Sally,last night I thought you were open and very succint with Charlie Rose.You made some good points about the Wright situation.However, the point about 11am on sunday MLK said exactly that over 40 yrs ago.Your father like many aging men just don't want to pass the baton.It's just the way it is for some. By the way,I want you to review a resolution on institutional racism that I submitted to the Iowa Democratic Party on Caucus night that they just refuse to address.I need your feedback.Tell your brother I said good luck on his new book! Take care Sally
Sally,last night I thought you were open and very succint with Charlie Rose.You made some good points about the Wright situation.However, the point about 11am on sunday MLK said exactly that over 40 yrs.Your father like many aging men just don't want pass the baton.It's just the way it is for some. By the way,I want you to review a resolution on institutional racism that I submitted to the Iowa Democratic Party on Caucus night that they just refuse to address.I need your feedback.Tell your brother I said good luck on his new book! Take care Sally
In my commenting on the posts that I have viewed here, I don't know where to begin! I am appalled at the unfeeling posts that I have read! I simply feel that I must write something here in defense of, and on the behalf of several of those who I know personally and believe to be, "reputable" Mediums. I also wish to say something in defense of and on the behalf of Gigi Bloom for whatever her reasons were for going to see the Medium she saw, and to speak a little about the outcome of that visit.
And, I'll write this now and immediately, Sally, in defense of you and on your behalf.
In my reading of your article, Sally, and in "my" understanding of it—(similar to many human beings) your article was “filtered” through my own life's experiences. And (my) judgments about it were made following (as with any given subject)--which, as such, in the end becomes "my perception" according to my "subjective" view (of it). And I want you to know, Sally, that…
I felt that you neither endorsed, nor prohibited one's "Free Will" choice of going to a Medium though you’ve certainly met your detractors and some seemingly angry accusers of doing so in this forum!
I feel for you for the wrath, anger and what I view as sheer hostility thrown your way in more than a few of the posts (and I read them all!)! This not only has come your way, Sally, but also towards your friend Gigi who is obviously in pain over the loss of her son.
My Gosh, I just have to say! No wonder Journalists in the “Real World” news seem afraid to write about subjects of this sort! God forbid a journalist from a reputable newspaper chooses to write an article about “ The Possibility of Life After Death” or “Are There Those Who Can and Do Indeed Communicate with the Deceased”, or “ People’s Faith and Belief in Spiritual or Paranormal Experiences”, etc, etc!
Just look at the posts and the anger Sally and Gigi received for writing about the subject. And despite all the very passionate responses and rancor not one person was willing to considered that there might be some truth to it and value to many in learning more about it.
Personally, I wouldn’t mind reading a few (more) articles with captions like those, but then, I am a spiritually curious type and perhaps a more “open” person to any concepts and thoughts that might challenge my understanding, beliefs, perceptions and even my fears. And, even though I may not agree with everything that is shared with me, that I might read, I’m sure in knowing myself that I am still capable of learning a thing or two about any given subject.
What I am trying to get across here is that if there is one thing that I have learned in living my life (for lo these many years) on this crazy planet (and I won’t tell those reading this post how many years that is!), it is that I REALLY DON'T KNOW MUCH-- in any “for certain” kind of way, about a myriad of subjects!
With one exception, I know me! I know the person I am! My personality is such that a part of my behaviour towards other people is almost always empathetic and compassionate where other people's feelings are concerned. Even if they are not so with me. It's something that takes practice but is always a worthwhile endevor in trying to get good at! That does not mean that I do not have (my) opinions on things as a human being living on this great planet do. BUT, I don't feel that my opinions, perceptions, and what I think should be agreed with by every other person to the degree that I push it on them. Everyone has free will! I am not the type to be force anyone to think like me, we're all different and this is one of the things that make us a wonderful species! We have our own thoughts, likes, dislikes and opinions to share with eachother. And thoughts and opinons about things are likely to change as we learn, grow, and mature... there is really no reason to be pushy and arrogant in “how” we share our thoughts, feelings and opinions.
Again, I reiterate; what I might think about any given subject (How I perceive it!) has the possibility of changing the more I learn! And wouldn’t at least some of you who posted such opinionated, mean spiritited, derogatory comments to Sally (and also to Gigi) about her choice to see a medium, and the things that were said about Mediums agree that my statement above might just possibly be applicable to you as well as you grow and learn?
I viewed your article, Sally, as not only unbiased, non-judgemental, and from a journalistic perspective. But I feel that you also wrote from the perspective of a concerned and caring friend (of Gigi)! Someone you know well who went to the Medium specifically for the purpose, and in the hopes of gaining some sense of peace and comfort during the stages of grief that she and one can, and most certainly does, go through after losing a “loved one”. Especially a child.
Don’t we all as humans feel the pain and grief in our loss of ANY of our loved ones! But most especially we grieve as parents for the loss of any of our children (To most mothers, no matter what the child's age, they are still our "Baby"!) For goodness sake, all people share the feelings of grief and bereavement when they lose someone they loved! If we didn't we wouldn't be "Human"! I think that in discussing this from an intellectual point of view and also a scientific one (though I am not a Scientist myself), we most probably can agree, that as human beings we also share other human characteristics. Such as emotions and feelings. These characteristics of Human Behaviour (Feelings and emotions) are some of the things that we all share that makes us unique.
And the ability to "feel" their pain-- and to be empathetic and compassionate towards them and those who might be feeling the pain of loss-- is what I think should have been shown to Gigi and Sally!
Think what you want, but couldn't you have been softer in your approach in sharing your thoughts and opinions? Maybe a little less threatening, less hostile words of sympathy for Gigi's pain might have been considered no matter what she chose to do. Yes!
Well, that's my opinion. You may, of course, take it or leave it but at least I put it forth to you in a different manner than so many others here did not. I say, and it's my opinion also, t SHAME ON YOU who weren't thinking morer kindly for each of these ladies.
As for Mediums, I've known spectacular mediums who shocked me with their accuracy. I've known some who didn't at all validate any experience I'd ever had. I do not feel that all Mediums are bad, nor good, just simply better or worse as with any other profession.
Thanks for reading! If you made it all the way through, I congratulate you. I hope maybe some learned something here and will reflect upon some of what I've shared. If you don't or didn't that's your choice, I won't be mad at you for it!
John Griffith: I just now read your post, above. Thanks for that. At least a few people on this thread (and thanks to Sorry Sally for finding the news article) care about such thinks as blatent journalistic exploitation of the facts (and no, I'm by no means a journalist myself-but I DO care about knowing THE FACTS FIRST). What Sally did was extremely poor journalism, and it calls into question her credibility in my view as to anything she might write in the future.
You know Sally, I've thought about this some more, and really, you not only "fudged" the facts of Justin's death, you totally misrepresented them. You made it seem as if he was doing something inside his apartmet and just casually and seriously stepped outside '"TO HAVE A CIGARETTE"-you wrote. And he ACCIDENTALLY fell off the ledge.
You didn't "fudge" YOU COMPLETELY MISREPRESENTED THE FACTS FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.
Which, in my mind, now makes you extremely suspect as a journalist. In the future, anything you say of a factual nature, I will have to check it, because you no longer have any credibility in my eyes as someone who can't report an incident without embellishing, or changing the facts, for your own personal objectives; read: ego-based objectives.
And I certainly would advice others in the future to read anything you write of a factual nature in the same, extremely sceptical light.
You might at least consider the possibility that there's something real going on with some mediums.
From the Scottish Society for Psychical Research:
"Mediumship Information Analysis A series of experiments by Tricia Robertson and Archie E. Roy
We are pleased to announce that our third paper has been published in the peer reviewed Journal of the S.P.R in January 2004.
The authors have, over the past five years, set out to statistically test the sceptical hypothesis that “All mediums’ statements are so general that they could apply to anyone”
In paper 1, a series of experiments was carried out using 440 participants and 10 mediums. The reduced data showed that the odds against chance that the sceptical hypothesis was correct were millions to one. This experimentation was carried out in a face to face manner, which meant that the mediums could see the audiences. Quite correctly, a sceptical view would be that the mediums gathered “clues” from body language and verbal response as they gave the readings. Also that the audience knew who the recipients were and may not subsequently fill out the data sheets with any real interest.
Paper 2 describes a strict protocol that would eliminate body language and verbal responses from future experimentation. A randomised seat numbering system is also described which also means that the experimenter who actually numbers the seats cannot possibly know who will sit on any particular seat. Along with this, the experimenter who reduces the initial data does not know which seat numbers have been pre-selected or therefore who are the intended recipients that sat on these seats.
Papers 1 and 2 are published in the JSPR April 2001 and July 2001 and can be found on the SPR web site www.spr.ac.uk in the on line library.
Paper 3 describes the results achieved when the strict protocol is applied to a carefully designed set of experiments. The set of experiments is also designed to isolate factors, such as “Will a person accept more statements if they think or know that they are actually the recipient?” “ Will a person accept fewer statements as relevant in their life if they think or know that they are not the intended recipient?” All statements are singular and the response tick is either yes or no.
