Paranormal tv...

[Danderson]

Anyone seen Ghost Hunters (on SciFi) or Ghost Adventures (on travel)? Have watched both and have found them very interesting, but I'll compare and contrast the two from my point of view for those who haven't seen it (feel free to correct me if I get my facts about the show wrong....I'm really only a casual watcher):

Ghost Hunters:
A team of professional "ghost hunters" investigates places that are supposedly "haunted." Often trying to debunk the cases, most of the time, evidence turns up cold. But every now and then they find some startling stuff.

Ghost Adventures:
A lone "filmmaker" and two friends who help with audio and video search the worlds most "huanted" places to find proof of the paranormal. Every episode has usually has something going on in the house and is honestly more startling.

The differences between these shows are pretty obvious. Both look for proof of "ghosts," but while the technology may be the same the methods and results are different. In GH whenever TAPS make contact with the "ghosts", they play "good-guy" to them with usually nothing more then a chill up the spine. In GA, however, the crew's methods of finding the "ghosts" are very provoking, which almost always brings about some other worldly findings. This brings another point however, to the danger in this "line of work" these ppl do. While it may be "reality tv" (and there's always the possibility of there being fake stuff), it still show's the dangers of getting involved. In GH, there is an instance where a camera crew member is "pushed" to the floor by an unseen force. In GA, there is even one instance of the filmmaker being under possession at one point during a "lockdown." (all of which is caught on tape).

With all this being said, I'm curious as to ur opinions on these and other "reality tv" shows that investigate the paranormal. Also, as believers how should we be looking at these shows from?

[ADXC]

Yeah, I've always been fasinated by these Ghost shows along with another. It's on Discovery and is called "A Haunting".

I like A Haunting a little bit more because we sometimes learn of the possible ghosts past lives and just what happened. Well actually I think all three do that.

But still, I do enjoy all of them in different ways, I think the first ghost show I saw was on The Travel Channel. I don't think that Ghost Adventures is that show because it had no actual person leading the investigation, rather just a random tour of Ghost hot spots.

But I don't want to make this a discussion whether ghosts are real or not(It might even close the thread if it happens.). I just like to watch them for fun and curiosity, that's all. Nothing more.

[ich1990]

I look at these types of shows the same way I look at other "reality" television: as prefabricated entertainment.

Regardless of whether or not ghosts, spirits, demons, etc. exist, if these shows are finding the "paranormal" every single week then they have got to be lying. Just think of how many people pass through life without even a single ghost sighting (as I and my family have). If we can't find even one in our combined 135 years of living, how are they finding one every week?

Admittedly, we don't deliberately go around poking my nose in ancient burial grounds or anything (ok, so maybe I do), but still, not a single one in the time they would supposedly find 7020?

Also, keep in mind that it is the shows' producers' goal to make these ghost hunts interesting. They get paid for making it interesting. That doesn't exactly make them unbiased.

As a Christian, these sorts of shows don't bother me because, statistically speaking, there is almost no chance of them being real. If they are real (disregarding the theological implications) it still wouldn't bother me, because as Paul puts it in Romans 8:38-9:

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

If it bothers you, then by all means follow your conscience. Otherwise, just enjoy the show.

[Desert Rose]

I watch them, but I think the stuff they do on "Ghost Adventures" is just stupid at times. In some cases, I think they are risking something serious. What about when they participated in the so called voodoo ritual ? That is just asking for trouble.

"Ghost Hunters" I think, has a bit more....sense. You don't mess in an area that can have possible demonic activity. They ( at least I think ) show a bit more respect.

But in both shows, the so called evidence is pretty interesting.

[ADXC]

@ ichi1990-Yeah, I with you there. I don't really belive in ghosts and yeah, I do think they make them more interesting than the actual hunt was. However, from time to time, I still enjoy watching them. Also, this stuff is not going to damage my faith because it's kind of like fiction.

@ Desert Rose-Yeah, I agree. I've always heard, if you go looking for the devil(Or demons), you're going to find him(Or them).

[Nate]

Aw man, I was hoping this thread was about someone's TV that was acting paranormal. :\

[Danderson]

I watch them, but I think the stuff they do on "Ghost Adventures" is just stupid at times. In some cases, I think they are risking something serious. What about when they participated in the so called voodoo ritual ? That is just asking for trouble.

"Ghost Hunters" I think, has a bit more....sense. You don't mess in an area that can have possible demonic activity. They ( at least I think ) show a bit more respect.

Agreed...Everytime Zac starts provoking them (as effective as it seems to be) I can't help but think, "you don't do that, especially if it's an 'angry spirit'..."

He's almost like the Crocodile Hunter of the Paranormal world, except he's still an amueter "ghost investigator," and while he gives respects to the witnesses and their stories he appears to have little respect for the dead in areas where there is supposed demonic activity....Makes good tv, but makes u pray that the guy finds God, before these spirits really find him.

Any other opinions?

[Nate]

"Dude, why is your store called 'The Indian Burial Ground Pet Store?'"

"Well, there was an Indian burial ground here before I bought it."

"So you just built your store on top of an Indian burial ground?"

"Oh, heck no! First I dug up all the bodies, whizzed on 'em, then buried them again upside down!"

"Why?"

"Why? I don't know. I was drunk."

[shooraijin]

We have ample Biblical evidence of a spirit world and it probably touches our real world in physically observable ways, but I'm quite sure these shows would be the last places to actually do any kind of hard investigation.

As far as entertainment, they can be fun, and that's the way I look at it.

[~darkelfgirl~]

I watch Ghost Hunters International (off and on) and A Haunting (haven't for a while). From what I've seen on GHI, they tend to be cautious and respectful, and they don't jump to conclusions and use personal perceptions as proof. I think in one ep, a member was "cut on the arm". That was at a house featured on A Haunting, which they were investigating (if I am correct).

GA sounds kinda reckless ...