Showing posts with label The Dead Files. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Dead Files. Show all posts

Friday, January 13, 2017

Culture Watch: Television & Demonaphobia

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

This blog was originally posted on December 7, 2012.

The deception began with a bang. The DT crew (Destination Truth) went to the Mayan ruins, which was the site of untold number of human sacrifices to idols—which as the bible tells us is participating in demons. In light of this, one would have thought they would have put demons at least on their possible suspect list for the accelerated paranormal activity there; they didn’t. Instead, team DT posited, before even went there, that the recent accelerated activity was either due to the sacrificial victims or the Mayan warriors. Even though scared to death at points, demons were not even an option.

I try to stay in touch with popular culture, so I watch as many of the haunted TV shows as I can. What I am sharing is based on what I witnessed over the last month of watching the following shows: Destination Truth, Ghost Adventures, Haunted Collector, A Haunting, The Dead Files, Paranormal Witness, Haunted Highway, and one more about hauntings at colleges but I can’t for the life of me remember the name.  Sheesh. That is eight shows on three nights of the week (Tues., Wed., Friday). People’s beliefs and worldviews are unconsciously shaped by exposure to this much haunted TV, but this is but a tip of the paranormal iceberg on TV. One list had about fifty shows, which in some form or fashion, focus on the assumed reality of ghosts. FIFTY!  Of course they are not all on the same season schedule, and a few on the list are now cancelled—but as with The Ghost Whisperer or Charmed, re-runs are current with a number of these. That is an incredible number of shows, which reveals how we are witnessing a paradigm shift in our understanding of spirituality (topic for another day). This phenomenon is both a shaper of culture as well as a reflection of it.

My purpose in watching all these shows was in part to answer this question: is TV phobic regarding demons? The undeniable answer is “yes”; the vast majority of these shows avoid fingering demons as the cause of supernatural activity in homes or businesses. Whether it is the individuals or the networks (or both) that are demonaphobic, the reality is that the phobia is ubiquitous. As with the opening scene with DT, it is astounding how hesitant folks are on these shows to assign the blame on demons for even the most despicable activity. For varying reasons, the almost monolithic consensus of investigators is that demonic encounters are rare. So, in that regard the TV shows are mirroring current beliefs in this field. One quick example. The much respected John Zaffis is called in to assuage the fears of a young mom. There has been verbal threats and physical violence, to the point she is terrified. During an EVP session (red flag!) John asks the spirit if it is angry with the family, and child’s voice answered, "no". Based almost entirely on this captured EVP, John interprets all of this scratching, pushing, and threats as an expression of trust that this child ghost feels with the young mom. A touching scene follows, and I am feeling nauseous. That is baloney sir. Do you always trust children’s voices? What would you think of a living child who scratched and pushed people and threatened them? I would have had my rear-end whipped good as a child if I did half of what that demon did to those people. That is calling wrong…. right-something the bible condemns. On another episode his tech, Brian, got a long triple scratch down his back, and demons were not mentioned at all—not amongst themselves (that we know of) or with the client. Does anybody else find that problematic? Two per show… that makes eight hair raising episodes in a month, in which a world famous, professing Christian demonologist does not even mention demons.

While watching Paranormal Witness tonight I thought that, finally, they will call a spade a spade. Two or three deputies are witness to some hair raising activity in an old theatre. After what he called demon like activity, one of them quit. It seemed that, given all the focus on the sheer evil of this entity, that a demon was going to be the culprit. Wrong. By the end, it was reported that a young man had died in a fire there and all the activity was then viewed through that prism. So, in all those shows I watched, I do not recall a demon being seen as the cause of the supernatural activity. Moreover, most of the time, demons were not even mentioned. We are talking several dozen episodes. THAT frequency and repetition is clearly influencing people’s views regarding both ghosts and the demonic.  It makes me weep.

I find this very troubling because it is only reinforcing in the audience’s minds that ghosts are the only plausible explanation for supernatural activity. It is shaping their view of supernatural reality…millions of people. “Yes demons are real, but rare”. Sound familiar?  It should, because demonic rarity is the majority view of investigators. Sure it happens but even the most “negative” (grown to really dislike that word) entities are almost always viewed as irregular humans or possibly some whacked out dimensional being (eg energy vampires—demons can mimic that). If it smells like sulfur, levitation is occurring, tables are flying across the room, apportation, extreme aversion to blessed objects, client speaking backwards in Latin, and people are being hurt, THEN folks will discuss the possibility of demonic presence. Sheeesh….(OK, a bit exaggerated) Once you introduce the concept of ghosts (including poltergeist and residual), then identifying demons is hopelessly subjective.

Stop! Everyone believes that demons are deceptive, so why the almost fervent hesitancy to label something demonic unless all the aforementioned is present? Even veteran, biblical demonologists fall prey to this faulty logic when they assume they will always feel heaviness in the air if there is a demonic infestation. If you have a strong gift of discernment (there are gradations of sensitivity), then that is a horse of a different color. But generally, demons can leave a palpable sense of peace and love. That is certainly an implicate of the angel of light principle, and there is a plethora of anecdotal evidence to support this. They can control the vibe of a house. How convincing is an angel-cloaked demon going to be if everyone has the heeby-jeebies around them or feel nauseous and so on? Back to the fervent hesitancy.

Satan is not omnipotent, but he is showing considerable power in how he has promoted this demonaphobia. The issue is not what you personally believe—the issue is, what is the message coming across the TV? This was an experiment to observe. The bottom line is that if the angel of light principle is real—and it is—then there is no way to make a list of criteria for demonic presence; they can and do break all the rules and all the stereotypes. And to rule out from the get-go the possibility of demonic activity is not science, it is ideological assumptions. (REPEAT) It is the opposite of true science…destination untruth. 

