torinoblue banned