A recent and extensive new survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life (November 2009) detailed statistics on religion in America and explored the shifts taking place in the U.S. religious landscape. It also revealed the percentages of people who had supernatural encounters or beliefs.
The Pew Forum survey was based on interviews with more than 35,000 Americans age 18 and older. Here are some interesting highlights:
* 29% interviewed said they have been in touch with the dead
* 18% interviewed said they had ghostly experiences
* 15% interviewed consulted a psychic
THE REPORT STATES: The proportion of Americans who say they have interacted with a ghost has doubled over the past 13 years (9% in 1996 compared with 18% today). The number saying they have felt in touch with someone who has died has also grown considerably, from 18% in 1996 to 29% today. There has been no change, however, over the past 20 years in the proportion of Americans who have consulted a fortuneteller or psychic, with a steady minority of roughly one-in-seven continuing to say they have done so.
Evangelical Protestants are the group least likely to say they have felt in touch with a dead person (20%). Members of other religious traditions are much more familiar with this type of phenomenon, with 37% of black Protestants, 35% of white Catholics, 31% of the unaffiliated and 29% of white mainline Protestants saying they have felt in touch with someone who has died. Differences between evangelicals and other religious traditions are smaller on the questions of ghostly experiences and consultations with fortunetellers.
Related Mysticism answers:
* 26% said they believe in spiritual energy in trees, nature, etc.
* 25% believe in astrology
* 24% believe in reincarnation
* 23% believe in Yoga as a spiritual practice
* 16% believe in casting of curses (i.e. "the Evil Eye")
FOR THE ENTIRE REPORT GO TO: http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=490#4
Moved to www.robgutro.com /I am an author, paranormal investigator & medium with Inspired Ghost Tracking. I can receive messages from ghosts or spirits (who have crossed over). As a scientist, I explain the paranormal with energy. Known as a Pet Medium; but work with human ghosts and spirits, too. My books teach you how to recognize signs from spirits.* AWARD-WINNING - 2021,2022 and 2023 BookAuthority Best New Grief Ebook for Pets and the Afterlife 3
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Grieving During the Holidays? Spirits Don't Want us to...
Many people choose to pass away around the holidays, why, I don't know. They just do. That makes the holidays even more difficult to celebrate for those of us left behind. So, I want to provide some insight from spirits (people who have died and passed into the light) about celebrating the holidays.
They don't want you to be miserable. They want you to celebrate the season. This is the time of the year, more than any other, that you need to tap into the positive energies of the season. They're happy where they are. It was their time, and they knew that before they were born. I've learned so much about life with this ability, and one thing I've learned is not to grieve forever.
I've seen how many times my dad has come back with signs that he's fine and he still checks in (and helps my mother out). Tom and I have seen signs from someone close he knew that passed around Christmastime. That person has proven that he's still around, and he's no longer having the problems he had when he was alive. He's achieved a much happier, higher form of life, and he's full of love, just as all are that pass on and move into the light.
All of those loved ones we know who have passed on want you to experience that love here on Earth while you can. So, decorate that Christmas tree, write those cards, help people, give to homeless pets, show people the love that you have. Hidden love is of no value. It needs to be shared, just like our dogs Dolly and Franklin always wag tails and kiss us. They let their love out, and it looks great on them. Now go home and wrap a package!
They don't want you to be miserable. They want you to celebrate the season. This is the time of the year, more than any other, that you need to tap into the positive energies of the season. They're happy where they are. It was their time, and they knew that before they were born. I've learned so much about life with this ability, and one thing I've learned is not to grieve forever.
I've seen how many times my dad has come back with signs that he's fine and he still checks in (and helps my mother out). Tom and I have seen signs from someone close he knew that passed around Christmastime. That person has proven that he's still around, and he's no longer having the problems he had when he was alive. He's achieved a much happier, higher form of life, and he's full of love, just as all are that pass on and move into the light.
