John Edwards: Talking to the Dead

[Gwion]

Just curious as to the concensus in the Pagan community on this individual.

[Siarlas]

I've been thinking about this since I first saw his show. After reading an article about him I'm leaning towards believing him... I'll vote when I've made up my mind.

[Garnet]

Some of the things he says seems to be really generalized that could be applied to almost anyone. Some of it seems to be fishing, as when he's asking more than telling. Some of the stuff he comes up with is "Ooooh, that's spooky" true.
I like the show, but I skipped seeing him live when he was here in town. I'm afraid he'd point to me, & give me a message from someone I really would rather not hear from. :lol:

[AmbivalentMirage]

I'm not sure. I'm a little leery about television/media psychics, readers, etc. :-/ I think that he does a lot of good...but at the same time, he takes all the credit and never thanks whatever it is he worships for endowing him with the gift of "seeing beyond the veil". I get worried when divinators lose their humility and become "starry-eyed".

[Saphra]

I tend to believe him, he seems to be for real.....
I also like him just because he makes so many people happy because they get to hear from their loved ones and know that they made it to the other side alright.

[st0rm]

I havnt even heard of him

[shnen]

there is no way of really knowing, but watching his show he seems to hit some things dead on, yes, he is wrong sometimes... but aren't we all???

[Old Witch]

John Edward is one of the few psychics I do believe in........

[Lavender]

Never seen his shows. I don't know anything about him. Your poll doesn't have an option for that.

[Raevyn]

IMHO he's a big fat crock. I think there's another thread about this here but I'm not sure - someone said the show is actually taped over 4 hours, but only one hour is shown. Having watched it several times he always seems to be guessing - last time I watched it he said "I'm getting something from someone's father..." He had a group of four people, and no one knew what he was talking about. He continued, saying they have this letter in their name.. they are very paternal.. they are older... still no answer.. "Do any of you have a friend who is very paternal", one of the four goes oh I have a friend who passed.. "was he very paternal?".. well no.. "was he a lot older".. well no, he was a bit older, but we were very close..

I was actually getting frustrated at that point - I had to watch it because I was visiting a friend who insisted they felt he was real, and I was going can't you see how he's fishing and guessing, can't you see how desperate people are to reach their loved ones that they try to agree with him even when he doesn't make sense?

While I do believe some spirits don't reincarnate, it's hard to imagine all these people he talks to have relatives or friends who decided not to move on. Further, people are so desperate to reach these people they grasp for anything, and he takes advantage of that. Finally, if he is real, and his messages come through that garbled and irregularly, he shouldn't try to have a show. You don't hire a plumber who can fix the pipes 25% of the time.

[Gwion]

it's a very demanding but effective improvisational con that people like him have been pulling for a long, long time. He's just the first one to get a TV show. My own mother (a recent widow) thinks he's a prophet. We don't discuss him.

[Sowelu]

I'm not sure if I'm familiar with this person. Is there an article about him somewhere?

[Gwion]

http://www.johnedward.net/ His page

http://www.skeptic.com/newsworthy13.html The real skinny

"Spiritualists" still use this method to bilk grieving family out of big bucks. Anyone can do it once you know how. You just need an air of absolute confidence and a reptilian conscience. He was going to do a 9/11 special to help families of the victims. The show was cancelled.

"People not only want it to be true, they need it to be true. It's the feel good syndrome. Everyone wants to be reassured about loved ones who have passed. Just once I want to find a spiritualist who says, 'Oh, well, sorry. She went to hell and I can't reach her.'"

[Raevyn]

I think I recall the term, from a friend who was going to work psychic phone lines.

[Valnorran]

I've never watched him but I'm skeptical, to say the least. He doesn't have to get many hits to be successful. Just a few correct statements will cause people to completely forget all his incorrect ones. As others have mentioned, people want to beleive him. Fishing for answers usually isn't difficult. In an audience of two hundred or so people, you can be sure every major cause of death will be represented. These guys always say something like, "I'm getting a feeling of pain here." and the touch their head or chest. Well, no s**t, Sherlock, most causes of death involve failure of either the heart or brain. It's like these other "prophets" who boldly predict, "There will be great upheavel in the Middle East." Well, gosh, that's pretty enlightening. Will sand be involved?