This third paper covers 13 different experimental sessions carried out throughout the U K, with participants always gathered by a third party. The average number of participants at a session was proximately 25. Usually six experiments were carried out at each session. The authors identified 15 categories of participant. Let the capital letter be the reality, and the lower case letter be the belief e.g. Recipient is R; Non recipient N. A recipient who believes that he/she is the recipient and who is actually the recipient would be designated by the symbols Rr An actual recipient who believes that they are not the recipient is Rn A recipient who does not know whether or not they are a recipient would be Rq
There is also a category P, which is used in the experimental sessions where no actual medium has been used (although the audience think that there is a medium). This allows responses to be analysed where no psychic factor from a medium is at work.
Using statistical analysis the authors were able to evaluate the responses of every category and examine the effects, if any, of psychological factors.
As this is a brief overview, I will just say that even in triple (arguably quadruple) blind conditions the intended recipients’ acceptance levels continued to be higher than non- recipients, the odds against chance being a million to one. We maintain that we have a repeatable experiment, providing the protocol is adhered to and GOOD mediums are used.
Note: Our results incorporate all of the mediums who were used; if we had only given the results from the “superstars” the odds against chance would have been even greater. No amendments were made to any data sheets after the experimental sessions ended, even if someone “remembered” something as being correct after they had given a NO response – it remained as a NO."
EVEN IF these experiments are flawed, they illustrate an experimental approach to evaluating mediumship - much better than simply dismissing the subject out-of-hand, as the "goats" on these threads do.
“Many of the posts in response to her essay, however, are highly disturbing:”
I agree. People promoting psychics/mediums for the grieving and vulnerable is highly disturbing.
“Many posters thought nothing of verbally abusing Gigi and causing her more pain.”
Please point to specific examples of this.
“Some posters set out to "blame the victim" by insisting that Justin killed himself, as if that had anything to do with Gigi's experience with the medium, which it obviously didn't.”
How is it ‘blaming the victim’ to point out publicly available information?
“Many posters dismissed out-of-hand the serious and scientific study of paranormal events which has been going on for well over a century, and which has produced some astonishing results.”
Unfortunately, it hasn’t produced anything resembling astonishing results, otherwise the paranormal would be widely accepted by the scientific community.
“To counter the suggestion of these posters that anyone who has an open mind on the subject is either a knave or a fool, I posted on the thread of Gigi's essay the names of the`Presidents of the British Society for Psychical Research, going back more than a century. It would be hard to match, in any field, this list of highly sceptical and scientifically qualified individuals.”
And there are many other scientifically trained skeptical individuals who doubt the existence of the paranormal (in fact, most of the scientific community).
“Many of the posters presented themselves as scientific rationalists, but they refused to even consider the possibility that some psychic contact occurred in the session with the medium, and they also refuse even to look at the scientific studies of the paranormal.”
It would help if you linked to scientifically valid studies.
“Most disturbing, though, is the utter lack of human understanding and sympathy that many of the posters displayed.”
More disturbing is the suggestion that we should be comforted by lies and give our hard earned money to predatory psychics/mediums.
amazing how the mainstream scientific community has missed a century worth of astonishing results from reputable scientists. of course there's a lot we don't know about the mind and consciousness. but we know all we need to know about cons, and the total lact of any evidence that the dead can communicate with us through them. Even our religions teach that belief in, and use of, mediums is blasphemy and idolatry, respectively. they have the better of that argument, at least.
It all depends on the audience Soja. Celebrity news takes up significant air time in America because people are fascinated, maybe even obsessed in some cases, with the lives of the rich and famous. Celebrity news takes up far less space in newspapers, and more in magazines -- what I might call serious magazines, like Vanity Fair, show another side of celebrities that's not all glam. Tabloids on the other hand are almost entirely devoted to printing gossip.
I agree that this was a poor editorial decision, one that will, hopefully, not be reproduced at a later date. The "fudging" of the elements in Justin's death was deceptive and bad journalism. I am always suspicious of such glowing assessment's of someone's abilities, particularly in the context of a piece like this. It seemed absurdly over-the-top -- Sally Quinn was clearly too close to this and lost her objectivity and perspective. No excuse. A big mistake was made.
HI SALLY,
IT IS VERY INTERESTING READING ABOUT MATTERS ON GOD AND RELIGION ON YOUR ONLINE PROGRAM FOR THESE PAST MONTHS,WHEN ACTUALLY SPEAKING, GOD DOES TRULY EXIST AND CAN BE KNOWN. THERE IS A MEANS AVAILABLE BY WHICH ANY HUMANKIND CAN SEEK TO DISCOVER GOD, LIVE AND REAL, ONLY THAT HUMAN EARTHLY RELIGIONS ARE NOT SEEKING TO KNOW WHO GOD REALLY IS, WHAT HE TRULY LOOK LIKE AND TO PROFOUNDLY UNDERSTAND HIS ETERNAL PURPOSES FOR LIFE AND CREATION. PEOPLE ARE NOT BEING TOLD THE TRUTH THAT HUMANBEINGS HAVE A VERY SERIOUS SPIRITUAL PROBLEM HERE ON EARTH, AND THAT WE HAVE BECOME SPIRITUALLY SICK AND BLIND IN OUR SOULS, AND CAN ONLY BE CURED BY GOD. GOD DOES TRULY EXIST AND CAN BE KNOWN, HE IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THE WAY OUR PRESENT BLINDNESS DOES SEEM TO TEACH US, BUT THEN RELIGION IS NOT SEEKING TO VERIFY THE VERY ACTUAL PERSONAL ETERNAL REALITY AND EVIDENCE OF GOD, AND THIS HAS BROUGHT SO MUCH CONFUSIONS, DIVISIONS AND FALSITIES HERE ON EARTH. HUMANKIND ARE GREATLY LACKING IN ETERNAL AND SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE, AND NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT THEIR OWN SOULS LOOK LIKE, THAT IS REALLY PAINFUL, WHEN GOD DOES TRULY EXIST AND CAN BE KNOWN. WE HAVE REAL SERIOUS PROBLEMS HERE ON EARTH.
Thank you for presenting the very moving story of Justin Peterson and his mother, Gigi Bloom.
Many of the posts in response to her essay, however, are highly disturbing:
Many posters thought nothing of verbally abusing Gigi and causing her more pain.
Some posters set out to "blame the victim" by insisting that Justin killed himself, as if that had anything to do with Gigi's experience with the medium, which it obviously didn't.
Many posters dismissed out-of-hand the serious and scientific study of paranormal events which has been going on for well over a century, and which has produced some astonishing results.
To counter the suggestion of these posters that anyone who has an open mind on the subject is either a knave or a fool, I posted on the thread of Gigi's essay the names of the`Presidents of the British Society for Psychical Research, going back more than a century. It would be hard to match, in any field, this list of highly sceptical and scientifically qualified individuals.
Many of the posters presented themselves as scientific rationalists, but they refused to even consider the possibility that some psychic contact occurred in the session with the medium, and they also refuse even to look at the scientific studies of the paranormal.
Most disturbing, though, is the utter lack of human understanding and sympathy that many of the posters displayed.
For those of you who would like to dictate what sort of stories a newspaper should or shouldn't run: Think of all the silly gossip about celebrities that take up so much space in the media! For goodness sake, posting the grief of a mother who lost her young son and how she chooses to cope with her pain, is surely reasonable!
This is an On Faith forum, that has chosen to remain open up to all sorts of beliefs or non-belief people hold and practise. It is not prescribing any set of beliefs for anyone. I'm a Christian by conviction. I would never consult a medium. But I know there are Christians who do. I could tell them why I think that God reigns above all spirits and one should go straight to Him and be willing to endure the pain while accepting the mystery of God's ways, for God does not always disclose them to human beings in ways they can discern. But then who am I to dictate what human beings should or shouldn't do to deal with their grief? How could any human being impose their own beliefs or non-beliefs on an human being? Of course everyone is free to share their personal opinons on the issue. But dictate what the other should do?
"Speculation about whether or not Justin died by suicide is not part of this event and repercussions"
Wrong. It's far more than "speculation"- the police report documented that he had already been pulled in twice, and his roommate said he wasn't surprised-and that he constantly spoke of his death wish? No, that's not speculation-and as Seattle said, Sallie "fudged" this part of the story- to do so was deceptive, and really changes the whole equation-because the mother couldn't bear to face the reality of it, apparently, she may even have fudged it to Sally, but I rather doubt it-I think Sally fudged the facts to focus on what SHE -thought was important: the experience with the medium- and not be distracted by the facts that this death was NO ACCIDENT. An unexpected suicide by a child explains much as to why she felt she wanted to commit suicide-her guilt was unbearable-and that part-her guilt feelings in relation to his suicide-were left undiscussed.
Sally: your explanation that so many people have faith in mediums that it made sense to run the story makes no sense. another grieving mom taken by a con? where's the story. a better story would be how so many people continue to be conned by mediums no matter how exposed their con is. and no matter how many people show their ignorance by claiming to have been skeptics before being conned. duh. that's the idea. amatuers don't have the skill to realize how they have been conned, and con artists pick precisely those who they can con. so of course you will hear testimonials - the worst possible kind of evidence for anything. lame defense for a story that exposed the subject to embarassment.
Speculation about whether or not Justin died by suicide is not part of this event and repercussions. Death of a child rips your heart out = it did mine. I never considered suicide because I had suicide done to me when I was young and even if I were so inclined, I will never end my life because of what it does to the people left here and there is always hope as long as there is life.