All of those loved ones we know who have passed on want you to experience that love here on Earth while you can. So, decorate that Christmas tree, write those cards, help people, give to homeless pets, show people the love that you have. Hidden love is of no value. It needs to be shared, just like our dogs Dolly and Franklin always wag tails and kiss us. They let their love out, and it looks great on them. Now go home and wrap a package!
Monday, November 30, 2009
A Hospital Visit -an active ghostly place
I took several hours off this morning to drive a friend of ours to the Washington Hospital for a cardiac appointment, and it was an interesting experience for me. Everything went well in terms of getting there, and getting our friend in and out of his appointment. What was interesting were the "people" I met. Some of them didn't realize they're not on the physical plane anymore.
I haven't been to a hospital for a long time, especially since my senses have been heightened to the level they are now. After I dropped our friend off at the front door of the hospital, he went in and proceeded to the 5th floor while I parked the pick-up truck. I went in the hospital, got directions and proceeded to the elevator. It was there that I heard people asking me for direction and help. Um... no, they weren't alive anymore. And there were a LOT of ghosts there... so much the back left side of my head was pounding like a freight train hit it (I get a headache there when there are ghosts or spirits around).
The ghosts in that area shared the symptoms they endured that led to their passing. I felt chest pain, shortness of breath, and a headache pounding in the front of my head as if from a trauma during a car accident. I hate it when they share their symptoms.
Anyway, there were several older men, a couple of women and one very strong woman named Agnes that came through to me. She was lost and needed help to find out where to go. Of course, when I'm standing in the middle of a bank of elevators and people are coming in and out, it's difficult to talk out loud to a ghost, when no one else knows they're there. Agnes even "butted out" a gentleman named Arthur who was trying to tell me something about having to inform his family of something's whereabouts in his house.
Agnes kept asking me for directions to get out of the hospital. I kept standing in the area between elevators until the floor cleared, so I could whisper to "Agnes" that she's dead, and she needs to look for a light to move on. She was stubborn. She didn't want to hear that. I got on the elevator and hoped she listened. She didn't. When I got to the cardiac waiting room and rejoined my friend, Agnes was there behind me.
I have to say that it's weird to feel a presence when no one else can sense it. Once my friend's name was called and he went to another room to visit with a doctor, I was then able to whisper to Agnes' ghost and tell her there's a light in funeral homes all over the place. I even told her to look in the corner of the room, and I "saw" her walk that way. She crossed over, I'm pretty sure, but there are a lot of ghosts that don't want to admit they're dead, or have unfinished business they're trying to communicate. I explained to some of them that once they cross over, they'll have the ability to come back and provide signs that they can't when they're an Earth-bound ghost.
When I left the hospital, the headache immediately faded and no ghosts came home with me. Wow.
I haven't been to a hospital for a long time, especially since my senses have been heightened to the level they are now. After I dropped our friend off at the front door of the hospital, he went in and proceeded to the 5th floor while I parked the pick-up truck. I went in the hospital, got directions and proceeded to the elevator. It was there that I heard people asking me for direction and help. Um... no, they weren't alive anymore. And there were a LOT of ghosts there... so much the back left side of my head was pounding like a freight train hit it (I get a headache there when there are ghosts or spirits around).
The ghosts in that area shared the symptoms they endured that led to their passing. I felt chest pain, shortness of breath, and a headache pounding in the front of my head as if from a trauma during a car accident. I hate it when they share their symptoms.
Anyway, there were several older men, a couple of women and one very strong woman named Agnes that came through to me. She was lost and needed help to find out where to go. Of course, when I'm standing in the middle of a bank of elevators and people are coming in and out, it's difficult to talk out loud to a ghost, when no one else knows they're there. Agnes even "butted out" a gentleman named Arthur who was trying to tell me something about having to inform his family of something's whereabouts in his house.