Demonaphobia….that is what is plastered all over TV these days. This is a call to all bible believing Christians to be salt and light for the glory of God.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Demonic Collusion, Pt 3: Chaos vs. Order, and ‘Happy Haunts’

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann


Recently it was noted that Ed Warren saw the progression of the demonic in this fashion:

Encroachment

Infestation

Oppression

Possession

Death

I like his outline.

In my last two blogs we have analyzed the idea of demonic collusion, in which there is superior planning and cooperation amongst demons to achieve their diabolical purposes. We looked at the series ‘The Ghosts of Shepherdstown’ and ‘The Dead Files’ as two examples on TV which it is evident that demons use collusion to maximize their deception.

It is impossible to understand Satan’s schemes apart from this notion of collusion, whether you use the word or not is not important—that demons intentionally work together to accomplish a deception is what is important. Demonic collusion has so much explanatory power when it comes to understanding how Satan and his minions accomplish their goals.

Is the demonic realm chaotic or orderly? That demons delight in causing chaos amongst humans is indisputable. That chaos is often experienced by humans, especially when a nation is falling apart, is indisputable. However, one must ask: how could demons accomplish ANY task, including causing chaos, if their ranks were chaotic? It is manifestly obvious that they couldn’t.

The terms used in the New Testament for the demonic realm (rulers, authorities, principalities, powers) suggest a military order and rank…submitting to authority. Those who read this who were in the military know the mindset: obey your superiors! One of my best friends in high school, was later a Navy S.E.A.L.  We were so close, after his death, his mom gave me one of his S.E.A.L  insignias, which I have next to me….which I cherish.

Special ops are a good example of superior human organization in achieving a virtuous end in battle.

However, the notion of demonic collusion itself demands that there be order and not chaos in the demonic realm. The obvious question or objection is: how can beings that are pure evil cooperate with each other? I think that is a fair question.

Think of Stalin or Hitler and their ruling generals. They were evil (possibly possessed) and there was personal dislike of each other. However, through fear, these men kept order in their entire armies. It is said of Stalin that he had police following his soldiers and would shoot any soldiers who ran from war. Similarly, I assume that Satan rules through fear and has his own infernal way of motivating his underlings, and running a very tight ship. Order, not chaos, is what characterizes Satan’s army and allows them to plan and execute the most sophisticated collusions. Which includes variety…

“HAPPY HAUNTS”.  If you look at the chart above it is a very accurate representation of how the demonic often progress in attack. It is a logical progression, getting worse and more overtly hostile with each stage. Oppression is the systematic attempt to break people/family down physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.

However a recent discussion with a dear friend has opened my eyes further to something I already had suspected—widespread ‘happy haunts’ which do NOT follow the progression above. I know that millions of Americans (and many more worldwide) have overt demonic activity in their homes but do not report them or attempt to get help. While many folks do not report their activity out of fear of rejection, etc., that is not what I’m talking about here. Let me relay a scenario based on years of observation.

Elaine (not real name) told me that she and her large family lived in an old house and experienced a wide range of paranormal activity every day…chief of which was that every night the entire family watched as a little girl apparition walked down the stairs (this really happened) and out the door. Objects were moved, door-handles jiggled, footsteps, a touch on the shoulder from Uncle Joe in the middle of the night, ETC. This went on for decades.

However, the parents never sought assistance. Why? Because it seemed apparent to them that the paranormal activity was harmless. Both parents and all the children became accustomed to this ‘happy haunt’. Nobody was attacked. It became normal to them. While some of the frightful aspects seemed to have been played down over time—the touching on the child’s shoulder did elicit fear, and they called out to God—but there is a tendency for selective memory.

The point I’m trying to make is that demonic collusion would seem to support the notion of ‘happy haunts’. Of course demons delight in squashing people in every way imaginable, BUT the main objective is eternal damnation. Demons know that hostile haunts often lead to their ejection, so why not engage in happy haunts? They may not break people down in traditional ways, but if they show a united front of mimicking happy deceased spirits, then they can hit people where it hurts eternally.

Suppose the demons present a happy haunt for the kid’s entire stay at home. They then get attached to them and follow them wherever they move to. Yes, the activity resumes but it is not ‘hostile’ in their perception. Over a period of decades, they lay back and act like spiritual radioactivity…influencing them in a long walk in the wrong direction. All the while, they are making Jesus look smaller and smaller and pagan ideas loom larger and larger.

It grieves me deeply that many folks are being drawn to hell by a happy oppression…one in which the demons work together to make the paranormal seem fun, but it is in fact doing what radioactivity does…deep spiritual cellular/organ damage. Whether these happy haunts lead to physical harm is immaterial because the concerted demonic effort is to present over decades a happy road to hell.

Not all demonic infestations turn into hostile oppression. Make no mistake, it IS oppression but the recipients are fooled by the lifelong seeming innocuous nature of their normal paranormal life. It must take careful planning and execution to present a life-long experience of the demonic as something that looks and feels peaceful, kind, and even God-like. Apart from God’s grace, imagine how hard it is to convince these dear folks that Uncle Joe is a demon, after decades of kind encounters. The “angel of light’ principle is what we’re talking about. It reminds me of my friend Laura Maxwell whose dead sister allegedly visited her every night for years, and even combed her hair. It was lovely until Laura began to ask the spirits in Jesus’ name to reveal their true identity. Then it got very, very ugly.

This is deeply personal to me. My closest friend has experienced Happy Haunts for over 50 years. She is a Christian, but I’m struggling to know how much to say and when, because she is deeply deceived. God help us to be discerning of folks who do NOT fit the traditional oppression mold.

Read about demonic collusion and how it's affecting The Ghosts of Shepherdstown paranormal TV show here: http://eyeontheparanormal.blogspot.com/2016/07/ghosts-of-shepherdstown-new-paranormal.html

Part 2: What is Demonic Collusion? 'The Dead Files'

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.  

