tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post4799290563129733367..comments2023-12-01T01:00:34.093-05:00Comments on The Paranormal Pastor: Dead RingersPastor Swopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-87619078245713954902013-09-12T19:29:03.058-04:002013-09-12T19:29:03.058-04:00I took care of my terminally ill wife as she lay i...I took care of my terminally ill wife as she lay in bed dying of ovarian cancer.<br /><br />Her last days were strange. She spoke of dead relatives telling her things and then would/could not explain.<br /><br />She was religious and I am athiest, but she always said that she would give me a sign. I told her to instead give me the lotto number - as a joke.<br /><br />One hour before she died her telephone woke me. I woke her sister downstairs who came up and I told her about it. She said "it's a sign!" I said, "Nonsense, if it's a sign, give another." Just then, her phone alarm went off.<br /><br />Within one hour my wife died as I held her hand. When she took her last breath, I felt a strange tap or electric shock in my arm.<br /><br />I am still atheist with regard to organized religion, but do believe that there are things we do not understand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-35249525396451840132013-09-12T19:27:50.785-04:002013-09-12T19:27:50.785-04:00I took care of my terminally ill wife as she lay i...I took care of my terminally ill wife as she lay in bed dying of ovarian cancer.<br /><br />Her last days were strange. She spoke of dead relatives telling her things and then would/could not explain.<br /><br />She was religious and I am athiest, but she always said that she would give me a sign. I told her to instead give me the lotto number - as a joke.<br /><br />One hour before she died her telephone woke me. I woke her sister downstairs who came up and I told her about it. She said "it's a sign!" I said, "Nonsense, if it's a sign, give another." Just then, her phone alarm went off.<br /><br />Within one hour my wife died as I held her hand. When she took her last breath, I felt a strange tap or electric shock in my arm.<br /><br />I am still atheist with regard to organized religion, but do believe that there are things we do not understand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-4633792339910661102008-12-22T18:19:00.000-05:002008-12-22T18:19:00.000-05:00Thanks for the Comments Anonymous,Although many Ch...Thanks for the Comments Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>Although many Christians don't frequently speak of these in church, and neither do their pastors you would be absolutely shocked at the large numbers who will speak of such personal experiences when a happening should bring the subject up. <BR/><BR/>Evangelical Conservatives, Pentecostals, Catholics and the like. Well, I have yet to have a Liberal Theologian give me a good tale, that's usually because they have no belief in the supernatural.<BR/><BR/>Such stories as you see here have been in the lore of the church since its inception. The 18th century neo-puritan American revivalists of the likes of Charles Finney tried to put Christian faith in a legalistic black and white box.<BR/><BR/>I like grey.<BR/><BR/>It is makes me look thinner.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-82495228611781893272008-12-22T09:19:00.000-05:002008-12-22T09:19:00.000-05:00Pastor Swope, if you do compile this material into...Pastor Swope, if you do compile this material into a book, I hope you can provide these call logs.<BR/><BR/>Here's why:<BR/><BR/>Such a thing has never happened to me. Such a thing has never happened to anyone I know. All my knowledge of paranormal activity is "I read about it on the 'net," or "a friend of a friend." It's all classic urban myth stuff.<BR/><BR/>I'm inclined to believe the other Anonymous; these are grief hallucinations of those who believe that such a thing could happen. Such a hypothesis would predict that atheists and believers who believe that spirits cannot speak to the living (i.e. when they appear to, they are demons) would not have these experiences.<BR/><BR/>In my own life, one of those two categories comprises everyone I know. I am the former, raised (very strictly) as the latter. At no point in my life has the idea of the dead talking been considered a possibility. As a result, I suspect that none of this could happen to me.<BR/><BR/>Finally, with all due respect, and this is absolutely my upbringing talking here, although I like your writing and enjoy the fun of your articles, I think your reading of the Bible is very different from most Christians if you allow for ghosts and mossmen who want to get back to their original grave sites, etc. <BR/><BR/>Just sayin'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-79150984167098524182008-12-13T13:21:00.000-05:002008-12-13T13:21:00.000-05:00Thanks for the Comment Yusuf,Not only have you mad...Thanks for the Comment Yusuf,<BR/><BR/>Not only have you made my day, you have made my week a lot brighter!Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-54759193123402837022008-12-10T22:08:00.000-05:002008-12-10T22:08:00.000-05:00the 000-000-0000 thing may be the people who don't...the 000-000-0000 thing may be the people who don't know what they're doing with Skype, either. You know, that phone service gone digital? <BR/><BR/>Either or - interesting reads, though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-55800467205354636652008-12-10T21:59:00.000-05:002008-12-10T21:59:00.000-05:00With all due respect, I don't see why the dead wou...With all due respect, I don't see why the dead would waste time doing such a thing: "calling" people via 000-000-0000Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-75115690565354874422008-12-10T13:13:00.000-05:002008-12-10T13:13:00.000-05:00A wonderful story of hope and awe.In the Islamic t...A wonderful story of hope and awe.<BR/>In the Islamic tradition the recently deceased will sometimes visit the remaining family and friends in dreams. The phone calls seem to be a new 21st century technological transmutation of this very thing. I think we will see more of in the future, as more and more of the departed are familiar with the technology.<BR/>It is also good to hear that you are in better health. I would miss your insight, wit and knowledge.<BR/><BR/>Peace be unto you.<BR/>YusufAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-46618914761733756772008-12-08T07:25:00.000-05:002008-12-08T07:25:00.000-05:00Dear Anonymous,Thank you for you comment. However ...Dear Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for you comment. However it is evident that this phenomena is not just hallucinations. The log of caller ids from those who have passed and the fact that they have called from disconnected numbers speaks volumes in and of itself. Also there are 3rd party witnesses who have observed the phenomena who are not in the midst of grief. In fact the story that introduces this article is a news story with documented fact.<BR/><BR/>So it leads me to think you have other issues to deal with than a mere article on a phenomena. Perhaps you should deal with that, be it the death of a loved one or whatever it is. I too lost my parents to terminal illness and did not receive such a phone call. Just because I personally did not observe this specific phenomena does not mean I do not give credence to those who have.<BR/><BR/>I hold the same position with ALL my articles in this blog. No matter how fantastic they may seem, and whether I have witnessed the phenomena first hand. I have lived long enough to learn not to discount what I cannot explain.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-9062331442462944232008-12-08T02:40:00.000-05:002008-12-08T02:40:00.000-05:00Anon,After reading your latest broadside, I felt p...Anon,<BR/><BR/>After reading your latest broadside, I felt prodded to comment.<BR/><BR/>It's quite a mental contortion to claim that hallicinations include phone call logs, and calls from an empty house. There's nothing wrong with giving a few anecdotes; this is not a research journal. Sure, some could be hallucinations- so what?<BR/><BR/>Also:<BR/>"I'm not dehumanizing anyone. Their experiences are nothing more than "wishful thinking" caused by their brain."<BR/><BR/>I wonder if you'll agree, Anon, that *summarily* dismissing the entire topic (spirit messages, and by extension spirituality itself) as pure wishful thinking, immediately after disclaiming any intent to 'dehumanize anyone', is err... a bit ironic? <BR/><BR/>You'll no doubt cry 'foul' and say that you're simply trying to stamp out human delusion, etc. But the whole point is that the debunking mindset you seem to represent has done extreme damage (not only in this area) over a period of many, many years by *summarily* dismissing all the [mountains of] accumulating evidence as hogwash. Try doing some homework for a change, and try informed, as opposed to uninformed, criticism.<BR/><BR/>Wabbity1.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-26265121400373795592008-12-07T20:49:00.000-05:002008-12-07T20:49:00.000-05:00You dismiss those who have had genuine experiences...You dismiss those who have had genuine experiences and you dehumanize them.<BR/><BR/>And yet you have no firsthand experience yourself.<BR/><BR/><BR/>It has been proven that people under stress and grief hallucinate. How can you possibly know what is and what is not a hallucination? The person experiencing it believes the hallucination to be true. There is no convincing them otherwise, which is part of the reason why their stories seem so believable. The same application can be used to pass a lie detector test.