Ghost Tours

[Archivist]

Since Halloween is fast approaching, I thought this might be an interesting topic to discuss. In many American cities, towns, villages and boroughs, ghost tours are offered that look at places reputed to be haunted. In some places, like Gettysburg or New Orleans, these tours are offered throughout much of the year; in other places they are offered only around Halloween.

My question--is it wrong for a Christian to participate in such tours, either by conducting them or attending them?

So you know my view of this topic, I have lead ghost tours in my borough for almost twenty years. All the money collected from these tours goes to support a local charity. I have raised several thousand dollars for this charity over the years.

 

[Southernscotty]

Well, Ghost are simply demonic manifestations and playing with such is wrong any way you look at it.
In my opinion yes it's wrong.

 

[“Paisios”]

Since Halloween is fast approaching, I thought this might be an interesting topic to discuss. In many American cities, towns, villages and boroughs, ghost tours are offered that look at places reputed to be haunted. In some places, like Gettysburg or New Orleans, these tours are offered throughout much of the year; in other places they are offered only around Halloween.

My question--is it wrong for a Christian to participate in such tours, either by conducting them or attending them?

So you know my view of this topic, I have lead ghost tours in my borough for almost twenty years. All the money collected from these tours goes to support a local charity. I have raised several thousand dollars for this charity over the years.

The last ghost walk I went on was more of an historic tour of sites of historic local interest which were reputed to be haunted. There was no summoning of or communing with spirits, no seances, or anything like that, but it was an enjoyable and informative evening walk. I don’t see anything wrong with that. I would have had objections and not participated had there been attempts to communicate with spirits, however.

 

[Archivist]

The last ghost walk I went on was more of an historic tour of sites of historic local interest which were reputed to be haunted. There was no summoning of or communing with spirits, no seances, or anything like that, but it was an enjoyable and informative evening walk. I don’t see anything wrong with that. I would have had objections and not participated had there been attempts to communicate with spirits, however.

I have never know of a ghost tour where attempts were made to communicate with spirits. I know that some buildings (like the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia) that are said to be haunted are open for overnight stays, and that some people who do an overnight stay will attempt to communicate with spirits on their own, but that isn't part of an organized tour.

 

[*LILAC]

We have a "Ghost tour" in our local area. I looked into it and it just screams wrong to me in all directions. I wouldn't do it. Ever. No need to look for more mischief!

 

[SeventyOne]

Since Halloween is fast approaching, I thought this might be an interesting topic to discuss. In many American cities, towns, villages and boroughs, ghost tours are offered that look at places reputed to be haunted. In some places, like Gettysburg or New Orleans, these tours are offered throughout much of the year; in other places they are offered only around Halloween.

My question--is it wrong for a Christian to participate in such tours, either by conducting them or attending them?

So you know my view of this topic, I have lead ghost tours in my borough for almost twenty years. All the money collected from these tours goes to support a local charity. I have raised several thousand dollars for this charity over the years.

By tours, do you just mean pointing out places reputed to be haunted, or an actual investigation, such as capturing EVP's or using REM pods and Ovilus devices?

 

[Archivist]

By tours, do you just mean pointing out places reputed to be haunted, or an actual investigation, such as capturing EVP's or using REM pods and Ovilus devices?

The research I did for my ghost tour was all done in local libraries and historical societies. I looked at books, diarys, newspaper articles, etc.

As I said earlier, I've never seen any ghost tours where they attempted to contact the spirits.

 

[Southernscotty]

There is no such thing as ghost. Only demons [Evil Spirits] and if you direct people to them, They will seek them. This is playing with fire because people who are ignorant of the Word do not understand this stuff and they will unknowingly become involved in cultic activity.

Mark 9:42 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.

 

[Resha Caner]

My question--is it wrong for a Christian to participate in such tours, either by conducting them or attending them?

I have never know of a ghost tour where attempts were made to communicate with spirits.

