One particularly religious friend told me he believed that ghosts were the signs of demonic possession. A person, while alive, became possessed by a demon, and when that person died, the demon remained to haunt the house. So, if your grandpa haunts a house you now live in, that's a sign that your relative was possessed by a demon while he was alive, and his soul was destroyed. And that demon is now sitting around, waiting to possess you too. I can see why he'd think my stories were creepy.
What do you think? Would you read a book about ghosts, or do they give you such a high level of heebie-jeebies that you couldn't stand to hear a ghost story at a campfire before you go to bed? Are they just bunk to you? Stupid? Too frightening? Too sinister? What do you think they are? Would you be tempted to read it? Tempted to burn it? Tempted to read and then burn it?
I like ghost stories if they are not turned into some hollywood horror movie type thing...I have had experiences with ghosts, so I am a believer and do not believe they are demonic, though some are very evil.
ReplyDeleteThere are 3 camps. those that have experienced ghosts and are fine with it; those that don't believe in ghosts, but love the scare of a good ghost story or don't; those that do not believe and think it's against their religion somehow.
Kelly
When I researched my first book of ghost stories, very few ghosts even seemed ominous. Most were just kind of friendly, and some where comforting to those who saw or heard them. Only a couple were downright creepy or scary--and I've only known of a few around the country that were actually dangerous or aggressive in some way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input, Kelly B!
I love any paranormal stories. I really can't tell you ghosts are real but I also can't say they are not real. I have never run into one so I don't have any experience with them.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, sundcarrie, I don't know whether they are real or not. But I don't see why they couldn't be, even if I've never personally seen one. I'm glad you like these kinds of stories. So do I!
ReplyDeleteI think ghost stories are fascinating. Well, I did before you described how ghosts are demons waiting to possess you. Now I might be scared and fascinated. But seriously, I would read this book. I agree with sundcarrie. I don't know if ghosts exist . . . but I don't know if they DON'T exist. Sounds like a fun project!
ReplyDeleteI believe in them, in fact, although I've never seen a manifestation that would pass science muster, I have known a number of people who communicate with spirits and have, in my opinion, felt the presence of spirits myself.
ReplyDeleteGhost stories don't interest me as ghost stories per se. I like personality stories. If a personality story involves a ghost (including as the personality), that's no problem for me. But I don't seek them out specifically either.
On the other hand, I am interested in history and ghosts wander through history a great deal.
JD, I don't think the ghosts are really demons... and that idea creeps me out, too. Then again, the first book I researched surfaced very few ghosts who weren't nice. Most were pretty caring ghosts, coming around when those in the home were lonely, upset, or going through something tough. I can't see why demons would do that.
ReplyDeleteAnd Stephanie, I think the most interesting ghosts are ones which have a certain "flavor"...who like playing with kids (bouncing balls, etc.) or who give off a certain impression. Those are the most fascinating ones. I don't know if attaching a particular person in history to the ghost makes any difference to me, except in the case of some tragedy, making the story more moving.
Everyone in the past is history, whether the books note it or not. Finding out the history of a particular ghost is what I meant.
ReplyDeleteNow how weird is this, yesterday my neighbor comes over for some gas for her lawnmower and we were chatting. My sister used to live in the house we live in and she used to be scared a lot. The woman next door says there is a ghost in the house. A man lived their until he died, I just shrug it off as old house noise. I will continue to do so but it is kind of weird after talking about it here
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I believe in ghosts, but I would certainly never avoid a book of ghost stories. Some of them can be quite entertaining and intriguing.
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