But I wanted to be where my child was. I wanted that more than I have words to explain. My child died horribly by another's hand and there is no question about that. A child dead is a child dead and those of you who thankfully have not experienced this DO NOT KNOW what it means and how it feels and the devastation that does not end.
As far as a medium or any sort of attempt to contact my child, I won't do that because I've read in the Bible that such activity is evil and I have enough without playing with fire.
My faith was shaken and I have doubted even though I really want to hold firm in my belief. I cannot handle the thought of never seeing her again. I have read book after book as though starving for the experiences of others who see and tell about family members as they die themselves. Its too frequent and well documented an event to brush aside as wishful thinking.
All that said it still comes down to faith for me. I'm just hoping she'll be there. I miss her terribly.
Putting this information is a renowned newspaper is reporting news and therefore is no different than discussing any other belief (and I don't think any of us has to worry about the ability of people to make a definitive choice one way or the other). I don't think the death of this child is about that either.
Its about a mom who lost a child and is searching for some peace.
Even though the personal pain is very real (no doubt there), that's not what we're all here to discuss.
The fact that Sally fudged the facts also clouds the story. If this were a cocktail party I can certainly understand calling a possible suicide a "fall", but since the manner of death is part of the story for many religions Sally just left out a majorly important part of the story.
You get an "F" for effort, and just putting your buddies in the paper.
If you can believe in God you can believe anything.
If you believe in God,fairies are no stretch,ghosts are no stretch,ditto ESP,spiritualism,seances, ghosts,goblins and whatever you wish.
You can also believe in a god who hands out virgins to martyrs.Why not? Where reason is not required,the imagination can run amok.
Mediums/Psychics/Charlatans are evil people. They prey on people at their weakest moments, convincing them to hand over money for some glimpse, ANY glimpse, of a lost loved one. They use a number of techniques, most notably "Cold Reading," to convince their victim that they are in contact with the victim's loved one.
Once the medium/psychic has the trust of the victim, they can affect their lives in very negative ways. Aside from taking the victim's money, the medium/psychic can manipulate and damage the victim's relationships.
These people need to be stopped before they prey on any more people like Georgianna Bloom. This "On Faith" section should be ashamed they gave free advertisement to these phonies.
Thank you Gig and Sally for the wonderful story. The would would be such a better place if only everyone could see past THEIR own faith and accept, or at least honor, the faith of others.
Our father died 3 years ago, on vacation in the US, I asked to share a family visit w/a medium as a birthday gift. My husband (the skeptic), my mother, my younger sister and my daughter (9) & my niece (10), went together. For three hours we talked about many things. It was exhilerating! For all of us it was clear, my father was present, my husband's French Belgian grandmother & Dutch aunt were present. The medium was initially startled that we had brought the children, although we were not aware of this till the end of the session, when she mentioned it. I simply asked my daughter if she wanted to join us, she answered in the affirmative. The next day, I possed the ? what did you thing of last night? Colette said, 'Oh , Mama, it was a very special evening." Needless to say my husband is no longer a sceptic.
Our father died 3 years ago, on vacation in the US, I asked to share a family visit w/a medium as a birthday gift. My husband (the skeptic), my mother, my younger sister and my daughter (9) & my niece (10), went together. For three hours we talked about many things. It was exhilerating! For all of us it was clear, my father was present, my husband's French Belgian grandmother & Dutch aunt were present. The medium was initially startled that we had brought the children, although we were not aware of this till the end of the session, when she mentioned it. I simply asked my daughter if she wanted to join us, she answered in the affirmative. The next day, I possed the ? what did you thing of last night? Colette said, 'Oh , Mama, it was a very special evening." Needless to say my husband is no longer a sceptic.
Thank you for sharing the grief of your son at losing a friend and the mother of Justin at losing a son. I'm sure many women around the world can identify with such pain. Who is to say how a human being should find comfort when faced with the mindless grief of sudden death, the death of a young child being the worst of pain a mother can ever experience, and not many mothers are called to endure such pain?
Thank you for your great work in remaining open to spiritual matters. Each human being will work out their own way to God, by whatever name they choose to call God and to the answers to the problems in this life. The On Faith forum, by remaining open, merely offers all human beings with several options to choose from. I applaud your work and I am sure there are thousands around the US and around the globe who share my appreciation. (Do do not be put off by the fact that there are only a few posters in comparison to the readers of the posts on the forum.)
My heartfelt condolences on the death of your young son in such a tragic way! Having to bury one's own child is by far the greatest grief a mother has to face. My heart goes out you! (On a personal note: When my little sister died at the age of five months, my mother was inconsolable. She was depressed for several months. But with time she started to live normally again - she had other children to live for. I share this to let you know that I understand the grief and I have seen my own mother recover after going through an immense struggle.)
May you find consolation and peace in whatever way you choose. May you have the courage to live a meaningful life, enduring the pain. Nobody could/will ever make up the loss to you. Nobody would ever take Justin's place in your heart and life. But you must go on, with the pain, in spite of it. With time, in the silence of your heart and mind you will find the strength to endure. Some distant day, you will smile and laugh again, in spite of the tears. As a Christian by conviction, I have unshakeable faith that Justin has only gone home and you will see him again.
Wishing you strength, peace, courage and many good friends to share your grief with, friends who will stand by you and support you as long as you need it!
P.S. Let me just add to my final point there-the Post does't HAVE any journalistic standards any more; the so-called "reporters" write anything they want-the facts just get in the way of the egoists who want to say what they wanna say-logic and insight and factual accuracy be damned.
Oh, and being knowledgeable about what is going on must be one of the criteria that gets you fired at the Post-in the past few days, I have been absolutely amazed at what I've seen on this site by way of laziness, and uninformed-REALLY uninformed, about the subject matter-writing.
"A week later, in mid July, Justin was dead. At 2:30 one Saturday afternoon, he went out on the ledge of his apartment to have a cigarette, lost his balance and fell six stories to his death. "
But that wasn't the reality of the situation, was it? Certainly not as told by the two who were with him in the apt. and his roommate. Did you not know or bother to read any news stories about his death?
Why did you write the above concerning the manner of Justin's death? Is it because you were told that by his mother? Did you not think people would wonder if there was more to the story than that?
Either you were being deceptive, or extremely naive, Sally. Either way it doesn't say much for either you, or the Post's journalism standards. You had an obligation before running this column to check out such factual issues before writing.
Seek wise counsel before encouraging another grieving and still fragile friend to post their heartbreaking experience here.
If you read these threads, you would know she'd be held up to the ridicule and disdain of the posters. I'm sure that was not your intent, but you are too old to cling to naivete.
I just read the comments on Ms. Bloom's post. Sorry Sally reprinted the NY Daily News article about Justin's death on that post. I think I understand now, why Justin's mother feels so connected to the nice-but-still-a-con-man "medium" Krausner. It's pretty easy to understand, I think.
All was clearly not right in Justin's world. There are millions of young men in their 20's who grow up, live, work in NYC and other cities, who live in apts. that are far higher up than the one Justin lived in, and they have parties, get drunk, act crazy and boisterous, BUT THEY DON'T PLAY AROUND ON A 5 INCH LEDGE WINDOW LEDGE, DRUNK OR SOBER, AND THEY DON'T ACT OUT A DEATH WISH A LA JIM MORRISON AND LET THE FANTASY BECOME A REALITY.
That's just a fact. And Justin's own roommate said "I'm not surprised" that it happened. Justin had been pulled in twice already by friends.
His mother is truly truly grieving. Her grief is premised in guilt. How could I not have known he was doing such things? How could I not have realized or asked about this thing my son had about Jim Morrison-or, why didn't I pay attention to this when he was talking about it? About when he was talking about dying at the same age as Morrison? How could I not have known this? How could I have been so out of touch with my son?
I can see why his mother felt such agony that she wanted to end her life-the guilt she felt at not being able to see what was going on and to prevent it from happening was too all-consuming and overwhelming.
Justin's mother felt this need to communicate with him somehow, some way-and her friends put her in touch with a very nice, "respected," but nevertheless, con man, aka "medium"-Kreuzner. Just like people have been doing for hundreds of years really. Just like Mulder says on the X-files "I want to believe." That's really what it's all about.
And Justin's mother got exactly what SHE needed-she came away with a belief that her son had communicated with her. The power of suggestion is very very powerful in such a vulnerable and guilt-filled state as Justin's mother has been in; hearing this medium tell her "things that only she would know" was confirmation enough. She believed and heard what she wanted to hear and disregarded the rest. She got from the session what so many who turn to psychics after the loss of a loved one get-particularly those who who feel unbearable guilt about the loved one's death: she got third-party relief from her guilt, from what she believed was the spirit of Justin talking to her.
In an incredibly sad situation like this, it really is about what alternate reality you can create for yourself that can allow you to put space between yourself and your overwhelming pain and grief, and allow you to live again. And in the end, does it really matter if the alternate reality and belief system is not real? If the net effect is to save your life? I don't really know the answer to that.