IMO, raising money for a charity doesn't excuse anything. With that said, the world is full of evil, and stories told by Christians often reference that evil. So, there is nothing inherently wrong. However, the approach does matter.

What is your approach to these tours?

 

[HTacianas]

Since Halloween is fast approaching, I thought this might be an interesting topic to discuss. In many American cities, towns, villages and boroughs, ghost tours are offered that look at places reputed to be haunted. In some places, like Gettysburg or New Orleans, these tours are offered throughout much of the year; in other places they are offered only around Halloween.

My question--is it wrong for a Christian to participate in such tours, either by conducting them or attending them?

So you know my view of this topic, I have lead ghost tours in my borough for almost twenty years. All the money collected from these tours goes to support a local charity. I have raised several thousand dollars for this charity over the years.

There is no difference between a ghost tour and watching a scary movie. Once the movie ends you go back to your life, after being entertained a bit.

There is no such thing as a ghost, but if people want to stare into the darkness and scare themselves for a while I have no opinion on it.

 

[SeventyOne]

The research I did for my ghost tour was all done in local libraries and historical societies. I looked at books, diarys, newspaper articles, etc.

As I said earlier, I've never seen any ghost tours where they attempted to contact the spirits.

I was just curious. I guess I missed that part of your earlier response.

Personally, I don't see much difference between promoting the location of spirits and actually seeking out evidence for the spirits. They seem to go hand-in-hand to me.

That said, I also don't think such things are forbidden for a Christian. If a believer is in a room with 10 spirits, the only fear in there should be felt by those spirits. Although, I would advise against it if any one goes at it with the mindset these things have power over them and are something to be feared. Also, if any think it is a sin to do so, they should not violate their conscious in such matters.

 

[Archivist]

IMO, raising money for a charity doesn't excuse anything. With that said, the world is full of evil, and stories told by Christians often reference that evil. So, there is nothing inherently wrong. However, the approach does matter.

What is your approach to these tours?

As I already said, I do my research in local libraries and historical societies. I looked at books, diarys, newspaper articles, etc. I talk about the history of the location, provide background on the individual who supposedly haunts the building, then describe some of the reported hauntings.

 

[John Bowen]

We have all heard the term hell on earth places that are so low in energy where people were murdered , tortured , committed suicide . I have experienced it where I got very sick afterwards so I wouldn't find it entertaining . Why engage in it give it your time I would come apart from it what is not of Christ .

 

[Archivist]

We have all heard the term hell on earth places that are so low in energy where people were murdered , tortured , committed suicide . I have experienced it where I got very sick afterwards so I wouldn't find it entertaining . Why engage in it give it your time I would come apart from it what is not of Christ .

I'm not sure what the meaning of your last sentence is.

 

[Resha Caner]

As I already said, I do my research in local libraries and historical societies. I looked at books, diarys, newspaper articles, etc. I talk about the history of the location, provide background on the individual who supposedly haunts the building, then describe some of the reported hauntings.

OK. So is there a historical angle to this subject that draws your interest?

 

[Archivist]

OK. So is there a historical angle to this subject that draws your interest?

Yes, but I'm also interested in the stories of the hauntings.

 

[Quid est Veritas?]

I attended a ghost tour many years ago. Essentially it was all a bit silly. I remember the tour guide talking about a ghost in the one hotel, and how people feel her presence on the stairs. Apparently this was via a 'cold spot'. Now what do you find on these particular stairs connecting two heated rooms? A window. There is your cold spot.

The rest was hanging around graveyards or old buildings in the dark or semi-light. Back then I was an avowed materialist, so found it a tad insulting to my intelligence and required an allowance of gullibility. Basically I went as a blind date, but I certainly would not do so today. As a gimmick to do an historic tour it certainly is a good one, and provided no 'witch of Endor' like stuff is going on during them, they are at best a bit of fun and at worst a con. I'd rather just do a straight historic tour myself, that can always mention ghost stories as anecdotes.