Some people believe ghosts and spirits are the same, they are not... an interesting read!!!


http://www.paranormaltavern.com/ghostsandspirits.htm

Yeah that goes along with what i believe . much better than thinking some ghosts are souls who are stuck in a place . i always found that disturbing ! I prefer to think if they are here they came here by choice

I disagree with the author, emphatically. I found the article amateurish, and completely incorrect. He refers to the ghost as a risidual haunting. Any investigator will tell you that risidual haunts are just one form of haunting. He also makes the assumption that the spirit and the soul are the same. I just disagreed with most of what he had to say. Fun read though. ~Jackal

LOL jackal . you making a habit of disagreeing wiff me

it is amateurish the site but i think imo he has the right idea . your right about the site though i looked and kinda rolled my eyes a bit.

Oh I thought that was a commonly accepted event.

I am disagreeing vehemently with the author. And I disagree with Angels opening. "they are not." Interesting maybe, but one would-be writers post on the internet does not make it so.

LOL my opening statement about you disagreeing was just a joke LOL ive read your signature . i wont be challenging you . lol j/k

Of course one guys opinion doesnt make it true none of us know whats true yet . I agree about the "they are not" bit too funnily enough each has to make up their own mind

Good read but I agree with you Jackal completely. JN

ref: SS

Well! Looky there! Only one page into this thread, and we agree on something! (Do I hear music?) Hell, this is better than the buffet at Ceasars. I knew it was bound to happen eventually. Exactly my point. Just because "I" say it doesn't make it so either. It is up to each individual to draw their own conclusions. Ah...freedom is a wonderful thing, yes?

I have noticed that you my friend SS, have some rather liberal ideals where the paranormal are concerned. I was particularly enthralled with your God opinions. We just have differing viewpoints on almost everything, but one. We agree...that you can disagree and still be nice . I enjoy your posts. ~Jackal

Thanks JN. I hope all is well on the homefront. ~Jackal

AWWWWWWWWWWW Thanks Sweetie, things are quiet and I wuv you..JN

Actually I find the article rather appealing. I STRONGLY accept that ghosts are moreless residual and spirits are intelligent.

It is how I grew to learn, it is what I go by and frankly...No matter what, nothing will ever change my mind.

You can not categorize ghosts/spirits into one lump sum of an entity. However, if that is what you were taught and or learned so be it.

We all gain our knowledge from somewhere, some people read tabloids, some people do research, some people read forums. Often minds are corrupted by those "pretending" to know, or by those who cast fictatious stories about. Honestly, reading 76.326% of this board is like reading tabloids, those who are experienced know better, those who aren't get sucked into the story telling.

You may disagree with an article someone wrote, but you must remember one thing. In the field of the paranormal, there are no right or wrong answers.

Take any concept, ANY mind you and go back say 93yrs, regardless of the relativity to this post. Someone gets a vision, a theory or better yet, a simple idea. They rant and rave about this yet receives only criticism and turmoil. People disagree saying its ludacris, that anything like this will never be aknowledged, yet still has a few followers who believe in this single idea.

You get shunned because YOUR concept seems unlikely and there are many alternatives.

You soon realize that no matter what you say or do, the world will never agree.

Then, as you are sleeping in your bed dreaming of your fictatious idea you are awaken by pounding on your door. Suddenly the non-believers want your help. Without a moments notice you jump to the occasion and save the lives of 32 men. Of course after this, you are a hero and those who doubted you are now shaking your hand.

That silly idea is still used today in the American Army. Many changes since then, however without it, where would we be today?

The idea was simple. Yet seemed far out. Yet it is in working force to this day...

So every article, no matter how much you disagree you must hold caution, especially when there are so many unknowns.

Paranormal is a field of opinions and great differences, this I know...but who is to say that idea is wrong? If you truely know the riddle behind the supernatural, I among many others would love to know.


This was not intended to be demeaning in anyway shape or form.

Didn't even read it. Seemed very biased and assumptive.

When I speak to a witness, I never correct them on their terminology. What does it matter? We wouldn't know how to define them correctly anyway and unfortunately, as of now, there is no international standard of terminology.

Best thing we can do as witnesses, and researchers, is to objectively report on things. Meaning, do not label. Meaning, don't use the word demon, ectoplasm (gawd I hate that word now), orbs, etc. We cannot, at this point, properly diagnose something, so we must be objective in our work.

There are a few terms that are coined by and used within my group, but this is only so we are on the same page. I would never assume that we knew specifically and definitively what kind of haunting we are dealing with and I would never expect others to conform to our terminology.

