I'm not much of a ghost believer myself, but I have to say it was fun to find something I couldn't immediately explain.
Posted on 10/27/2009 11:10:27 AM PDT by Debacled
With Halloween only a few days away, discussion of the paranormal is a staple of the creepy holiday each year.
Anybody have any interesting anecdotes about their experiences with hauntings, Ouija boards, and ghosts? Even aside from the typical Halloween characters, have you encountered situations that you think were direct interventions from God?
Anyone want to share their paranormal stories?
Hillary Clinton claimed that she spoke with Eleanor Roosevelt’s ghost in the White House. Then again, Hillary Clinton is a lying witch.
Ping
No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.
I believe the mind is capable of much more than most realize. Even though Dan Brown’s new book “The Lost Symbol” sucked, it touched on some of that capability which I believe is non-fiction...
Was it haunted?
I beleive the movie the “Excorcist” is based on a true story, not that of a girl as the movie portrays, but a young boy, that was indeed truly possessed by a demon. I have warned my children about it and other such things, very, very dangerous ...
When I was young and stupid my sis and I tried the ouija board. It told my sis that she was going to die horribly at 17 and said something nasty to me to which I replied FU. Then I burned the thing. Now that I’ve grown as a Christian I see I shouldn’t have messed with that thing at all, but find it amusing that it hated me even then.
Deuteronomy says have nothing to do with real necromancy, and such table tappings I’d never have any part in. (However, I am a long time Dungeons and Dragons player, because I believe my God is smart enough to know that “my M.U. casts sleep” is different from me laying out real candles in a Pentagram in the dead of night and trying to chat up Uncle Earl. And since that kind of thing doesn’t work, you’re talking with demons anyway, so why bother?)
The jiugi board is the worst thing... Can let evil into this world... Just not good to play with it...And I won’t ever watch Excorcist again.. Ever!
Most people have either read the book (1971) or seen the film (1973) ‘The Exorcist’, where a young girl ‘character’ called, Regan MacNeil was thought to be possessed by demons. However, in reality, ‘The Exorcist’ was based on the true life events of a boy named, Roland Doe.
This story became the inspiration for probably one of the most popular horror films of all time.
The writer of ‘The Exorcist’, William Peter Blatty became inspired to write this book after he discovered there were diaries of the exorcism, written by the Jesuit Priests during and after Rev. William S. Bowdern’s repeated attempts to exorcise thirteen-year-old Roland Doe.
In 1949, William Blatty was an English major student at Georgetown University, when he began reading the newspaper articles regarding the exorcism of Roland Doe. He subsequently approached his lecturer, Rev. Thomas Bermingham informing him of the story. The Reverand then went on to conduct further investigations and discovered that the diaries of Roland Doe had in fact been chronicled by the Jesuit Priests.
It was unfortunate for Blatty, but he was unable to obtain permission to read the diaries, therefore, he had to turn to lengthy newspaper investigations, which resulted in some amazing discoveries:
In January 1949, a young boy called, Roland Doe and his dysfunctional family began experiencing strange occurrences in their home. The location is still undecided for many reasons. One of them being:
Years later when Father Bowdern was asked by Blatty during the making of ‘The Exorcist’ if he should visit the Doe family, the Father became insistent that the family’s location and confidentiality remain secret to protect the boy. However, I can reveal, it was either Maryland, USA, or Mount Rainer, USA.
Wherever the true location may be, it is known that the family’s troubles began with minor disturbances, namely scratching sounds heard in various locations of their home (usually coming from the ceiling or the walls). This led the family to suspect rodent infestation. However, after contacting a rodent extermination firm, who carried out a full investigation, it was determined that the house was free of infestation.
It was not long after this when the cause of these disruptions began taking on a more dramatic and sinister role.
Roland Doe was to be the unfortunate victim of this relentless phenomenon.
Whilst sleeping, he began experiencing violent bed shaking episodes and sheets being dragged off his bed. These onslaughts rapidly increased in intensity and could often be heard and witnessed by the family.