Thursday, July 28, 2016

What is Demonic Collusion? 'The Dead Files'

Read about demonic collusion and how it's affecting The Ghosts of Shepherdstown paranormal TV show here: http://eyeontheparanormal.blogspot.com/2016/07/ghosts-of-shepherdstown-new-paranormal.html

"...so that we might not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs." (2 Corinthians 2:11)

COLLUSION--secret cooperation for an illegal or dishonest purpose. (Webster's Dictionary)

"Error, indeed, is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should at once be detected. But it is craftily decked out in an attractive dress, so as, by its outward form, to make it appear to the inexperienced (ridiculous as the expression may seem) more true than truth itself." (Irenaeus,  Against Heresies 1.2)

Corruptio optimi pessimum est (the corruption of the best is the worst)

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

"....so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes." (2 Corinthians 2:11)
 
"...for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Last time we looked at the notion of ‘demonic collusion’ and how key it is to understanding how demons work together to deceive—on paranormal TV shows and in each of our  lives. I want to explore this a bit more.

Let me emphasize that this collusion is mostly being played out in our own backyards...it is an integral component of grass-roots spiritual warfare for all of us.

If you have been following the news you have heard the term ‘lone wolf terrorist.’ Many defense analysts believe they are the most dangerous due to the difficulty of tracking them, etc. Are demons lone wolf spiritual terrorists or group terrorists like ISIS? Given the militaristic nature of the diabolical realm and rankings in the bible, it is clear that all demons are under some authority. Hence, it would seem that there is organization and accountability to all demonic activity. Perhaps one demon does tempt a person (but still not lone wolf), but there are also innumerable other complex co-ordinated attacks which make all the massive planning behind the D-Day offensive look like child-play. As in human warfare there is differing amounts of collusion amongst demons, depending upon the complexity of their objective.

All human warfare includes coordinated deception to varying degrees, so imagine how crucial it is to beings who are pure evil and whose mother tongue is lying and deception.

A while back there was a special Dead Files in which Steve (ex homicide detective in NYC) and Amy (physical medium) met with the producer and answered fan questions. It was enlightening. The reason I reference the Dead Files so much is because, in my opinion, they have raised the bar on how effective demonic collusion has become in deceiving people, at least on TV. Amongst some Christians, I have noticed an across-the-board dismissal of paranormal TV shows. I dislike the para-celeb nonsense as much as anybody, but I remember vividly how much I struggled in the beginning with how to deal with the attention to historical detail, and how it lined up with current apparitional appearances in certain locations. It was only when I stumbled upon the reality of demonic collusion, that I was able to understand how they make shows like Dead Files work. PLEASE, let us never, forget how horribly persuasive this deception is, and our need to address it.

1. Amy mentioned that a particularly difficult case involved a man named Moses, who is currently incarcerated for murdering a man on the premises that Amy and Steve investigated. While he was in prison, she was giving a description of Moses to a sketch artist, but Amy nervously said Moses was in the room with them--threatening them.  Well, here is a man who literally was in two places at the same time! (in prison and in the room with her and the sketch artist) How in the world can this occur? Does 50% of his soul remain in prison, while the other 50% fragments off and flies to this other location? Make no mistake, Amy said he was REALLY THERE....so much so, that she was extremely frightened. I ask: is it not so much simpler to say that a demon was present in the room with her and mimicking his (Moses) identity?  It certainly is more plausible than what she said was
occurring. And the bible sees the soul as being indivisible--incapable of being "spliced and diced", due to God's protection. (the soul is not intrinsically immortal, as the Greeks thought) However, this is why I am so insistent on the importance of worldview presuppositions, because, given her mistaken view of ultimate reality, then Moses' dual, fragmented presence makes sense to her, and millions of others viewing reality through distorted worldview glasses.
 
2. In my book, I go into considerable detail re what a worldview presupposition is, how worldviews are formed, and how comprehensively they drive how we think, act, and feel. Like an iceberg where most of the mass lies hidden beneath the water line, so also our worldviews are beneath the water line of our conscious thought, but they have a profound effect on how we view the paranormal, and all of reality. One rarely gets past first base when discussing the evidence alone because we do not realize how different worldview "glasses" will radically effect how one sees the data.

3. This clearly shows that the most psychically "advanced" are often the most deceived. Starting with the wrong presupposition, will get you further from reality the longer you pursue it. An obvious example is that of soul fragmentation belief, which is being watched by many thousands, and shaping their worldviews.

What I think has happened is that a template of psychiatric pathology (e.g. Schizophrenia) has been applied to paranormal phenomenon.

4. I found it tragic to hear Amy say that most physical mediums die young, (and this is crucial) "because of their having the dead constantly entering inside them." My friend Laura Maxwell, ex-spiritualist, was warned by her spiritualist teachers that many psychics died or went insane.They are dying young, but it is because of having pure evil (demons) enter them frequently. For some reason the heart is usually targeted. Being indwelt by such horrendous darkness and filth is going to pollute and damage the heart (physical and non-physical), as well as causing all kinds of other diseases and illnesses. To be fair, many legitimate exorcists, have made the same claim re their health (see "Hostage to the Devil" by Malachi Martin).
 
