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PROOF:
Function: noun
Pronunciation:
'prüf
Etymology: Middle English, alteration
of preove, from Old French preuve,
from Late Latin proba, from
Latin probare to prove -- more
at PROVE
1 a : the cogency of evidence
that compels acceptance by the
mind of a truth or a fact b
: the process or an instance
of establishing the validity
of a statement especially by
derivation from other statements
in accordance with principles
of reasoning
2 obsolete : EXPERIENCE
3 : something that induces certainty
or establishes validity
4 archaic : the quality or state
of having been tested or tried
; especially : unyielding hardness
Article by Arlette Dell' Angelo
I set out writing
this not to debunk the supernatural world of today,
or the paranormal investigators in their hard work
or studies. In no shape or form do I in anyway intend
to discredit anyone or offend those who might stumble
across this in the future. In a few short years
the web has become so familiar that it is hard to
think of life without it. Paranormal Ghost Photos,
ghost stories, and strange news is at our fingertips
in the blink of an eye. The Haunted web may be worldwide
but it is only just getting started. We all want
hard truths, plosive facts that life exist after
death. That there is an afterlife, a continence
not an end.
In life things end
in a moment, and the fear of not having anything
more affects us all. Some people many just want
to experience the paranormal at certain points and
times in their lives just as a thrill or a new experience.
Still others want to know for certain that their
religious beliefs are so supported about an afterlife
they wish to contact the dead to affirm to them
the existence of the other side. Doctrine tells
us that the afterlife is there, but many ask is
it real. And those that believe in ghosts their
for believe in heaven, hell, angels, demons and
most certainly the Devil and God. To not believe
in a ghost means to not believe in any of the before
mentioned, then to say what proof of all this do
we have but faith.
How can you say ghost
exist unless you try to experience it yourself?
If you are not willing to try, then you have no
factual basis for your conclusion. To put this another
way, don't decide it before you try it. All beliefs
come from a experience. Many believe people for
their word, others not so trusting simply need to
be shown. And still more do not believe what they
see even if it shoved in their face.
In all fairness who
or what gives a particular person the right to deem
something authentic, genuine or real paranormal.
A scientist will look to the heavens through a telescope,
see a new star. Photograph it then take the photo
bring it to everyone and say here is a new star.
Also giving their papers of maps and co-ordinates,
thus the scientific example of proof.
But what if someone
goes back and checks and the star is not there?
Does this result mean he is wrong? Someone else
goes and looks and it's there?So who becomes the
judge and has the last qualifying decision?
A
Skeptic is one who instinctively or habitually doubts,
questions, or disagrees with assertions or generally
accepted conclusions.
Along with that familiarity
with browsers and bookmarks goes a little knowledge
about the haunted history of so many strange places
comes easily. But all in all the search for information,
or real proof of what is real still continues. And
to many the proof changes everyday.
It was a science
fiction fantasy come true: Ten years ago this summer,
NASA announced the discovery of life on Mars. At
a Washington, D.C., news conference, scientists
showed magnified pictures of a four-pound Martian
meteorite riddled with wormy blobs that looked like
bacterial colonies. The researchers explained how
they had pried numerous clues from the rock, all
strongly supporting their contention that microscopic
creatures once occupied its nooks and crannies.
Ten years later,
the results have not been verified. Skeptics have
found non-biological explanations for every piece
of evidence that was presented on Aug. 6, 1996.
And though they still vigorously defend their claim,
the NASA scientists who advanced it now stand alone
in their belief.
This is just an objective
look at what is proof of the paranormal. My honest
soul purpose and hopes here was to explain and not
critique the science that I am to a part of. I am
a true believer as we all are of ghosts and the
afterlife but as I am who I am, I seek proof everyday.
All too often, even I question what goes bump in
the night!
"James Randi's
"$1 million challenge" Most people have
heard of the challenge by former stage magician
James Randi, offering $1 million to anyone who can
demonstrate psychic powers. Randi's $1M challenge
was unveiled on 1st April 1996. You can read its
terms in full at the web site of the James
Randi Educational Foundation(JREF) the organization administering
the challenge. Some say who have met Randi Personally
that it is not that he does not believe in the paranormal
it is just his search for proof of what should be
a common reality, that it needs hard scientific
undeniable facts.