As Roland’s family became convinced these attacks were genuine, they also started to link Roland’s fascination with the Ouija board. Roland began to dabble with this ‘game’ thanks to his Aunt Tillie, who introduced him to it before she died on January 26th, 1949 - eleven days prior to the start of the paranormal activity.
Although Roland’s mother suspected Aunt Tillie was the cause of the haunting, the family had to act quickly as concern grew for Roland’s welfare.
As Roland had been baptized a Lutheran after birth, the family called in the help of two Lutheran ministers - one being Rev. Luther Schultze. Accompanying them was a Rabbi, who it is believed was only there because of his knowledge in this type of suspected phenomena.
Whilst the young boy was being assessed by the Rabbi, it is said that Roland suddenly began ranting in a language he had no previous knowledge of.
The two Lutheran ministers had no clue as to what Roland was saying, however, the Rabbi understood every word…Roland was speaking the rabbi’s native tongue of Hebrew – fluently!
After researching a number of conflicting articles on the exorcism of Roland Doe and studying the Jesuit priests diaries, I can now give you the facts surrounding the lead up to and the actual exorcism from the best of my knowledge.
It was first understood by myself, after reading various analogies, that Roland’s mother held a number of Ouija board séance’s in order to contact Aunt Tillie, however, I discovered this was not the case:
Roland Doe’s mother ‘suspected’ that recently departed Aunt Tillie was the cause of Roland’s regime of relentless torment. During one episode where Roland was being terrorised by this unknown force, his mother shouted out, ‘if that’s you Tillie, knock three times’.
Immediately, a cold breeze loomed down and weaved its icy breath around Roland’s mother, grandmother, and then Roland himself. Then came three distinct knocks on the floor, which all three of them heard.
Mrs Doe hesitantly asked, ‘if that really is you Tillie, knock four times’. Again, all three heard four knocks on the floor…but most disturbingly – claw like marks were later discovered on Roland’s mattress.
However, Aunt Tillie was later discarded as the cause after the paranormal activity carried over into Roland’s school. Roland was aghast as his school desk began moving around by itself in full view of the horrified teacher and school children. This later resulted in Roland’s expulsion from the school.
Understandably, the Doe family where traumatised as well as fearing for Roland’s health as the phenomena increased. Reverend Shultze was brought in to observe the attacks on Roland. Over a period of several nights, Shultze witnessed the boy seeming to be in agony as he slept – flaying his arms around and ripping his sheets. The Reverend was still however unconvinced of paranormal activity and referred Roland to the Mental Hygiene Clinic of the University of Maryland for tests. The tests came back with conclusive results…Roland was considered in no way abnormal.
Still sceptical of paranormal activity, Shultze asked Roland to stay over at his parsonage. Shultze’s main purpose was to discover if Roland’s home was being haunted, or whether it was Roland himself.
On February 17th 1949, Roland was taken to Shultze’s home where he would spend the night and be monitored by Shultze. The Reverend would not be disappointed.
During the night, the Reverend stated that distinct scratching noises were heard coming from Roland’s room. Shultze then entered the bedroom and was horrified to witness Roland being tipped out of the armchair he was sitting in and the bed at his side vibrating.
Shultze would later observe scratches appearing on Roland’s body in front of his eyes. The Reverend realised that time was now of the essence and recommended the Doe family contact the Catholics.
Roland’s parents were by now so desperate; they decided to take Roland to see Father Albert Hughes at St. James Catholic Church in Mount Rainier.
In the meantime, a very concerned cousin of Roland’s, who was a student of Father Raymond J. Bishop at St Louis University confided in him about the paranormal activity taking place in the Doe household. After concluding he had no doubt she was speaking the truth, he decided to discuss this matter with his old friend, Rev. William S. Bowdern.
Father Bowden would go on to be the main instigator in the exorcism of Roland Doe.