Agnes kept asking me for directions to get out of the hospital. I kept standing in the area between elevators until the floor cleared, so I could whisper to "Agnes" that she's dead, and she needs to look for a light to move on. She was stubborn. She didn't want to hear that. I got on the elevator and hoped she listened. She didn't. When I got to the cardiac waiting room and rejoined my friend, Agnes was there behind me.
I have to say that it's weird to feel a presence when no one else can sense it. Once my friend's name was called and he went to another room to visit with a doctor, I was then able to whisper to Agnes' ghost and tell her there's a light in funeral homes all over the place. I even told her to look in the corner of the room, and I "saw" her walk that way. She crossed over, I'm pretty sure, but there are a lot of ghosts that don't want to admit they're dead, or have unfinished business they're trying to communicate. I explained to some of them that once they cross over, they'll have the ability to come back and provide signs that they can't when they're an Earth-bound ghost.
When I left the hospital, the headache immediately faded and no ghosts came home with me. Wow.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
A Ghostly Friday the 13th in Ellicott CIty, Maryland
A GHOSTLY FRIDAY THE 13TH IN ELLICOTT CITY, MARYLAND
The last time Friday the 13th happened in 2009, we were in Savannah, Georgia (February) and we happened to wind up on a ghost walk. That one was totally unplanned to coincide with Friday the 13th as this one was (we were supposed to go on the 12th) but it just worked out that way.
The tour is called "Ye Haunted History of Olde Ellicott City Ghost Tour." They happen Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 or 8:30p.m. ET from April through November. They're hosted by the Howard County Department of Tourism, and there are three different tours (because there are a LOT of ghosts there). For more information, call 1-800-288-8747 to make reservations (I encourage calling ahead).
When we arrived Friday night, the rain that we've had for the last 4 1/2 days finally ended but it was cold and damp. Our tour guide named Tessi was wonderful and very animated. Here are a couple of pictures and stories from the walk.
(PHOTO: Tom doing his "poser" routine while our friends were unaware and listening to the ghost guide)
PHOTO 1 OF CAPLAN'S: A HAUNTED STORE FORMERLY KNOWN AS CAPLAN'S - This is a "before" photograph. I took 3 simultaneous photos as this store is reported to have a ghost child inside of it. Note that the sky is black, and there are no "spots" over the building.
PHOTO 2 OF CAPLAN'S: A GHOSTLY ORB OVER CAPLAN'S STORE - Notice an orb showed up over the roof of the building. I had to brighten the image using Photoshop, so the orb would be more clear. The way that you can tell an orb is in the photo is that it has different colors in it. Dust on the lens doesn't have colors in its center.
THE HAUNTING: Here's why I took multiple photos: One of the ghost tour guides inadvertently wound up taking home the child ghost in her car one night. She came to realize it when the electrical system was going crazy. One of her friends suggested after 2 days of her car's electrical system going haywire that she drive back to Caplan's and tell the ghost to get out. Apparently, the ghost-child did get out and went back to Caplan's, as the guide didn't have any more weird electrical issues afterward.
PHOTO: THE HAUNTED B&O RAILROAD MUSEUM -The B&O railroad museum is located adjacent to the Patapsco River at the foot of old Ellicott City. This building was the first passenger railroad station in the U.S.A. This is where passenger railroads started. It's a fascinating museum, and has a great history outlined, a cool working miniature railroad, and movie about the history. This building is reputed to have a friendly ghost named "Charlie" that inhabits it. I haven't encountered Charlie, however.
THE GHOSTS AT THE RIVER - The B&O Railroad Museum is built right next to the Patapsco River. On the railroad bridge the connects to the platform behind the museum/station, there's a large marker that shows where the record floods reached during various years. In 1888 flood waters from the river went about 30 feet above the river level, flooding the town and killing many. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes flooded the town again, killing more. There were about 6 markers representing floods. Our tour guide stopped and pointed out the markers, and as she did, I "heard" men, women and a few children behind me (there was no one there) telling me they died in a flood event. It was like they were standing behind me in flesh and blood.
