Why is it ok to accept psychics & paranormal activity & "The Exorcist", but it's not ok to accept Scriptural accounts about Heaven or hell?
211446
That is an extremely subjective ansewr.  There are some out there that can turn that question around and ask thusly:\n\nWhy do people believe in heaven and hell, but do not believe in science?\n\nThe answer is quite complex and really has to do with how the person percieves the world around them.  For some, being immersed within the religion is what they seek.  And anything that would 'threaten' or try and 'disprove' aspects of their religion is a threat, therefore they are inclinded 'not' to agree with such aspects.  \n\nConversly, the same is true for science.  For many that are hard core into science, physics and such, they know what exists, they have tried, through experimentation, through understanding and reasoning, and through logic to understand how this world works.  And, anything, as disjointed as religion can be, that says otherwise becomes a threat, and therefore, is not deemed 'plausable' or 'acceptable' within the scientific realms.\n\nBut, still for some, they are able to accept both the scientific and religious realms as truth.  I, personally, do not know how anyone can do that.  I mean, given the scientific fact of life and how it came to be, and how the disperate examples of given species exist within this world, i find it hard to believe that there was ONE creator who simply said BAM let it be, and it was.  I know that life simply had to grow, had to change, and adapt, as we all do, to a varying level of severities and situations.  So to me, at least, that level of understanding and reasoning is truth.  Whereas conversly, the level of spritualism for the christian religion to me, is mote, and disjointed at best.\n\nReligion, at least on the social front, has always been a problem.  WITHIN the society, religion has always played a pivotal role,  being from the moral guidance of the people to the salvation of the soul.  But on the JUDICIARY or GOVERNMENTAL role, we have wanted religion out.  We do not need this type of disjointed hatred and illogical fallacies dictating what people DO ACT AND SAY within a society.  What we do need from such situations is control, protection and peace.  All of which religion CAN NOT provide.  Only power can provide such things.\n\nWHy do people belive as you have described?  Perhaps they are confused? Stuck in their own illogical fallacy? Or perhaps they are too pressured to believe in one aspect, that seeing another is an impossiblity for them.
675782
The Bible frequently makes references to spirits and people who can contact them, so the Bible would seem to indicate that ghosts and magic are real.  However, the Bible also commands Jews and Christians to not get involved with these things.\n\n\nThis is odd, as more Christians consult mediums and psychics than any other religious group.
614255
well i dont think im like all religous people becuase veryone has a different religion, experience and relationship with God. God maybe has revealed himself to you but you just didnt get the sign becuase you are filled with such hate and misunderstanding and close mindedness.  I am not scared of the afterlife so I dont really know where you are going with that one. If you are referring to hell, I doubt I am going becuase I have been living a pretty good life and I beleive Jesus is my Lord. God has to show wrath because how can he punish people for their misdoings and wrongs? If He hadnt shown me His vengful side I may still be doing all the negative things I was doing that was eventually going to leave me jobless, homeless and with no friends. His existence is known outside the bible. If you were here in cininnat i would invite you to my church and the Spirit is so strong in there you would be so amazed at how prevalent God is in the lives of these people. He has touched me often and I see His blessings in my everyday life and know that only God could do some of the stuff that has happened to me AND prevent it as well. And yes, parts of the bible do have wrong facts becuase alot is lost in translation, these are ACCOUNTS of God but becuase they were not written immediatly, alot was forgotten or accounted differently but it still doesnt take away from the meaning and purpose which is to love and be peacefuul to each other.
563698
I'm a Christian, first of all, and I believe in the existence of Heaven and Hell, but I completely agree with you.  I can't possibly understand how someone could ever be evil enough to, when faced with the reality of God and His presence, turn it away!  Even the worst of the worst -- all have mental problems, like Hitler or serial killers.  It seems like everyone would make it to Heaven.
179551
I think that movies and books like The Exorcist give people the wrong idea about such things. They may be loosely based on some real events, but I think that the popular books and movies distort the reality and give the wrong impression.
495616
I know what you mean, if you were to actually believe the Bible, no one would want to be in the presents of an Angel. In the Bible it was very rare for an Angel to be on Earth for any good purpose, most of the time they are there to deal out punishment.
20953
Okay... boy are you gonna get a lot of different opinions on this one.\n\nI recommend doing reading on all the areas from both the supportive and non-supportive sides. This is something that you should decide from your own experience. Trying to use someone else's view will just confuse you.\n\nIf you've had some thing happen that has made you ask this question, I advise strongly but nicely--- put aside your fears. Approach what is happening from a scientific stance and you'll be fine.\n\nThere are people who claim ability to try and swindle others, and on the opposite end there are people who have the ability to interact with what we call the "paranormal" and they wish they couldn't!\n\nDon't rush to judgement, read, consider, and then read some more.\n\nI myself believe all things are possible, we just have yet to prove it.
