Mediums. Can people really contact dead people's spirits?
 

There is another thread about a specific woman who is having a presentation at a local church. There were some very interesting comments deleted on that thread and the moderator explained that it was because it was about a certain person and that we could begin a discussion about our views on the whole practice of people appearing to be able to communicate with the spirits of people who have died.

I don't believe that is possible.

I don't think my mind can be changed. I am somewhat influenced by my Catholic upbringing, although I am not really a practicing Catholic. I have always been skeptical and disbelieving of such things. Perhaps we all have hidden feelings and even fears about the spirit world.

I think that this may be a comforting experience for some but I personally think THIS kind of thing is a scam.

Is there money involved with this particular happening? Do people pay to be involved? Does someone make money on this get together?

Best Books On Psychics, Mediums, Spirit Communication & Life After Death | Best Psychic Mediums

I read a really good book on this and am looking for the title. Some of these also look useful.

This is it and it is by a very good writer. 'Ghost Hunters: William James and the Search for Scientific Proof of Life After Death,' by Deborah Blum - Book Review - The New York Times

Do you believe in communication with the dead, Tal?

I believe but cannot show any evidence that would convince anyone. However, there any many people who do swindle people out of their hard earned money by offering them false hope. The book I linked describes a lot of them and how the ghost hunters would expose them as frauds. Ghost Hunters, by Deborah Blum | The Independent

I think I remember in the original thread there was mention of tickets to see this local woman at the Unitarian Church? Tickets usually mean money.

I believe this woman is the real deal. Suzanne Giesemann | Messenger of Hope

Suzanne Giesemann
- YouTube

Making/taking money from the gullible through clairvoyance, mediums, self-proclaimed prophets and also from megachurches...is probably the second oldest profession.


Not buying any of it.

No more of a scam than all churches are. All about the $$.

I sort of believe.....try to catch an episode of Long Island Medium. I think it's on TLC. Not on right now, but you can find episodes to watch on TLC app, etc... she seems very real, reads random people in stores, etc... along with people who do come to her by appt. in almost every single case the people are shocked that she knows things about the departed and that the departed are conveying meaningful messages specific to their loved one. You'll notice that as she starts to read a person she is writing very fast and also her mouth usually is making what appear to be involuntary movements.
Ok, she's a very entertaining " personality", as is her family, but I still think she's for real. Now the ones who work with a partner I'm a little suspious of still.

I have an open mind about individuals who profess something unique. The mass advertised organized forces are always suspect in my mind.

The ghost hunters researched some of these mediums.

Amazing what you can find out about a person on Google, isn't it?

Long Island Medium - Wikipedia

She just might be very observant about details and how people respond to questioning. And she might have plants in the audience??? I am very suspicious of people that have an industry attached to them.

It's rare that a medium is well done.

Like fortune tellers and Tarot card readers, mediums are clever performers who prey upon the desperate, the gullible and the vulnerable for compensation. Seances or whatever are shows, entertainment of sorts.

You should read that book I linked. Not all of the mediums are fake.

Society for Psychical Research - Wikipedia