GHOST AT "CACAO LANE RESTAURANT" - Our tour guide also stopped in front of a restaurant called "Cacao Lane." I then heard the name "Marcus, Marcus." The guide told us of a mirror being lifted up off the bar, over bottles of liquor, while a bartender and patrons looked on. The mirror was gently lowered to the floor. I believe the ghost's name that did it was "Marcus" and I informed our guide.
GHOSTLY BURIAL CARRIAGE - We proceeded down one of the alleyways, that still had a hand-laid brick "street." When we got there, I sensed a horse-drawn carriage waiting in the alley. The guide told us that one of the buildings we were standing near was a former funeral home and bodies would be loaded onto wagons in that alleyway. She said that one of the "funeral wagons" was still in the basement of one of the buildings, and there have been accounts of a man in 1800s period clothing sitting on the wagon with a deep look of sorrow in his eyes.
The last time Friday the 13th happened in 2009, we were in Savannah, Georgia (February) and we happened to wind up on a ghost walk. That one was totally unplanned to coincide with Friday the 13th as this one was (we were supposed to go on the 12th) but it just worked out that way.
The tour is called "Ye Haunted History of Olde Ellicott City Ghost Tour." They happen Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 or 8:30p.m. ET from April through November. They're hosted by the Howard County Department of Tourism, and there are three different tours (because there are a LOT of ghosts there). For more information, call 1-800-288-8747 to make reservations (I encourage calling ahead).
When we arrived Friday night, the rain that we've had for the last 4 1/2 days finally ended but it was cold and damp. Our tour guide named Tessi was wonderful and very animated. Here are a couple of pictures and stories from the walk.
(PHOTO: Tom doing his "poser" routine while our friends were unaware and listening to the ghost guide)
PHOTO 1 OF CAPLAN'S: A HAUNTED STORE FORMERLY KNOWN AS CAPLAN'S - This is a "before" photograph. I took 3 simultaneous photos as this store is reported to have a ghost child inside of it. Note that the sky is black, and there are no "spots" over the building.
PHOTO 2 OF CAPLAN'S: A GHOSTLY ORB OVER CAPLAN'S STORE - Notice an orb showed up over the roof of the building. I had to brighten the image using Photoshop, so the orb would be more clear. The way that you can tell an orb is in the photo is that it has different colors in it. Dust on the lens doesn't have colors in its center.
THE HAUNTING: Here's why I took multiple photos: One of the ghost tour guides inadvertently wound up taking home the child ghost in her car one night. She came to realize it when the electrical system was going crazy. One of her friends suggested after 2 days of her car's electrical system going haywire that she drive back to Caplan's and tell the ghost to get out. Apparently, the ghost-child did get out and went back to Caplan's, as the guide didn't have any more weird electrical issues afterward.
PHOTO: THE HAUNTED B&O RAILROAD MUSEUM -The B&O railroad museum is located adjacent to the Patapsco River at the foot of old Ellicott City. This building was the first passenger railroad station in the U.S.A. This is where passenger railroads started. It's a fascinating museum, and has a great history outlined, a cool working miniature railroad, and movie about the history. This building is reputed to have a friendly ghost named "Charlie" that inhabits it. I haven't encountered Charlie, however.
THE GHOSTS AT THE RIVER - The B&O Railroad Museum is built right next to the Patapsco River. On the railroad bridge the connects to the platform behind the museum/station, there's a large marker that shows where the record floods reached during various years. In 1888 flood waters from the river went about 30 feet above the river level, flooding the town and killing many. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes flooded the town again, killing more. There were about 6 markers representing floods. Our tour guide stopped and pointed out the markers, and as she did, I "heard" men, women and a few children behind me (there was no one there) telling me they died in a flood event. It was like they were standing behind me in flesh and blood.