<BR/><BR/>I'm not dehumanizing anyone. Their experiences are nothing more than "wishful thinking" caused by their brain. <BR/><BR/>And you would be correct. I have no firsthand experience. Is it because all those close to me who have died have no wish to let me know they are ok? That would have to be the case for anyone who believes it's possible for the dead to talk to the living. <BR/><BR/>Or, it could be the same reason why I have had no dreams of dead relatives in heaven or hell, or in an afterlife period. I don't believe in it; therefore, my brain doesn't process anything related to it.<BR/><BR/>I think many people here underestimate the power the brain has over the body.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-47944721112204298852008-12-07T13:22:00.000-05:002008-12-07T13:22:00.000-05:00Thanks for finally making a comment Anonymous,It j...Thanks for finally making a comment Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>It just proves my perceptions are right. Am I dismissing the possibility of Grief Hallucinations? No. <BR/><BR/>I have had enough time around death and dying to know that it can and does exist. However in my reading and personal experiences such hallucinations are more conclusively so as they are products of desires mixed with overstretched emotions. <BR/><BR/>I also know there are things that cannot be explained.You do a disservice to these people by calling something a 'hallucination' and dismissing the supernatural.<BR/><BR/>You dismiss those who have had genuine experiences and you dehumanize them.<BR/><BR/>And yet you have no firsthand experience yourself.<BR/><BR/>I call that arrogant ignorance, you obviously think you are the sum of all wisdom.<BR/><BR/>Who then has the closed mind? <BR/><BR/>I would have to say you do,and its not a personal attack. Just an observation of the statements that you have made.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-42289585306272286692008-12-07T09:26:00.000-05:002008-12-07T09:26:00.000-05:00That you could not phrase a comment of your opinio...That you could not phrase a comment of your opinion but instead try to promote a produce that from your intent seems to dismiss so many people's experiences as hallucinations does not give credence to your views.<BR/><BR/>In fact it shows callous and deceptive ulterior motives from my perspective.<BR/><BR/><BR/>So let's see. There have been stuides that PROVE people in grief hallucinate. Well that must prove that these stories ARE actually the dead reaching out from six feet under. Why would it dismiss so many people's experiences? Perhaps it IS because their "experiences" aren't real.<BR/><BR/>And I find a pastor calling a hard science deceptive ironic. And typical. And calling a point of view opposite yours deceptive and callous...how did you put it? Ah yes, "closed minded pessimism."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-31811332553316518092008-12-06T16:44:00.000-05:002008-12-06T16:44:00.000-05:00Dear Anonymous,I would thank you for the comment, ...Dear Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>I would thank you for the comment, but you did not leave one you just left this link:http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?doi=10.1159/000067067 <BR/>which leads to a clinical study on grief hallucinations. That you could not phrase a comment of your opinion but instead try to promote a produce that from your intent seems to dismiss so many people's experiences as hallucinations does not give credence to your views.<BR/><BR/>In fact it shows callous and deceptive ulterior motives from my perspective.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-70436937727010911042008-12-06T10:25:00.000-05:002008-12-06T10:25:00.000-05:00http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?...http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?doi=10.1159/000067067Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-75931924384003440682008-12-06T00:01:00.000-05:002008-12-06T00:01:00.000-05:00When my teenage son died in a car crash in the mid...When my teenage son died in a car crash in the middle of the night in 1989, our phone started ringing (this was before cell phones of course). My oldest son lived in another town, and my third son was out of state visiting friends. One by one family members at the house answered the phone to nothing but silence. When my 2 out of town sons arrived, the phone rang twice more, and after each son answered the phone to silence, the calls stopped. There was no doubt in any of our minds that my deceased son was making contact one last time with his brothers, me and his father. Bittersweet!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-88030570738807982342008-12-04T13:25:00.000-05:002008-12-04T13:25:00.000-05:00My love died of breast cancer, on October 8. 