Groups > Ghosts - Fact or Fiction?

Yes actually I have spent 30 years comparing the mythologies of various cultures. I'm would never call myself an "expert" (whatever that is), but I can speak with some limited authority on the beliefs of several african, asian, and pre-columbian North American civilizations.

Yes, I believe--not in ghosts per se, but more like Clarence in "It's a Wonderful Life."

1-When Dad was a boy during the depression, a stranger came to the door, hungry. My Dad & his Mom -- poor themselves since the father had run out on them yrs earlier--went to the kitchen to get the stranger some baked bread. In the second it took, the stranger vanished...Dad ran to the door & looked down the street...no one.

2-I occasionally feel a presence--sometimes a slight puff of air as if someone walked by--that can't be traced to anything...or I'll turn suddenly, aware of something beside me...nothing. Maybe this happens once every 3 to 4 yrs. I never feel threatened by it...more soothing, as if someone is letting me know there's more....and I'm being watched out for.

3- I went to see a doctor [the first time in over 10 yrs] about right arm pain. He scheduled a stress test...I failed it...was given a cardiac catheterization...failed it...had emergency 7-way heart bypass, and never had one complication. [As my doctor said,"By rights, you should be dead."] A year later, I realized something that made the hair on my neck stand up. A strange--almost 'street person' type--lady of few words had worked in our department for a few months. On her last day, a few of us received personal notes from her. Mine was, "Warning, angels are closer than they appear." This was 4 months before my open-heart. Random cosmic interplay?

I could go on....

Interesting. #1 and #3 especially. The man who came to your fathers door, was that all you remember about the story? Did they notice anything peculiar about him? Was the story related to you as an 'odd tale', by that I mean your father thought there was something very strange about the event?

#3 has two elements that make it appealing.

1. She was an odd character, different.

2. precognition - She knew of something that was going to happen in the future, or seemed too.

You seem satisfied that "ghosts" are the most reasonable explanation for these experiences.

I can think of several rational possibilities for your examples, but I'll not be so presumptuous .

A life devoid of myth would be pretty sterile, and not very interesting. I think thats something skeptics too readily miss.

Can't add more to Dad's 'stranger' story--it was clear he was uncomfortable with it. He was a religious 'believer,' had been a choir boy, was probably 7-10 or so when the incident occurred, was excommunicated when he married a Jewish woman [and re-connected with the church later in life].

The woman [in my vignette] was odd, but not 'theremin music' odd--just quiet...kept to herself...would only speak if spoken to. Her message to me could easily have no particular relevance except in time relationship to the event. EQUALLY mysterious [to me]: WHY did it take nearly a year to put these events together? And what, at the time, brought the recollection to consciousness? [Theremin music, please]. So what's your take? I'm open to all thoughts...

IF I may add another 'prescient' moment: Aged nine, school lets out, I'm running home [never done before]. My parents were bringing Pepper home today from cancer surgery. He was SUPPOSED to have been brought home days ago, but the vet said they wanted to keep him an extra day...then another day. My parents had said they were picking him up on Friday regardless. Anyhow...I'm crying as I run, neighbor asks me why I'm running..."My dog died," I blurt out [the words coming out without a conscious effort on my part, and now I'm worried since lying is a big offense at my house]....open the back door.."where's Pepper?!!!"....dead. [But no ghosts, so may be irrelevant here].

Another item, if I could: In July of '03 I picked up 2 stray dogs [based on daughter's pleading to rescue them]. Never owned a dog in my adult life. Gave BOTH away, crying heartbroken, but realized I couldn't handle them both, and was absolutely miserable the next day at work. Come home and find that the second dog [part Rottweiler] had been brought back...a more loyal friend [and non-aggressive dog] can't be found. Jogging with him has been as beneficial as heart surgery--he pushes me when I wouldn't do it myself. Mom had died just months before, and was a NOTORIOUS dog lover whose dogs were fed FIRST in the morning [scrambled eggs]. Yeah, sure, could be just a random thing, but Mom was two things...strong, and dog-lovin'. No, I don't think SHE'S the dog, but relentlessly intertwining the dog's life and mine? Yeah, she would do that, and if anybody could, it'd be her.

Since you asked Dan, here goes.

Throughout history, in most cultures throughout the world, there are thematic similarities between myths and folk tales. One of the common themes is the "odd stranger". They aren't always men, they are more often women. Women are often gifted with special knowledge. In Africa, a woman suspected of special powers or knowledge is thought to be a witch. (All women are considered dangerous during their mentsrual cycle)

In the west, our stories begin with the tales of Homer. Those who journey forth on epic adventures are frequently aided by an odd person who lives in the forest. In folk tales, a traveler may meet one of these odd strangers while lost, or after taking a wrong turn. Sometimes they come to the door, often at night, requesting food. Many morals are told in these stories. Depending on the story, it may behoove the host to help the poor wretch, because the stranger has special powers that they will bestow upon the host if they are kind. In other stories, the stranger is evil, and the host must be wary.

The odd stranger at the door, or the mysterious old woman are common figures in mythology and folk tales. From birth you've been exposed to these stories in many forms, we all have, Just the mention of such a character in a story immediately draws the listener close, and opens their imagination.

Now for a "skeptical analysis" if you will . . .

The man may have been a thief intent on robbing you, and when he saw that it was a poor woman alone with child, his morals prevented him from taking food from her childrens mouths, or taking advantage. He may have left because someone else, hidden out of sight, motioned him to come in order that they may find a more suitable victim. Maybe your presence was what they didn't like, it wasn't a woman alone.

The woman at work:

I've never seen you, but we know there are certain body types that look like they are headed for a heart attack. Shortness of breath when you walk through the office, a horrid diet, a history of heart problems in your family that you related over coffee in the breakroom; all might have given her the impression that you were headed for a heart attack or stroke.

Maybe you took high blood pressure medication but put more salt on your Big Macs than anyone she'd ever seen. :)

This is all speculation of course, I don't know you.

I once went to an eye doctor you said "Geez you look like shit!" (Then he tried to sell me a line of vitamins he had on display)

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Certainly...appreciate your take. Have no idea why one supposition is any better than another, particularly when we try to rationalize an event. In the first example, it strains credibility to believe someone would target a row house--in a city with mansions along the lakefront--for theft during the depression. But who knows?...there could be a more practical answer than either of us suggest. In the 'mysterious woman' case, I'd been running on a treadmill at home for over a year...[dare I say?]...religiously! LOL!!! [sorry, I just COULDN'T resist that!]