As human beings we develop various talents, if be such used for benifit of others,then purpose being completed.Be it somebody whom give bible readings to comfort those whom grieve,as having lost a loved,yet a medium be rejected, as to be considered a fraud.There are frauds TRUE yet it should be not all tarred with same brush.I had an physical problem which would not heal,as went to a faith healing organization,only because it three houses from house that I having had moved. When visiting healing centre After a sermon as singing a few psalms...the faith healing part came into play..I told them of the problem had, scene that followed,I sitting in a chair,while dancing around me were people who as a chanting words, which made no sense,never touching body but holding out hands,as palms turned to body.It took all strength not bursting into laughter,in truth I thought they all being stark raving mad. (no money exchanged hands).And to ending story within two weeks I did start to note change in health,I then continued ever to improve, till able do such activities had not done in years. Such experience with faith healing,one could put healing down to,just coincidence.Truth be told,I do believe they had as imparted, healing powers.
with all due respect, no. many of us prefer to see concepts such as 'meaning' and 'purpose' as OUR contribution to our lives, and not the product of revelation to be 'discovered' through faith. instead, they are the result of hard work and some thought.
you go on: ". . . no matter what you believe or don't believe, it is always a matter of faith."
what a horribly anti-intellectual philosophy. 'faith' in that formulation becomes virtually meaningless, as does the content of anyone's belief system. how sad.
i hesitate to go on, as the pain you wrote about involving this young man's death is very real and the individuals involved are in this discussion. that, in itself is a questionable editorial decision. one of many deficiencies in this whole episode.
i confess to not 'believing' (i hesitate to use a word that's become so polluted) in any realities beyond the one i'm in, but pop was a baptist preacher. and in 50 years of providing solace and comfort to the bereaved (mines often kill the young) he NEVER ONCE thought to plaster their grief across a major american daily.
he's gone now, but if some 'medium' tried to tell me that he was 'in touch' with pop i swear i'd punch him out.
i'm an atheist but i still know an abomination when i see one.
Ms Quinn, you have done much damage. enabling and advertizing con artists is a misuse of your position at the WaPo. if you wish to continue as a 'medium' or a 'preacher' or somesuch, i wish you well. just don't call it journalism. please.
P.S. And I agree with Nat: It seems difficult to believe that Justin "accidentally" fell from 6 stories up. It does sound like a suicide. To call it otherwise may in fact just be a type of "little white lie" - a way of coping with the incomprehensible and unbearable, of the kind that people tell others every day to make it easier on themselves and the listener-a coping mechanism for Ms. Bloom. But it is not the reality of the situation.
That's what I said on my Ms. Bloom's post, Sally: PEOPLE BELIEVE WHAT THEY WANT TO BELIEVE, THEY HEAR WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR, AND DISREGARD THE REST. But that doesn't make Glenn Klausner any less of a con man, preying on the vulnerabilities of people like Ms. Bloom-having dreams of loved ones who have died is VERY common, and very comforting-but that's a different issue than the often sincerely felt and meant "con men" out there -of which Klausner is but one example-remember the TV show of John Edwards? He did exactly the same thing!
And I don't think that type of artificial issue of "faith" by legitimizing the "power" of con men-mediums needs to be encouraged-it's as if we were living back in the Middle Ages where the earth was believed to be flat-and of course, visiting mediums was hugely popular in Victorian England-it appears we are regressing, rather than making progress on understanding and comprehending issues of personal faith-recognition of that strength which lies within to cope with devastating losses, a strength that DOES NOT COME FROM ARTIFICIALLY INDUCED SOURCES SUCH AS MEDIUMS LIKE KLAUSNER.
Dear Sally,
People who advertise their intention to commit suicide are looking to be talked out of it, or for someone to provide a reason to stay alive.
Sometimes, it is just very hard to face the ordeal of another day of pain, loss, despair. It takes courage to keep on going, and the medium -- not her dead son -- gave her the courage to continue.
And one day she, like the rest of us, will die. Just not her time yet.
By the way, the story of Justin who "went out on the ledge of his apartment to have a cigarette, lost his balance and fell six stories to his death" sounds like suicide to me. Must have been hard for the young man to be so perfect and yet know himself to be imperfect.
Dear Sally,
People who advertise their intention to commit suicide are looking to be talked out of it, or for someone to provide a reason to stay alive.
Sometimes, it is just very hard to face the ordeal of another day of pain, loss, despair. It takes courage to keep on going, and the medium -- not her dead son -- gave her the courage to continue.
And one day she, like the rest of us, will die. Just not her time yet.
By the way, the story of Justin who "went out on the ledge of his apartment to have a cigarette, lost his balance and fell six stories to his death" sounds like suicide to me. Must have been hard for the young man to be so perfect and yet know himself to be imperfect.
I must agree with the previous poster. This article reads more like an endorsement for con-artists than an investigation of faith. I find it irresponsible to push people who are suicidal toward "psychics" for solice. It may have worked for this woman, but it should absolutely not be recommended to the general public. Publishing this personal account was a poor decision, given this forum.
I am "Gigi", the mother of Justin, the young filmmaker who died.
I wept when I read Sally Quinn's article about my wonderful son, and his death, and my subsequent agony, and my experience with the medium. Thank you so much, Sally Quinn, for handling the subject of my afterlife encounter with such sensitivity, in spite of the fact that you knew that you and the producers of "On Faith" might be ridiculed for it.
But I must venture forth to be corrective about one thing Sally Quinn wrote. That is: "It's always a matter of faith."
In the matter of a session with a medium, that is simply not the case. When the medium walked in, I was skeptical as hell and terribly afraid I'd be disappointed. I was terrfied of getting ripped off. What if this medium knew how to hack into the emails of the person whose address we were at, and knew from our correspondence just who we were grieving for?? What if this guy were just a total, brilliant sham artist??
Oh no, this was NOT about having any faith!!!
Well, by the time that session was over, I did indeed have faith. AND IT WAS BECAUSE I HAD PROOF. The medium, Glenn Klausner, knew things about Justin, and other things as well,that he only could have learned from Justin. Tiny little details that he only could have learned sitting right there, communing with Justin.
My faith is based purely empirically...I have seen an afterlife encounter with my very own skeptical eyes and ears.
That's why I walked away peaceful.
But don't take my word for it. Google a guy named Bob Olson, a guy who started out more skeptical than I've ever been about anything, and ended up a believer, because the truth just can't be denied. I consider Bob Olson the "medium industry watchdog." He started out on a mission to bust 'em all and hang 'em high, and then got his mind torn apart...
These posts don't make "On Faith" look ridiculous.
They make "On Faith" look worse.
A woman, exploited by a medium, is next used to push traffic on an advertising-supported Web site.
And, you've done it all without any sense of journalistic detachment or analysis -- free advertising for those who would take money from grieving people.
Where is the depth? Where is penetrating review of facts? Are you still journalists?
Also, I disagree with your assessment that mediums and their clients profess anything like faith.
Ms. Bloom said he has undeniable proof that her son still exists -- the medium told her so, and she saw an apparition of her son. These are not offered as articles of faith, but as positive evidence.
You've erred by including them in a general discussion of faith and religion. Mediums and the con-games they play are not a part of any of that.
I want to believe that souls communicate too. Somebody is obviously communicating but is it the departed? These disembodied voices never tel us about God and Heaven. Why?
All Comments (51)
Sally,last night I thought you were open and very succint with Charlie Rose.You made some good points about the Wright situation.However, the point about 11am on sunday MLK said exactly that over 40 yrs ago.Your father like many aging men just don't want to pass the baton.It's just the way it is for some. By the way,I want you to review a resolution on institutional racism that I submitted to the Iowa Democratic Party on Caucus night that they just refuse to address.I need your feedback.Tell your brother I said good luck on his new book! Take care Sally
April 30, 2008 2:33 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2008 14:33
Sally,last night I thought you were open and very succint with Charlie Rose.You made some good points about the Wright situation.However, the point about 11am on sunday MLK said exactly that over 40 yrs.Your father like many aging men just don't want pass the baton.It's just the way it is for some. By the way,I want you to review a resolution on institutional racism that I submitted to the Iowa Democratic Party on Caucus night that they just refuse to address.I need your feedback.Tell your brother I said good luck on his new book! Take care Sally
April 30, 2008 2:28 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 30, 2008 14:28
Dear Sally,
Ignorance can hardly ever find bliss
To those responders, your point they miss
Justin's death so untimely in youth
Gigi's soul seeking to connect with truth
While your skeptical responders vent their emotion
Gigi has found peace in her new spiritual devotion
How we connect with our loved ones is a personal choice
Thanks to Sally, Justin, and Gigi for sharing your voice
Peace On!
March 29, 2008 2:10 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 29, 2008 14:10
http://moreaboutmen.com/artist/soundtrack-various-artists/s13755/
December 13, 2007 4:48 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 13, 2007 16:48
http://moreaboutmen.com/artist/soundtrack-various-artists/s13755/
December 13, 2007 4:48 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 13, 2007 16:48
http://moreaboutmen.com/artist/soundtrack-various-artists/s13755/
December 13, 2007 4:48 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 13, 2007 16:48
http://moreaboutmen.com/artist/eagles/album/long-road-out-of-eden-cd1-/a130712/
December 13, 2007 4:01 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 13, 2007 16:01
http://moreaboutmen.com/artist/eagles/album/long-road-out-of-eden-cd1-/a130712/
December 13, 2007 4:01 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 13, 2007 16:01
http://moreaboutmen.com/artist/eagles/album/long-road-out-of-eden-cd1-/a130712/
December 13, 2007 4:01 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 13, 2007 16:01
Dear Sally,
In my commenting on the posts that I have viewed here, I don't know where to begin! I am appalled at the unfeeling posts that I have read! I simply feel that I must write something here in defense of, and on the behalf of several of those who I know personally and believe to be, "reputable" Mediums. I also wish to say something in defense of and on the behalf of Gigi Bloom for whatever her reasons were for going to see the Medium she saw, and to speak a little about the outcome of that visit.