Roland Doe’s family was by now clear in mind that evil had possessed their 13-year-old son after he had conducted numerous Ouija board sessions. Their only choice left was to visit Father Albert Hughes at St. James Catholic Church in Mount Rainier for assessment.
Father Hughes was initially disbelieving and hesitant about the case. However, he agreed to conduct the interview…encountering probably one of the worlds most inconceivable, unearthly cases of possession known to date.
THE INTERVIEW
It was reported; as Father Hughes began interviewing Roland, the icy breath felt by the Doe family during their ‘supposed’ contact with Aunt Tillie had once more made its hostile return.
Still skeptical, Father Hughes carried on with the interview, which was soon followed by Roland spilling out a tirade of ungodly language directed at the Father. Hughes was evidently stunned but still remained unconvinced. However, this was swiftly dispelled when Roland suddenly began speaking fluently in Latin. A language he had never been taught.
At the end of the interview, there was apparently no doubt in Father Hughes mind that Roland Doe was indeed possessed as he immediately contacted his archbishop, Cardinal O’Boyle and asked his permission to conduct an exorcism. This was approved after the Cardinal studied the case and the medical evidence.
THE EXORCISM
The first exorcism of Roland Doe took place at the Georgetown hospital. Before the ritual Roland was tied securely to the bed, which was a normal practice.
As the exorcism commenced, Roland launched a spitting frenzy directed at Father Hughes. It was reported the outpouring was sent with such force and incredible aim, it was described as ‘beyond natural.’
The exorcism then came to its grisly end as the young boy began screaming obscenities at the Father and broke free from his restraint. Roland then manifested a power far beyond his years and condition - ripping a metal spring from the bed and slashing the Father’s left arm - resulting in Hughes needing over 100 stitches.
Roland promptly became peaceful after Father Hughes left the room – not referring to the exorcism at all; it was as though all memories had drained into a void of obscurity.
Roland was not considered to be in need of hospitalisation after the exorcism and was sent home. In the meantime, Father Hughes was unable to comprehend the reality of what he had just witnessed and suffered a mental breakdown.
The case however remained far from closed; something needed to be done to help Roland. After his cousin had spoken with her professor, Father Bishop at St Lois University (mentioned at the end of part two), it was decided that he and his good friend Father Bowdern would visit Roland.
On March 9th 1949 Father Bishop and Father Bowdern, together with a young Jesuit priest, Fr. Walter Halloran went to Roland’s home. During the visit, they were horrified to discover Roland’s body had been disfigured with bleeding scratches to his chest. Other phenomenon was also witnessed, which resulted in Cardinal Ritter being petitioned by the priests in order to carry out another exorcism.
The exorcism was granted by Cardinal Ritter on March 16th 1949…soon afterwards the priests began the exorcism rites.
The exorcism took on a sinister air from the start, with violent bed movements reported, extreme hostile language and extensive spitting coming from Roland. When further bloody scratch marks apparently spelled out the words ‘hell’ and ‘devil’ it was decided for everyone’s safety, the exorcism should be carried on in the psychiatric ward at the Alexian Brothers Hospital.
At the hospital, Father Bowdern began the exorcism by reciting prayers from ‘The Roman Ritual’. Whilst Father Bishop wrote a diary of the events.
Roland then screamed in apparent pain as the prayers went on. At one point Bowdern was clearly shaken as the boy spat out the words, ‘I’m in hell – I see you – you’re in hell – it’s 1957.’
Roland then began spitting at the priests again. Fr. Halloran was reported to have said that Roland was an absolute marksman when he spat, he stated that even with his eyes closed Roland would spit right in your face.
The exorcism went on for nights with each episode becoming more fearsome than the last. On one occasion Roland exploded with such rage, he hit Halloran with a force which broke his nose.
Bowdern began reciting the Roman Ritual of Christian Exorcism over and over again:
‘I cast thee out, thou unclean spirit, along with the least encroachment of the wicked enemy and every phantom and diabolical legion. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, depart and vanish from this creature of God.’