Most of their statements are very general. If they really get in a bind, they will have an accomplice planted in the audience about whom they can make predictions that will be startelingly accurate, but the generalizations are usually sufficient because people want to beleive them. According to Dogbert, the generalizations are called "gross prophet margin."

[Garnet]

I had seen an episode of his show where he did tell a guest that her abusive ex-husband had gone to hell...he said the woman's dead mother was saying that the guy had 'gone the other way'. It was pretty good. The guest was kind of prompting John Edward, steering him along towards her mother, but the bit about the ex had come out of the blue.
I think all psychics/pretenders can hit on something good once in a while. Once I went to a psychic, and most of what she was saying was nothing better than a newspaper horoscope column. As I was leaving, she said, "The way you're thinking of getting back at that guy is good. It will work well."
I had dated a someone a co-worker had set me up with (who was a temporary contractor where we worked). The guy was a momzer...we dated a few times & all he ever wanted to talk about was how mean every one was to him & how much I had in the bank, how much my house was worth, etc. He was saying awful things about me at work, & I was considering using him in a 'smallest in the world" story. Her last statement made me want to drop to the ground & scream.

[AmbivalentMirage]

Originally posted by Valnorran
These guys always say something like, "I'm getting a feeling of pain here." and the touch their head or chest. Well, no s**t, Sherlock, most causes of death involve failure of either the heart or brain. It's like these other "prophets" who boldly predict, "There will be great upheavel in the Middle East." Well, gosh, that's pretty enlightening. Will sand be involved?

:rotfl: I like that!! LOL.

I have to agree that I think he is a very trained manipulator and possibly PARTLY psychic. All you need is a few vibrations and a few courses in psychology to do what he does. You pick up a few general facts and then toy around with peoples' minds. It's kinda sad. =/

[MzNeko]

Anyone see the latest episode of South Park? :p

[Gwion]

I always felt this way about Edwards, but that South Park episode did indeed inspire this thread. Truly he is the biggest ____ in th Universe

[flar7]

and there is a new TV pschic outhere who will contact the other side!
Yep, fake as a three dollar bill. I agree that there are real psychics
out there, just not this boob.

[Psyche Ague]

I think he's a kook, but I don't really think he's hurting anyone...

[AmbivalentMirage]

Originally posted by Psyche Ague
I think he's a kook, but I don't really think he's hurting anyone...

I'm not sure that I agree. Lies and deceptions, no matter how small or well-meaning, DO hurt people in the end. =/

[Phoenix Blue]

It depends, I think. If he beleives in what he's doing, I'd say there's no harm in it. But if he believes he's a fraud, then there's potential for a great deal of harm--because then he is someone who willingly lies to people about the members of their family.

I tend to lean toward the former, to give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't think he's trying to hurt anybody. And when it's impossible to determine the outcome of an action, the intent becomes rather important. :)

[keelyoherne]

Originally posted by MzNeko
Anyone see the latest episode of South Park? :p

I did! Laughed my a** off! For some reason I am skeptical of all psychics who end up on TV. He coul be real, yet he could be as genuine as Miss Cleo.

Keely

[Jeleia]

I don't know about John Edwards. I've watched his show a few times. I'm pretty skeptical about it. But who knows...

[SisterJanet3]

I've gone back and forth with John Edward. I don't know what it is about him, but everytime I want to discount him, he pulls something out of no where that really stumps me. I really don't know which way to go with him.

Now Miss Cleo...she's always worth a good laugh. I almost feel sorry for that lady. I missed SP (damn it), but did anyone see the Mad TV sketch about Miss Cleo and 9/11? I thought that was really funny.

I wanna see the John Edward SP episode now! :)

[Aviendha]

I don't know what to think! The guy confusses the crap out of me! He'll say something and it's like well duh, but then he'll throw out something and your like holy crap! I don't know....others I have talked to about him think he's a s%!t head. But the other guy...I don't remember his name, but the new guy...they said he was for real. I haven't listened to his show yet. *shrug* I guess I wont know unless I went to see him and see if he could really do it. I guess you wouldn't know unless you went. Plus, they edit the thing and who knows how many opps he's had. You just never know.

[Mex]

I'm going to see the man himself in Sydney next month. :boing: Will keep you all posted!!!!

