Words Like Locusts Flew From Her Fingers

Hustling The Bereaved

On Faith: Guest Voices: Now I Know the Dead Stay With Us
Justin’s friend and I went online to locate reputable mediums. We learned of Bob Olson, a private investigator who exposes the phonies and recommends the trustworthy. Through Bob, we discovered a very well-regarded medium in New York.

I’m so very sorry for Ms Bloom’s loss and it’s good that she’s past the desire to commit suicide.

There is, however, NO compelling evidence that people who’ve died continue to exist as conscious “spirits” of any sort. All the laws of physics tell us that it simply cannot happen. Unfortunately, once a person’s dead, they’re gone for good. We can remember the person, though — and the good that they’ve done for others does change the world in a positive way. Not only that, the matter that made up a person’s body will eventually break down and recombine with other elements to form new life! That’s all we can be sure of — and, really, isn’t that enough? I think it is.

As for the vultures calling themselves “psychic mediums” who prey on the grief of people like Ms Bloom… They sicken and anger me. I suppose some of them really do believe they’re channeling communications from beyond the grave but it’s just as likely they know exactly what they’re doing and are just in it for the money. (And there’s certainly plenty to be made. Grieving people are easy marks.)

For people who are interested in learning how “psychics” use the “cold reading” technique to persuade people they’re in contact with the dead, I’d recommend Joe Nickell’s article John Edward: Hustling the Bereaved.