Along those lines, one of my concerns is that we become jaded to the true horror that is occurring on the TV screen. For example, last week was the first time (I think) that Amy had to leave a location because of being "jumped". That is the term she uses when, as a physical medium, she allows a "dead person" to enter her so she can see and feel how things "went down" when this person died. And when she is done or finished with their "tour", then Amy will oust them. However, on this occasion. Amy said it would not leave until some six hours later after they had driven home. My point is this--thousands of folks are watching a woman being possessed, partially or otherwise, for a period of time. Of course, having the "dead person" enter the physical medium is precisely what they are all about. But, God forbid that we ever become numbed to seeing a person being demonically indwelt. By the way, this is one reason I ALWAYS pray for protection before and during my viewing of paranormal shows/movies. You should too.....ALWAYS.. It deeply disturbs me in two ways: first, the person being possessed is being indwelt by pure evil.. Second, to watch Amy gesticulate or writhe in pain is hardly something a Christian should find entertaining....she is unwittingly being duped and partially possessed by diabolical entities, who would just as soon kill her.. Do not let your cynicism due to widespread fakery, blind you to instances of when demonic forces show up for prime time. Would you expect anything less of them in their lust for power and expansion of the kingdom of darkness? For Satan to not use TV as a means of wowing folks with demonic signs and wonders would be stupid of him (strategically speaking)....and Satan is many things, but he is not stupid. The weakest, most feeble-minded demon can run circles around the strongest and most intelligent human, operating in the flesh. Cynicism will cause one to assume any psychic/medium is guilty until proven otherwise. Real demonic activity will be dismissed as fakery, which does not help anyone.
 
Discernment is one thing (and very much needed these days), but cynicism causes us to become myopic--it is a fine line, isn't it?

While on the subject of debunking, just because we can show an alternate explanation for why an alleged claim took place, it does not follow that we have debunked it. I fear that much, real demonic activity is being dismissed simply due to being able to visualize how it MIGHT have occurred naturally.

In some of the 70 cases I’ve been involved in it seemed that the collusion included making the infestation seem unreal due to ‘repeatability’, which then gets rid of people nosing around ‘their territory.”

5. Which leads me to my next point: is it proper for Christians to research the occult?  Many say no, and I understand their concerns. One person said that it was akin to watching pornography. I believe this is an inappropriate analogy and will argue that SOME folks must keep abreast of cutting edge developments in the occult/paranormal. The pornography analogy seems persuasive because we know that looking at pornographic material is harmful and wrong. My problem with this analogy is that viewing porn is a visual sin--just looking at a centerfold is defiling of the mind and sinful. But watching a TV show or reading occultic primary sources is not necessarily defiling. It can be (i.e. defiling), but not necessarily, as pornography is necessarily defiling. Jesus tells us that we are to be in the world, but not of the world. Biblical writers show considerable knowledge of their cultures and there are numerous quotes from pagan sources in
the bible.

My question to those who would prohibit any study of the occult is this: how can we effectively refute that which we do not understand? Does not Paul's assertion that we are to destroy strongholds and arguments (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) imply a prior knowledge of that which we systematically dismantle? Did not Paul have to study and understand an aberrant belief/argument in order to competently "destroy" it? One could say that it is a matter of compassion when we care enough about others that we take the time and effort to carefully study what they believe. If we have a friend who is a witch, will she not be rightly upset with us if assume she is a Satanist, or even that all witches are Wiccans (which they definitely are not)? Moreover, such ignorance insures the triumph of evil because we will have no way to oppose it.
 
The great apologists of the early church (first 4 centuries)--Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Iranaues, Augustine, etc, were used of God to destroy numerous heresies that threatened the very existence of the church. In fact, Gnosticism was rampant, inside and outside the church, but was so effectively challenged by Iranaeus and others that it withered away....UNTIL 1,500 years later it oddly re-emerged 30 years ago. However, (and this is key), one of the main reasons these early apologists were so effective is that they thoroughly studied that which they attacked. It is through their writings that we get most of our understanding of what the great heretics believed. And so down through the centuries, God has protected His Bride from doctrines of demons by raising up men who studied the primary sources (no doubt, prayerfully) For the glory of God, and out of compassion for the lost, some of us must focus on this task. Certainly, all Christians should be able to defend their faith and give a reason for the hope that we have. (1 Peter 3:15).

Let me hasten to add, in-depth study of heretical beliefs is a call from God for a few.

As many of you know, the TV show which follows GA is the Dead Files.  In the text quoted above, we are told that we need--like Paul--to be aware of Satan's schemes...the way he operates. We must be aware, acutely aware, of certain diabolical strategies which are used over and over.

COLLUSION--is one such strategy which we must be aware of so that we are not misled by Satan's deceptions. It is defined as, "Secret cooperation for an illegal or dishonest purpose." (Webster) Forgive the repetition regarding the Dead Files, but I personally think it is THE show which most clearly showcases this particular diabolical scheme.

Suppose there was a car accident which four different individuals were eyewitnesses to....all from different angles. Let me ask this--what would you think if all four eyewitnesses agreed on EVERY single detail, in their reports to the police? They even used the exact same words to describe certain details of the accident. There would be something fishy about that, wouldn't there? The investigating officer might begin to wonder how much they had talked afterwards...and tried to make their stories sound alike. This certainly happens in other scenarios, and too much agreement can be as problematic as too little agreement amongst witnesses.When there is intentional behind the scene working to make stories line up with each other, it is known as collusion. People can be very creative in how they do this in order to haul in some cash. However, the true masters of collusion are Satan and his band of demons.

And as I have alluded to before, I do not know of a TV show which showcases this diabolical collusion more masterfully than The Dead Files. The result is a very, very convincing deception, which looks "truer than the truth." (Irenaeus) Please bear with me on this, because I well remember how deeply troubling it was for me when I first encountered demonic collusion of this kind. It almost threatened to overcome what I knew to be absolute verity/truth. I NEVER want to lose my sensitivity to what seekers experience when they are overcome with dizzying displays of complex collusion, as witnessed on The Dead Files. Feel free to disagree, but I am convinced that there is an immense amount of serious demonic scheming and activity going on during this show.