[Semele]

Originally posted by AmbivalentMirage
I'm not sure. I'm a little leery about television/media psychics, readers, etc. :-/ I think that he does a lot of good...but at the same time, he takes all the credit and never thanks whatever it is he worships for endowing him with the gift of "seeing beyond the veil". I get worried when divinators lose their humility and become "starry-eyed".

Are you sure you have ever really watched his show?? He constantly points out that he has no control over the messages he recieves. Also, in his books he goes into a lot of detail about his life and the way he came to accept his "gift". Worth a read even if you don't totally believe in his psychic ability.

I voted for the first choice, but I wondered if perhaps there could have been a third and more appropriate choice. How about for number 3: a gifted con artist who helps people.

I haven't really seen an episode where he appeared to cause any pain for guests, usually they appear much more relaxed and relieved....con or not it is a nice gesture in my opinion.

[Raevyn]

Yeah, sometimes I think since people often feel happy after that it's ok.

But then, I strongly disagree with lying/misleading even if it makes people happy. ;)

My fiance's ex wasted hundreds of dollars of his money on psychics because they "made her happy". I wonder if they told her he'd be leaving. :lol:

[Semele]

Originally posted by Raevyn
But then, I strongly disagree with lying/misleading even if it makes people happy. ;)

But, this is his work...the way he feeds his wife and new son. Why is he different than, say, a bartender? They sale drinks to people that are harmful to your health, especially if you choose to take risks and drive etc. What about a used care salesman or a clerk in a clothing store? Sometimes they may stretch the truth a little or give extra compliments to get you to make the large purchase that benefits them.


Originally posted by Raevyn

My fiance's ex wasted hundreds of dollars of his money on psychics because they "made her happy". I wonder if they told her he'd be leaving. :lol:

LOL! Sure people do waste a lot of money on a lot of different things. I know people who blow their entire paycheck playing Bingo and slot machines when they have unpaid bills and no groceries to feed their families...but that is not the fault of the Bingo parlors or casinos.

[Raevyn]

Why is he different than, say, a bartender? They sale drinks to people that are harmful to your health, especially if you choose to take risks and drive etc.

A bartender doesn't try to fool you into believing beer is good for you either, you don't go to a bar hoping he'll connect you with someone you love, who might give you guidance in life or let you know you made the right decision.

It's just alcohol :)

I would think communicating with the dead is a whole lot different then buying a beer or a car, especially when in the latter case you know what you're dealing with (none of us can say for sure we know what happens after death, for instance, but you know if you drink and drive you could kill people).

There's an entirely different set of emotions and consequences involved. And of course, I didn't say I agree with people "stretching the truth to sell things" in any form.


but that is not the fault of the Bingo parlors or casinos.

I didn't say it was "their fault". In the case I mentioned especially I think it's obvious the woman was stupid.

I don't think it's possible to lay all the blame on one or the other, but then you wouldn't see me working in bingo parlours either. I wouldn't be a part of it. People have to choose what they do based on their own ethics.

I can channel spirits too, as most anyone could probably if they tried, but my ethics say it's wrong to do that to convince people they can reach loved ones. Channelling simply doesn't work that way, in my experience, and "making people happy" by stretching the truth isn't within my ethics.

Another problem I have with this is even if I believed in reincarnation in the traditional sense, why would every spirit stay on the same plain so you could communicate with them? I'm sorry, I don't watch the show much and haven't read the book, does he explain that not all spirits stay near us, or how does he explain that?

[Gwion]

It has been said that any sufficiently advanced technology will appear to be "magic" to people of a less advanced culture. In the same way, an extremely intelligent, however fraudulent person, can seem "psychic" to a less "swift" person, (i. e. a "mark."), especially when that person is in a state of great emotional upheaval and will grasp desperately at any straw offered. For every John Edwards on TV, there are a lot more con artists just like him out making a killing off of bereaved widows and victim's families. I am capable of discriminating between that vileness and selling a car. There seems to be a naive tendancy these days to just accept every con artist and predator who promotes themselves as a misunderstood, slandered minority; and to discount their critics as closed-minded or prejudiced, which works out well for the con artists, whether they are selling necromancy or "religion."

[Semele]

Originally posted by Gwion
There seems to be a naive tendancy these days to just accept every con artist and predator who promotes themselves as a misunderstood, slandered minority; and to discount their critics as closed-minded or prejudiced, which works out well for the con artists, whether they are selling necromancy or "religion."

