spirit in my house frightening my DD...

[hollowhallows]

I have NC for this.

OK, I know some people are going to think I am a crank, but here goes...

I have been aware of a spirit/s in my house since I moved in. In my family we are thought to have 'the sight' and it has been very real to me from the experiences I had growing up and experiences I continue to have. I'm not talking miracles or talking to the other side, just an ability to sense what others cannot, such as aura and spirits etc...

Because I was aware of spirits myself as a child from my own experiences, I was always aware that my children could experience the same thing. I have dealt with having 'the sight' (I don't know what else to call it, I know 'the sight' sounds cheesy) and as I have grown older it has bothered me less and I fear the things I sense a lot less. I hope this is all making sense, I usually keep this to myself

Well now my DD has started to very obviously see something that is frightening her. It is starting to become more frequent and is really upsetting her. It is always in the same place in the lounge and she runs over to me upset, crying and pointing towards whatever it is she can see. She tries to tell me but her speech isn't good enough yet, but her actions and feelings are very clear. Tonight she was so upset by whatever it was that she started crying and covering her eyes so she couldn't see it. I tried to encourage her to show me what it was that was upsetting her in case it wasn't what I thought, but she refuses to even venture to that side of the lounge when this happens. This has been going on for about 6 months but is now becoming more obvious.

I am not religious, I am not overly superstitious, but this is the one thing I genuinely believe in because I have experienced it myself. I have read stories by other MN's about their children telling them they had seen peculiar things so I'm hoping to get some input on how to handle this (and not be mocked in the process). When I sense something myself, I just ignore it. I'm not sure how to handle my DD possibly seeing things that are upsetting her.

If you are so agenst religion and the only school your children were sent to was COE I think you would find snother option including putting them on the waiting list for other schools.

Well, you think wrong.

I am not going to uproot my kids and take them away from the friends they have made.

In balance, I have decided that as long as I augment my DCs education to make sure they develope a better level of critical thinking than the state is able to provide, it is better than risking the unknown psycological impact of moving schools.

Besides - EVERY school in the UK (with the exception of free-schools), have to, by law, teach sessions of collective worship, even if they are not specifically "religious" schools. So, it doesn't matter where I send my DC, they will still have to pray, or elect to exclude themselves from assembly, the latter of which they have decided not to do.

Furthermore, I am happy that they learn ABOUT religion, as this is an important part of life. I just don't think it should be taught as a fact (what with it not being fact at all).

"Yes Cote you would still have to be respectful if someone believed in horoscopes."

How would I have to show this respect?

Oh, and point of information- there is no such thing as a non religious state school in the UK.

I think you should start your own thread to learn how to show respect for other peoples beliefs.

Sorry your thread has been derailed OP and I hope the situation improves for you and your dd. Good luck xx

I don't expect anyone to respect my beliefs. The very notion of respecting beliefs is a dangerous one. My beliefs (or lack of) are mine because it's what I think. If you don't respect my beliefs how will it matter? You can't take away someone's beliefs from them by not respecting the belief. The only damage that might be done is to the 'believees' ego which is what all this talk of respect comes down to. If your ego is so easily bruised by people not agreeing with your view then you shouldn't be airing it in public.

vooDoo- done.

Perhaps you can enlighten me over there?

You were spiky from the off Techno, and when people pointed it out, you became defensive. It's what you do all the time here.

Are you really unaware of your unpleasant posting style here?

Techno is more than capable of speaking for himself- but he most certainly was not spiky from the off!

Spiky came after rude and arrogant maybe but it takes all sorts to make the world go round god bless him

OP have you maybe thought about giving the spiritualist church a ring for advice.. They may have some tips that haven't been thought of.

Curlew, have you ever come across anything like the OP has described? If so, what did it end up being?

Yes, I have. I gave an example of one such incident down thread. In my case it turned out to be a splash of green paint under a shelf that looked, to my child eyes, like a very scary face. I can vividly remember how very frightened I was.

Dione

I would be grateful if you could read my post at 07:12 this morning for my view on how spiky I was. If you don't agree with what I have said, then nothing else I will write will change your view.

Sorry

Voodoo - I can only guess that you haven't read my post because your reply is not meaningful.

Curlew, your childhood story was a case that was easily explained. What I meant in my post was have you come across less easily explained phenomema (such as the OP's) in your investigations?

Techno, I read your post upthread. I too am aware of the limitations of written internet communications. However any advice that is precluded by the need to adopt the adviser's beliefs will be seen as rude or at best unhelpful both on the net and in real life. I would have thought that you would understand that given the strong feelings you have when people as much as refer to religiousity in their own lives, never mind when they try to force them onto you.

Dione

How about this similar conversation.

Person 1: "I am upset because I believe people are talking about me behind my back and I hate it"

Person 2: "You are being paranoid and imagining things, cheer up.

?

It takes the same form as the OPs post, and my first reply.

But Person2 doesn't know that Person1 isn't being gossiped about.

I think a better analogy would be:

Person 1: I'm struggling with my faith. I feel Allah (pbuh) is not listening.

Person 2: Allah (pbuh), doesn't exist. You should go to Mass.

But Person2 doesn't know that Person1 isn't being gossiped about.

Oh yes he does, it is clear to everyone other than person 1

I think a better analogy would be:

Person 1: I'm struggling with my faith. I feel Allah (pbuh) is not listening.

Person 2: Allah (pbuh), doesn't exist. You should go to Mass.

Well, hold on just one minute.

I have read loads of threads on this forum where someone says "I am struggling with my faith" and loads of religious people jump in saying "Jesus loves you" (or something similar), and tries to convince the OP to rejoin the fold.

How is this acceptable, when someone saying "give up your faith" is, according to you, bang out of order?

The two actions are exacly equal and opposite. Are both evil, or both good? Or, are they just a differing of opinion whereby the OP can choose the route best to take based upon the information presented (you know, the facts, and the religious stuff).

See OP? Circular debate. Every time. No matter what you believe, it's like chasing your tail. (Metaphorically )

Only respond to relevant info to you or this thread will never end!

There has been such a thread recently. Both believers and atheists posted their experiences in a respectful way in order to support and advise the OP. The only unpleasant posts came from some atheists who were wholly unconcerned about what the OP was experiencing and not at all understanding of why that would even be a problem.

It is possible to provide words of support and share the wisdom of personal experience without being rude or dismissive.

Did you just do a name change and start a new thread about loosing faith?

No. Saw the thread title and thought it might be you.. I have read and responded though.

That thread is nothing I would go near!