If you have the potential to deceive millions, then one would expect there to be exceptional demonic strategizing. Sure the producers cut and paste between Amy and Steve, but there is ALWAYS a string of scenes where both are coming to the exact same conclusion, "independently" of each other regarding a remarkable array of historical detail.However, the sad fact is that this former homicide detective is being "collusively played" just as much as his partner, Amy.The net result is that, unless you are experienced at spotting collusion, it will deceive you--it is perhaps the most effective diabolical lying strategy being employed against us.It is simply organized lying to accomplish a larger goal.

Once they have come to the reveal, then collusion has everyone in its infernal grip. Of course it is Aunt Hilda making all the ruckus...they even have an independent artist sketch of her! And by then it is impossible to accurately identify the true culprits (demons) because, unless it serves some purpose to self--reveal their demonic identity, then they will conceal it most of the time.

BTW, it was sad that, starting from herself (not dependent upon divine revelation) Amy came to the conclusion that the folks should move because she had no idea who shadow people were--only that they were powerful and dangerous--and she had no success in getting rid of them. The reality is these shadow entities are demonic, and are quite common, contrary to what Amy says regarding their rarity.

In closing, my advice is to keep your eyes open to the potential of demonic collusion, so that we might be equipped to effectively overcome our Adversary.

Addendum--one strong piece of evidence of the reliability of the eyewitness accounts of the gospels is the manifestly obvious lack of any collusion between Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.  

Friday, October 31, 2014

Culture Watch: Television & Demonaphobia

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

NOTE: Due to a computer problem, Rev. Hunnemann doesn't have a new blog post for this week. This important blog originally posted on 12/7/12 is being rerun.

The deception began with a bang. The DT crew (Destination Truth) went to the Mayan ruins, which was the site of untold number of human sacrifices to idols—which as the bible tells us is participating in demons. In light of this, one would have thought they would have put demons at least on their possible suspect list for the accelerated paranormal activity there; they didn’t. Instead, team DT posited, before even went there, that the recent accelerated activity was either due to the sacrificial victims or the Mayan warriors. Even though scared to death at points, demons were not even an option.

I try to stay in touch with popular culture, so I watch as many of the haunted TV shows as I can. What I am sharing is based on what I witnessed over the last month of watching the following shows: Destination Truth, Ghost Adventures, Haunted Collector, A Haunting, The Dead Files, Paranormal Witness, Haunted Highway, and one more about hauntings at colleges but I can’t for the life of me remember the name.  Sheesh. That is eight shows on three nights of the week (Tues., Wed., Friday). People’s beliefs and worldviews are unconsciously shaped by exposure to this much haunted TV, but this is but a tip of the paranormal iceberg on TV. One list had about fifty shows, which in some form or fashion, focus on the assumed reality of ghosts. FIFTY!  Of course they are not all on the same season schedule, and a few on the list are now cancelled—but as with The Ghost Whisperer or Charmed, re-runs are current with a number of these. That is an incredible number of shows, which reveals how we are witnessing a paradigm shift in our understanding of spirituality (topic for another day). This phenomenon is both a shaper of culture as well as a reflection of it.

My purpose in watching all these shows was in part to answer this question: is TV phobic regarding demons? The undeniable answer is “yes”; the vast majority of these shows avoid fingering demons as the cause of supernatural activity in homes or businesses. Whether it is the individuals or the networks (or both) that are demonaphobic, the reality is that the phobia is ubiquitous. As with the opening scene with DT, it is astounding how hesitant folks are on these shows to assign the blame on demons for even the most despicable activity. For varying reasons, the almost monolithic consensus of investigators is that demonic encounters are rare. So, in that regard the TV shows are mirroring current beliefs in this field. One quick example. The much respected John Zaffis is called in to assuage the fears of a young mom. There has been verbal threats and physical violence, to the point she is terrified. During an EVP session (red flag!) John asks the spirit if it is angry with the family, and child’s voice answered, "no". Based almost entirely on this captured EVP, John interprets all of this scratching, pushing, and threats as an expression of trust that this child ghost feels with the young mom. A touching scene follows, and I am feeling nauseous. That is baloney sir. Do you always trust children’s voices? What would you think of a living child who scratched and pushed people and threatened them? I would have had my rear-end whipped good as a child if I did half of what that demon did to those people. That is calling wrong…. right-something the bible condemns. On another episode his tech, Brian, got a long triple scratch down his back, and demons were not mentioned at all—not amongst themselves (that we know of) or with the client. Does anybody else find that problematic? Two per show… that makes eight hair raising episodes in a month, in which a world famous, professing Christian demonologist does not even mention demons.

While watching Paranormal Witness tonight I thought that, finally, they will call a spade a spade. Two or three deputies are witness to some hair raising activity in an old theatre. After what he called demon like activity, one of them quit. It seemed that, given all the focus on the sheer evil of this entity, that a demon was going to be the culprit. Wrong. By the end, it was reported that a young man had died in a fire there and all the activity was then viewed through that prism. So, in all those shows I watched, I do not recall a demon being seen as the cause of the supernatural activity. Moreover, most of the time, demons were not even mentioned. We are talking several dozen episodes. THAT frequency and repetition is clearly influencing people’s views regarding both ghosts and the demonic.  It makes me weep.

I find this very troubling because it is only reinforcing in the audience’s minds that ghosts are the only plausible explanation for supernatural activity. It is shaping their view of supernatural reality…millions of people. “Yes demons are real, but rare”. Sound familiar?  It should, because demonic rarity is the majority view of investigators. Sure it happens but even the most “negative” (grown to really dislike that word) entities are almost always viewed as irregular humans or possibly some whacked out dimensional being (eg energy vampires—demons can mimic that). If it smells like sulfur, levitation is occurring, tables are flying across the room, apportation, extreme aversion to blessed objects, client speaking backwards in Latin, and people are being hurt, THEN folks will discuss the possibility of demonic presence. Sheeesh….(ok, a bit exaggerated). Once you introduce the concept of ghosts (including poltergeist and residual), then identifying demons is hopelessly subjective.

