PARANORMAL SOCIETIES

NOTE: I realize that this article will cause a lot of controversy. Please read it through COMPLETELY before you fire off your emails to me. Also, the article is NOT finished....I will be adding to it. Father Gary.

Paranormal Societies are both the bane and boon to investigations into the unknown. On the web, their presence tends to be on the far side of bane.

They are helpful today, in that those who have had strange experiences have someone to talk to, listen, and try to help them in their quest for understanding and explanation. Too many times, however, the explanation and help offered only enhance the problem, and treat the symptoms--and not the cause.

No real history of "Paranormal" or "Psychic" Societies has been written, but they have been known to have existed since the 1600's when the Renaissance was going full speed ahead. During this time interest in Spiritualism sprung to the forefront, and secret societies were everywhere--the most famous being the Rosicrucians (supposedly an offshoot of Freemasonry). In the early 1900's Theosophy began, and in it we have our first REAL Paranormal Society. Its head was an infamous Madam Blotsky, and this group claimed many famous celebrities as members. (Arthur Conan Doyle--the famous Sherlock Holmes writer--was supposed to have belonged to them, and it is rumored that Harry Houdini was also). The group faded out during World War Two, but still has a few adherents.

The decade of the sixties saw the next major rise in Paranormal groups, and it continues to this day. The writings and "experiences" of the Warrens seems to have fostered this, even though they did not gain nation-wide attention until the late 70's and early 80's. You will remember that "The Exorcist" was released during this time, and virtually everyone was investigating "Satanist" groups and blaming many misfortunes upon the devil. Mike Warnke and others proclaimed themselves "experts" and appeared on many TV shows telling astounding stories of "possession" and other things, and it would appear that Satan was working overtime then. Most were found to be frauds. Ed Warren, in 1980, then stated that he was one of only 7 "Demonologists" in the U.S. (read "The Demonologist", by Gerald Brittle, copyright 1980 St Martin's Press) Colleges also began experimentation with "Psychic" and Paranormal things, and this undoubtedly added to the craze. Because of many controversial claims and actions by the Warrens', numerous splits took place in the group, and it is said that over 80% of the Paranormal groups in New England today can trace their history back to the Warrens' at some point.

It is unknown as to how many Paranormal groups there are in existence today. There is one in almost every major city in America, In New England, two or three are in most every city--and vie for attention to the point that it seems that they are in competition with each other. Additionally, a simple Web Search will turn up literally hundreds more--and it is unknown whether or not some of these exist outside of cyberspace. A strange situation indeed.

So what is wrong with all of this? A lot.

First, the age range, and education, of these groups gives one to wonder as to how much "experience" they have to deal with what is admittedly a controversial subject. I have queried several of these Societies, and for the newer ones (in existence for LESS than five years), the age range is 18-26, with only some college education. The older groups claim an age range of 20-36, with 75% of the membership having a 4 year degree. The age ranges are AVERAGED.

Secondly, and here is the area I have a problem with, is the TRAINING the members of these groups have with the unknown. The newer groups have virtually none outside of any experience they may have had via other groups, training from them, or (ready for this) books! The older groups claim experience--and training conducted via older members (the Warrens' actually run a school). Also, some colleges offer "Parapsychology" courses, but only a very few group members attend these.

COLLEGES
Yes, its true. Since the early 1960's many colleges have offered courses, and a few, even degrees, in Parapsychology. Duke University was the first (as far as it is know) to offer a degree program. Headed by a Dr. Line (spelling may be wrong), its program became the model for several others, most notably the ones at Columbia, N.Y.U., and U.C.L.A. Most require a Bachelor Degree in Psychology before starting the Parapsychology program. The success of these programs are questionable, but it is to be noted that their graduates are usually seen whenever a TV program wishes to show some respectability on the subject. It is also to be noted that those who have been through the courses are usually NOT prone to outlandish statements or undocumented history's concerning a "haunted" place.


PROBLEMS
There are so many problems with this that I will only go into a few of them here.

First, the EVIDENCE that most Paranormal groups submit are highly questionable at best. They fall into two categories:

PHOTOGRAPHS. The most frequent "proof" that is offered by most groups are photo's of mists, "globules" (light spots), and streaks that are reported to be evidence of spiritual phenomena. To say that this is questionable proof is putting it mildly. Most photo developers that I have shown pictures with the "proof" on them readily explained them to me. What shocked me more than anything else, however, was a PROFESSIONAL Paranormal Investigator who flatly stated that he NEVER used photo's as proof of ghosts. He stated: "I have never seen a streak, globule, or mist that I haven't been able to explain. It's to easy to make a mistake when taking a picture, and the "one click" cameras today are usually swung up to take the picture without any thought of light sources. I use meter's, video that is tripoded and totally checked, and rechecked continuously for light changes, in my investigations. I make a living at this, and so far nobody has been able to question me. I can't afford to be wrong." His success rate is 30%, and has been featured on hundreds of programs--and is one of the most respected investigators in the field today.