Randi appeared as
"The Amazing Randi" on a television show
entitled Wonderama from 1967 to 1972. In the February
2, 1974 issue of Abracadabra (a British conjuring
magazine) Randi defined the magic community saying,
"I know of no calling which depends so much
upon mutual trust and faith as does ours."
Randi has worked
as a professional stage magician and escapologist
since 1946. In 1955, he broke Houdini's record for
survival in a sealed coffin (1 hour, 33 minutes)
by 11 minutes. In his early career, Randi was part
of numerous stunts involving his escape from jail
cells and safes.
During Alice Cooper's
1974 tour, Randi performed as the dentist and executioner
on stage. He also designed and built several of
the stage props, including the guillotine. An incident
where the Royal Canadian Mounted Police searched
the band's lockers during a performance has been
cited by Randi as leading him to apply for American
citizenship.
I happened to meet
Mr. Randi when he toured with Alice Cooper group
in the early 1970's. I honestly liked him and spoke
to him at the time to his beliefs of the paranormal.
His words to me were. "If you experienced then
what makes it not real?"
Proof
Positive! "Applying Science to the Paranormal."
Many today liken
James Randi as the modern Houdini of the 21st century,
debunking the fake spiritualist, and the phony claims
of the current mediums and paramormalist that jam
the airwaves and internet.
James Randi interest
in debunking the paranormal started when he was
in his early teens. He has also been credited with
exposing Reverend Peter Popoff's fraudulent faith
healing schemes in 1987.
Randi is author of
Conjuring (1991), a biographical history of noted
magicians. The book is subtitled: Being a Definitive
History of the Venerable Arts of Sorcery, Prestidigitation,
Wizardry, Deception, & Chicanery and of the
Mountebanks & Scoundrels Who have Perpetrated
these Subterfuges on a Bewildered Public, in short,
MAGIC!.
I, James Randi,
through the JREF, will pay US$1,000,000 to
any person who can demonstrate any psychic,
supernatural or paranormal ability under satisfactory
observing conditions. Such demonstration must
take place under these rules and limitations.
This is the primary and most important of
these rules: Applicant must state clearly
in advance, and applicant and JREF will agree
upon, what powers or abilities will be demonstrated,
the limits of the proposed demonstration (so
far as time, location and other variables
are concerned) and what will constitute both
a positive and a negative result. NOTE: Prior
to preliminary testing, an applicant may be
required to provide three notarized affidavits
from persons who have witnessed the claimed
paranormal phenomenon. These witnesses must
be educated working professionals such as
doctors, nurses, therapists, researchers,
psychologists, lawyers, educators etc. This
last requirement may be either waived or required
at the sole discretion of the JREF. This is
the primary and most important of these rules.
Only an actual performance of the stated nature
and scope, within the agreed-upon limits,
will be accepted. Anecdotal accounts of previous
events are not accepted or considered. We
consult competent statisticians when an evaluation
of the results, or experiment design, is required.
We have no interest in theories or explanations
of how the claimed powers might work; if you
provide us with such material, it will be
ignored and discarded.
Applicant agrees that all data (photographic,
recorded, written, etc.) gathered as a result
of the testing may be used freely by the JREF.
No part of the testing procedure may be changed
in any way without the agreement of all parties
concerned. JR may be present at some preliminary
or formal tests, but will not interact with
the materials used.
In all cases, applicant will be required to
perform the preliminary test either before
an appointed representative, if distance and
time dictate that need, or in a location where
a member of the JREF staff can attend. This
preliminary test is to determine if the applicant
is likely to perform as promised during a
formal test. To date, no applicant has passed
the preliminary test, and this has eliminated
the need for formal testing in those cases.
There is no limit on the number of times an
applicant may re-apply, but re-application
can take place only after 12 months have elapsed
since the preliminary test.
All of the applicant's expenses such as transportation,
accommodation, materials, assistants, and/or
all other costs for any persons or procedures
incurred in pursuit of the reward, are the
sole responsibility of the applicant. Neither
the JREF nor JR will bear any of the costs.
When entering into this challenge, the applicant
surrenders any and all rights to legal action
against Mr. Randi, against any persons peripherally
involved, and against the James Randi Educational
Foundation, as far as this may be done by
established statutes. This applies to injury,
accident, or any other damage of a physical
or emotional nature, and/or financial or professional
loss, or damage of any kind. However, this
rule in no way affects the awarding of the
prize.