Stop! Everyone believes that demons are deceptive, so why the almost fervent hesitancy to label something demonic unless all the aforementioned is present? Even veteran, biblical demonologists fall prey to this faulty logic when they assume they will always feel heaviness in the air if there is a demonic infestation. If you have a strong gift of discernment (there are gradations of sensitivity), then that is a horse of a different color. But generally, demons can leave a palpable sense of peace and love. That is certainly an implicate of the angel of light principle, and there is a plethora of anecdotal evidence to support this. They can control the vibe of a house. How convincing is an angel-cloaked demon going to be if everyone has the heeby-jeebies around them or feel nauseous and so on? Back to the fervent hesitancy.

Satan is not omnipotent, but he is showing considerable power in how he has promoted this demonaphobia. The issue is not what you personally believe—the issue is, what is the message coming across the TV? This was an experiment to observe. The bottom line is that if the angel of light principle is real—and it is—then there is no way to make a list of criteria for demonic presence; they can and do break all the rules and all the stereotypes. And to rule out from the get-go the possibility of demonic activity is not science, it is ideological assumptions. (REPEAT) It is the opposite of true science…destination untruth. 

Demonaphobia….that is what is plastered all over TV these days. This is a call to all bible believing Christians to be salt and light for the glory of God.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Issue 148 –'The Dead Files' Debunked, Part 2

By Kirby Robinson


We had intended to dedicate maybe one or two blog posts exposing the deceptions of the show. However, due to the fact  that  I was told I'd be killed within the next 3 to 4 months by someone closely aligned to The Dead Files, I figured  I should do a more thorough investigation.

In the past, I've left out what the Christian viewpoint of Ms. Allan's claims are. But now, we're told that she was sent from heaven to do the show and teach us all!

This is a post from her Facebook page:

AM SURE SHE WAS SENT FROM HEAVEN TO DO GOD'S WILL AND TO ENLITEN PEOPLE ON THIS SUBJECT THRU AMY. BLESS U AMY Apr Allan-gods speed, as for STEVE, FINEST LAWENFORCEMENT OFFICER AS THEY COME,GOD BLESS U TO SIR.

This is very hard to buy, especially with all the issues facing the Lord these days. Let's try to imagine this scene in heaven.

God watches the spirits of unborn babies descending to earth and He speaks:

"Let the child that will be born as Amy Allan teach things that I have condemned to be false and lead to hell. Let Amy Allan go forth in a show that will be called THE DEAD FILES and let her teach a false doctrine of the new age. Let there be a great following that will lay down My teaching of truth and righteousness for one of eternal damnation."

Am not sure such a scene would ever play out! But this is a common theme within the new age. A popular figure says whatever they think is dramatic enough to keep the ratings going and that means it has to be true. Sadly, the public often buys into it completely—another example of this is TLC's Long Island Medium. The celebrity gets rich with ever-growing fame, and their false claims grow even bigger and bolder. Meanwhile, the distance between the deceived and God keeps getting larger.

We found an outdated bio on a website dedicated to the show that leaves us asking questions.

"Amy’s abilities have been studied and tested by leading para-psychologists. She has worked with private investigators, police agencies and has conducted more than 350 investigations in both private homes and businesses.

"Amy studied Psychology at the University of Arizona and was mentored by world-renowned Para-psychologist, Dr William Roll."

Who has studied her and her abilities? What are their findings?

What are the names of the police agencies she has worked for? Did any case that she took part in ever go to court? If so, did the defense lawyers have a chance to cross-examine her?

This is an often overblown claim by psychics. It has yet to be proven that any psychic ever solved a case for any police department. Nor has one ever testified in court for the prosecution.

We now come to a well known recently deceased psychologist/para-psychologist, Dr William Roll. Here is a bio: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_G._Roll

We have reached out to family members but have not yet been able to prove if he actually was her mentor.

In her bio, she claims she studied psychology at the University of Arizona and was a member of the class of 2003. It's unclear if she received a degree in the field. If so, what type?

Nowhere on her website does it list her studies in the healing arts.

Further digging leads us to look into a paranormal organization called Athenadoris. Yet no information can be found about such a company. The only thing we can uncover is its ties to a production company called Painless Productions, located in Los Angeles, California.

It seems that they are producers of The Dead Files and have produced some very low budget shows including Extreme Paranormal.




Next week -- even more doubts and questions about Amy Allan.



Keep current and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/eyeonparanormal

EARN EXTRA MONEY! If you have a website, forum or blog you can set up an Amazon Associates Affiliate Program link and sell the Kindle version of our books. "Is the Long Island Medium the Real Deal?" [Now in Paperback!], "Never Mock God: An Unauthorized Investigation into Paranormal State's 'I Am Six' Case" [also in paperback!], "Investigating Paranormal State," "Paranormal State Exposed" and "Paranormal Teachings: The Best of Shedding Some Light" and earn money. You can also sell other books and products that Amazon offers. Here's the link: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/



Monday, February 24, 2014

Bad Bad Thing Monday – The Dead Files Brain-dead Followers

By Kirby Robinson


Today we "honor" the idiots over at The Dead Files, as we are not sure who posted this winner of a comment on the February 19, 2014 blog where we expose the fakery of the show and its fake psychic, Amy Allan.

Here is the comment:

Dick head,

Love this statement - "What I hate is deception, lies and altered footage"

It's something you do all the time on your blog, lying about yourself and others, to make you look good and they look bad.

Don't worry we have a Private detective doing a background on you and all the so called things you said you have done and worked for. Interviewing people now you have harassed and double checking the so call things you said you have exposed as fraud. Guess what, finding out you have no sources (made up) and there isn't a single thing you personally have exposed or debunked. You rarely even leave your house. Oh yes, we have surveillance footage of you. Cash in the stalking laws, people. Kirby is now being followed, thanks to a very rich man that has gotten fed up with his BS.

