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Danny,
There is no ruling on such activities per se, so the judgment call is
yours to make. While all acts of divination are forbidden, (seances, Ouija
boards, tarot cards, horoscopes, etc.), this seems to be in a different
category all together. (It seems unlikely to me that they would call on
ghosts but the question may be in your mind whether it is right to assert
the existence of ghosts at all.)
In any case, there is no abundance of material on ghosts in the Church
because it just isn't all worked out. We don't know that much about ghosts.
We know there are demons and angels but how other spirits may fit in isn't
all that clear.
- Are they possible? <Sure.>
Even Jesus had to convince his
disciples that he was not a ghost or spirit. cf.
Luke 24:36-39
36 As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them and said
to them, "Peace to you!". 37 But they were startled and frightened,
and supposed that they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, "Why
are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? 39 See my
hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit
has not flesh and bones as you see that I have."
Luke 24:36-39 (RSV)
So, we as Christians should not fear ghosts of the benign variety, for
they could be souls that God is in the process of finishing some strange,
spiritual business (kind of a stay-after-school Purgatory . . . who
knows) but the demonic spirits are certainly pause for concern. That is
why we do not practice divination of any sort. It is hard to discern the difference in a safe manner
when an evil spirit can appear even as an angel of light.
It would be advisable to talk through these things with your child at some
point because your silence will certainly be filled in by what the world thinks on this issue. You
don't have to claim to have all the answers, but only what we (the Church) know for
sure while having an open mind about the rest.
Another thought . . .
Jesus was visited by the [dead|faithful departed], Moses and Elijah, but clearly his powers
of discernment are infallible. Other Saints and visionaries have claimed
contact with Saintly souls, not least of which is the Blessed Mother herself.
For some reason, we tend to shy away from talk about ghosts because there
is a lot of gray area involved, and too much attention to it could potentially
lure some curious soul into the occult.
It is my opinion that frank discussion
with your child is the best policy. Don't worry too much about these
kind of phenomena and tours that call attention to them. If you frame it
in the right light, your child will be able to deal with all these things
in the future without fear or unhealthy curiosity.
Peace,
Bob Kirby
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