GHOST AT "CACAO LANE RESTAURANT" - Our tour guide also stopped in front of a restaurant called "Cacao Lane." I then heard the name "Marcus, Marcus." The guide told us of a mirror being lifted up off the bar, over bottles of liquor, while a bartender and patrons looked on. The mirror was gently lowered to the floor. I believe the ghost's name that did it was "Marcus" and I informed our guide.
GHOSTLY BURIAL CARRIAGE - We proceeded down one of the alleyways, that still had a hand-laid brick "street." When we got there, I sensed a horse-drawn carriage waiting in the alley. The guide told us that one of the buildings we were standing near was a former funeral home and bodies would be loaded onto wagons in that alleyway. She said that one of the "funeral wagons" was still in the basement of one of the buildings, and there have been accounts of a man in 1800s period clothing sitting on the wagon with a deep look of sorrow in his eyes.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Getting Ready for Halloween- Great TV Viewing for Ghost Lovers
Not only do I communicate with ghosts, but I enjoy watching television programs about them, too. It's all a learning experience to me. There are 3 great programs I'm looking forward to seeing this weekend. But first, a warning for parents about a Halloween-related item from TARGET:
**CPC RECALL FOR PARENTS**: Halloween Flashlights Sold Exclusively at Target Recalled Due to Burn Hazard http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10026.html
MY FAVORITE HALLOWEEN VIEWING "TREATS" THIS WEEKEND:
1) OCT. 30 - GHOST WHISPERER on CBS- 8pm EDT Friday. The Headless Horseman, from 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,' haunts Melinda on the next episode of Ghost Whisperer..
2) OCT 30- Ghost Adventures **LIVE** on the Travel Channel. From 8 PM to 3 AM E/P on Friday, Oct. 30, the Ghost Adventures crew -- Zak, Nick and Aaron -- will lock themselves into the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, WV. http://www.travelchannel.com/Ghost_Adventures_Live/
3) OCT 31- Ghost Hunters **LIVE** on the SyFy Channel this SATURDAY beginning at 7pm EDT - LIVE BROADCAST***, host Josh Gates and the Ghost Hunters Academy recruits make history at the Essex County Hospital. Over 10,000 patients died in Essex County Hospital. Now TAPS is on a mission to see how many souls remain. http://www.syfy.com/ghlive/index.php
******HALLOWEEN TELEVISION FOR CHILDREN****
1)Sitcoms Online said ABCFamily will have 13 days of Halloween, w/movies like Edward Scissorhands, The Haunted Mansion and The Addams Family.
2) The Disney channel will have Halloween episodes of: The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Hannah Montana and Phineas & Ferb. There will probably also be an emphasis on the show Wizards of Waverly Place. Expect classic Disney Channel Original Movies like Halloweentown and Twitches.
USA TODAY's List of Halloween or Halloween-related movies (I haven't seen any of 'em):
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944, Warner, $20)
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944, Warner, $27)
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949, Disney, $20)
Houdini (1953, Paramount/Legend, $15)
The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976, Image, $15)
Halloween (1978, Anchor Bay, $15)
Lady in White (1988, Fox, $15)
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993, Disney, $33; Blu-ray, $40)
In America (2002, Fox, $15)
PREVIEW OF THIS FRIDAY NIGHT'S "GHOST WHISPERER" for HALLOWEEN!
**CPC RECALL FOR PARENTS**: Halloween Flashlights Sold Exclusively at Target Recalled Due to Burn Hazard http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10026.html
MY FAVORITE HALLOWEEN VIEWING "TREATS" THIS WEEKEND:
1) OCT. 30 - GHOST WHISPERER on CBS- 8pm EDT Friday. The Headless Horseman, from 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,' haunts Melinda on the next episode of Ghost Whisperer..
