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Christians and ghosts

NaasPreacher (C4K)

NaasPreacher (C4K)

Well-Known Member
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.
 
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npetreley

New Member
Did you pose this question because I was joking around about Casper? ;) I sure hope nobody took me seriously. Casper is a cartoon character, just like Daggett Beaver. Hint #1: Neither one is real. Hint #2: My use of a cartoon beaver is not an endorsement for any unGodly behavior with respect to beavers (although what that could be is beyond me).
 
NaasPreacher (C4K)

NaasPreacher (C4K)

Well-Known Member
npetreley said:
Did you pose this question because I was joking around about Casper? ;) I sure hope nobody took me seriously. Casper is a cartoon character, just like Daggett Beaver. Hint #1: Neither one is real. Hint #2: My use of a cartoon beaver is not an endorsement for any unGodly behavior with respect to beavers (although what that could be is beyond me).
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That got me thinking, I will admit that was part of my motivation. I also hope folks see the inconsistency that we are all guilty of at times in our belief and practice.

But, how far do we take the prohibition on fantasy? It seems, if I remember, that Casper had a sweet little witch friend in the cartoons. In the Casper movie the girl fell in love with a dead guy, Casper, and even made out with him once he changed form to a more human one. Should we promote this kind of false Hollywood teaching on spiritual matters?
 
H

Hope of Glory

New Member
The apostles obviously believed in ghosts.

Ghosts are mentioned twice in the NT:

Mark 6:49: But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

Matthew 14:26: And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

I have twice seen something that could be described as a ghost, once with two other witnesses.

However, your question begs the answer to, "What is a ghost?"

As you seem to imply, I don't think they are people who "haven't passed over", but I think they present themselves in such a way, based on the evidence we have at hand.

Although it can be argued that presenting them in such a way can be dangerous, I think it is far more dangerous to present them as benign.

Just as, when I was preaching on the doctrines of demons, one thing that I pointed out was that although demons are often portrayed as evil beings, they are often presented as benign, or even as a cartoon or a plush toy.

How far does this go to giving the impression that they really are benign?
 
NaasPreacher (C4K)

NaasPreacher (C4K)

Well-Known Member
Well, if I remember, wasn't Casper called the "Friendly ghost"? Are ghosts friendly? If anything they would appear to be visible manifestations of demons.

The question about benign ghosts is excellent. Benign makes them acceptable and could teach children to accept them in a positive light. Are Hollywood films that portray benign ghosts acceptable to Christians? How should we view them?
 
A

Allan

Active Member
C4K said:
Well, if I remember, wasn't Casper called the "Friendly ghost"? Are ghosts friendly? If anything they would appear to be visible manifestations of demons.

The question about benign ghosts is excellent. Benign makes them acceptable and could teach children to accept them in a positive light. Are Hollywood films that portray benign ghosts acceptable to Christians? How should we view them?
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Personally, I don't and teach the same.

A ghost, no matter cute they may appear (angel of light) are in truth northing but demonic apparitions. Ghosts ARE spirits but contrary to many believers personal opinion today - they are not human spirits who have some task or matter left undone or are here to watch over and safe guard friends and family.

We should view them according to truth of Gods word. They are not people who have departed and as such leaves only two options; angels or demons.
 
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NaasPreacher (C4K)

NaasPreacher (C4K)

Well-Known Member
Hope of Glory said:
T
However, your question begs the answer to, "What is a ghost?"

As you seem to imply, I don't think they are people who "haven't passed over", but I think they present themselves in such a way, based on the evidence we have at hand.
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Please note folks that I said this is how they are depicted. I do have a little Bible knowledge, just enough to know that those who die are not left here for some kind of task :)
 
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H

Hope of Glory

New Member
C4K said:
Please note folks that I said this is how they are depicted. I do have a little Bible knowledge, just enough to know that those who die are note left here for some kind of task :)
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Ironically, I was agreeing with your sentiment, and spoke just inarticulately enough to make it sound as if I were agreeing with something else, which is something you did not say.

Just to clarify, since that sentence even confused me: You say that this is how it's depicted and not how they are. I agree with that. I attempted to say that I understood and agreed with you in my previous post. I apparently failed.

I worked 18 hours today, including coaching football, and when I first posted it, my brain thought it was correct...
 
NaasPreacher (C4K)

NaasPreacher (C4K)

Well-Known Member
I guess the question is should we promote belief in ghosts by using their imagery, watching moving about them, or reading stories about them?
 
S

Servent

Member
At one time we lived in an old farm house in Virginia all most every night we would here a door shut a footsteps going up the stairs, my kids say they saw him a few times, when my sister-in-law came to visit without anyone saying anything to her she refused to sleep upstairs, she said someone was watching her.
BOO, true story
 
C

Cutter

New Member
If anyone here can honestly say they are offended by the depiction of Casper as my avatar I will remove it.
 
A

abcgrad94

Active Member
C4K said:
I guess the question is should we promote belief in ghosts by using their imagery, watching moving about them, or reading stories about them?
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I always liked watching the Topper movies, and as a kid one of my favorite books was "Gus was a Friendly Ghost." I never had an interest in the occult or anything, just enjoyed the idea of a "ghost" getting back at her murderers. It was just fantasy for me.

As far as the more recent books and movies about ghosts, I think they are demonic and should be avoided by Christians.
 
A

abcgrad94

Active Member
Servent said:
At one time we lived in an old farm house in Virginia all most every night we would here a door shut a footsteps going up the stairs, my kids say they saw him a few times, when my sister-in-law came to visit without anyone saying anything to her she refused to sleep upstairs, she said someone was watching her.
BOO, true story
Click to expand...

When we first moved into our 100-year old parsonage, I was alone and continually heard footsteps going up the stairs. At first it worried me, but after a while I figured out it was because we live near a bridge and whenever a heavy truck would come across the bridge, the vibrations made the house shake a little and it sounded like someone was on the stairs.
 
S

Servent

Member
abcgrad94 said:
When we first moved into our 100-year old parsonage, I was alone and continually heard footsteps going up the stairs. At first it worried me, but after a while I figured out it was because we live near a bridge and whenever a heavy truck would come across the bridge, the vibrations made the house shake a little and it sounded like someone was on the stairs.
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No bridge,we were in the middle of no were
 
NaasPreacher (C4K)

NaasPreacher (C4K)

Well-Known Member
Cutter said:
If anyone here can honestly say they are offended by the depiction of Casper as my avatar I will remove it.
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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?
 
webdog

webdog

Active Member
Site Supporter
Allan said:
Personally, I don't and teach the same.

A ghost, no matter cute they may appear (angel of light) are in truth northing but demonic apparitions. Ghosts ARE spirits but contrary to many believers personal opinion today - they are not human spirits who have some task or matter left undone or are here to watch over and safe guard friends and family.

We should view them according to truth of Gods word. They are not people who have departed and as such leaves only two options; angels or demons.
Click to expand...
Playing devil's advocate...why couldn't an angel be considered a ghost?
 
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