Hi All,
I forgot to list my website that would help explain why I chose this topic.

www.dnaparanormal.com

Cheers,
Martin

There are no ghosts. The Bible doesn't teach your body has a soul, but that it IS a soul. When you die, your soul dies too, since it infact is you--your life.

(Genesis 2:7) . . .God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man ***came to be a living soul.***

(Ecclesiastes 9:5) For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages, because the remembrance of them has been forgotten.

(Ecclesiastes 9:10) All that your hand finds to do, do with your very power, for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in [the grave], the place to which you are going.

(Psalm 146:4) 4 His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; In that day his thoughts do perish.

In light of those Scriptures, how should Psalm be understood? "Out" like a candle, or out like a ghost--like what you see on TV? You decide.

Souls are not immortal, they are mortal thus dies when you die--thus--it is the life in you, what makes you YOU:

""For example, Ezekiel 18:4, 20 says: "The soul that is sinning"”it itself will die." Jesus himself said: "My soul is deeply grieved, even to death." (Matt. 26:38) Revelation 16:3 says: "Every living soul died, yes, the things in the sea." The human soul is the human person himself, made up of the fleshly body and the active force of life maintained by breathing. (Gen. 2:7) So when the human body is killed, the soul dies; the intelligent person dies."" w64 12/15

Is there any Scripture that says your SOUL goes to Hell? Heaven? Purgatory? Anywhere?'

If "Adam ***became*** a living SOUL" then soul means living being. Adam became a living being. Breath of Life + body= SOUL. I got soul. :)

Why does every answer to every question have to be "because it says so in the Bible"? (by the way, there are no true fundamentalists because they would have plucked their own eyes out by now...just those who think they so that they can justify themselves in what ever they are about.)

If EZ Answer Squirrel has taught us anything, it's that there are no easy answers haha

But seriously, it's a good question about ghosts.

Most days and most times I don't believe in them. But sometimes I do.

Forgive my lack of quoting scripture on the following. I shall provide when called for.

Ghosts would fit into the category of demons, because they were allowed to roam the earth at the fall of Lucifer as they were cast out of Heaven. Not bound to hell, allowed to wander around in the aftermath of the garden of eden -- our world -- and highly deceptive, intelligent beings. Not a compliment at all, but a cautious observation. They have been around since the fall, making them ancient beings sometimes knowing more than we can grasp, but also making them all that more manipulative. They do not have anyone's best intentions in mind.

Souls/spirits do not linger in a state of pugatory, they are judged by God (to rephrase, given a destination of Heaven or Hell) once the individual has passed away. Any messages & signs sent to their loved ones/etc are instigated by God, as he knows what has to be done and how to do it, or what was left unfinished that needs closure. Angels can assist as messengers in delivering these messages in one way or another. However, demons being a part of our world and observing along the way can, and will in some situations, pose as a deceased individual to a clever extent. Why? Well, not only is there a universal desire by demons to manipulate us and make a mockery out of God's chilldren, but they can also curl individuals around their fingers with such methods. Who knows what they can lead them to believe, or do, when given that influence and control?

The Holy Ghost, of course, IS God. This shouldn't be a means of justifying the culture of ghosts which is in a separate culture from christianity alltogether. But easy to apply to it, I understand.

The virgin birth was a miracle under the guidance and intiative of God, with the intention of bring the messiah to the world to redeem it of its sins.

The burning bush, and other supernatural events in the Bible were made possible because God was behind them. Of course, opposing supernatual forces are in this world trying to be like God, surpass God, etc, and they will want to lead individuals to believe in their superiority in any way possible. Even if they are successful in confusing and leading God's children astray with the demonstration of their supernatural powers, they feel they are succeeding. However, the Bible has accounts of these forces being put in their place by the power of God (ex, Exodus Chapter 7), making it clear that their use of power is a direct rebellion against God who really is a loving God, but at the same time, has to show tough love at times.

This is a huge in-depth subject, and I realize this, so I'm not ignorant to the many arguments on both sides of it. Nonetheless, had to share.

The power of Christ compelled you to write that.

Madmonk,

Who are you morel likely to trust: an imperfect human or a perfect and all knowing Creator?

Do you have children? Who knows best for them: themselves or you?

""Why does every answer to every question have to be "because it says so in the Bible"? ""

The question should rather be, Why shouldn't it be? This is a "Church" right? This forum IS for discussing "sprititual" things right? Or is it just to discuss personal opinions and philosophies?