EXPERIENCE. And here is the rub. The people FELT something. Therefore it is true.


As a Priest in the Traditional Episcopal Church, I have one further problem that I hope will not be taken as "getting on a soap box", but I must deal with it here. I wish you to think about the following very deeply.

First, it is the stated claim by virtually all the groups that they hunt ghosts and/or demons. They go looking for them. In talking to many of the folks in these groups, they will make statements like: "We are going tomorrow to investigate a ghost." "I am going to clean a house....." They go looking for them. Guess what? they find them. In 95% of my follow-ups to their statements, they have found a ghost. In questioning what kind of research they did before they went, most stated little, if any. No background research into the area, or house, or person. No medical info............nothing. They had gone into a potentially dangerous situation with no background information other than what they were told by the person requesting their services. This is incompetence to the ninth degree.

Their training would, to an educated mind, seems to be next to worthless. "I have seen 100's of ghosts, and know what I am doing."
Sure you do........and what do they do?

"We perform a exorcism."
My question has always been: 'UNDER WHO'S AUTHORITY."

Their response: "What do you mean."
If anyone out there has seen the movie "The Exorcist", you know the problem the mother went through getting an Exorcism. The church does not----and since the 1800's never has---taken these things lightly. The Warrens (in "The Demonologist") takes issue with this, but I assure you----as a Priest, I CANNOT just make a rash judgement and start sprinkling Holy Water. What if the person has a legitimate mental problem? Are YOU competent to judge that? I am not. I doubt if ANY one of you are either. In addition, The Episcopal Church, just as the Roman Catholic Church, MUST get permission from the local Bishop to preform the rite. He must make the selection of the Exorcist, and the appropriate investigation must be done---and done by AN ORDAINED, EXPERIENCED PRIEST. The same goes, by the way, for Jews and Muslims also.

So again I ask--"By WHOSE authority are you doing this? Do you KNOW what COULD happen?"

Most do not. Most had no idea it was that difficult........and then I sometimes get the following:

"The Demon/ghost was so powerful we had to do THREE Exorcisms to get rid of him..." OR "I advised the person to wait one month and have another Exorcism."

"WHAT?" Another? Why? One, done by an ordained Priest who knows what he is doing, under proper authority, is ALL that is needed. Yes, sometimes they can take a while (I have heard of one that went on for a month), but one is ALL that is needed. Read your bible. One "casting out" is all that Jesus and His Apostles used---and one is all the Church uses today. To show how far this can go---I have even heard of "Christian" Paranormal folks using Buddhist, Jewish, American Native, and even Celtic rites to perform Exorcisms!!! (what Celtic rite they were using, I have no idea--I know of no GENUINE Celtic rite existing at all) Isn't it a conflict of interest for a Christian to call upon another God to cast out ghosts and demons? Yes, it is. A real demon would laugh at this.

It would be much better to obtain the help of a clergyman of ANY faith that knows what they are doing to cast the demon/ghost out, then advise the afflicted to begin attending church and build up their faith so that the sad thing does NOT happen again.

In conclusion, I DO know of some Paranormal Groups who REALLY try to help. Some even turn to clergy for help and advice when they know that they are in over their heads. Smart, very smart. I applaud their efforts. Unfortunately, the groups are few and far between, and their investigations leave much to desired. They should ONLY be used for advice, and a sounding board for your problems. There IS a better way..........

So what should you do if YOU think you have a problem with a ghost or demon? First, get yourself medically checked out. The problem COULD be physical, or mental. Second, call someone from the Environmental agencies closest to your house---have it checked...........it could be structural. Thirdly, call your clergyman. If YOURS will not listen, find one that will. I would suggest an Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran, Orthodox, or Roman Catholic.

Always be aware that a deep, abiding faith in God will ALWAYS keep a demon away. NO CHRISTIAN CAN BE POSSESSED..........it is IMPOSSIBLE. Satan can NOT live in the same place as Christ.

As for ghosts--they are spirits that, for some reason, did not go on. I will not go into the theological reasons why or why they do not do so, perhaps another page is in order at a future date, HOWEVER, banishing a ghost for an ordained, knowledgeable clergyman is a simple process---no matter what you see from Hollywood.