The “Spirit” Realm—How Terminology Affects Our Understanding.

The “Spirit” Realm—How Terminology

Affects Our Understanding.

Imagine the frustration should one’s boss instruct the subordinate to: “Put the thing on the thing.”  In the absence of any further information, one would simply be left to guess what it is that the superior wanted.  And because of the enormous number of that which could reasonably be characterized as a “thing,” the probability of success would be extremely low; i.e.; the probability of failure would be quite high.

A similar situation exists when discussing that realm often referred to as the “Spirit Realm.” Since “spirit” is derived from the Latin “breath” or “breath-like;” then literally just about anything that would not hurt if it hit you in the head could qualify as “spirit”—and often does.

But “spirit” in its most often used context, is meant to mean something: “not of the material realm.”

What is the “material realm?”  The “material realm” is that realm which either consists of; or contains; time, space, and matter.  Most sane persons believe that this “material realm” exists.  In this realm four dimensions are known to exist.  The obvious are length, width and height.  But there is also a time factor, as many “things” in this realm lack permanence in their “current” known form.

But is there an immaterial realm? In other words, is there another realm lacking time space and matter?  The answer is that there must be; i.e.; the existence of an immaterial realm is a logical necessity.

For those unfamiliar with our publications, an explanation seems prudent:

Whether one recognizes the “Big Bang” theory for the creation of the material universe; or one believes Genesis 1:1 for the creation of the material universe; or both; one thing is certain.  The cause for the effect known as the creation of the material universe could not have been contained in a material universe that was not yet created.  Ergo this cause necessarily came from a realm that was not material; i.e.; by definition, an immaterial (spirit or breath-like) realm.

Many can and do argue about what else may or may not be contained in this immaterial realm, but its existence is inarguable.  Nevertheless many try.  Ultimately one must admit the existence of a primum movens or first mover, or effect (primum movens), with no cause.  Whether this is called God, PM or anything else is irrelevant in this specific regard.

Recently a friend provided an article titled: “The Ghost in the MachineDebunking the Ways Radio Has Been Depicted as a Conduit for the Paranormal, Tracing Back to Nikola Tesla Himself, and How it is Used by Paranormal Researchers Today,” written by Allison McLellan.  This article appeared; of all places; in the October 2018 issue of “QST,” a magazine published by the American Radio Relay League, an organization for Amateur Radio licensees. []

The article begins with an admonition to the reader that since Halloween is approaching, one should expect amateur radio to be: “portrayed as a way to contact “the other side—whether it be ghosts, aliens, or even another dimension.”

This represents a prime example of the confusion caused by utilizing imprecise terminology.  Presumably this “other side” refers to the aforementioned immaterial realm.

Whether or not one believes that “ghosts” in fact exist, these “breath-like” or “spirit” entities are considered to be contained in, or reside on, the immaterial realm.  These are considered immaterial entities on the immaterial realm (other side).

However “aliens” are considered to be material entities, irrespective of whether carbon based, silicone based, or “X” based.  These “aliens” are beings from remote areas of the material realm (material universe), and thus if they do exist, the same would be found in this material realm, and not the “other side”—no matter how hard one may “look.”  And assuming this “another dimension” refers to the immaterial realm, one might ask what realm it is that one would expect to find when seeking that particular realm?

The author then goes on to cite the fictional movie “Frequency” as an evidence for this “debunking” promised in the article’s subtitle.  However, the plot of this particular movie is concerned with the manipulation of time in the material realm; and has nothing to do with that immaterial realm (“other side”) where time does not exist.  This movie has to do with the manipulation of one of the material realm dimensions, with the immaterial realm not even being a factor, except perhaps by zealous extension or speculation.

The author then cites Spiritualism as “a belief in the existence of spirits of the dead and the ability to communicate with them;” as though this were invented in the 1800’s.  It is unclear as to how this relates to the purported purpose of the article; as it is unknown precisely what radio equipment was in use at that time.

If Spiritualism is presented here merely as background, then perhaps it would have been wiser to take this background much farther back in time.  Necromancy; or communicating with the physically dead to predict the future; is described in 1 Samuel 28:1-19, and was written roughly around 500 BC.  Here Saul; after murdering all of the “necromancers” in his area; disguises himself and travels to find a necromancer.  This necromancer then raises the deceased Samuel, (for whom this book of the Bible is named, although authorship is unclear); so that Saul can obtain information from Samuel.  And although Samuel is angry at being disturbed; and although Saul is not pleased with what deceased Samuel tells him; the necromancy was nevertheless successful—at least that is what the Bible states.

