Without getting into debate, let me tell you a story that happened to me yesterday.
I am with a ghost hunting group. All of our members have differing views on "ghosts." Some of us believe in ghosts, and some of us think that there is a natural explanation for things that people "perceive" as ghosts. Myself, I don't know. I am somewhat of a skeptic, and that is my goal in the group is to find a natural explanation for what people perceive as ghosts. We use cameras, recorders, radiation meters, temp meters and other things to find out when we investigate an "alleged" haunting. Usually, we find out that the person has a vivid imagination (after doing interviews), or there is some reasonable explanation for sounds, visions, etc. in their house. As a ghost hunter, I can tell you, that MOST of our suspected ghosts turn out to be something entirely obvious.
Today we had a ghost meeting at my Dad's restaurant. My Father is Greek Orthodox, and my Mother and brother are JW. They all work at the restaurant. This is the first time that my family had ever been exposed to my hobby. When I arrived my JW brother was weed eating outside the restaurant. He came in. I was already in there meeting with a member of the group. In his arrogant way, he began to make fun of us, making BOOOOOooo sounds and smiling and laughing. It was so embarassing. I went over there and told him "Look, they are ghost hunters. If you don't like it, tough. They are paying customers, and I'd prefer that you keep your comments to yourself. JW's believe in crap that is way more incredible than what we believe in, so if you don't want me to open a can of woop ass on you, I suggest you keep your JW opinions to yourself." He shut up. I went back to the table and began to discuss, with our group, some stuff we were going to do this month. Then my JW brother gets on the phone and I could HEAR him talking about us, how we were wacky.. etc. When that fails to get our attention, I can see he is talking to my Father at the other side of the restaurant. My Father has a real aggravated look on his face.
I went over there AGAIN, and my brother was telling my Father that we were seeking out DEMONS, and that we were possessed and etc. Telling the story of EUDORA? What is that? I just looked at my Dad. He had had enough of my JW brother and just yelled at him "Get the F*ck out of here. You're running off my customers! These people believe what they want to believe, and they don't want to hear all that JW bullshit. Get out of here! Go home! Go on! Get the hell outta here!" My brother faded out of the restaurant and we were left to our meeting.
About halfway through our meeting, the restaurant phone rings. My little brother answers it and says it was for me. I thought it was my husband calling up for me to bring him food or something. I answer it and someone on the other end goes "BooooOOOOooo!" I said "Shut up!" and then my older brother says "Sorry, I just couldn't help myself." and then hangs up. He is *so mad* that I am actually doing what I want to do, and my Father is accepting it, and he tries to put it on DEMONS. That ghosts are DEMONS. I told him "I don't believe in Demons." He said "But the Bible says they exist." I said "The Bible also says that mentally ill persons have demons. Do YOU have demons? You MUST have demons since you act so crazy." I told my Father that the JWs were like a bunch of ole superstitious women from the villages of his country. There is no truth to that stuff. I also said that at one time everyone thought that electricity was of the Devil.
My Father got one of our brochures and he was really cool. Ilove my Dad... Demonized or not.. hehhehe.
CG