2) OCT 30- Ghost Adventures **LIVE** on the Travel Channel. From 8 PM to 3 AM E/P on Friday, Oct. 30, the Ghost Adventures crew -- Zak, Nick and Aaron -- will lock themselves into the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, WV. http://www.travelchannel.com/Ghost_Adventures_Live/
3) OCT 31- Ghost Hunters **LIVE** on the SyFy Channel this SATURDAY beginning at 7pm EDT - LIVE BROADCAST***, host Josh Gates and the Ghost Hunters Academy recruits make history at the Essex County Hospital. Over 10,000 patients died in Essex County Hospital. Now TAPS is on a mission to see how many souls remain. http://www.syfy.com/ghlive/index.php
******HALLOWEEN TELEVISION FOR CHILDREN****
1)Sitcoms Online said ABCFamily will have 13 days of Halloween, w/movies like Edward Scissorhands, The Haunted Mansion and The Addams Family.
2) The Disney channel will have Halloween episodes of: The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Hannah Montana and Phineas & Ferb. There will probably also be an emphasis on the show Wizards of Waverly Place. Expect classic Disney Channel Original Movies like Halloweentown and Twitches.
USA TODAY's List of Halloween or Halloween-related movies (I haven't seen any of 'em):
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944, Warner, $20)
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944, Warner, $27)
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949, Disney, $20)
Houdini (1953, Paramount/Legend, $15)
The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976, Image, $15)
Halloween (1978, Anchor Bay, $15)
Lady in White (1988, Fox, $15)
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993, Disney, $33; Blu-ray, $40)
In America (2002, Fox, $15)
PREVIEW OF THIS FRIDAY NIGHT'S "GHOST WHISPERER" for HALLOWEEN!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A Hello and an Introduction
Hello - My name is Rob, and I consider myself an average middle-aged guy. I'm a scientist and scientific writer by trade, but since I was a teenager I've had the ability to see, sense and communicate with ghosts and Earth-bound spirits.
For decades I haven't paid much attention to my abilities, because I didn't understand them, and I wasn't spiritually or emotionally mature enough to do so. Years ago I fell in love and now I'm happily married. Since I met my partner, my abilities increased a hundred-fold. That was when I decided to learn much more about those who have passed, those who have crossed over into the light (spirits) and those who remain Earth-bound (ghosts). I've discovered a lot of information that has helped clarify questions I've had.
There is a difference between Earth-bound ghosts and spirits, and the methods they utilize to communicate with the living. It's important to maintain an open mind to things we don't understand. Our souls are living energy, and we are all connected while we are alive and even after we pass.
This Web site is connected to a book I've written (and will be published in 2010, I'm hoping) to help explain the who, what, where, when and whys, and difference between ghosts and spirits. There are a lot of books out there on the topic, but not one that I've found that distinguishes between the two entities.
I've had a lot of personal experiences, and will be writing about them here from time to time.
If you have questions or stories, please feel free to write me at Rgutro@gmail.com, or write on this blog. I look forward to hearing from you.
For decades I haven't paid much attention to my abilities, because I didn't understand them, and I wasn't spiritually or emotionally mature enough to do so. Years ago I fell in love and now I'm happily married. Since I met my partner, my abilities increased a hundred-fold. That was when I decided to learn much more about those who have passed, those who have crossed over into the light (spirits) and those who remain Earth-bound (ghosts). I've discovered a lot of information that has helped clarify questions I've had.
There is a difference between Earth-bound ghosts and spirits, and the methods they utilize to communicate with the living. It's important to maintain an open mind to things we don't understand. Our souls are living energy, and we are all connected while we are alive and even after we pass.
This Web site is connected to a book I've written (and will be published in 2010, I'm hoping) to help explain the who, what, where, when and whys, and difference between ghosts and spirits. There are a lot of books out there on the topic, but not one that I've found that distinguishes between the two entities.
I've had a lot of personal experiences, and will be writing about them here from time to time.
If you have questions or stories, please feel free to write me at Rgutro@gmail.com, or write on this blog. I look forward to hearing from you.
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