And, I'll write this now and immediately, Sally, in defense of you and on your behalf.
In my reading of your article, Sally, and in "my" understanding of it—(similar to many human beings) your article was “filtered” through my own life's experiences. And (my) judgments about it were made following (as with any given subject)--which, as such, in the end becomes "my perception" according to my "subjective" view (of it). And I want you to know, Sally, that…
I felt that you neither endorsed, nor prohibited one's "Free Will" choice of going to a Medium though you’ve certainly met your detractors and some seemingly angry accusers of doing so in this forum!
I feel for you for the wrath, anger and what I view as sheer hostility thrown your way in more than a few of the posts (and I read them all!)! This not only has come your way, Sally, but also towards your friend Gigi who is obviously in pain over the loss of her son.
My Gosh, I just have to say! No wonder Journalists in the “Real World” news seem afraid to write about subjects of this sort! God forbid a journalist from a reputable newspaper chooses to write an article about “ The Possibility of Life After Death” or “Are There Those Who Can and Do Indeed Communicate with the Deceased”, or “ People’s Faith and Belief in Spiritual or Paranormal Experiences”, etc, etc!
Just look at the posts and the anger Sally and Gigi received for writing about the subject. And despite all the very passionate responses and rancor not one person was willing to considered that there might be some truth to it and value to many in learning more about it.
Personally, I wouldn’t mind reading a few (more) articles with captions like those, but then, I am a spiritually curious type and perhaps a more “open” person to any concepts and thoughts that might challenge my understanding, beliefs, perceptions and even my fears. And, even though I may not agree with everything that is shared with me, that I might read, I’m sure in knowing myself that I am still capable of learning a thing or two about any given subject.
What I am trying to get across here is that if there is one thing that I have learned in living my life (for lo these many years) on this crazy planet (and I won’t tell those reading this post how many years that is!), it is that I REALLY DON'T KNOW MUCH-- in any “for certain” kind of way, about a myriad of subjects!
With one exception, I know me! I know the person I am! My personality is such that a part of my behaviour towards other people is almost always empathetic and compassionate where other people's feelings are concerned. Even if they are not so with me. It's something that takes practice but is always a worthwhile endevor in trying to get good at! That does not mean that I do not have (my) opinions on things as a human being living on this great planet do. BUT, I don't feel that my opinions, perceptions, and what I think should be agreed with by every other person to the degree that I push it on them. Everyone has free will! I am not the type to be force anyone to think like me, we're all different and this is one of the things that make us a wonderful species! We have our own thoughts, likes, dislikes and opinions to share with eachother. And thoughts and opinons about things are likely to change as we learn, grow, and mature... there is really no reason to be pushy and arrogant in “how” we share our thoughts, feelings and opinions.
Again, I reiterate; what I might think about any given subject (How I perceive it!) has the possibility of changing the more I learn! And wouldn’t at least some of you who posted such opinionated, mean spiritited, derogatory comments to Sally (and also to Gigi) about her choice to see a medium, and the things that were said about Mediums agree that my statement above might just possibly be applicable to you as well as you grow and learn?
I viewed your article, Sally, as not only unbiased, non-judgemental, and from a journalistic perspective. But I feel that you also wrote from the perspective of a concerned and caring friend (of Gigi)! Someone you know well who went to the Medium specifically for the purpose, and in the hopes of gaining some sense of peace and comfort during the stages of grief that she and one can, and most certainly does, go through after losing a “loved one”. Especially a child.
Don’t we all as humans feel the pain and grief in our loss of ANY of our loved ones! But most especially we grieve as parents for the loss of any of our children (To most mothers, no matter what the child's age, they are still our "Baby"!) For goodness sake, all people share the feelings of grief and bereavement when they lose someone they loved! If we didn't we wouldn't be "Human"! I think that in discussing this from an intellectual point of view and also a scientific one (though I am not a Scientist myself), we most probably can agree, that as human beings we also share other human characteristics. Such as emotions and feelings. These characteristics of Human Behaviour (Feelings and emotions) are some of the things that we all share that makes us unique.
And the ability to "feel" their pain-- and to be empathetic and compassionate towards them and those who might be feeling the pain of loss-- is what I think should have been shown to Gigi and Sally!
Think what you want, but couldn't you have been softer in your approach in sharing your thoughts and opinions? Maybe a little less threatening, less hostile words of sympathy for Gigi's pain might have been considered no matter what she chose to do. Yes!
Well, that's my opinion. You may, of course, take it or leave it but at least I put it forth to you in a different manner than so many others here did not. I say, and it's my opinion also, t SHAME ON YOU who weren't thinking morer kindly for each of these ladies.
As for Mediums, I've known spectacular mediums who shocked me with their accuracy. I've known some who didn't at all validate any experience I'd ever had. I do not feel that all Mediums are bad, nor good, just simply better or worse as with any other profession.
Thanks for reading! If you made it all the way through, I congratulate you. I hope maybe some learned something here and will reflect upon some of what I've shared. If you don't or didn't that's your choice, I won't be mad at you for it!
God bless each of you! I have faith in you!
December 10, 2007 7:28 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on December 10, 2007 19:28
correction again: "things!" (you see, I told you I wasn't a journalist!)
October 12, 2007 12:41 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 12:41
John Griffith: I just now read your post, above. Thanks for that. At least a few people on this thread (and thanks to Sorry Sally for finding the news article) care about such thinks as blatent journalistic exploitation of the facts (and no, I'm by no means a journalist myself-but I DO care about knowing THE FACTS FIRST). What Sally did was extremely poor journalism, and it calls into question her credibility in my view as to anything she might write in the future.
October 12, 2007 12:38 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 12:38
"correction: "advise"
October 12, 2007 12:31 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 12:31
You know Sally, I've thought about this some more, and really, you not only "fudged" the facts of Justin's death, you totally misrepresented them. You made it seem as if he was doing something inside his apartmet and just casually and seriously stepped outside '"TO HAVE A CIGARETTE"-you wrote. And he ACCIDENTALLY fell off the ledge.
You didn't "fudge" YOU COMPLETELY MISREPRESENTED THE FACTS FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.
Which, in my mind, now makes you extremely suspect as a journalist. In the future, anything you say of a factual nature, I will have to check it, because you no longer have any credibility in my eyes as someone who can't report an incident without embellishing, or changing the facts, for your own personal objectives; read: ego-based objectives.
And I certainly would advice others in the future to read anything you write of a factual nature in the same, extremely sceptical light.
October 12, 2007 12:27 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 12:27
Walk The Line,
You might at least consider the possibility that there's something real going on with some mediums.
From the Scottish Society for Psychical Research:
"Mediumship Information Analysis A series of experiments by Tricia Robertson and Archie E. Roy
We are pleased to announce that our third paper has been published in the peer reviewed Journal of the S.P.R in January 2004.
The authors have, over the past five years, set out to statistically test the sceptical hypothesis that “All mediums’ statements are so general that they could apply to anyone”
In paper 1, a series of experiments was carried out using 440 participants and 10 mediums. The reduced data showed that the odds against chance that the sceptical hypothesis was correct were millions to one. This experimentation was carried out in a face to face manner, which meant that the mediums could see the audiences. Quite correctly, a sceptical view would be that the mediums gathered “clues” from body language and verbal response as they gave the readings. Also that the audience knew who the recipients were and may not subsequently fill out the data sheets with any real interest.
Paper 2 describes a strict protocol that would eliminate body language and verbal responses from future experimentation. A randomised seat numbering system is also described which also means that the experimenter who actually numbers the seats cannot possibly know who will sit on any particular seat. Along with this, the experimenter who reduces the initial data does not know which seat numbers have been pre-selected or therefore who are the intended recipients that sat on these seats.
Papers 1 and 2 are published in the JSPR April 2001 and July 2001 and can be found on the SPR web site www.spr.ac.uk in the on line library.
Paper 3 describes the results achieved when the strict protocol is applied to a carefully designed set of experiments. The set of experiments is also designed to isolate factors, such as “Will a person accept more statements if they think or know that they are actually the recipient?” “ Will a person accept fewer statements as relevant in their life if they think or know that they are not the intended recipient?” All statements are singular and the response tick is either yes or no.
This third paper covers 13 different experimental sessions carried out throughout the U K, with participants always gathered by a third party. The average number of participants at a session was proximately 25. Usually six experiments were carried out at each session. The authors identified 15 categories of participant. Let the capital letter be the reality, and the lower case letter be the belief e.g. Recipient is R; Non recipient N. A recipient who believes that he/she is the recipient and who is actually the recipient would be designated by the symbols Rr An actual recipient who believes that they are not the recipient is Rn A recipient who does not know whether or not they are a recipient would be Rq
There is also a category P, which is used in the experimental sessions where no actual medium has been used (although the audience think that there is a medium). This allows responses to be analysed where no psychic factor from a medium is at work.
