62 replies to this topic

[coldethyl]

JLCox, on 16 May 2012 - 04:27 PM, said:

Arbitran, I have no other proof than my personal experience. I would be more than happy to relate some stories to you, but I doubt it will be anymore compelling than other stories and claims out there.

Coldethyl, you have a right to your belief and I respect that. Most people don't believe in the supernatural until they see it for themselves and then its a case by case basis. To me, if I believe in the existence of one mythical or supernatural being, then I must remain open to the idea that others exist as well. Even if I never see proof of their existence myself. I would just say, keep an open mind.

Cake, thank you for the link.

Thank you for your civility.

I want to believe, but years on this site unfortunately have had the opposite effect on me.

[_Only]

JLCox, on 16 May 2012 - 04:27 PM, said:

Arbitran, I have no other proof than my personal experience. I would be more than happy to relate some stories to you, but I doubt it will be anymore compelling than other stories and claims out there.

Coldethyl, you have a right to your belief and I respect that. Most people don't believe in the supernatural until they see it for themselves and then its a case by case basis. To me, if I believe in the existence of one mythical or supernatural being, then I must remain open to the idea that others exist as well. Even if I never see proof of their existence myself. I would just say, keep an open mind.

Cake, thank you for the link.

Yeah, but what is it that makes you call whatever happened to you demonic? Some things happened to you. It was something. But how can you call it a demon? What is a demon? Are you just going by a religious explanation, or stories from others? I believe in the supernatural, things that happen in our world that aren't easily (or at all) explained. But it's when you put names like demon or angel on them that I have a problem with. It's treating it as explained, in a way, when it really isn't. Mythical beings are often symbolic creatures. And supernatural beings are often described and named in legends and old stories from the persons predisposed beliefs, learning, culture, dogmas, etc.

When you say you encounter demons, you've pretty much explained that what you're seeing is an evil entity who is there to do you wrong. Do you know that? Or is that just fear?

[Arbitran]

_Only, on 16 May 2012 - 08:19 PM, said:

Yeah, but what is it that makes you call whatever happened to you demonic? Some things happened to you. It was something. But how can you call it a demon? What is a demon? Are you just going by a religious explanation, or stories from others? I believe in the supernatural, things that happen in our world that aren't easily (or at all) explained. But it's when you put names like demon or angel on them that I have a problem with. It's treating it as explained, in a way, when it really isn't. Mythical beings are often symbolic creatures. And supernatural beings are often described and named in legends and old stories from the persons predisposed beliefs, learning, culture, dogmas, etc.

When you say you encounter demons, you've pretty much explained that what you're seeing is an evil entity who is there to do you wrong. Do you know that? Or is that just fear?

Well-stated _Only. This is precisely what I meant. I have some reason to think that ghosts are a valid, natural phenomenon in our universe, however the application of terms like 'supernatural' and 'demonic' on things rather muddies the water. Again, you mentioned having evidence which demonstrates that you are encountering a demon and not simply a ghost; what is this evidence? Why should I, or anyone else, think that it is a demon, and not merely a disembodied mind which you have interpreted (whether correctly or incorrectly) as malevolent?

[JLCox]

I begin to see the issue, nomenclature. Names are merely something we attach to something so we have a way of describing and understanding. After all, someone thought of the term ghost years ago in order to describe some phenomenon he experienced that had no name and over the years we have adopted that same term to describe what we think is the same thing. How do we know that the person who first used the term ghost, meant it the way we use it today? Its all just words and none of it changes the fact that weird things keep happening. There is an entity, spirit, ghost..etc. bothering me.

Let me put it another way. My husband is a bomb technician. Like most people, if it goes boom it gets called a bomb. However, the term bomb has a specific definition and not everything that blows up is a bomb. Now just because I call an IED, or rocket, or projectile a bomb it doesn't change what it is or what it does. It just means I applied an incorrect term to it.

I do not believe that what is bothering me is a ghost. Please don't ask me to tell you how I know, this isn't an exact science so there is no proof other than what I see and feel. I didn't have another name for what it is. When I think about the experiences I've had with it, I get a sense of what it looks like, how big etc. but I can't describe it. I just know it's not a ghost and I have no idea what you mean by disembodied mind. Perhaps I am going on descriptions I've heard of what demons are like and since my guest is displaying similar characteristics, I have put him in that category.

I realize that it takes a tremendous amount of faith to accept what i have told you as truth. I accept that not everyone believes the same as me, that's fine. I'm not trying to convince anyone on the existence of ghosts, demons or whatever else. This is a truly a request for advice because whatever it is, it is doing me harm.

[JLCox]

Coldethyl, one thing I've learned is that you can't force belief.

[Arbitran]

JLCox, on 16 May 2012 - 10:30 PM, said:

I begin to see the issue, nomenclature. Names are merely something we attach to something so we have a way of describing and understanding. After all, someone thought of the term ghost years ago in order to describe some phenomenon he experienced that had no name and over the years we have adopted that same term to describe what we think is the same thing. How do we know that the person who first used the term ghost, meant it the way we use it today? Its all just words and none of it changes the fact that weird things keep happening. There is an entity, spirit, ghost..etc. bothering me.

Let me put it another way. My husband is a bomb technician. Like most people, if it goes boom it gets called a bomb. However, the term bomb has a specific definition and not everything that blows up is a bomb. Now just because I call an IED, or rocket, or projectile a bomb it doesn't change what it is or what it does. It just means I applied an incorrect term to it.

I do not believe that what is bothering me is a ghost. Please don't ask me to tell you how I know, this isn't an exact science so there is no proof other than what I see and feel. I didn't have another name for what it is. When I think about the experiences I've had with it, I get a sense of what it looks like, how big etc. but I can't describe it. I just know it's not a ghost and I have no idea what you mean by disembodied mind. Perhaps I am going on descriptions I've heard of what demons are like and since my guest is displaying similar characteristics, I have put him in that category.

