This is an article on a high profile "Psychic" and how the writer believes he operates. He assumes this is the methods of most psychics/mediums to convince the gullible.
Thought it was interesting and a good read about a well known psychic.
A Case Study of James Van Praagh
By Michael Shermer
Talking Twaddle With the Dead
(The following is excerpted from HOW WE BELIEVE: The Search for God in an Age of Science (W. H. Freeman, 1999, Chapter 3), by Michael Shermer.)
Throughout much of 1998 and 1999, the best-selling book in America was by a man who says he can talk to the dead (and so can you, if you buy his book). It turns out that our loved ones who have passed over are not really dead, just on another spiritual plane. All you have to do is fine tune your frequencies and, like Sri Leachim Remresh, you too can turn off the Here and Now and tune into that Something Else.
Link
A vast majority of psychic "hits" are offered by the person getting the reading. People don't even realize that they're giving up the information either because it is subtle. The "psychic" plays to percentages and works details in as the person getting the reading offers corrections or connects the dots themselves.
Perfect example of that is the bit about the dog and the bit about the water cooler conversation from the linked article (Emphasis added):
Quote:After dozens of misses Van Praagh queried, “Who is Charlie?” Peter sat there dumfounded, unable to recall if he knew anyone of significance named Charlie, when suddenly the woman sitting in back of him—a complete stranger—blurted out “Charlie was our family dog.” Van Praagh seized the moment and proclaimed that he could see Charlie and and this woman’s Dad taking walks in heaven together.
...
On a break, with a camera rolling, while relaxing and sipping a glass of water, Van Praagh suddenly called out to a young woman named Mary Jo: “Did your mother pass on?” Mary Jo nodded negatively, and then volunteered “Grandmother.” Fifty-four minutes later Van Praagh turned to her and said: “I want to tell you, there is a lady sitting behind you. She feels like a grandmother to me.”
If great persons (like Erich Weiss) take time to debunk these psychics in search of truth, doesn't that mean that there could be quite a few "fakes"?
In F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack novel "The Haunted Air", he goes through some of the tricks people can pull so they appear psychic. (Yes, the author did his research first-- it says in the acknowledgments page.) An extra card during a cold reading. Hidden cameras and microphones in the lobby to overhear chit-chat while you wait for the psychic... research on the person beforehand and databases shared between psychics... the list is endless.
Now, mind you, I'm not calling all psychics frauds-- I am saying that there are so many frauds out there that there are too many to simply believe they're not people who are good at pulling "psychic slight-of-hand"... they're illusionists for the most part.
Hi there,
I believe that is true what has been said, for the most part. On both accounts... But everyone is different. And there are real people with gifts. But there are plenty of lieing terrible people to go around...
But as for the thread, this is true about the astral plain. I'm not sure if every person that has died is there. I'm not sure of much. But I do know it is there... The End... Melanie
Many Psychics and Mediums are fake for sure, but there are some that are the real deal. Its not hard to gather info. and make it seem as if a person can see into a persons life.
How it all really works, that is very complicated. In my case, i was born with my gifts, so i dont know any other way. It is usually very random, but if i feel the need, as if a person may be in trouble, i can usually give them advice.
The most amazing part of being gifted is having other friends who are also gifted. Its easy to communicate without talking or being near each other. We know what is going on in each others lives, without any conversation. Ok, i am getting off track.
Just an example, i have been around a person on a daily basis. I can look into thier eyes and see everything in that persons life, down to how this person feels. Its as if our eyes meet and there is this huge connection. Its very strange and very exciting at the same time. We have not talked about this, but there is a connection and its very overwhelming at this point.
People just need to learn the difference between a genuine psychic reading and a fishing expedition.
I find it odd that people find me strange when I say, "You do not have to confirm or deny anything I have said right now." Meaning that during the reading, the only person who should be speaking is me.
The church says that psychics are demon-possessed and must be avoided. How would y'all respond to this?
(PS. Not trying to cause trouble, just want your views).
The bible says to avoid mediums or those who speak to the dead, who have knowledge that they could not have otherwise had, who have visions and predictions, and that those people are sorcerers and filled with demons.
I say, Jesus spoke to Lazarus and gained his permission before raising him from the dead. He spoke to the dead. He as well handed over all His extraordinary gifts to His Apostles, and to whomsoever accepted the Holy Spirit.
The bible as well clearly outlines spiritual gifts of knowledge, discernment, and prophecy. Are these not in layman's terms psychic gifts?
If those gifts are used for purposes of edifying others for the Creator they are not frowned upon by the church. It's only when people use them for purposes of greed or financial gain that they are considered 'evil'. It's less the terminology and more the intent of one's heart and whether it glorifies the Creator that makes it evil...even in the eye's of 'the church'.
I've always felt that the overwhelming percentage of psychics & mediums are simple show biz mentalists or hard core cons, preying on the bereved.
James Von Praugh & Jonathan Edwards fall into the latter.
I do believe that there must be some folks that truly have a gift but how does one tell ?
Very good point , Lightkeeper ! I would think that those of us who are genuine, give off a light that is percieved by others. This is just speculation , of course. I once tried the Psychic circuit a long time ago. I only went once, as I found that it wasn't worth my while.
I should think that if you are really talking to the departed, you will come up with something more than , "Oh, they are at peace !" JMO from experience. I don't know how you would go about separating te frauds from thos who are true psychics. "By your works, shall ye be known."
One way of telling is supposed to be secret among psychics so I'll post it just to them.
Those who are true psychics will understand this.