Using statistical analysis the authors were able to evaluate the responses of every category and examine the effects, if any, of psychological factors.
As this is a brief overview, I will just say that even in triple (arguably quadruple) blind conditions the intended recipients’ acceptance levels continued to be higher than non- recipients, the odds against chance being a million to one. We maintain that we have a repeatable experiment, providing the protocol is adhered to and GOOD mediums are used.
Note: Our results incorporate all of the mediums who were used; if we had only given the results from the “superstars” the odds against chance would have been even greater. No amendments were made to any data sheets after the experimental sessions ended, even if someone “remembered” something as being correct after they had given a NO response – it remained as a NO."
EVEN IF these experiments are flawed, they illustrate an experimental approach to evaluating mediumship - much better than simply dismissing the subject out-of-hand, as the "goats" on these threads do.
October 12, 2007 11:46 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 11:46
“Many of the posts in response to her essay, however, are highly disturbing:”
I agree. People promoting psychics/mediums for the grieving and vulnerable is highly disturbing.
“Many posters thought nothing of verbally abusing Gigi and causing her more pain.”
Please point to specific examples of this.
“Some posters set out to "blame the victim" by insisting that Justin killed himself, as if that had anything to do with Gigi's experience with the medium, which it obviously didn't.”
How is it ‘blaming the victim’ to point out publicly available information?
“Many posters dismissed out-of-hand the serious and scientific study of paranormal events which has been going on for well over a century, and which has produced some astonishing results.”
Unfortunately, it hasn’t produced anything resembling astonishing results, otherwise the paranormal would be widely accepted by the scientific community.
“To counter the suggestion of these posters that anyone who has an open mind on the subject is either a knave or a fool, I posted on the thread of Gigi's essay the names of the`Presidents of the British Society for Psychical Research, going back more than a century. It would be hard to match, in any field, this list of highly sceptical and scientifically qualified individuals.”
And there are many other scientifically trained skeptical individuals who doubt the existence of the paranormal (in fact, most of the scientific community).
“Many of the posters presented themselves as scientific rationalists, but they refused to even consider the possibility that some psychic contact occurred in the session with the medium, and they also refuse even to look at the scientific studies of the paranormal.”
It would help if you linked to scientifically valid studies.
“Most disturbing, though, is the utter lack of human understanding and sympathy that many of the posters displayed.”
More disturbing is the suggestion that we should be comforted by lies and give our hard earned money to predatory psychics/mediums.
October 12, 2007 11:31 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 11:31
amazing how the mainstream scientific community has missed a century worth of astonishing results from reputable scientists. of course there's a lot we don't know about the mind and consciousness. but we know all we need to know about cons, and the total lact of any evidence that the dead can communicate with us through them. Even our religions teach that belief in, and use of, mediums is blasphemy and idolatry, respectively. they have the better of that argument, at least.
October 12, 2007 10:44 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 10:44
It all depends on the audience Soja. Celebrity news takes up significant air time in America because people are fascinated, maybe even obsessed in some cases, with the lives of the rich and famous. Celebrity news takes up far less space in newspapers, and more in magazines -- what I might call serious magazines, like Vanity Fair, show another side of celebrities that's not all glam. Tabloids on the other hand are almost entirely devoted to printing gossip.
I agree that this was a poor editorial decision, one that will, hopefully, not be reproduced at a later date. The "fudging" of the elements in Justin's death was deceptive and bad journalism. I am always suspicious of such glowing assessment's of someone's abilities, particularly in the context of a piece like this. It seemed absurdly over-the-top -- Sally Quinn was clearly too close to this and lost her objectivity and perspective. No excuse. A big mistake was made.
October 12, 2007 9:42 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 09:42
HI SALLY,
IT IS VERY INTERESTING READING ABOUT MATTERS ON GOD AND RELIGION ON YOUR ONLINE PROGRAM FOR THESE PAST MONTHS,WHEN ACTUALLY SPEAKING, GOD DOES TRULY EXIST AND CAN BE KNOWN. THERE IS A MEANS AVAILABLE BY WHICH ANY HUMANKIND CAN SEEK TO DISCOVER GOD, LIVE AND REAL, ONLY THAT HUMAN EARTHLY RELIGIONS ARE NOT SEEKING TO KNOW WHO GOD REALLY IS, WHAT HE TRULY LOOK LIKE AND TO PROFOUNDLY UNDERSTAND HIS ETERNAL PURPOSES FOR LIFE AND CREATION. PEOPLE ARE NOT BEING TOLD THE TRUTH THAT HUMANBEINGS HAVE A VERY SERIOUS SPIRITUAL PROBLEM HERE ON EARTH, AND THAT WE HAVE BECOME SPIRITUALLY SICK AND BLIND IN OUR SOULS, AND CAN ONLY BE CURED BY GOD. GOD DOES TRULY EXIST AND CAN BE KNOWN, HE IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THE WAY OUR PRESENT BLINDNESS DOES SEEM TO TEACH US, BUT THEN RELIGION IS NOT SEEKING TO VERIFY THE VERY ACTUAL PERSONAL ETERNAL REALITY AND EVIDENCE OF GOD, AND THIS HAS BROUGHT SO MUCH CONFUSIONS, DIVISIONS AND FALSITIES HERE ON EARTH. HUMANKIND ARE GREATLY LACKING IN ETERNAL AND SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE, AND NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT THEIR OWN SOULS LOOK LIKE, THAT IS REALLY PAINFUL, WHEN GOD DOES TRULY EXIST AND CAN BE KNOWN. WE HAVE REAL SERIOUS PROBLEMS HERE ON EARTH.
October 12, 2007 9:34 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 09:34
Dear Sally Quinn,
Thank you for presenting the very moving story of Justin Peterson and his mother, Gigi Bloom.
Many of the posts in response to her essay, however, are highly disturbing:
Many posters thought nothing of verbally abusing Gigi and causing her more pain.
Some posters set out to "blame the victim" by insisting that Justin killed himself, as if that had anything to do with Gigi's experience with the medium, which it obviously didn't.
Many posters dismissed out-of-hand the serious and scientific study of paranormal events which has been going on for well over a century, and which has produced some astonishing results.
To counter the suggestion of these posters that anyone who has an open mind on the subject is either a knave or a fool, I posted on the thread of Gigi's essay the names of the`Presidents of the British Society for Psychical Research, going back more than a century. It would be hard to match, in any field, this list of highly sceptical and scientifically qualified individuals.
Many of the posters presented themselves as scientific rationalists, but they refused to even consider the possibility that some psychic contact occurred in the session with the medium, and they also refuse even to look at the scientific studies of the paranormal.
Most disturbing, though, is the utter lack of human understanding and sympathy that many of the posters displayed.
October 12, 2007 9:26 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 09:26
For those of you who would like to dictate what sort of stories a newspaper should or shouldn't run: Think of all the silly gossip about celebrities that take up so much space in the media! For goodness sake, posting the grief of a mother who lost her young son and how she chooses to cope with her pain, is surely reasonable!
This is an On Faith forum, that has chosen to remain open up to all sorts of beliefs or non-belief people hold and practise. It is not prescribing any set of beliefs for anyone. I'm a Christian by conviction. I would never consult a medium. But I know there are Christians who do. I could tell them why I think that God reigns above all spirits and one should go straight to Him and be willing to endure the pain while accepting the mystery of God's ways, for God does not always disclose them to human beings in ways they can discern. But then who am I to dictate what human beings should or shouldn't do to deal with their grief? How could any human being impose their own beliefs or non-beliefs on an human being? Of course everyone is free to share their personal opinons on the issue. But dictate what the other should do?
October 12, 2007 3:31 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 03:31
"Speculation about whether or not Justin died by suicide is not part of this event and repercussions"
Wrong. It's far more than "speculation"- the police report documented that he had already been pulled in twice, and his roommate said he wasn't surprised-and that he constantly spoke of his death wish? No, that's not speculation-and as Seattle said, Sallie "fudged" this part of the story- to do so was deceptive, and really changes the whole equation-because the mother couldn't bear to face the reality of it, apparently, she may even have fudged it to Sally, but I rather doubt it-I think Sally fudged the facts to focus on what SHE -thought was important: the experience with the medium- and not be distracted by the facts that this death was NO ACCIDENT. An unexpected suicide by a child explains much as to why she felt she wanted to commit suicide-her guilt was unbearable-and that part-her guilt feelings in relation to his suicide-were left undiscussed.
October 12, 2007 2:23 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 12, 2007 02:23
Sally: your explanation that so many people have faith in mediums that it made sense to run the story makes no sense. another grieving mom taken by a con? where's the story. a better story would be how so many people continue to be conned by mediums no matter how exposed their con is. and no matter how many people show their ignorance by claiming to have been skeptics before being conned. duh. that's the idea. amatuers don't have the skill to realize how they have been conned, and con artists pick precisely those who they can con. so of course you will hear testimonials - the worst possible kind of evidence for anything. lame defense for a story that exposed the subject to embarassment.
October 11, 2007 11:35 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 23:35
Speculation about whether or not Justin died by suicide is not part of this event and repercussions. Death of a child rips your heart out = it did mine. I never considered suicide because I had suicide done to me when I was young and even if I were so inclined, I will never end my life because of what it does to the people left here and there is always hope as long as there is life.
