General framework
The topic under discussion is debunking ghosts. There are many stories about individuals who claim to have experienced ghosts. Some individuals present photographs to show some of the ghosts they saw. The main reason for researching on the topic is the increase in conspiracy theories, and many individuals claim to have experienced ghosts. Despite such claims being many, it is hard to obtain concrete proof of the existence of ghosts. As a result, many people live in bewilderment of the truth about ghosts.
As a Christian, it is important to establish the truth about the existence of ghosts. This is because many Christians are being misled by ghost stories. Ghost stories are made popular by ghost hunting television shows. Although ghost hunters in such shows use complicated scientific equipment in their ghost hunting missions, they are unable to explain how these equipment capture ghosts. For instance, ghost hunters cannot explain the connection between ghosts and Electromagnetic Frequency (EMF) detectors or infrared lighting.
With the alleged increase in sightings of ghosts, the debate on the actual existence of ghosts has significantly increased. Skeptics of the existence of ghosts argue that people who claim to have seen or felt the presence of ghosts actually have funny sensations due to exposure to electromagnetic fields. Believers of ghosts normally rely on unexplained photographs or videos to show the presence of ghosts. Some of the presented photographs are so realistic that they baffle even the most skeptical non-believers of ghost stories.
The research is prepared from literature in various articles on the presence of ghosts, provide an explanation of ghosts and refute ghost stories as false. By doing the research, I will learn about the truth of ghost stories. As a Christian, I believe that souls of individuals who die are waiting for the judgment day. Information about ghosts is abundant in the media, and conspiracy theories increase the sensation of possible ghosts in our midst.
Specific purpose
The research will be limited to literature obtained in the last five years, and geographically limited to the United States. Although ghost stories are present everywhere in the world and in every culture, it is important to limit the study to the United States since most of the conspiracy theories are concentrated there.
Furthermore, most of the ghosts hunting television shows are more in the United States than in other nations. These television shows are lying and misleading viewers. This is because ghost hunters cannot explain many issues, such as how the equipment they use to hunt the ghosts work. The study will focus on the truth about the existence of ghosts and facts about ghost hunting television shows.
The main research question for the study is, “are ghost stories true, or are they made up in ghost hunting television shows to confuse people?” The research question is important because it will address the concerns of ghost story skeptics. Currently, there is a lot of literature over the internet on unexplained phenomena such as time travelers, extraterrestrial creatures, and ghosts.
However, there is no conclusive evidence to prove the presence of ghosts and aliens, among others. This is despite the presence of television shows purporting to find and sometimes communicate with ghosts. The working thesis of the study is that ghosts do not exist, and stories from ghost hunting television shows are false and misleading.
Some of the subsections to be included in the paper are some ghost stories in the United States, explanations offered by believers of ghost stories, explanations offered by skeptics of ghost stories, and biblical perspective of ghosts. The expected conclusion of the paper is that ghosts do not exist, and ghost stories are only meant to mislead people.
List of potential sources
- The books to use in the research are Blanco, M. P., & Peeren, E. (2013). The Spectralities Reader: Ghosts and Haunting in Contemporary Cultural Theory. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, and Danelek, J. A. (2010). The case for ghosts: An objective look at the paranormal. Woodbury, Minn: Llewellyn Publications.
- The journal article to use in the research is Townsend, T. (2013). Paranormal activity: do Catholics believe in ghosts? U.S. Catholic. 78 (10): 12 – 17.
- The general-interest magazine to use in the research is Ouellette, J. (October 31, 2011). Blithe spirits: science aint’t afraid of no ghosts. SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, p. 1A.
- The newspaper article to use in the research is Khan, U. (2009). Nationwide ghost debunking exercise launched by professor. The Telegraph, p. 1A.
- The general reference book consulted is Jinks, T. (2011). An introduction to the psychology of paranormal belief and experience. Jefferson, NC: McFarland Publishers.
- The person who will be interviewed is Richard Wiseman. Interviewing Richard Wiseman will provide immense understanding in the topic, and provide authoritative insight into truth about ghost stories. Previously, Wiseman was previously a professional magician, and he has more than 20 years’ experience in the topic.