Yes, and for every naive person finding peace and comfort through whatever means they can, there is a strong minded, often loudmouthed person to tell them all the many reasons their comfort and peace are false. I just wonder what good it does to point out to peoploe that they are being "taken", when in fact they may need to be taken at that particular moment. To me, it is just like seeking comfort in religion or in the bottle...there are downsides to all things and most folks are keen enough to know that and still make a choice. I think we give too little credit to those we consider "less swift".


Also..his name is John Edward...no s. If you must critisize at least get the most basic facts such as his name correct. For the rest, feel free to use examples by authors for SKEPTIC magazine. HHMMMM, with a name like that you can kind of guess the intent of any and all research done huh?! If you look hard enough you can find support for any theory.

No, I am not a die hard fan of his, although I do find him to be a very interesting person. More importantly I feel that he is no more deserving of judgement and criticism than the many patrons and booth holders I meet at each Psychic fair I attend. He just chooses to make a living using his gift. His gift very well could be manipulation and con artistry...who knows?

[Semele]

Originally posted by Raevyn
A bartender doesn't try to fool you into believing beer is good for you either, you don't go to a bar hoping he'll connect you with someone you love, who might give you guidance in life or let you know you made the right decision.

Uh, well most bartenders I have ever known have one goal in mind...to sale the drinks and make tips. In order to make tips they generally have to be courteous at least to the folks they are serving. Often times, to keep them buying drinks they have to keep them talking. To keep them talking, they may need to act more interested than they actually are, i.e, decieve them into staying and chatting longer and even seeking the advice of a total stranger who they will tip very well depending on how sincere they feel the bartender is. Bartenders should get paid as much as therapists because they often double as them. You may not go in hoping to connect with a loved one, but you do have someevel of expectation, such as good service and conversation, and perhaps even......guidance in life. Everything is not so black and white that we are only truly seeking answers to serious questions when we go to a psychic or clergy member.


Originally posted by Raevyn

It's just alcohol :)

It's just death.


Originally posted by Raevyn

I would think communicating with the dead is a whole lot different then buying a beer or a car, especially when in the latter case you know what you're dealing with (none of us can say for sure we know what happens after death, for instance, but you know if you drink and drive you could kill people).

You said in the latter case you know what you are dealing with, you mean when buying a used car??? You know that it is safe and reliable and a good deal? Or do you mean that when dealing with used car salesmen you should know you may be dealing with someone who is less than honest?? A used car salesman is a lot like a psychic..you have to trust your instincts and make sound decisions based on the presentation given by the person. However, the decision to buy a car is usually a lot more expensive than a reading. If you get a bad or dud reading from a phoney psychic, you are out a little cash and maybe dissappointed. If you buy a lemon you are out a lot more money than you would spend on a reading and you run the risk of driving an unsafe vehicle.


Originally posted by Raevyn

People have to choose what they do based on their own ethics.

Exactly!! There isn't much point in trying to debunk someone who is giving psychic readings. even if we had physical proof that he was fake....he has to choose to use or not use his gift, whatever the gift may be, just like the clients he has have to choose whether or not to spend the monetary and emotional investment to have a reading.


Originally posted by Raevyn

Channelling simply doesn't work that way, in my experience

And surely you aren't so self centered or naive to think that it works exactly the same with and for all people.

[Gwion]

Originally posted by Semele
Uh, well most bartenders I have ever known have one goal in mind...to sale the drinks and make tips. In order to make tips they generally have to be courteous at least to the folks they are serving. Often times, to keep them buying drinks they have to keep them talking. To keep them talking, they may need to act more interested than they actually are, i.e, decieve them into staying and chatting longer and even seeking the advice of a total stranger who they will tip very well depending on how sincere they feel the bartender is. Bartenders should get paid as much as therapists because they often double as them.


I think I understand now. So by the same token, a prostitute who pretends to be physically or emotionally attracted to a John is merely using her natural gifts to increase her income. Um, is this Social Darwinism? I mean, preying on the "less swift," the emotionally needy, etc?

I think the earliest example I ever saw of someone doing a "cold reading" was Frank Morgan as "Professor Marvel" reading Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Now, certainly here is a benevolent example of a con man using his own natural gifts to help her; but how often does that happen in real life?