But I wanted to be where my child was. I wanted that more than I have words to explain. My child died horribly by another's hand and there is no question about that. A child dead is a child dead and those of you who thankfully have not experienced this DO NOT KNOW what it means and how it feels and the devastation that does not end.
As far as a medium or any sort of attempt to contact my child, I won't do that because I've read in the Bible that such activity is evil and I have enough without playing with fire.
My faith was shaken and I have doubted even though I really want to hold firm in my belief. I cannot handle the thought of never seeing her again. I have read book after book as though starving for the experiences of others who see and tell about family members as they die themselves. Its too frequent and well documented an event to brush aside as wishful thinking.
All that said it still comes down to faith for me. I'm just hoping she'll be there. I miss her terribly.
Putting this information is a renowned newspaper is reporting news and therefore is no different than discussing any other belief (and I don't think any of us has to worry about the ability of people to make a definitive choice one way or the other). I don't think the death of this child is about that either.
Its about a mom who lost a child and is searching for some peace.
October 11, 2007 10:08 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 22:08
I agree that On Faith strayed with this one...
Even though the personal pain is very real (no doubt there), that's not what we're all here to discuss.
The fact that Sally fudged the facts also clouds the story. If this were a cocktail party I can certainly understand calling a possible suicide a "fall", but since the manner of death is part of the story for many religions Sally just left out a majorly important part of the story.
You get an "F" for effort, and just putting your buddies in the paper.
October 11, 2007 7:33 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 19:33
If you can believe in God you can believe anything.
If you believe in God,fairies are no stretch,ghosts are no stretch,ditto ESP,spiritualism,seances, ghosts,goblins and whatever you wish.
You can also believe in a god who hands out virgins to martyrs.Why not? Where reason is not required,the imagination can run amok.
October 11, 2007 6:39 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 18:39
Mediums/Psychics/Charlatans are evil people. They prey on people at their weakest moments, convincing them to hand over money for some glimpse, ANY glimpse, of a lost loved one. They use a number of techniques, most notably "Cold Reading," to convince their victim that they are in contact with the victim's loved one.
Once the medium/psychic has the trust of the victim, they can affect their lives in very negative ways. Aside from taking the victim's money, the medium/psychic can manipulate and damage the victim's relationships.
Please see the following link for one such case:
http://www.stopsylviabrowne.com/articles/email_notagoodwoman.shtml
These people need to be stopped before they prey on any more people like Georgianna Bloom. This "On Faith" section should be ashamed they gave free advertisement to these phonies.
October 11, 2007 12:43 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 12:43
Thank you Gig and Sally for the wonderful story. The would would be such a better place if only everyone could see past THEIR own faith and accept, or at least honor, the faith of others.
October 11, 2007 9:23 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 09:23
Our father died 3 years ago, on vacation in the US, I asked to share a family visit w/a medium as a birthday gift. My husband (the skeptic), my mother, my younger sister and my daughter (9) & my niece (10), went together. For three hours we talked about many things. It was exhilerating! For all of us it was clear, my father was present, my husband's French Belgian grandmother & Dutch aunt were present. The medium was initially startled that we had brought the children, although we were not aware of this till the end of the session, when she mentioned it. I simply asked my daughter if she wanted to join us, she answered in the affirmative. The next day, I possed the ? what did you thing of last night? Colette said, 'Oh , Mama, it was a very special evening." Needless to say my husband is no longer a sceptic.
From Holland
October 11, 2007 8:49 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 08:49
Our father died 3 years ago, on vacation in the US, I asked to share a family visit w/a medium as a birthday gift. My husband (the skeptic), my mother, my younger sister and my daughter (9) & my niece (10), went together. For three hours we talked about many things. It was exhilerating! For all of us it was clear, my father was present, my husband's French Belgian grandmother & Dutch aunt were present. The medium was initially startled that we had brought the children, although we were not aware of this till the end of the session, when she mentioned it. I simply asked my daughter if she wanted to join us, she answered in the affirmative. The next day, I possed the ? what did you thing of last night? Colette said, 'Oh , Mama, it was a very special evening." Needless to say my husband is no longer a sceptic.
From Holland
October 11, 2007 8:49 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 08:49
Dear Sally
Thank you for sharing the grief of your son at losing a friend and the mother of Justin at losing a son. I'm sure many women around the world can identify with such pain. Who is to say how a human being should find comfort when faced with the mindless grief of sudden death, the death of a young child being the worst of pain a mother can ever experience, and not many mothers are called to endure such pain?
Thank you for your great work in remaining open to spiritual matters. Each human being will work out their own way to God, by whatever name they choose to call God and to the answers to the problems in this life. The On Faith forum, by remaining open, merely offers all human beings with several options to choose from. I applaud your work and I am sure there are thousands around the US and around the globe who share my appreciation. (Do do not be put off by the fact that there are only a few posters in comparison to the readers of the posts on the forum.)
Best wishes
Soja
October 11, 2007 7:34 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 07:34
Dear Ms Bloom
My heartfelt condolences on the death of your young son in such a tragic way! Having to bury one's own child is by far the greatest grief a mother has to face. My heart goes out you! (On a personal note: When my little sister died at the age of five months, my mother was inconsolable. She was depressed for several months. But with time she started to live normally again - she had other children to live for. I share this to let you know that I understand the grief and I have seen my own mother recover after going through an immense struggle.)
May you find consolation and peace in whatever way you choose. May you have the courage to live a meaningful life, enduring the pain. Nobody could/will ever make up the loss to you. Nobody would ever take Justin's place in your heart and life. But you must go on, with the pain, in spite of it. With time, in the silence of your heart and mind you will find the strength to endure. Some distant day, you will smile and laugh again, in spite of the tears. As a Christian by conviction, I have unshakeable faith that Justin has only gone home and you will see him again.
Wishing you strength, peace, courage and many good friends to share your grief with, friends who will stand by you and support you as long as you need it!
Soja John Thaikattil
Sydney, Australia
October 11, 2007 7:24 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 11, 2007 07:24
P.S. Let me just add to my final point there-the Post does't HAVE any journalistic standards any more; the so-called "reporters" write anything they want-the facts just get in the way of the egoists who want to say what they wanna say-logic and insight and factual accuracy be damned.
Oh, and being knowledgeable about what is going on must be one of the criteria that gets you fired at the Post-in the past few days, I have been absolutely amazed at what I've seen on this site by way of laziness, and uninformed-REALLY uninformed, about the subject matter-writing.
October 10, 2007 11:45 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 23:45
Sally, you told the story this way:
"A week later, in mid July, Justin was dead. At 2:30 one Saturday afternoon, he went out on the ledge of his apartment to have a cigarette, lost his balance and fell six stories to his death. "
But that wasn't the reality of the situation, was it? Certainly not as told by the two who were with him in the apt. and his roommate. Did you not know or bother to read any news stories about his death?
Why did you write the above concerning the manner of Justin's death? Is it because you were told that by his mother? Did you not think people would wonder if there was more to the story than that?
Either you were being deceptive, or extremely naive, Sally. Either way it doesn't say much for either you, or the Post's journalism standards. You had an obligation before running this column to check out such factual issues before writing.
October 10, 2007 11:37 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 23:37
Dear Sally Quinn-
Seek wise counsel before encouraging another grieving and still fragile friend to post their heartbreaking experience here.
If you read these threads, you would know she'd be held up to the ridicule and disdain of the posters. I'm sure that was not your intent, but you are too old to cling to naivete.
Shame.
October 10, 2007 11:20 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 23:20
I just read the comments on Ms. Bloom's post. Sorry Sally reprinted the NY Daily News article about Justin's death on that post. I think I understand now, why Justin's mother feels so connected to the nice-but-still-a-con-man "medium" Krausner. It's pretty easy to understand, I think.
All was clearly not right in Justin's world. There are millions of young men in their 20's who grow up, live, work in NYC and other cities, who live in apts. that are far higher up than the one Justin lived in, and they have parties, get drunk, act crazy and boisterous, BUT THEY DON'T PLAY AROUND ON A 5 INCH LEDGE WINDOW LEDGE, DRUNK OR SOBER, AND THEY DON'T ACT OUT A DEATH WISH A LA JIM MORRISON AND LET THE FANTASY BECOME A REALITY.
That's just a fact. And Justin's own roommate said "I'm not surprised" that it happened. Justin had been pulled in twice already by friends.
His mother is truly truly grieving. Her grief is premised in guilt. How could I not have known he was doing such things? How could I not have realized or asked about this thing my son had about Jim Morrison-or, why didn't I pay attention to this when he was talking about it? About when he was talking about dying at the same age as Morrison? How could I not have known this? How could I have been so out of touch with my son?
I can see why his mother felt such agony that she wanted to end her life-the guilt she felt at not being able to see what was going on and to prevent it from happening was too all-consuming and overwhelming.
Justin's mother felt this need to communicate with him somehow, some way-and her friends put her in touch with a very nice, "respected," but nevertheless, con man, aka "medium"-Kreuzner. Just like people have been doing for hundreds of years really. Just like Mulder says on the X-files "I want to believe." That's really what it's all about.
