Proof of Life After Death!!

[Garrette]

I think if someone can produce the video, I'd love to see it to score him on how well he recovers and manages to pull his usual shenanigans.

A) Change the subject.
B) Inform the subject that they're wrong, that their granmpa really did have a J sound in his name.
C) The spirits were kidding around (alternately, the spirits gave him the wrong answer).
D) Change the subject.

Oh, and your praying has to alternate. I'm both a turned Sicilian Catholic and a turned Jew. I was an equal opportunity atheist so took on and rejected both my father's family's religion and my mother's.

You're a CMPTSH*?

Circumcised Mafioso Papist Turned Siamese Heathen

 

[Squeegee Beckenheim]

P.S. If that doesn't work, there's always the Wizard.

Or the sorcerer:

 

[Sideroxylon]

Resume, I hear what you are saying. Here's what I think and why:
If anyone could truly command the paranormal in the way you would require it to be successfully proven to you, then there would really be no point in any of us being on this earth or as I think of it "school." Cause all the answers would be right there for us and we could call on God or our deceased loved ones or angels etc. to tell us exactly what to do and solve all our problems for us. That would not be an effective school. We are here to learn and grow spiritually through our own experiences and choices. Free will and all (Don't you roll your eyes, Resume). And a huge part of our lesson is just learning to be kind to one another. But, as in a school, we are offered some help and guidance, from Above...and as in a school we are free to take it or leave it. One example of that help would be your intuition. Or a feeling you get. Or any other myriad of "signs" that are sent our way to help us learn and grow, to guide us, to strengthen our faith, to comfort us, to give us hope, etc. We are here for a reason, and in no way have been abandoned. (Resume, if you keep rolling your eyes they will get stuck like that). I believe I've been given plenty of evidence to prove this, besides JE, and I do not require it to be this or that...it is what it is...whether it be messages in dreams ( especially dream visitations that were later MAJORLY validated ...the slippers and Ocean City for example ) or other signs, even through a medium. And remember since I believe my Dad and Nana were absolutely able to communicate with me (and they proved it) it is not a great leap for me to think that they might also be able to communicate with someone who has a special ability, like JE. And I also believe that communication with your deceased can be clearer with some than others. And I do not expect it to be crystal clear as in the "st" sounding name etc. but I would expect much more than just that. Only because I am, and will always remain, skeptical.

Typically paranormal phenomena that has believers gushing in amazement recedes to the barest limits of human detectability when someone proposes it is put under the cold light of sober examination.

 

[Garrette]

Typically paranormal phenomena that has believers gushing in amazement recedes to the barest limits of human detectability when someone proposes it is put under the cold light of sober examination.

Hey! Let's not get extreme here!

 

[Sideroxylon]

Hey! Let's not get extreme here!

OK, under examination after at most a moderate session with friends.

 

[Resume]

Some things JE couldn't have known . . .

He didn't know. You told him or he made a guess. They all do it, these cons, these emotional vultures, and because what they're conning you about is so personal, you let them get away with it. At some point, you have to start blaming yourself as well as the huckster.

 

[Robin1]

Since you are, surprisingly, still here, perhaps you would deign to explain what, if anything, you would accept as "discrediting" JE.

Slowvehicle, good to see you again! You've raised a very good question. Honestly, since I have considered and ruled out any possibility that I can imagine thus far that would prove to me my own JE experience was not real, it would have to be big!
2 people ( ended up same person) claimed on my blog they had personal evidence JE was a fake. One said, she knew someone personally who was paid by JE to mill about the audience and get information to give him. Another claimed to personally plant a fake story loud enough for all to hear and then JE used that very fake story. Both of these claims were ultimately proven untrue. My point being, I'm not going to just believe any story I hear. I would need hard evidence like him on audio or video admitting it. Or doing something shady. Of course, I would need proof the audio was him and not tampered with...same goes for the video. I'm not just going to believe a reading of his that I see on YouTube that seems bad because it may be tampered with, it may be edited, it may not be the whole reading ( ANCHOR!!!) or the sitter could be just plain dopey like my brother and tooth guy and not understand some HUGE OBVIOUS validations until after the show. JE's term for that very real occurrence is "psychic amnesia." If I, or someone I completely trusted( and had smarts as well as common sense) saw or heard something directly that could not be misconstrued, that would do it also. If I had a private reading that offered me nothing I would consider as proof even after reflecting on it, I would reconsider my belief in him as well. I know those are some pretty impressive requirements, but remember that I had a pretty impressive reading. Yes, I know most don't agree. That's all I can think of right now. If you think of something else that I have not covered, I am willing to take it into consideration and either add it to this list or explain why it wouldn't be good enough for me to consider it as a way to successfully discredit JE.
P.S. This is only the 999th time I have permanently left and then subsequently returned to this forum : )

 

[Resume]

My point being, I'm not going to just believe any story I hear.

Christ, another irony meter destroyed.

 

[wasapi]

Robin, just a couple of quick questions.

Is there any film or recording of your readings? It would be interesting to revisit the exact words and sequence of words, as well as examining any miss's he may have had.

Also, in watching others being 'read', did you come up with any thoughts on 'miss's' and 'hits'? Such as ratio?

OK, sorry, I guess they aren't really quick questions!

Thank you.

 

[deaman]

Robin1 -

Will you answer my questions, please?

Now that you have such confidence in JE, are you going to continually contact him?

Will you be asking further questions?

What will you do now that you know he is genuine?

 

[jsfisher]

My point being, I'm not going to just believe any story I hear.

That is an admirable position to take. You should demand credible evidence for things you are being asked to believe. The only problem, though, is that you have established as your default stance the most unlikely.

"Every other psychic is a fraud, so it's likely John Edward is, too, even though I cannot explain my experience." -- that's an ok default position.

