Do Ghost Hunters Do More Harm Than Good?

By Rev. Sinthyia Darkness

The ghost hunting craze arose from the spiritualist movement, credited to the Fox sisters. Ghost hunting groups employ the use of electronic devices to capture scientific evidence of paranormal activity. Despite these scientific methods, there is no scientifically proven or testable results. Most groups call for a standard protocol but this would be counter-intuitive. In the pursuit of truth, opinions and methods must be varied. The problem lies within these groups themselves, many inspired by paranormal reality television shows such as Ghost Hunters (TAPS), Most Haunted and Paranormal State. Just because a group shows up with expensive gadgets does not make them knowledgeable about the spirit realm. There is a flaw in using such devises for that other than which they were designed and offering it as scientific evidence of paranormal activity.

There is no evidence at this point that high electromagnetic readings equate to paranormal activity. A ghost by its very nature, cannot be electromagnetic, because this would require physical mass. While there are many hypotheses that ghosts are residual energy, they do require an energy source as a conduit to manifest. However, the use of electromagnetic field recording devices can certainly be used to debunk some accounts of alleged paranormal activity. This science or more accurately, pseudoscience is constantly evolving. New discoveries are being made and long held beliefs are being challenged.

While most ghost hunting groups deny this to ease potential clients, it is possible that those lacking experience and true understanding of spirits can cause an increase in paranormal activity. It is possible to open portals to the other side, through which malevolent spirits can and do enter our realm-these include demonic entities. Now ironically what you will read on many of these websites, are warnings that the "average Joe" living in the residence should not attempt to contact the spirit themselves. True that dealing with spirits is serious business. These persons pose no more of a threat than the majority of these "ghost hunters." Furthermore, each of us does have the ability to communicate with spirits. What is not being disclosed on some of these websites is that these individuals may be no more than average Joes themselves who decided to get into the ghost hunting business. If your goal is to persuade the spirits to move on, this is particularly dangerous if left in the wrong hands. I have been witness to some investigators provoking the spirits and angering them. My ministry has been called to many locations after paranormal investigation teams have left. Not only is there a need to quell the activity or in some cases exorcize the entities but also there is the need to provide spiritual counseling.

Some individuals involved in paranormal investigation insist that scientists have no business being involved in the field. I believe that all are entitled to their opinions and theories in the pursuit of truth.

However, if you take a good look at the actual credentials and formal training of the individuals operating such ghost hunting groups, you will notice there is very little formal education. How many of them have formal training in psychology? How many are ordained ministers? Know that there is no United States college or University that offers a parapsychology degree. "Certification" is about as valuable as the piece of paper that its written on and does not make a recipient any more knowledgeable than the next person. Some of these groups are well intentioned, while others are only out to cash in on our society's current interest in all things paranormal.