And Justin's mother got exactly what SHE needed-she came away with a belief that her son had communicated with her. The power of suggestion is very very powerful in such a vulnerable and guilt-filled state as Justin's mother has been in; hearing this medium tell her "things that only she would know" was confirmation enough. She believed and heard what she wanted to hear and disregarded the rest. She got from the session what so many who turn to psychics after the loss of a loved one get-particularly those who who feel unbearable guilt about the loved one's death: she got third-party relief from her guilt, from what she believed was the spirit of Justin talking to her.
In an incredibly sad situation like this, it really is about what alternate reality you can create for yourself that can allow you to put space between yourself and your overwhelming pain and grief, and allow you to live again. And in the end, does it really matter if the alternate reality and belief system is not real? If the net effect is to save your life? I don't really know the answer to that.
October 10, 2007 11:10 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 23:10
As human beings we develop various talents, if be such used for benifit of others,then purpose being completed.Be it somebody whom give bible readings to comfort those whom grieve,as having lost a loved,yet a medium be rejected, as to be considered a fraud.There are frauds TRUE yet it should be not all tarred with same brush.I had an physical problem which would not heal,as went to a faith healing organization,only because it three houses from house that I having had moved. When visiting healing centre After a sermon as singing a few psalms...the faith healing part came into play..I told them of the problem had, scene that followed,I sitting in a chair,while dancing around me were people who as a chanting words, which made no sense,never touching body but holding out hands,as palms turned to body.It took all strength not bursting into laughter,in truth I thought they all being stark raving mad. (no money exchanged hands).And to ending story within two weeks I did start to note change in health,I then continued ever to improve, till able do such activities had not done in years. Such experience with faith healing,one could put healing down to,just coincidence.Truth be told,I do believe they had as imparted, healing powers.
October 10, 2007 10:10 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 22:10
sorry, last rant from anonymous was mine, but i missed putting my name on it.
October 10, 2007 9:53 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 21:53
Ms. Quinn: "Everyone is searching for meaning."
with all due respect, no. many of us prefer to see concepts such as 'meaning' and 'purpose' as OUR contribution to our lives, and not the product of revelation to be 'discovered' through faith. instead, they are the result of hard work and some thought.
you go on: ". . . no matter what you believe or don't believe, it is always a matter of faith."
what a horribly anti-intellectual philosophy. 'faith' in that formulation becomes virtually meaningless, as does the content of anyone's belief system. how sad.
i hesitate to go on, as the pain you wrote about involving this young man's death is very real and the individuals involved are in this discussion. that, in itself is a questionable editorial decision. one of many deficiencies in this whole episode.
i confess to not 'believing' (i hesitate to use a word that's become so polluted) in any realities beyond the one i'm in, but pop was a baptist preacher. and in 50 years of providing solace and comfort to the bereaved (mines often kill the young) he NEVER ONCE thought to plaster their grief across a major american daily.
he's gone now, but if some 'medium' tried to tell me that he was 'in touch' with pop i swear i'd punch him out.
i'm an atheist but i still know an abomination when i see one.
i need a shower.
October 10, 2007 9:49 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 21:49
Ms Quinn, you have done much damage. enabling and advertizing con artists is a misuse of your position at the WaPo. if you wish to continue as a 'medium' or a 'preacher' or somesuch, i wish you well. just don't call it journalism. please.
reading this has made me literally feel sick.
October 10, 2007 7:44 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 19:44
Denial, gullibility, vulnerability, naivete, such are stuff that keep charlatans and con-artists in business.
Surprised to find The Washington Post promoting mumbo jumbo.
October 10, 2007 7:05 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 19:05
P.S. And I agree with Nat: It seems difficult to believe that Justin "accidentally" fell from 6 stories up. It does sound like a suicide. To call it otherwise may in fact just be a type of "little white lie" - a way of coping with the incomprehensible and unbearable, of the kind that people tell others every day to make it easier on themselves and the listener-a coping mechanism for Ms. Bloom. But it is not the reality of the situation.
October 10, 2007 3:37 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 15:37
That's what I said on my Ms. Bloom's post, Sally: PEOPLE BELIEVE WHAT THEY WANT TO BELIEVE, THEY HEAR WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR, AND DISREGARD THE REST. But that doesn't make Glenn Klausner any less of a con man, preying on the vulnerabilities of people like Ms. Bloom-having dreams of loved ones who have died is VERY common, and very comforting-but that's a different issue than the often sincerely felt and meant "con men" out there -of which Klausner is but one example-remember the TV show of John Edwards? He did exactly the same thing!
And I don't think that type of artificial issue of "faith" by legitimizing the "power" of con men-mediums needs to be encouraged-it's as if we were living back in the Middle Ages where the earth was believed to be flat-and of course, visiting mediums was hugely popular in Victorian England-it appears we are regressing, rather than making progress on understanding and comprehending issues of personal faith-recognition of that strength which lies within to cope with devastating losses, a strength that DOES NOT COME FROM ARTIFICIALLY INDUCED SOURCES SUCH AS MEDIUMS LIKE KLAUSNER.
October 10, 2007 3:29 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 15:29
Dear Sally,
People who advertise their intention to commit suicide are looking to be talked out of it, or for someone to provide a reason to stay alive.
Sometimes, it is just very hard to face the ordeal of another day of pain, loss, despair. It takes courage to keep on going, and the medium -- not her dead son -- gave her the courage to continue.
And one day she, like the rest of us, will die. Just not her time yet.
By the way, the story of Justin who "went out on the ledge of his apartment to have a cigarette, lost his balance and fell six stories to his death" sounds like suicide to me. Must have been hard for the young man to be so perfect and yet know himself to be imperfect.
October 10, 2007 3:19 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 15:19
Dear Sally,
People who advertise their intention to commit suicide are looking to be talked out of it, or for someone to provide a reason to stay alive.
Sometimes, it is just very hard to face the ordeal of another day of pain, loss, despair. It takes courage to keep on going, and the medium -- not her dead son -- gave her the courage to continue.
And one day she, like the rest of us, will die. Just not her time yet.
By the way, the story of Justin who "went out on the ledge of his apartment to have a cigarette, lost his balance and fell six stories to his death" sounds like suicide to me. Must have been hard for the young man to be so perfect and yet know himself to be imperfect.
October 10, 2007 3:17 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 15:17
I must agree with the previous poster. This article reads more like an endorsement for con-artists than an investigation of faith. I find it irresponsible to push people who are suicidal toward "psychics" for solice. It may have worked for this woman, but it should absolutely not be recommended to the general public. Publishing this personal account was a poor decision, given this forum.
October 10, 2007 3:12 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 15:12
If the post above is actually from Ms. Bloom, I'd say my point is QED, then.
The article by Ms. Bloom, by her own admission, is not about faith or religion, but about pseudo-science.
Therefore, it is unrelated to the work of the "On Faith" project.
Quod Erat Demonstratum.
October 10, 2007 2:25 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 14:25
"OH MY G_D!"
October 10, 2007 2:19 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 14:19
I am "Gigi", the mother of Justin, the young filmmaker who died.
I wept when I read Sally Quinn's article about my wonderful son, and his death, and my subsequent agony, and my experience with the medium. Thank you so much, Sally Quinn, for handling the subject of my afterlife encounter with such sensitivity, in spite of the fact that you knew that you and the producers of "On Faith" might be ridiculed for it.
But I must venture forth to be corrective about one thing Sally Quinn wrote. That is: "It's always a matter of faith."
In the matter of a session with a medium, that is simply not the case. When the medium walked in, I was skeptical as hell and terribly afraid I'd be disappointed. I was terrfied of getting ripped off. What if this medium knew how to hack into the emails of the person whose address we were at, and knew from our correspondence just who we were grieving for?? What if this guy were just a total, brilliant sham artist??
Oh no, this was NOT about having any faith!!!
Well, by the time that session was over, I did indeed have faith. AND IT WAS BECAUSE I HAD PROOF. The medium, Glenn Klausner, knew things about Justin, and other things as well,that he only could have learned from Justin. Tiny little details that he only could have learned sitting right there, communing with Justin.
My faith is based purely empirically...I have seen an afterlife encounter with my very own skeptical eyes and ears.
That's why I walked away peaceful.
But don't take my word for it. Google a guy named Bob Olson, a guy who started out more skeptical than I've ever been about anything, and ended up a believer, because the truth just can't be denied. I consider Bob Olson the "medium industry watchdog." He started out on a mission to bust 'em all and hang 'em high, and then got his mind torn apart...
check him out. He has several websites.
October 10, 2007 11:42 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 11:42
These posts don't make "On Faith" look ridiculous.
They make "On Faith" look worse.
A woman, exploited by a medium, is next used to push traffic on an advertising-supported Web site.
And, you've done it all without any sense of journalistic detachment or analysis -- free advertising for those who would take money from grieving people.
Where is the depth? Where is penetrating review of facts? Are you still journalists?
Also, I disagree with your assessment that mediums and their clients profess anything like faith.
Ms. Bloom said he has undeniable proof that her son still exists -- the medium told her so, and she saw an apparition of her son. These are not offered as articles of faith, but as positive evidence.
You've erred by including them in a general discussion of faith and religion. Mediums and the con-games they play are not a part of any of that.
October 10, 2007 10:51 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 10:51
I want to believe that souls communicate too. Somebody is obviously communicating but is it the departed? These disembodied voices never tel us about God and Heaven. Why?
October 10, 2007 9:25 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on October 10, 2007 09:25