"I don't know how he did it; maybe he does communicate with the dead, maybe not." -- that's ok, too, but weak given the preponderance of evidence already opposing the existence of psychics.

"John Edward is the real deal because I cannot conceive of any other explanation." -- not so good. Do you see why?

 

[Robin1]

Just like there was no way I could know what word someone is thinking, except that there is.

Just like there was no way for me to 100% accurately predict which state quarter someone would predict, except that there is.

Just like there was no way for Bryn Reynolds to pick the person who held the stone, except that there is.

Just like there was no way for Richard Osterlind to know or to write all those details about Gerald Ford, except that there is.

Just like there was no way for Harold Kellar to know all those things about the actor, except that there is.

OK OK, the word thing IS killing me!!!!! What were the words????

 

[Slowvehicle]

And I am still Scots/Irish/Welsh/English/Dutch/French/German in a roughly estimated descending order. As I am a direct descendant of both William the Conqueror and of Charlemagne and as my wife is a direct descendant of Pocahontas, I forego my claim to rule both the Old and New Worlds on condition that every resident of Europe and North America pay me $1 rent per year.

Send me your bank account information and I will direct deposit my share...

 

[jsfisher]

OK OK, the word thing IS killing me!!!!! What were the words????

There is, alas, an unwritten forum rule prohibiting disclosing the secrets of magic tricks. Garrette may be on thin ice exposing any more than he already has.

 

[Garrette]

OK OK, the word thing IS killing me!!!!! What were the words????

The first time I did it: Radio.

And, no, we were not in a place associated with a radio, there was no radio playing (there was one in the room, I admit, but it wasn't the closest or most obvious thing to the person), and we had not been discussing anything related with radio.


Second time: Car

Third time: Word (yes, the person tried to be cute to trip me up)

 

[Garrette]

Send me your bank account information and I will direct deposit my share...

I will pm when I am certain of your sincerity. Bear in mind that you are in arrears for every year of my life, and I am not young and there may be interest and penalties...

 

[Slowvehicle]

Slowvehicle, good to see you again! You've raised a very good question. Honestly, since I have considered and ruled out any possibility that I can imagine thus far that would prove to me my own JE experience was not real, it would have to be big!

Thank you for your ebullience...

/THREAD

2 people ( ended up same person) claimed on my blog they had personal evidence JE was a fake. One said, she knew someone personally who was paid by JE to mill about the audience and get information to give him. Another claimed to personally plant a fake story loud enough for all to hear and then JE used that very fake story. Both of these claims were ultimately proven untrue. My point being, I'm not going to just believe any story I hear. I would need hard evidence like him on audio or video admitting it. Or doing something shady. Of course, I would need proof the audio was him and not tampered with...same goes for the video. I'm not just going to believe a reading of his that I see on YouTube that seems bad because it may be tampered with, it may be edited, it may not be the whole reading ( ANCHOR!!!) or the sitter could be just plain dopey like my brother and tooth guy and not understand some HUGE OBVIOUS validations until after the show. JE's term for that very real occurrence is "psychic amnesia." If I, or someone I completely trusted( and had smarts as well as common sense) saw or heard something directly that could not be misconstrued, that would do it also. If I had a private reading that offered me nothing I would consider as proof even after reflecting on it, I would reconsider my belief in him as well. I know those are some pretty impressive requirements, but remember that I had a pretty impressive reading. Yes, I know most don't agree. That's all I can think of right now. If you think of something else that I have not covered, I am willing to take it into consideration and either add it to this list or explain why it wouldn't be good enough for me to consider it as a way to successfully discredit JE.
P.S. This is only the 999th time I have permanently left and then subsequently returned to this forum : )

This seems to be something you are proud of...If you cannot even say "I'm outta here", and stick the flounce, and stick to it, what is the rest of your word worth?

 

[Garrette]

There is, alas, an unwritten forum rule prohibiting disclosing the secrets of magic tricks. Garrette may be on thin ice exposing any more than he already has.

I think I'm safe, but the reminder is a good one. The first time I did it (Radio) I didn't really think it would work. When it did, I realized I was on to something which gave me the confidence for the next two attempts on later dates.

 

[ExMinister]

Ok, but what do you think?

Meg, what were your thoughts with this? Just curious.

 

[Robin1]

Robin, just a couple of quick questions.

Is there any film or recording of your readings? It would be interesting to revisit the exact words and sequence of words, as well as examining any miss's he may have had.

Also, in watching others being 'read', did you come up with any thoughts on 'miss's' and 'hits'? Such as ratio?

OK, sorry, I guess they aren't really quick questions!

Thank you.

Unfortunately, no, there are no recordings. I mentioned eons ago somewhere here the fact that JE won't let you tape is a big pet peeve I have against him! I even emailed his office about it but got nowhere. I also emailed his office hoping I could buy a recording from them...for reading with my Nana and Good 'n Plenty that I discuss in comments of my blog...and for reading here. I do believe a videotape is best way to evaluate a reading and audio 2nd best. Ironically ALL the fake psychics and mediums I have ever been to had absolutely NO problem with letting me tape the travesty. And I NEVER even listened to the tapes after...didn't need to. So I do agree that tapes are the best way to evaluate a reading but I don't believe it is the only way to know if a reading was real. That being said, I would sell my first-born to actually get my hands on tapes of those readings : ) What also annoys me about JE not letting people tape is that he is denying them what could be a beautiful memory to share with others and revisit whenever they want. I can sort of understand JE not allowing taping at public events but in no way understand him not allowing taping at a private reading.
As for other people's hit miss ratio I really didn't pay enough attention to it, but like I've said sometimes misses really are hits, so that's a toughie anyway.