...No matter what, nothing will ever change my mind.

This indicates a very closed mind and that you are not accesible or receptive to new experiences or learning new things.

You can not categorize ghosts/spirits into one lump sum of an entity.

I never lumped anything. I have always maintained that spirit is a state of being, not an entity. Ie:spiritual. Ghosts are spirit. God is spirit. Angels are spirit. demons are spirit. You have the spirit of God. You have the Holy Spirit. You have the Holy Ghost..same thing. Spirit is a condition and state of being. As for hauntings, there are many kinds of hauntings. Risidual hauntings are known to be impressions or prints in time that replay over and over, not cognitive or aware of our presence. Anniversary haunts are the same thing, only occurring over and over on the same date. There are demonic hauntings...and we all know already what that is. There are cognitive ghosts as well, that are quite capable of interaction. There are many kinds of haunts. There are several kinds of ghosts. And they are ALL spirits.

And further...spirits and souls are two completely different things. ~Jackal

Hmm...guess I wasnt very clear...by You, i mean general, not you per se.

As for what you said, I agree for the most part...

However I categorize Ghosts to being residual, and spirits(regardless of type of haunting) to be intelligent.

I know the many different types of spirits, and different types of hauntings.

Just what I base my ideas off of...basically like Hezzbizzle said, so my team is on the same page.

As for being closed minded. I am actually far from. Just something that is based on matter of opinion can't easily be changed over night. If I were to suddenly change my mind on a lot of things, well then I might as well start all over from day one.

One thing I often ask myself, and was actually brought to my attention by someone of a religious background. Doing what I do, how do I know I am certain what is what? By what I read? By what I was taught? By the word of Church? Who is to say anything we read, anything we are taught, or anything we learned is right? For all we know, all of this could be nothing but our hopes and dreams for a life thereafter.

Funny thing is, I have been to a lot of churches, mainly in the south asking for advice on certain aspects. A lot of them gave me a similar answer. A closed door. Nobody wanted to talk about it, why? Beyond me, but one preacher did say he didn't believe in roaming spirits.

You need an open mind in this field, yet lately, all I see are people with one track minds. One way or another.

Oh I'm not like that. I have already attributed a great many cases that i thought were demonic to possible cases of SP. Once explained properly, I am open to other possibilities. Natalie was gracious enough to show me and answer my questions specifically. This post differs from your lasyt, when you blatantly stated, nothing was going to change your mind, no matter what. That is a far cry from what you say now. In any case, what we are basically debating is a matter of categoric labeling. I'll paste another thread post to make sure my definitions are clear enough....

Here is my breakdown on entities...

Demons: spirits, and commonly referred to as such in the Bible, (ie; unclean spirits, familiar spirits, etc.) Either the disembodied inhuman spirits of the Nephilum (offspring of fallen angels and human women), OR.. the continuing spirits of the fallen angels, cast out of Heaven. Angels are spirit as well. So is God, Himself. Some believe that these demonics are simply lesser minions (dead disembodied Nephilum) carrying out the commands of their superiors and the truely dark ones, the Fallen Ones, who are the princes and the powers of the aire.

Ghosts: disembodied spirits of humans. Conscious, knowing and perceiving, self aware, BUT...often confused. Ghosts can be mean or sad or happy. They have the same range of emotions as living humanbeings. They can be dangerous too, just as some living humans are. Some ghosts repeat or continue with their lives as if they were not dead. Not to be confused with a residual energy or entity.

Residual entity: An imprint of energy upon a specific time or place, without consciousness or thought or realization. This is NOT a spirit, in my opinion. It is a residual energy. Often witnessed repeating its' normal everyday tasks, over and over. Seen walking on stages that nolonger exist, six feet above the present level. However, if one were to stop, and look at you (for instance) demonstrating any kind of recognicent thought, it is not a residual entity, but infact, a ghost.

Spirit: I believe the spirit is the vessel containing the life force of ANY living thing, with a consciousness and a capacity for will over its' own destiny (as to say, it fears death or seeks to maintain its' own existence). In the case of human and animal spirits, this life force, once it has left the body, is congitive and aware, and bears the consciousness of its' former host, now deceased. The spirit is, however, without change, as it always has been since its' creation by God. "Spirit" is really more defining of a state of being, and less of a descriptive title or name.