I realize that it takes a tremendous amount of faith to accept what i have told you as truth. I accept that not everyone believes the same as me, that's fine. I'm not trying to convince anyone on the existence of ghosts, demons or whatever else. This is a truly a request for advice because whatever it is, it is doing me harm.

What sort of harm specifically, if I may ask, is it doing? A demon is defined, typically, as a malevolent incorporeal entity from an infernal realm or plane which has the capacity to possess, inflict harm, cause disease, or create other conditions which are deemed malevolent or evil by most persons. I do not take things on faith, and I do not believe the Bible, for instance. I do not believe in hell, demons, or a devil. I do think that an acceptance of the existence of ghosts is justified, and from what I have heard so far, it is well within the faculties of a ghost to behave in the way you have described. By disembodied mind, I mean that a ghost is typically described as the disembodied, post-material, residual essence or consciousness of a deceased being, which has the capacity for thought, communication, movement, and other activities associated with conscious or mindful systems.

[coldethyl]

JLCox, on 16 May 2012 - 10:36 PM, said:

Coldethyl, one thing I've learned is that you can't force belief.

Too true.  

[JLCox]

So far there are only unexplained scratches. The one I described in my original post is not the first time I've had unexplained scratches. We have all scratched or nicked ourselves and not felt it, but these scratches would have most certainly been felt at the time they were received. I will accept the possibility that it is a ghost. In the event that it is simply a ghost. Do you have a suggestion on how to rid myself of it? It is being bothersome.

[Arbitran]

JLCox, on 17 May 2012 - 04:44 AM, said:

So far there are only unexplained scratches. The one I described in my original post is not the first time I've had unexplained scratches. We have all scratched or nicked ourselves and not felt it, but these scratches would have most certainly been felt at the time they were received. I will accept the possibility that it is a ghost. In the event that it is simply a ghost. Do you have a suggestion on how to rid myself of it? It is being bothersome.

This is an intriguing case. You certainly have my interest. The primary source I have on evidenced ghostly phenomena are the Hindu texts; I am a Hindu, as a note. Might I inquire as to the size/length/shape of the scratches?

[Seeker79]

I offered help earlier, but I see we are still going in circles.

Look. It dosnt matter a bit what it is. It only matters that you deal with it. This is an altered state issue. These things are common enough. It just takes a little work to bubble it up and face it down and put it behind you.

Chances are one of your kids will have these sorts of experiences either now or when they get older. Wouldn't it be nice to teach them how to deal with it demonic or not?

[coldethyl]

JLCox, on 17 May 2012 - 04:44 AM, said:

So far there are only unexplained scratches. The one I described in my original post is not the first time I've had unexplained scratches. We have all scratched or nicked ourselves and not felt it, but these scratches would have most certainly been felt at the time they were received. I will accept the possibility that it is a ghost. In the event that it is simply a ghost. Do you have a suggestion on how to rid myself of it? It is being bothersome.

Even though I'm not a believer of ghosts or demons, I would listen to Seeker79 as I have heard him speak of meditation and altered states that are the closest to what I believe happen to people.

[JLCox]

Seeker79, on 09 May 2012 - 11:51 AM, said:

Don't worry about the kids, they have guiding spirits protecting them .

You are going to have to confront it and show it dominance. It will be tough, but you can do it.

I can show you how, but you have to have the follow through and strength to do it.

Let me know.

You may have missed my response to this post, but please message me about how to show it strength. I am very open to any suggestions you have.

Arbitran,

The first scratches appeared 4 weeks ago. I looked at them today and they are still healing. They were not there earlier that day when I showered. I was going out for the evening and showered again and they were there.  In this case, there were 3 scratches in a line going up my calf with a slight curve. They started out together and grew apart at the end. These were maybe 2-3 inches in length. It looked like someone had reached down and just scratched my leg. My first thought was that my leg had itched so much that I had done it scratching my leg. But I could not remember my leg itching that day or me scratching it. I would have had to scratch it pretty hard or for a long time to do that kind of damage. No, that is not something that I have been known to do.

The second incident was just recently. It is about an inch long and goes across my forearm near my elbow. It is perfectly straight as if I was cut with a knife. My son actually asked what happened to my arm. I told him I scratched it. He asked me if it was with a knife. It was not very deep, but deeper than a scratch you would get walking by something.

[JLCox]

I should add that in both cases the scratches showed up during the day. I have not woken up with any unexplainable injuries.

[Arbitran]

JLCox, on 18 May 2012 - 04:13 AM, said:

You may have missed my response to this post, but please message me about how to show it strength. I am very open to any suggestions you have.

Arbitran,

The first scratches appeared 4 weeks ago. I looked at them today and they are still healing. They were not there earlier that day when I showered. I was going out for the evening and showered again and they were there.  In this case, there were 3 scratches in a line going up my calf with a slight curve. They started out together and grew apart at the end. These were maybe 2-3 inches in length. It looked like someone had reached down and just scratched my leg. My first thought was that my leg had itched so much that I had done it scratching my leg. But I could not remember my leg itching that day or me scratching it. I would have had to scratch it pretty hard or for a long time to do that kind of damage. No, that is not something that I have been known to do.

The second incident was just recently. It is about an inch long and goes across my forearm near my elbow. It is perfectly straight as if I was cut with a knife. My son actually asked what happened to my arm. I told him I scratched it. He asked me if it was with a knife. It was not very deep, but deeper than a scratch you would get walking by something.

My first thought when you mentioned scratches was that you might be dealing with the ghost of an animal: most likely a cat. That's my first impression.