116501
Hello I see you're in rather the same predicament as myself. I personally belive that I am psychic, I'm also a strong beliver in my faith of God. I to have read the entire book cover to cover, prophecy is not the only psychic ability mentioned in the bible. discerning of spirits and almost all the other spiritual gifts mentioned could be considered psychic. christians  today just don't read the bible, all can be answered through it. as for the above comments one sounds like an idiot the other might be a good person. psychic is so much more than "spirits and stuff" God wouldn't give some one that gift for no reason. Plus being christian in its self your dealing with spirits all the time.
393951
I do have books on the subject, but they are England and American versions. I implore you to use ultimate caution if you become able to conjur the spirits, you may open a portal that you cannot control and the consequences be devastating.
250192
I can't believe people actually try to answer your questions seriously.  But, just in case you are "looking" for answers.....NO, you are not right on any count. \n1.If Jesus was a humanist, he did us all a very big disservice by declaring himself the Son of God.\n2.Why would an afterlife be scary, only when looked at from a heaven/hell point of view, but if ALL people went to some sort of blissful place, then it doesn't scare anyone.  Besides, it's scarier to think this is the ONLY shot we have, we mess it up then....to bad?\n3.If you believe in Sigmund, then you have issues with your mommy, and should probably seek therapy.\nAs for the chic from Dubai, you never told us if she shaved or not, and if you were lovers, you should know.
27251
This is a tough one for me, I am a firm believer in what the bible teaches and there was an example of the preist Samuel coming back from the dead through a woman who communicated with the dead.It's in 1 or 2 book of Samuel and God warns against communicating with the dead so its cartainly possible to do it or He wouldn't warn against it but I think what most people see is some form of demonic activity because the most ghost activity seems to be from areas where something really horrible happened or the people were involved in the demonic things like witchcraft, ouija boards or Satanic worship.But I'm still not sure its that way in every case.When my brother died of cancer my own grandmother said to one of my aunts that he appeared to her and told her he was alright because she was really troubled and did not know if he had ever been saved (accepted Christ) and she's not crazy, she tell anyone except my aunt because she didn't want anyone to think she was crazy! So I believe it is certainly possible that ghosts come around for one reason or another and God must allow for some reason.
117520
Good question. \n\nStart with the premise that people fear what they don't understand. Even though the Bible is full of examples of people talking with angels and the occasional demon, mainstream religion seems to think (or hope) that it doesn't happen any more. \n\nWith the advent of psychology, we've realized that SOME people who hear voices just aren't quite all there, and they actually do have some mental illness affecting them. More fundamental people will argue with this and say that all mental illness is really the result of demonic possession, but that would imply that all mental illness affects people negatively, which doesn't seem to be true. \n\nSo now you also have church versus science in the mix. \n\nAnd there are parents who are seriously scared when ANYTHING happens to their kids, understandably, and just want it to get better fast. Spending time with a religious advisor discussing these things and having that person work with your cousin is time they don't want to spend!\n\nIf she has no reason to lie, you can probably trust her about this. But there are differences of opinion about what she should do about it. Technically speaking, dead people don't need help - it's a bit late. I'm not saying it's true in every case, but there are plenty of times when the voices ask for help, but then demand more. You have to consider the risk! If this is her ability, it's also her choice how to use it.
417731
I am a believer in reincarnation. It would explain why children come into the world with such distinct personalities, and also why people have such odd phobias. There is scientific evidence (none of it conclusive) that reinforces my belief as well. I also believe that there are many places in the Universe where one may incarnate, and that a lot of beings from other places are choosing to live lives here now. I'm flirting with the idea that I'm from one of those other places, because I'm so drawn to the idea of extraterrestrial life.
40173
Hell is like the Santa's workshop in the North Pole.  It exists in your mind if you need to believe in it and your mind will make it real for you.  If it makes you a better person than believe in Hell.  Human beings have a natural mental need to seek the meaning of life and for some the heaven&hell thing balances their life.  Don't let guilt and fear lead your personal spiritual opinions, though.
132638
Supernatural is like superman, Something that is unatural in a way that is humanly impossible. Paranormal is things like aliens and such. It's all really based on opinion. If you believe they exist then they do to you. There is proof of life on other planets such as riverbeds and such, but we don't really have proof of aliens or anything like that. \n\n\nI hope this helps.
45028
It is a very sad statement about the population of the US that so many want to believe this sort of nonsense, and alien abduction etc. It is even worse when about 1/3 of the population does not know the earth orbits the sun, and a large fraction of US adults cannot locate the US on a globe. \n\nI will not dismiss out of hand all accounts of supernatural phenomenon, but most of it is explained by vagaries of the human mind and its processes, which is basically uncharted territory. If there are ghosts etc, where is the evidence?
299842
Well, in so far as religions are concerned you might like to do a web-search on spiritualist churches. They believe in ghosts, spirit communications, and a wide variety of paranormal things. You'll also find wide acceptance of such things in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Wicca. For myself I don't need hard evidence, just a logical premise. That's good enough for me. And I don't discount emotions in such things. Logic has its place. So do emotions. So as often as not I follow my feelings, just as I often follow my thinking.