Is believing in ghosts a new religion?

Question

Is questioning the existence of ghosts wrong?Is it the moral equivlent of questioning the existence of God?Does either subject have a place in a Science forum?

Answer 1

Hello Zac

Believing in ghosts or rather spirit is already a religion - Spiritualism.

Although most religions believe in a Holy Spirit/Ghost of one name or another.

The existence of anything cannot be wrong, as anything that exists simply is - how mankind views it makes it wrong or right.

If God is the ultimate spiritual force - how can it goes against him? as he & spirit are made of the same ingredients.

In science terms look up METAPHYSICS.

Answer 2

no since ghosts are a part of every society and civilization since the beginning of time. And yes it belongs in a science forum since there are many serious scientists that have begun serious investigations of paranormal. That would be like saying science does not belong in religions, yet many religions and science work hand in hand. science purists better get used to the fact that this branch of investigation was going to come their way sooner or later. You say that you cant use science to prove or disprove the existence of anything paranormal, yet you don't want anybody invading your turf of science to  prove or disprove anything. You want things to remain "status quo."

If you have a problem of where this forum is placed, then you need to complain to yahoo, not belittle everyone in here because its not where" you" think it belongs.

Answer 3

I am a Christian, so this is the way I look at it.  If you don't believe in ghosts, then you can't really say that you are a Christian. Jesus came back as "the holy ghost".

Answer 4

Since the question of skepticism as a "new religion" came up, it makes sense for this question to be asked as well.

Skepticism fails pretty much every test to qualify as a religion. Believing in ghosts seems to be a little more in line with religious belief, but still doesn't seem to meet the critical aspects of religion concerning a general code of belief about supernatural entities which control or exert influence on people. So my answer is no, it's not a religion, and there should be nothing offensive to anyone about questioning the existence of ghosts.

God and ghosts have a place in a Science forum to the extent that they bear upon the epistemology and ontology of the scientific method. I realize that's a mouthful, but it's a moot point anyway. That level of paranormal discussion never happens here in Yahoo Answers.

Answer 5

zac...Thanks for asking (I see you're back here"hiding" lol)...I guess for me..I've always wondered. I was raised Catholic (in the old Catholic church) and we were taught that saints appeared to people. I never could understand why none appeared to me. I don't think I ever looked for regular people to appear etc. I do know I was scared a lot in our big house..so I must have suspected ghosts or something. Since God had never "talked to me"  or never seemed to answer my prayers etc...when people started telling me about the Holy Spirit and that He would "commune" with you (me)...I was really excited. They said that the spiritual  things that had just happened to me were the Holy Spirit. But I  didn't have good spiritual direction. They said to "follow the leading of the Holy Spirit". ..so that's what I tried to do. I don't think it was the Holy Spirit that I was following. (But I do know that SOMETHING or SOMEONE was guiding me...not necessarily in the right direction..OR I misunderstood.) That's just kinda where I'm coming from. I'm not for "seeking out ghosts"...I'm for trying to understand the things that have happened to me...and others. I DID..seek the Holy Spirit. I guess I did it wrong or misunderstood.

Answer 6

It's sth that people have known for eons but have never really admitted to..

ghosts exist becuase sometimes when people die they don't reliaze they have died, it could either be becuase they died suddenly & shocking, they are attached to their homes or material possessions,even sometimes parents pout of concern for their children or people for their loved ones...

& so don't cross over to the Otherside & stay on the earth plane...bewildered & confused & lost..

They have to go throught he whilte tunnel & cross over.

Answer 7

No, in fact it is part of the oldest religions in all of human history.

In 1882 a group of eminent scholars from Cambridge formed a group called the Society for Psychical Research in order to use science to provide evidence for religious beliefs (especially the survival of bodily death). This organization had many skeptical members (Frank Podmore in particular) that were willing to do research and investigations (unlike skeptics today) and they often reached different conclusions than their peers but all of them tried to both advance the knowledge of science and the human experience as well as attempt to unite religion and science. For their brave efforts they were attacked (just like today) by both religion and science.

Many scientist, philosophers, and clergy have questioned the existence of God over the years and all believed that examining your beliefs was healthy and were open to changing their beliefs (unlike debunkers today) on the basis of evidence.

Science is a body of knowledge but it also a method of inquiring about the world. This method can be applied to many areas of interest. It is harder to apply to some than others. I have yet to see a good testable theory for the existence of God but using methods of social science, statistics, and experiments one can examine the characteristics of people who believe in God, Experiences they have had that convince them of God (and ghosts) and other pieces that will contribute to knowledge of human experience.

So, in summary no it's not new it's the oldest religion of human kind and yes all things that contribute to knowledge properly belong in the realm of science.

Answer 8

you mena dis god create ghosts or is the devil sending demons to earth,., like  maybe god left the bible in h**l after the reserection of christ that way he didi defeat the devil,?

that is my original idea!

Answer 9

No, questioning the existence of ghosts isn't wrong, since it hasn't been proven that ghosts exist. Actually, most people question whether ghosts actually exist, although some superstitious people like me do believe in ghosts. Trust your instinct, and believe what you want.

Answer 10

you must enjoy people arguing so much.

that is sad