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Raoul’s Two Cents: October 21, 2022

Do You Believe in Ghosts?

WARNING: Move to the jokes if sensitive about spiritual ideas.

“Your room is haunted,” declared Tata.

Tata is my Dad’s caregiver in our ancestral home in Dalipuga, Philippines. She, like many locals in the area, believes in multo (ghosts), dwende (elves), mangkukulam (witches), kapre (dark, hairy tree giants), and a host of other feared denizens of the night.

We were having dinner and I asked her if she heard the shrill of the neighborhood dog around 2am. It was as if it was being bludgeoned to death. To my surprise, Tata said that howling happens often. According to Tata, the dog is seeing a ghost of a young girl who was murdered years ago. The girl keeps going back to the scene of the crime. That’s when Tata opened up about the spirits around us.

She pointed at the far side of the garden and she said that’s one of the ghost’s favorite haunting spots. She said the upstairs guest room (where I stayed) was haunted. She often hears strange sounds coming from there even when no one was inside the room. She pointed at the rocking chair outside the guest room. “One time,” she said, “the rocking chair was rocking like someone was on it.” That’s why she doesn’t like to go upstairs. “Really?!?” I said with delight — “I’d love to meet that ghost.” You should have seen Tata’s bewildered expression. She didn’t think it was funny.

(Do you believe in ghosts? I don’t. I believe there are supernatural beings but not ghosts. I believe there are demons who pretend to be ghosts. Am I afraid? Nope. In fact, I don’t get scared watching any horror movie. They’re all Hollywood silliness to me. My God is greater than any of that.)

The next day, monsoon rain was coming and the wind started to shake the plants and trees. At the shaded area in the far side of the garden I imagined the “ghosts” were having a little party. That’s when a practical joke formed in my head. I took a picture and doctored it up a bit. And showed the picture to Tata. “Here is your ghost!” I declared.

Altered photo with “ghosts talking.”

Tata stared at it. I could tell what she was thinking — “Finally! Proof!” It was interesting to see her reaction. She tried to act calm and cool about it.

Then I told her it was fake. I even showed her the real photo but it made no difference. She still believes in ghosts and all the other silly superstitions. She didn’t see how gullible she was.

Unaltered photo.

It bothers me that some apparitions have turned locations into holy shrines. Why do they venerate something they do not understand? Why do they worship shapes and faces in trees or in dripping ceilings. Please forgive me for what I am about to say. I do not mean to be insulting but this is a genuine question: Isn’t it possible they may be praying to demons? Shocking, huh? And don’t take comfort in numbers. A lot of people can be wrong. I realize some of you may be into these kinds of practices (so no disrespect) — I’m just hoping you’d consider a perspective few talk about.

How do you differentiate demonic from angelic activity? Take a hint from scripture. Every time miracles (good things) or apparitions occur, the angels and holy men refuse to be worshiped by man. Instead they all point to God, the true source of power. Only the one true God is to be worshiped (the very first commandment). It’s an insult to give reverence to anyone else. Let that sink in.

“Most people don’t really want the truth. They just want the constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.” — Anonymous

“The reason you don’t know you’ve been lied to, conditioned and brainwashed is because you’ve been lied to, conditioned and brainwashed.” — Anonymous

Next time you see a man’s face in your toasted bread … just eat it.

But this is just me. TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Garie of Paranaque, Philippines

Video of the Week

Thanks to Wyne of Mandaluyong for this outstandingly funny and clever video.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Outstanding Halloween Costumes

I love Rodney’s sense of humor

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

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7 Comments

  1. Heather

    October 25, 2022 at 7:41 am

    The last picture says it all! I love it over and out.

    Reply

  2. Oscar

    October 25, 2022 at 7:41 am

    Good Morning Raoul, great read , yeah I don’t believe in ghosts either. I do believe in evil spirits because it wouldn’t make sense to believe in the Holy Spirit if i didn’t believe in evil spirits . With that said I also believe the Holy Spirit inside me makes me untouchable from all other spirits because our God is Greater than all Or anything out there. Hope all is well brother. 🙏❤️👍😊
    Oscar

    Reply

  3. Tom

    October 25, 2022 at 7:42 am

    Thanks Raoul. The only Ghost I believe in is what we used to call the Holy Ghost which is now labeled the Holy Spirit. Video of Made in China was hysterical. Take Kare and Bod Bless. Tom of Pasadena

    Reply

  4. Maria

    October 25, 2022 at 7:46 am

    I’m a Catholic and I am disturbed by your comments about praying to demons. Where in the Bible does it say that angels and holy men do not want to be worshipped? As you know, we pray to saints and other holy people.

    Reply

    • Raoul

      October 25, 2022 at 8:37 am

      Hi Maria. Thanks for your question.
      Off the top of my head, there is an instance in Acts 14:14 where Barnabas and Paul had just performed a miracle. The people (with great gratitude) were offering sacrifices to the two. Rather than accept the gifts, they tore their clothes and told the men to stop that because they too were men just like them.

      I found this: https://biblereasons.com/praying-to-saints/

      There are some articles that claim otherwise but I think their examples are taken out of context and have lots of assumptions. It’s a long controversial discussion for sure. But maybe if we focus on just the first two commandments, it’s quite obvious that worship should be exclusive to God alone and to represent or be reminded of God/Jesus in any statue or figurine is wrong. Why celebrate the suffering rather than the victory of the resurrection? Why encourage a martyr complex rather than a freedom from guilt and the joy in Christ?

      Reply

  5. Ysenia

    October 25, 2022 at 10:00 am

    I love these. Thank you for sharing!

    Blessings,

    Ysenia

    Reply

  6. Chuck

    October 27, 2022 at 3:21 pm

    Hi Raoul, Hope all is well. Are you doing anymore Holloween Caricature events this year? I am sending you a copy of a reply I sent to a facebook friend regarding Bullfights. Must my opinion but I thought you might find it interesting. Enjoy

    Years ago I invited a customer, Roberto Holland, a graduate of Paramount High School; he was also a bullfighter to come speak at our Jaycee Club. I was program chairman and invited him to come and speak at our Monterey Park Jaycees Club meeting. He was hesitant to come and speak in front of an audience. I reminded him that it would not be as dangerous as fighting a bull in the Plaza de Toros! He was great! Ole! He came with his father an Englishman, who was born in North Carolina. 2 X Ole! Robert gave an interesting answer when asked about the killing of the bulls. He said, that occasionally a Brave Bull was spared its life by the crowd and put out to pasture for the rest of its life with the cows; not very many true. But all other bulls are sent to the slaughter house for hamburger. If you were a bull he asked his audience, “What odds would you chose?” I have to say that much discussion ensued. Interesting program. I will have you know I don’t go to Bull fights, Bull and Bear fights, Dog or cockfights; nor Boxing Matches either for that matter. I don’t enjoy seeing a child of God get hit in the head and bloodied for other peoples enjoyment and bookies enrichment. Cj 😏

    Reply

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