In about 3-4 months we will be putting you and your blog to rest- 6 feet under. KIRBY ROBINSON TO BE EXPOSED FOR THE FRAUD HE IS.

Can't wait… grab your popcorn kiddies MR. BIG is about to fall hard.


I laughed about this comment, as it's hard to alter film footage on a blog. It's also funny that they claim that I rarely leave my home as I'm seldom there.

I've asked the neighbors by phone and/or email to play the theme from Shaft as they pull out or arrive home to add flavor to this so-called investigation. Most of my neighbors have a security system or a team to protect them from the press and stalkers. This would make it difficult for a "Private detective" to do their job.

But the zinger, and what will get the poster a trip to the court house, is the following line: "we will be putting you and your blog to rest- 6 feet under." That is a threat of harm as such phrases are considered threats of murder. The FBI and the LAPD have been contacted and are already working the case.

I hope to see these idiots in court. And a note to the commenter: don't try to remove the comment as they have screen shots of it and your IP. 


Keep current and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/eyeonparanormal

EARN EXTRA MONEY! If you have a website, forum or blog you can set up an Amazon Associates Affiliate Program link and sell the Kindle version of our books. "Is the Long Island Medium the Real Deal?" [Now in Paperback!], "Never Mock God: An Unauthorized Investigation into Paranormal State's 'I Am Six' Case" [also in paperback!], "Investigating Paranormal State," "Paranormal State Exposed" and "Paranormal Teachings: The Best of Shedding Some Light" and earn money. You can also sell other books and products that Amazon offers. Here's the link: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/



Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Issue 147 – 'Snake Salvation' Updates & 'The Dead Files' Debunked

By Kirby Robinson


Read new Snake Salvation updates, plus The Dead Files keeps spinning the truth to make money and prey on the suffering.


Snake Salvation Updates

This Saturday, February 22, 2014, Cody Coots, Pastor Jamie Coots's son, will be preaching. Those in attendance will include the rattlesnake that bit and killed his father. Something tells me that this week's crowd will be standing room only!



What does the local police chief think about the situation?

"Middlesboro Police Chief Jeffrey Sharpe concedes a Kentucky law makes it illegal to handle or display reptiles in religious services. But Sharpe says he doesn't care what the law says ... as far as he's concerned the government doesn't have any business meddling in religious affairs." Read the full story here:



And even if the law was broken, the man is dead. Who are you going to charge?


The Dead Files -- Dishonoring the Dead by Selling Lies


Back in 2011, The Dead Files debuted on the Travel Channel. The show claims that so-called psychic Amy Allan visits allegedly haunted homes, businesses, and historic sites. Before visiting any location, Matt Anderson, her husband, will remove anything on the premises that may distract his wife. Amy claims that the dead talk to her. Not sure about the bad hair and makeup, along with an odd wardrobe which, according to her posts on Facebook, she has to provide. If she's psychic and has spirit guides, we wonder why they are silent on her choices.

The opening credits claim she sees and talks to dead people, which to the chagrin of the paranormal/new age, has never been proven to happen. If it does happen, Amy like all other psychics aren't contacting the dead but are really in communication with the demonic.

Unlike the show it tries to imitate, Paranormal State, which claimed to help their clients, this show's purpose is selling Amy's psychic skills. The co-star of the show is retired homicide investigator, Steve DiSchiavi. He confirms her abilities by investigating claims via his research and interviewing skills. Meanwhile, the clients are left to fend for themselves. It's fairly obvious that Amy just wants to rush out and get on to the next case or the next public appearance she is slated to get paid for.

The Eye on the Paranormal has an offbeat relationship with Amy and her show. During the first season the show aired, we tried to give all paranormal reality TV the benefit of the doubt when it came to being faked. Now we know better -- they are all scripted and fake. We asked her if she would like to blog for us and made her the deal that she would get a byline and full credit and be able to express her views. Amy gave us the lame excuse that she had to get her producer's permission. And that was it---no response after that.

God kinda told me that would happen and told me to wait a year or two and ask her again and see what would happen. So, in 2013 I asked again. She responded, but what she wrote was far off topic. It had to do with some message to a woman that it was all right for the girl to see some guy as Amy no longer had any claims on him.

This was a sign from God that Amy was full of confusion. I did not need a burning in my bosom to know that Satan was well invested in The Dead Files.

Early on in her emails, she stated that she knew nothing about demons. So how can she identify them? If she can't even identify them, how can she get rid of them? And why does she keep encountering them?

I'm currently breaking down an episode, which will debunk her claims and the owner's claims. Don't just take my word about her lack of spiritual discernment. Many others have seen through the veil and see that Amy Allan is just like Chip Coffey, a third-rate actor playing the role of a psychic-medium.

Here are some links to other articles/opinion pieces about Amy Allan and The Dead Files.



On James Randi's site, the author of the following article compares Amy Allan to Theresa Caputo, The Long Island Medium.



Another opinion piece:

The responses to the blog are worth reading. Many are highly deluded into thinking that Amy is a real deal psychic and that they would do the same thing.


Finally, we have this article where some of the tricks of the trade are revealed:



Next week we'll blow the lid off of the dread, uh, we mean The Dead Files.


Keep current and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/eyeonparanormal

EARN EXTRA MONEY! If you have a website, forum or blog you can set up an Amazon Associates Affiliate Program link and sell the Kindle version of our books. "Is the Long Island Medium the Real Deal?" [Now in Paperback!], "Never Mock God: An Unauthorized Investigation into Paranormal State's 'I Am Six' Case" [also in paperback!], "Investigating Paranormal State," "Paranormal State Exposed" and "Paranormal Teachings: The Best of Shedding Some Light" and earn money. You can also sell other books and products that Amazon offers. Here's the link: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/



Friday, February 15, 2013

What Are Shadow Figures?