The article then goes on to discuss Nikola Tesla; and the reception of perhaps Guglielmo Marconi’s transmissions, sunspots, or planetary emissions.  These are all of course material phenomena in the material realm; and thus what possible relevance, if any, these may have to the immaterial realm or “other side” remains unclear.

The name of yet another fictional movie is then “dropped.”  Here it is “Contact;” where the main character “tries to use radio to contact him” (her deceased father).  There then is a pivot to the use of radio for: “radio emissions from space, searching for extraterrestrial signals…”  Assuming the former description is correct, this statement about the plot of this fictional movie would be consistent with the purported subject of this article.  But clearly the latter, is once again a strictly material matter, and has nothing to do with this immaterial realm.

The article then treats the reader with an interesting quote: “if the mind can send out ‘definite vibrations not unlike radio impulses,’ then they could be picked up by an instrument designed to detect these impulses…”  This is followed by Harry Houdini’s view regarding how it was that fraudulent “Spiritualists” (unlike Samuel), could trick people.

Near the very end of the article, the television shows “Ghost Hunters” and “Ghost Adventures” are briefly mentioned.  The former is characterized by the author as: “plumbers by day and researchers by night;” and the latter is characterized as: “admittedly campy.” [It must be emphasized that these characterizations are by that author, and not this author.]

The word “occult” has a both a literal and a figurative meaning.  Literally it simply means hidden.  But the figurative meaning of occult is generally not merely hidden, but also having something to do with this immaterial realm.  “Hidden from that which is in the material realm” seems one fair definition of current common usage.

Except serendipitously; one rarely finds that which is hidden unless one looks for it.  The above referenced television shows do precisely that.  A decision must be made as to whether or not one considers these shows as fraudulent.  Meaning; are these shows “staged;” or is the “evidence” presented, just as it is presented?  If the latter, then one cannot reasonably conclude other than what is strikingly obvious.  Zak Bagans; from the aforementioned “Ghost Adventures;” developed diplopia while filming the movie “Demon House;” with this event appearing in the film.  He now is forced to wear corrective lenses.

The problem with detecting that which is in or on the immaterial realm is just that—it is immaterial.  The only known direct detection apparatus for true immaterial phenomenon, is that which is alive; e.g.; human beings; but this is highly subjective detection device.

Thus in furtherance of acquiring  objective information, researchers are forced to research the effects of immaterial phenomena on material phenomena.  Changes in temperature, barometric pressure, and yes radio are some of these.

Radio is generally considered as a phenomenon, and it is.  But instead of being concerned with the phenomenon itself, one might instead consider the phenomenon’s effect.  This effect could be best described as a disturbance.  Instead of considering say how far a radio signal could travel, the question instead would be how far the disturbance will be detectable.

Those engaged in paranormal research, look for disturbances in the material realm, that are caused by; and are only caused by; that which is believed to be in the immaterial realm.  Unless and until the aforementioned “instrument designed to detect these impulses” is invented; they have no choice, as how one “feels” falls far short of objective evidence.

These paranormal researchers take significant risks in their endeavors, as in the case of Zak Bagans.  Thus they deserve respect and not mockery.  One is free to believe whatever they wish about the immaterial realm—including that the same does not even exist.  But to not believe this realm exists, and then mock those who take significant risks in trying to obtain objective evidence that it does, sounds a bit like “circular reasoning.”

And it is not merely the existence of this realm that paranormal researchers seek to prove.  But also what entities may exist in this realm, and what effects these entities may have on the realm in which we live.

There are two statements that sound similar, but are in fact quite different. The statement:  “You don’t know what you are talking about;” refers to the veracity of “facts” being proffered about “something;” when the very “something” under discussion is known.  Here it is the “facts” about that “something” that are in question.   However when the statement is: “You don’t know what it is you are talking about;” this refers to a lack of knowledge about the very “something” under discussion; thus making any “facts” proffered about it unworthy of consideration.—QPG Staff [ ]

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