At the formal test, in advance, an independent
person will be placed in charge of a personal
check from James Randi for US$10,000. In the
event that the claimant is successful under
the agreed terms and conditions, that check
shall be immediately surrendered to the claimant,
and within ten days the James Randi Educational
Foundation will pay to the claimant the remainder
of the reward, for a total of US$1,000,000.
One million dollars in negotiable bonds is
held by an investment firm in New York, in
the "James Randi Educational Foundation
Prize Account" as surety for the prize
funds. Validation of this account and its
current status may be obtained by contacting
the Foundation by telephone, fax, or e-mail.
Copies of this form are available free of
charge to any person who sends the required
SSAE, marked on the outside, "Challenge
Application," requesting it, or it can
be downloaded from the Internet, at www.randi.org/research/challenge.html
This offer is made by James Randi through
the JREF, on the behalf of no other person,
agency or organization. Although others may
become involved in the examination of claims
and may add their reward money to the total
in certain circumstances, James Randi (via
the JREF) will carry out the implementation
and management of the challenge. JREF will
not entertain any demand that the prize money
be deposited in escrow, displayed in cash,
or otherwise produced in advance of the test
being performed. JREF will not cater to such
vanities.
This offer is open to any and all persons,
in any part of the world, regardless of gender,
race, educational background, etc., and will
continue in effect until the prize is awarded.
Upon the death of James Randi, the administration
of the prize will pass into other hands, and
it is intended that it continue in force.
EVERY APPLICANT MUST AGREE UPON WHAT WILL
CONSTITUTE A CONCLUSION THAT, ON THE OCCASION
OF THE FORMAL TEST, HE OR SHE DID OR DID NOT
DEMONSTRATE THE CLAIMED ABILITY OR POWER.
This form must be accompanied by a brief,
two-paragraph description of what will constitute
the demonstration.
PLEASE: Do not burden us with theories, philosophical
observations, previous examples, anecdotal
evidence or other comments! We are only interested
in an actual demonstration.
NOTE: No special rules,
exceptions, conditions, standards, or favors
will be granted without the mutual agreement
of those concerned — in advance. Any
applicant who refuses to agree to meet the
rules as outlined here, will not be considered
to have ever been an applicant. Only complete
agreement with these rules will allow the
"applicant" to become a "claimant."
Applicant, by signing, notarizing and submitting
this form, signifies agreement with all of
the above rules. Be advised that you should
conduct proper and secure tests of your own
to determine whether your abilities or claims
are actually valid.
This application will be
signed by JR and returned to you by mail after
a test protocol has been mutually agreed upon,
and a test date and location have been determined.
IMPORTANT: Only claims that
can be verified by evidence under proper observing
conditions will be accepted. JREF will NOT
accept claims of the existence of deities
or demons/angels, the validity of exorcism,
religious claims, cloudbusting, causing the
Sun to rise or the stars to move, etc. JREF
will also NOT test claims that are likely
to cause injury of any sort, such as those
involving the withholding of air, food or
water, or the use of illicit materials, drugs,
or dangerous devices.
Randi entered the
international spotlight in 1972 when he challenged
the public claims of Uri Geller. Randi accused Geller
of being nothing more than a charlatan using standard
"magic" tricks to accomplish his allegedly
paranormal feats, and he backed up his claims in
the book The Magic of Uri Geller. The original edition
contained a number of factual errors, including
the claim that Geller had been convicted of fraud
in a criminal trial, and misstatements about whether
there was a clear view of the window in the room
where Geller did his work, a place Randi admitted
he had never been. Randi's critics have seized on
these statements, claiming that they are deliberate
and that they undermine Randi's credibility. Several
publications that reprinted Randi's allegations
were successfully sued by Geller, or they settled
with him. Randi has since produced a new edition
of the book with extensive corrections and revisions,
and renamed it The Truth About Uri Geller.
Randi was a founding
fellow and prominent member of CSICOP, the Committee
for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal.
Randi later resigned from CSICOP during the period
when Uri Geller was filing numerous civil suits
against him. CSICOP's leadership, wanting to avoid
becoming a target of Geller's litigation, requested
that Randi refrain from commenting on Geller. Randi
refused and resigned. He still maintains a respectful
relationship with the group and frequently writes
articles for its magazine.
Randi has gone
on to write several books analyzing and criticizing
beliefs and claims regarding the paranormal. He
has also been instrumental in exposing frauds and
charlatans who exploit this field for personal gain.