After hours of reciting, Bowdern and the others were alarmed when Roland sat bolt upright and announced in a booming voice he was the ‘Arc Angel Michael’ and demanded the demon to leave Roland.
Roland writhed around, contorting his body in obscure positions until eventually he lay still. Then he sat up and spoke in his normal voice declaring to all the relieved witnesses, he had just seen a vision of St Michael holding a flaming sword. The exorcism was a success!
Twelve days after the exorcism Roland’s family moved from St Louis to Maryland. Roland later wrote to Father Bowdern telling him he was settled and had very vague recollections of what had happened to him.
The last report of Roland Doe is of a happily married man with three children and still living in Maryland.
The Catholic Church has a filed dossier which states that the possession of Roland Doe was ‘genuine’ with forty one signatures of witnesses to the events.
Ouija board Douglas!
I don’t think so. It did smell like cabbage.
One month after the passing of my mother-in law, my wife and her three sisters were sitting around the kitchen table chatting. My sister-in law pondered aloud, “I wonder what mom is doing right now”. Immediately after making the statement, the lights on the chandelier overhead flickered on and off 3 times. It had never done it before and has never done it since and no one was near the light switch. Absolute true story.
It really is. There be evil there. It’s not just a game. I found that out. And my family thought I was weird for wanting to burn it. But I did anyway.
OK, I have one.
God saved me from being run over by a taxi cab in Manhattan.
We were on a shuttle bus from the Javitz Center back to our hotel. The bus stopped on the opposite side of the street, and everyone on the bus started marching out, single-file, crossing in front of the bus, across the street, and into the door of the hotel.
My boss and I were the first ones on the bus, so we were at the very back. I was the last one to get off the bus, and like a duckling in a line, mindlessly followed the rest of the ducks, crossing in front of the bus.
Now, my momma told me a million times only to cross a street at an intersection, and to never, ever block the view of yourself by stepping out from behind a parked car.
But I was a mindless duckling.
Also, at the trade show at the Javitz, we were given these little backpack shoulder bags to haul all of our free goodies back with... y’all have been to these things... you know...
Well, I shouldered my backpack, mindlessly stepped off the bus, walked in front of it, and just as my foot cleared the side of the bus, someone tried to steal my backpack, and yanked it hard off my shoulder... hard enough to spin me around and pull me back..
As I spun, by left elbow flew out past the side of the bus, and was clipped by the passenger side mirror on a taxi going at least 45 down the narrow Manhattan streets.
The impact made a loud bang, people screamed, and I spun 1080 degrees (spun on my toes 3 complete times). I was not hurt, wasn’t even sure of what happened, except that someone was trying to steal my backpack. I whipped around to see if I could see who tried to take it, but ...
and this is the weird part, because it’s 5:15PM in the middle of 7th Avenue...
From curb to curb on that block, there was not a single person... no one. The sidewalks on either side of the streets were jammed with people waiting to cross onto my block.
But the sidewalk on my block was eerily, deliberately vacant. Not a soul. Not a *human* soul.
I was not injured, by the way, and the taxi driver squealed to a stop, got out, ran to his passenger side, adjusted the mirror, then hopped back into the car and sped away.
My direct intervention from God was where His Word warns us to stay as far away from Ouija boards, tarot cards, etc as possible. Ghosts only exist in as much as they are demons ~ and as such they don’t interest me at all. I basically ignore Halloween now and all it entails.
3 weird stories from my past:
1. When I was a kid, my brother and I found this hole in the forest near our house. We’d often put leaves in it, and in time they’d catch on fire. After years, this hole still seemed to have heat to cause this effect. Not sure what it was.
2. When I was really little, like 3 or 4, we had this old desk with an ink well hole in the top. I remember this hand wearing a glove came out and shook my hand. I then went and looked in the desk and nothing was in it.
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