By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

What are shadow figures? Most folks would answer that by saying that they are trapped human spirits. However, the more unmoored from a biblical worldview we become, the more “unreal” and fantastical the speculation has become regarding their identity. I have come to a different conclusion. It is true that, in addition to logic and science, I approach this issue from a biblical worldview, but as I argue in "Seeing Ghosts through God's Eyes" we all have a worldview and it informs and shapes our conclusions we come to just as "intrusively". We all wear worldview spectacles that affect the way we see data; I simply make mine explicit. (an important but distinct issue, is determining which worldview is true—corresponds to reality). The biblical worldview is coherent (internally consistent), and corresponds to what we know instinctively about ourselves and the world we live in. In an age of irrationality, which is unprecedented in the history of mankind, the bible trumpets the reality of true truth—which is objective and absolute—the Oracles of the Living God (bible) as we saw last week...

When I saw my first shadow figure—solid, black humanoid shaped--12 years ago, I knew instinctively what it was: a demon. Since then, I have experienced a lot of supernatural activity, and shadow figures seem to be the most common form it chooses to take—which is significant in itself. Let me give the reasons for why I believe ALL shadow figures are demonic in nature, and not a shadowy presence of a loved one.

First, our understanding of the nature of God is central to our worldviews--most of which are held unconsciously. The infinite/personal God of the Bible is holy. The refulgence of His glory is blinding…brighter than the noon-day sun. Jesus said He is the Light of the world as opposed to Satan who is the Prince of darkness, This is not a black versus white issue, it is a light versus darkness issue. I could pile up references that speak of good in terms of light and evil in terms of darkness (see John 3). Darkness signifies distance from God and affinity with evil. Now shadow figures are invariably dark. From head to toe there is no light emanating--just walking darkness. The sheer darkness would seem to suggest that they are “pure evil”…which is precisely what they are.

Second, logic and science imply that a self--existent and eternal God, as well as infinite and personal, had to create paranormal phenomena. An impersonal physical realm cannnot give rise to a supernatural end personal entity--that would be like water rising above its source. Having said that, do we really believe that God would create our essence (souls) to appear in such a fashion that they frighten loved ones when they see them? Some argue that in this case you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. As an author I know people do judge books by their cover and our first impressions of shadow figures are almost always fearful. I ask again—do we really think God would allow our essence to become so freaky looking that it scares the daylights out of loved one’s?

Third, if there is one word that summarizes the general behavior of shadow figures it is "furtive"--they slyly dart from shadow to shadow, trying to avoid detection, or are seen in one’s peripheral vision. (I know there are exceptions—they stand at the foot of one’s bed—but these exceptions prove the rule) Furtive behavior is normally associated with spiritual and moral decay. Consider the first furtive act in the history of mankind. After committing cosmic treason against a holy God, we are told that Adam and Eve slunk around in the garden ashamed of their nakedness--which was indicative of a spiritual and moral nakedness.. Hence, not only the appearance but the behavior of shadow figures belies their demonic nature. As pure evil,. they slink around, always aware of the GAZE of the holy God, against whom they have rebelled..

Yes, there are manifestations of shadow figures that stand at the foot of the bed, or rape the occupant in the bed, but most SHADOWS are caught out of the corner of the eye…are they not? I am not interested in sneering argument or endless conjecture—the presence of shadow figures are prominent in the demonic infestations that the Lord brings to me to cleanse. Often, it is the observed departure of a shadow figure demon, that signals their surrender and exit.

Fourth, while on earth an essential trait of our souls is invisibility. No surgeon has ever seen a soul, but they exist. How is it then that after we die, some souls gain the trait of potential visibility? Do you really believe that the shadow figure you saw the other night is the soul or essence of a human being? If so, who gave them this new ability to manifest as frightening looking shadows?. How did the essentially invisible, take on visivility?

Lastly, one of the widely held paranormal maxims is: as in life, so in death. If a man was a jerk while alive, then he will be a jerk as a ghost. If ghosts exist then that makes sense. I would press it further: upon death, there must be 100 percent continuity of moral character and personality. So shadow figures, or ghosts in general, must represent a true cross section of American citizens. Aunt Sally was an extrovert, never met a stranger, and she was very vocal about her love for Jesus. Where are the Aunt Sally’s in the shadow figure population? Or the whole alleged ghost population for that matter? I've heard a couple of EVP’s that say “God” or "Jesus", but where is the EVP expressing warm worship of Him? Where is the shadow figure that declares the gospel or asserts Jesus is their shield and defender? The “as in life, so in death” principle is shattered by these godless entities.

Jesus stated that what we say is expressive of the habits/nature of our hearts—whatever fills our hearts will come out of our mouths. Hence, the universal lack of praising the glory of the Person and work of Christ amongst shadow figures, gives us a glimpse into the Christ-hating habits of their hearts. If shadow figures are really demons, then this is precisely what one would expect. Ocham’s razor would indicate that the simplest explanation of the identity of shadow figures is that they are demonic.

A couple of further thoughts—these entities should NOT be referred to as “shadow people” because they are not people!! They are pure evil… unclean spirits, bent on the destruction of people. Amy Allan of the TV show The Dead Files is deathly afraid of these shadow creatures because, according to her, they almost killed her when she was four years old—they persuaded her to bite into an electrical cord. But she has stated that she has no clue as to who they are or where they come from. As with all paranormal entities, the true identity of shadow figures is not a paranormal or scientific issue—it is a theological issue. How sad that folks would get excited about observing that which intends to destroy them. For God’s glory, let us expel them in the name of Jesus.