In one example, his Project Alpha hoax, Randi revealed
that he had been able to orchestrate a years-long
compromise of a privately-funded psychic research
experiment. The hoax became a scandal and demonstrated
the shortcomings of many paranormal research projects
at the university level. Some said that the hoax
was unethical, while others claimed his actions
were a legitimate exercise in debunking poor research
techniques. Later, his "Carlos" hoax,
in which he hired performance artist Josè
Louis Alvarez to act as a psychic, pointed out the
gullibility of New Age believers. "Carlos"
performances began in Australia in 1988 as a story
for an Australian newsmagazine show, and continued
to take place for many years even after the hoax
was voluntarily exposed.
Randi has received
awards in recognition of his efforts to promote
skepticism and humanism, including:
MacArthur Foundation
fellowship award, 1986
Richard Dawkins Award, 2003 (inaugural award)
The American Humanist Association gave Mr. Randi
their Humanist Distinguished Service Award in 1990
CSICOP Fellow
He has also been handing out his own annual "Pigasus
Awards" (originally known as "Uri Awards")
to mock parapsychological frauds and credulous acceptance
or promotion of pseudoscience.
Do
you believe in the paranormal?... Are you a real
Skeptic?
Many of the real
ghost hunters and paranormal investigators are 100%
skeptics, or should be. When it is to easy to believe
then what's the point of investigation. To hunt
for the truth behind an incident of the other world
kind then we need to approach each case with the
prove it to me attitude, and just as James Randi
we all need to set our bar high and challenge what
others accept to easily. Haunted America Tours as
does so many other web sites puts forward what people
believe to be the real haunted thing. It's not that
this site or any ask you to blindly believe their
ghost photos or ghost stories to be real truth ,
but to put it out their for someone to investigate
and question. Inclusion of photos or EVP recordings
here does not necessarily constitute endorsement
of them by Haunted America Tours or any other web
site as genuine proof of paranormal activity.
There
are three kinds of people in the world: Those who
believe in an ghost, those who don't, and those
who make the sign of the cross when they go past
the graveyard.
Many now a days
investigate the paranormal using night vision surveillance,
conventional as well as digital video and photography,
various recording devices to try to verify the existence
of ghosts and paranormal phenomena. Some web sites
boast "The largest collection of paranormal
material on the internet!" Or, "The Real
Haunted Deal." From Scifi's Ghost Hunters ...
TAPS, to home grown bible belt haunted ghost groups,
and the full gambit of haunted walking tours and
weekend stays in haunted hotels, or a nice visit
to a reported real haunted cemetery, haunting's
and haunted places do exist in all the common places,
cities around the United States and the world. Lingering
spirits seem to turn up more often at restaurants,
hotels and bed and breakfasts, business types that
are able to capitalize on ghost sightings. Every
Monday night millions of Americans tune into Medium,
NBC’s new hit drama featuring Allison DuBois,
an ordinary woman who helps police solve baffling
crimes through her ability to communicate with the
dead.
The internet today
plays host to more haunted web sites, and ghost
hunting groups and organizations then one could
imagine. To me evidence is and has always been something
tangible and scientific, something that can be measured
and explained.
One interesting site on the internet in a common
search states this:
We don't assume
a place is haunted and use the first orb we
photograph as proof, instead using controlled
experiments and the scientific method to attempt
to gather evidence on the existence of spirits.
We conduct our outings with an objective perspective,
and we tend to refute even our own findings
as "paranormal proof" until every
other cause can be eliminated. Its only then
that we feel we will have hard line evidence
that will withstand even the toughest critic.
So with that in mind, take a look around this
site and make your own judgments as to what
we have encountered and what we haven't. In
the meantime, we will continue to explore
the world of the supernatural, and we'll show
you everything we find along way. Maybe you'll
even find the answer to the question that
drives us all....
On January 16, 2004,
EYEbeam Media Inc. producers of the hit series Creepy
Canada (CTV Travel, OLN, Discovery Channel, CTV),
was or is offering a $50,000.00 reward to the individual(s)
who submit the most compelling story (as per our
Jury's selection) along with indisputable proof
of the existence of paranormal activity anywhere
in Canada.