Soul: Uniquely human, pertaining only to man, as a "living soul". No other creatures possess this. "Soul" is our state of being in the presence of The Almighty, and in Heaven or hell. It is the substance of our good, and of our evil, and is the vessel of all that we are and have been, and is our future state of what we will be. God breathed the breath of life into man, making him a "living soul" here on earth, as opposed to "soul" (without our physical body) in Heaven. Soul and spirit dwell together in humans. Animals possess only spirit.

God(s): There ARE more than one. The term is self-defining, and I won't attempt to go into the nature of God. But it is very clear, that there were other lesser gods, although I do not know of their state or condition as of the present. The God of Abraham merely stated, "thou shalt not worship any of god BEFORE Me". He also sent the Israelites into Babylon to destroy every living thing. And HE would "humiliate" their god, Marduk. Now you can tear down an idol, and destroy it. But you can not "humiliate" an inanimate object. These earthly spirits may have been merely demonics in disguise, but they did exist just the same, and garnered an immense following depending on the era and the social tolerance for paganism, and the permissiveness of the ruling government.


These main definitions are the result of my own research, and belief systems. I've never found them to be contradictory, and have remained irrefutable in any application. It is common knowledge that I am Christian by faith, but reject the doctrines and dogma of men. I have gleaned much of my perceptions through more esoteric channels, and years of research and comparing notes with people just like you. As always, these are my own perceptions and opinions and conclusions, and not meant to demean or demoralize anyone elses.

I understand your definition, I just disagree with it. And like you said, I'm never gonna change your mind. I have 33 years experience doing these exploritory investigations. I was experimenting with this stuff when it wasn't cool, and frowned upon. I am still miffed they gave a tv show to plumbers! lol. I nolonger physically go into the field, except for giggles. I have concluded my research and drawn my conclusions and theories. But I am still open to new possibilities. ~Jackal


and I'm not belittling you either, Enjay. I respect your opinion. I just happen to disagree with you. lol.

I have to agree with you and SS... People categorize ghost and spirits as the same and they are not, they need to be specific... The article is probably 90% my way of thinking.

I do believe each has to come to there own conclusions . but i believe our upbringing and the circles we move in plays a significant role in shaping our beliefs . along with our own experiences .

For a long time when i was a kid i lived in fear of ghosts . from 10 right up to the age of 16. I would hear creeks on the stairs for years . someone walking round when no one was home . i would literally hide under the covers and on a few occasions slept on the doorstep because childishly i thought they wouldn't get me there .

I now know that house was not haunted at all . well not enough to cal out investigatiors or mediums . but in my mind back then i would have gladly had that house demolished and moved far far away LOL

but what made me this way ghosts ? nope sadly . stories .films . scary stories from friends /.family and a good dose of my imagination all thrown in.

I set out to educate myself at 16 i tried to read up as much as i could to find out truly what was going on, and sought advice from resources best available to me at that time . and i came to the conclusion that ghosts couldn't harm you and were residual and that spirits were concious and aware . I could handle this it may not be what everyone believes but it is to the best of my knowledge pretty accurate and it's what i believe and it helped me to rid me of my fears. and this was the starting point for a life of ease for me . i could handle a ghost that couldn't see me it meant i could trick it lol . i decided i could hide till it went on its merry way

LOL but funnily the opposite happened I learned quickly that those creeks weren't ghosts at all and as the fear dissipated so did the sounds . I became more curious i wanted to see one now more than ever i wanted to see if it was true .

I got my wish a few years later at an aunts old house and right enough the ghost sped past me and i can honeslty say i could have kicked it and i am sure it wouldnt have known . I also saw spirits a few years after that on a couple of occasions i wasnt out looking for them though . to me this was a spirit encounter as it spoke to me in words i could hear with my own ears . This confirmed to me what i had learnt . obviously not all will agree with me or believe me and thats fine .

People will say ghosts can harm you and attack you . i've never seen any evidence for it . People will say that knowledge is power and its better to know in advance and protect yourself . but IMO it all depends what that knowledge is and from where it comes . and In my honest opinion true power comes from living without fear.

I would have no problems teaching my children what i believe is true, regarding spirits/ghosts if they ask in the future if it allows them to live a life free from fear .

Blessings SS79 x x x


this is my opinion and my accounts only . it is not meant to demean nor offend .

Edited multiple times for spellings and adding bits and bobs LOL

I agree... You have to experience it first hand to come to your own conclusions and deal with it... being fearful does'nt help. I believe we all have a spirit guide which helps us deal with these situations.

I do not fear, I thirst for more knowledge... and in the end I go with my own gut feeling of what I believe to be true or not... but I will listen to other peoples opinions.

Ang