Why should heaven be so far away? Maybe the separation between this life and the next isn't as thick as many/most North Americans would like. In my experience, people from other parts of the world tend to be much more at ease with our sharing similar space, yet in different ways, with those who have gone this way before. I think it's comforting to feel that in powerful moments in my life (eg. the arrival of a child into my life) God gathers around me those who can help me be strong, or just appreciate the glory of the moment. Not all the "ghost" stories I have heard are about lost souls. Many are about visits with far more intention.

I believe I read about a ghost in the old testament- hmmm, was it in Kings? One of the prophets spoke to a ghost. I can seek it out.

I personally have had an experience with a ghost- not a devil or a demon- but a lost soul.

My view, as simple and as niave as it is:

God gave us free will in life, the ability to choose.

Why would he deny us free will upon death?

It's it conceivable that even after death we must CHOOSE to go to Him? My God is a patient God. And if one of his kids is being a little stubborn, a little scared even, then He'd say, "I'm here when you're ready."

Just an idea to put out there to you and others.

M.H.O.

Good question, by the way, and a good topic.

I think the idea of ghosts is fascinating, but sad. The idea of a soul trapped between earth and the afterlife is really quite tragic, isn't it?

One thing on my list of "things I'd like to do when I'm rich", is to go to Britain, to one of the castles that's rumoured to be haunted, and see for myself!!

DNA - I'm curious, because you started the thread - have you ever experienced something that would lead you to believe in ghosts? I'd love t hear it!

Oh sorry, DNA - you posted a website, I'll check that out!

Aurora,
What if what we encounter might not be between anything? A Nova Scotia UCC clergy once taught me that the Gaelic word for "heaven" translates literally as "over there". And it's not waaaaay over there. More around the corner, in the kitchen. I don't deny that people could still keep themselves cut off from God after this life, but why do they (and those living in harmony with God) have to be elsewhere, or at least elsewhere all the time? What if heaven is just "over there"?

I believe that anything is possible even ghosts. The bible is a guide that is to help us deal with life. There may be friendly and unfriendly ghosts, but I do not believe that they are demons. I believe that our love ones are with us until we can emotionally let them go on to the light. If I should die before my kids are adults, then I like to believe that I will not leave them totally until I know they can handle life alone.

I am coming late to this, but here is my two cents...

I'm afraid it never occurred to me that ALL ghosts would be "beings". I always loved reading ghost stories as a child, and I always found it fascinating how many locations have ghosts that either can only be seen from a particular window or door, or can only be seen under particular conditions (weather, time of year, etc). Very often these types of ghosts do the same thing every time over and over, often walking through a wall where a door used to be long ago. I've always thought of these type of ghosts as "recordings" on the fabric of the universe. Just images frozen in space that "replay" when the condions are right. A natural phenomenon like ball lightening or double rainbows. The occurance usually revolves around some kind of trauma, so perhaps the intense emotional state of the original VIEWER who saw what happened imprinted it, and you have to stand where they stood, or somesuch.

I also loved the incidences of people seeing things from other times. "Ghosts" from the past, or even people finding themselves in strange, historic surroundings momentarily. Again, I didn't think of these as "souls" but a chance view through some sort of window in time.

As for ghosts that are "beings", I am a strong believer in Guardian Angels. Perhaps they are the spirits of those who loved us. I see nothing but love in this idea. The Bible says many things, in many versions, but the Bible was not only put to pen by humans, but openly edited by committee more than once (325ce & 553ce I think - not sure). As well intentioned and devoted as I'm sure they were, they were people. People have biases, even if they don't know they have them. People are imperfect creatures. While the Bible is a deeply important spiritual guidebook, it is a physical thing assembled by mere humans. Inspired humans, but humans. Therefore I try not to take it word-for-word, personally.

:)
AT

i think ghosts are entirely possible. i have my own ghost stories since we moved into this house, but i'd be here all day if i tried to explain them lol. all in all though i definitely think they exist and also agree that there may be friendly and unfriendly ones. But i do think it's inappropriate to say your house is haunted, if the ghost is friendly. If they arent harming you, why give them such a negative title ?

I believe in ghosts. I have never experienced an encounter, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.
Just because your body dies, doesn't mean the person does. They just have no way of expressing themselves.
That's what I believe anyway... where ghosts or spirits go once their bodies have died, I have no clue.
I also believe in spirits that had no human body to begin with. They just are.