$50,000 for PROOF of Paranormal
in Canada
Toronto, Ontario - EYEbeam Media Inc. producers
of the hit series Creepy Canada (CTV Travel,
OLN, Discovery Channel, CTV), is offering
a $50,000.00 reward to the individual(s) who
submit the most compelling story (as per our
Jury's selection) along with indisputable
proof of the existence of paranormal activity
anywhere in Canada.
By indisputable proof, the company is looking
for photographic, audio or video evidence
in conjunction with eyewitness accounts.
This evidence will be reviewed by a jury
of technical and professional experts, as
well as being subjected to rigorous on-site
analysis.
The successful submitter[s] will be subject
to polygraph examination.
The producers wish to be ultimately clear
in that they WANT to award this money, so
there are no hidden rules or regulations regarding
"Proof". All 'Proof" means
is that our jury agrees that what has been
examined cannot be otherwise explained.
The Producers want to hear from the public
at large, as well as the paranormal research
community. The submissions are not limited
to ghosts, and may include monsters of any
kind - lake or mountain, ectoplasm, etcetera.
Locations can be anywhere in Canada, and may
include private residences.
The successful submitter[s] will have a one-hour
television special produced around the submission,
and the location. The 12 runners-up will see
their stories produced in 3 one hour television
specials (mini-series), and will receive credit
as segment consultants plus an assortment
of valuable prizes.
The Producers look forward to you joining
us on our search to prove once and for all,
the existence of the paranormal in Canada.
THE JURY;
T.B.A, Toronto Star, Senior Journalist, Toronto,
ON
Wayne C. Bradbury B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D: DNA
Fingerprinting Expert genetics/ Microbiology;
Toronto, ON
Alex Olegnowicz, IMARION: Visual Effects Expert;
Emmy nomination//Outstanding achievement in
Graphic and Artistic Design; nomination//Royal
Television Society//Best Special Effects;
Toronto, ON
Joseph Sutherland: Joe Sutherland Camera,
Director of Photography, Video Forensics Expert
Witness, Toronto, ON
John Adams: Author, Historian/Ghost Expert,
Victoria, BC
Rob McConnell, A.A.P., C.A.P.: Broadcaster,
Media Consultant; Parapsychology Expert, Hamilton,
ON
Rod Gudino: RUE MORGUE, Canada's Premier HORROR
Magazine - Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Toronto,
ON
John O'Dea: McInnes Cooper, Areas of Law:
Business; Commercial and Corporate; Intellectual
Property and Entertainment; Construction Litigation.
Legal Council to CCI, St. John's, NF
Ross McLeod: INTELLIGARDE (Founder), Toronto,
ON - Polygraph expert and provision of "on
location" security/bodyguards
Barry Lebow: Lebow, Hicks and Katchen Ltd.,
Real Estate Consultant/Expert Witness, (Consultant
to Real Estate Industry re: paranormally affected
properties, among other services, re stigma
properties), Toronto, ON
Before submitting, all interested parties
should read the PROOF submission form by clicking
on this link - PROOF On-Line Submission.
Submissions accepted through May 8th, 2004.
All submissions are to be sent to:
EYEbeam Media Inc, 239 Kingston Road, Main
Floor, Toronto, ON, M4L 1T5
With television shows
like Scifi's Proof Positive, Ghost Hunters, Medium,
Most Haunted, Supernatural, Ghost Whisperers, and
psychic detectives, Sylvia Brown, John Edward and
several specials. The haunted paranormal field and
ghosts are in the spotlight once again. All of this
as suggested proof or truths. As individuals there
are certain truths we accept each day in our daily
lives. Unless your a bonafied ghost hunter or psychic
then the reality of the supernatural rarely comes
in to play.
We
all have truths are mine the same as yours?
Every one search
for answers in all we perceive. A television show
does not equal what strange occurrences go on in
a real haunted house or in the mind of the person
being so unhappily haunted. But for those that strange
abnormal paranormal occurrences do not happen to
then the burden of proof falls far from them.
I my self have had
many a strange paranormal happenings occur to me
in my life time, from ghosts being encountered of
loved ones and strangers, to time shifts, and the
spotting of an occasional UFO. But I too must state
that when someone comes to me, no matter how much
I do trust them or know they do not lie, I still
judge their haunted ghost story or paranormal occurrence
with a very skeptical eye. I question them repeatedly
and ask for all from the emotional to the physical
feelings they experienced. I want to believe them
I really do, but in fact I too still want proof!
Read more Ghost Stories
of the unexplained here. See if you can find the
Paranormal truth for your self!
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