toldailytopic: Psychic readings: Scam? Something worse? Or do some people actually ha

[Nathon Detroit]

The TheologyOnline.com TOPIC OF THE DAY for July 1st, 2010 10:14 AM

toldailytopic: Psychic readings: Scam? Something worse? Or do some people actually have psychic abilities?

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[Traditio]

"A Token of My Extreme" - Frank Zappa

I can't post a video as per TOL rules, but that's more or less my opinion of "psychics" as well as scientologists (whom Frank Zappa was targeting): "Welcome to the first church of appliantology! the white zone is for loading and unloading only!"

 

[Granite]

Some people do have such skills. I've seen it firsthand.

 

[Traditio]

Some people do have such skills. I've seen it firsthand.

"You have nothing to fear my son..."

 

[Uberpod1]

I saw a psychic for entertainment purposes. She told me a dead relative who liked to whiddle was trying to contact me. "That doesn't ring a bell? Wait, it will hit you someday." These people take advantage of the fact that if she's vague enough but seems specific our own human brain will free associate some validity for us given enough time. Somewhat entertaining but not worth the price -- like gambling.

 

[Katie]

I saw a psychic for entertainment purposes. She told me a dead relative who liked to whiddle was trying to contact me. "That doesn't ring a bell? Wait, it will hit you someday." These people take advantage of the fact that if she's vague enough but seems specific our own human brain will free associate some validity for us given enough time. Somewhat entertaining but not worth the price -- like gambling.

Sounds like Christianity to me.

 

[Nathon Detroit]

Some people do have such skills. I've seen it firsthand.

In your opinion where did these psychic reading powers come from?

What could be a possible explanation?

 

[Nick M]

Sounds like Christianity to me.

In terms of some people that claim to be Christian, you are right. No Christian has the power displayed that Jesus and the 12 later had. They think the pouring out of the Spirit as told by Joel for Israel is for them. Becaue they are "spiritual Israel".

Back on topic.

1 Samuel 28

1And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

2And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

3Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

4And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

5And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

6And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

7Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

8And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

9And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

10And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

11Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

12And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

13And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

14And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

15And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

16Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

17And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:

18Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

19Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

20Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

21And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.

22Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.

23But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.

24And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

25And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.

Sorry about the whole chapter. I just wanted the context. "Psychics" don't talk to the dead, but do talk to evil spirits. When you die, you go.

 

[Granite]

In your opinion where did these psychic reading powers come from?

What could be a possible explanation?

I really don't know.

The one person I've ever met who possesses talents one would describe as "psychic" speculates it make be hereditary, but she's just as baffled as to the source of her ability as anyone.

According to her, for those who have died some people are simply more visible, or approachable, and she happens to be one of them.

 

[Non-Excluvistic]

No Christian has the power displayed that Jesus and the 12 later had.

Actually Jesus (pbuh) said that anyone with faith as he had could do all things and nothing would be impossible.

Matt 17:20-And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

You're wrong, he clearly says that you can if you had the faith.

 

[Town Heretic]

I'll believe in psychics when one calls me up to give me an answer to a question I haven't realized I needed to know. lain:

 

[Egbert]

I haven't encountered anything convincing. Cold reading is a skill that accounts for most psychic claims. When the metaphysical capabilities of psychics are put to the test, it always seems to go down like this — and that's when they agree to even make the attempt. Usually they just try to back out gracefully.

 

[GuySmiley]

The most interesting man in the world . . .

He once went to a psychic . . . to warn her.

I was always told that psychics were informed by demons about things they couldn't know otherwise. That could be true. But I think they are mostly fakes, just being vague and cold reading people.

 

[Seydlitz77]

I think largely such things are kept general enough that any claimed accuracy is a result of wish fulfillment. There are cases of actual power though and if such things are by a spirit not from God it needs to be rebuked.

 

[Nick M]

Matt 17:20-And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

That is for the kingdom, not the Body. You are wrong, as ususal. Here is what he tells the Body of Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

What is it like going through life knowing that everything you say is actually wrong?

 

[Nick M]

I was always told that psychics were informed by demons about things they couldn't know otherwise. That could be true. But I think they are mostly fakes, just being vague and cold reading people.

Spot on. Most are fakes, some are a medium for what Samuel called familiar spirits.

 

[Psalmist]

The most interesting man in the world . . .

He once went to a psychic . . . to warn her.

I was always told that psychics were informed by demons about things they couldn't know otherwise. That could be true. But I think they are mostly fakes, just being vague and cold reading people.

Spot on. Most are fakes, some are a medium for what Samuel called familiar spirits.

I agree, the people who are dealing with what Samuel called familiar spirits. Because they are unsaved, maybe they are be helped and dealing with Satan and his minions. Yes there are evil people doing works of him who sent them, that is Satan.​

toldailytopic: Psychic readings: Scam? Something worse? Or do some people actually have psychic abilities?​

Some Psychics? Yes.
Scammers.

Some Prophets? Yes.
Profits.

Something worse? Yes.
Psycho-Ceramics.

Psycho-Ceramics? Yes.
Crack-pots.​

 

[Cruciform]

Psychic readings: Scam? Something worse? Or do some people actually have psychic abilities?

A complete and utter scam. :sherlock:



Gaudium de veritate,

Cruciform
+T+

 

[Thunder's Muse]

I've had psychic readings in the past and have been mostly unimpressed. I'd say that most people doing 'Psychic Readings' nowdays, don't really have any psychic gifts at all.

That said, I do think some people are more intuitive/sensitive that others; can pick up on subtle things other people don't. And then, some people are just crazy good, it's scary.

 

[Persephone66]

Dem cards, dey nevah lie!

Sorry, couldn't resist. I think psychics are a total sham and cruel too. I mean anyone who is going to convince someone that they can talk to their dead relative on "the other side" needs to be beaten with a blunt object.