2007,...My love died of breast cancer, on October 8. 2007, Monday. Next Friday, I was at my place, devastated and tired, after all the events that took place so suddenly. I felt drained from the funeral home, sense of things not happening, dealing with 200 people, mourning for her... I fell into deep sleep. <BR/><BR/>When I woke up Saturday morning around 7am, I noticed a phone call that came from her place. Her daughters live there so I thought they called - except the call came at 2am. I frantically called back, thinking that they were in a crisis and that I am now 5 hours too late - when they told me that they never called. The younger one did have the phone with her when she fell asleep. <BR/><BR/>Until reading this, I always assumed that she maybe shifted in sleep (and to stretch the truth, maybe my number was on redial) and somehow the call was made. <BR/><BR/>Now after reading this article, I would have given quite a bit to have been able to answer that call.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-32273231771025065382008-12-04T13:06:00.000-05:002008-12-04T13:06:00.000-05:00Another great post.. I always look forward to read...Another great post.. I always look forward to reading what you come up with next.. always great stories!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-64860103823820879492008-12-04T00:34:00.000-05:002008-12-04T00:34:00.000-05:00I was in Hawaii when my phone rang, and it was my ...I was in Hawaii when my phone rang, and it was my deceased mother. My mother died in our native Virginia. All I heard was her calling my name "Patsy". No one but my parents ever called me that,and I recognized her voice and her Virginia accent. After that, there was nothing but static. I later found out that at this exact time, my ex husband was molesting my daughter. My mother was trying to warn me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-24478320410908582272008-12-03T14:40:00.000-05:002008-12-03T14:40:00.000-05:00Hi Pastor Swope, I just wanted to say that I absol...Hi Pastor Swope, <BR/><BR/>I just wanted to say that I absolutely love reading your stories & I hope you get better soon. Take Care!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-80759317505933433422008-12-03T11:11:00.000-05:002008-12-03T11:11:00.000-05:00Really love your blog, Pastor Swope! I hope you c...Really love your blog, Pastor Swope! I hope you can get that book published. in fact, a book with all of the articles from your blog would be great too.<BR/><BR/>God bless!George W.Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03418453098747526957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-24173382295200528272008-12-03T10:16:00.000-05:002008-12-03T10:16:00.000-05:00This very thing happened to someone in my family.This very thing happened to someone in my family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-17495893570427307602008-12-03T09:03:00.000-05:002008-12-03T09:03:00.000-05:00Oh my gosh, I am so relieved to read this! My son ...Oh my gosh, I am so relieved to read this! My son just sent this to me to read hoping it would help me verify what happened.<BR/>My Mother and I had a very close relationship. I was with her when she died from pneumonia at the age of 86. As I was leaving the hospital my cell phone rang. I didn't check it right away because I was crying so hard. Later that day I checked my phone and the call had come from my Mothers house. That phone had been disconnected for 3 months as she had been living in a nursing home! I called the number and of course got the recording that this number was no longer in service. Eleven days later I got another call when I was not at home, and again it was from my Mothers old phone number, but this time it was on her actual BIRTHDAY! Well, at first I was shaking and crying but then came to realize that this was a blessing and that Mom was just letting me know she was Ok. <BR/>DebbieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-47715497405985884372008-12-03T07:53:00.000-05:002008-12-03T07:53:00.000-05:00Thanks for the Comment anonymous,I find it amazing...Thanks for the Comment anonymous,<BR/><BR/>I find it amazing/sad that someone can take a phenomena that can inspire hope and make it a dismal experience of self conceived and closed minded pessimism.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-78729957728083537472008-12-03T00:28:00.000-05:002008-12-03T00:28:00.000-05:00On the night after my father died in 1992 my siste...On the night after my father died in 1992 my sister, who had very little interest in the paranormal, received a call that was nothing but static. She nervously said. "maybe it was daddy calling". I didn't want to scare her by telling her she was probably right.Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13134904211601951405noreply@blogger.com