[Semele]

Originally posted by Gwion
I think I understand now. So by the same token, a prostitute who pretends to be physically or emotionally attracted to a John is merely using her natural gifts to increase her income. Um, is this Social Darwinism? I mean, preying on the "less swift," the emotionally needy, etc?


Yup..you have it exactly correct. But it isn't only the "seedy" side of life that benefits from our various gifts. For instance you seem to have a gift for quoting a great playwrite and attempting to make his words fit your life at specific moments. Obviously you use the gift of deciding which of his words fit each situation...granted it is lost on a great many folks who think you are a quack...but you do it none the less.

As for the less swift..I have to point out again that we may think they are getting hosed when in fact they usually are aware of it themselves. We are never as swift as we think we are...it just sometimes makes us feel more swift if we can point out the "mistakes" others are making. And please...we are all emotionally needy, we just find different methods to meet those needs. Some by utilising the services of prostitutes or psychics or clergy or loved ones or by quoting the bard all the time because we can't find our own words.

[Raevyn]

Originally posted by Semele
Uh, well most bartenders I have ever known have one goal in mind...to sale the drinks and make tips.

That doesn't mean they have to or they always do either, nor does it mean I agree with that if they do. I know bartenders, car salesmen, and so on, who don't do that. I consider lying or misleading people wrong, as I mentioned, whether it's selling drinks or cars or "communicating with the dead".


It's just death.

It's "just death"? That's kind of a scary comparison.

To me, buying a lemon or a beer is not comparable to trying to reach lost loved ones.

And it's not that "we are only truly seeking answers", it's that the two are vastly different animals.


You said in the latter case you know what you are dealing with, you mean when buying a used car???

You know what a car is, what it does, that it might work and might not, that it might run or might not, and most importantly that it's a material object usually with little emotional attachment compared to, say, a family member.

I would say, IMHO, buying a car or beer is a lot less risky and has a lot less emotional involvement then trying to connect with a loved one.


Exactly!! There isn't much point in trying to debunk someone who is giving psychic readings.

Sure there isn't much point in it, beyond discussing something on a forum, which is what we're doing, no?


And surely you aren't so self centered or naive to think that it works exactly the same with and for all people.

Well that would be why I said, "in my experience", don't you think?

You're coming off as saying "that's not true for everyone so don't post it". I apologize if I'm misreading it but that's how it seems. It should be self evident that what I post is my opinion, and if it's not I'll point it out again. I don't have to agree with John Edwards or doing that to say it's valid.

In my case this is a subject close to my life, what with losing so many family members this year, including two babies. I would hope if it were me, and someone strongly disagreed with John Edwards or what he's selling, they'd help me find comfort in knowing my family and my babies have moved on, that their goals were reached. I would hope someone would let me know that they don't agree with spending money on going to psychics to communicate with my dead children, but would instead comfort me through accepting the truth and the hurt involved.

I wouldn't want someone to say "oh well if it makes you happy to believe that..". It certainly wouldn't have served me to believe my children's spirits would be here. Sorry, that's what I believe and that's all there is to it.

It's got nothing to do with "being more swift" or "less swift", it's got to do with the fact that I've been there, and to me that's not the way to get out of it. I certainly don't consider myself stupid for wanting a comfy way out, but that doesn't mean I think it's a good thing either.

So based on my feelings and experiences, that's my opinion. Obviously I can't control someone else, and that's not why I'm here, but since I came to a forum to answer the question based on my belief, that's what I did. Beyond that I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. *shrugs*

[Gwion]

Well those folks are just skanky wannabes.

[Semele]

Originally posted by Gwion
Well those folks are just skanky wannabes.

Only Warning: Any further pot shots at anyone on this board and you will be gone. At least try to come up with something more elegant than skanky wannabe next time you insult me, or is that not possible for you unless you read it elsewhere first?

[Gwion]

And referring to me as a "quack" is not a potshot? Really wearing your hypocrisy on your sleeve...You bore me. In fact, I don't think I much like your attitude.

Let a beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at
the king's mess: 'tis a chough; but, as I say,
spacious in the possession of dirt.
Hamlet, Hamlet, V, ii

[Semele]

Originally posted by Raevyn


It's "just death"? That's kind of a scary comparison.

How so?


Originally posted by Raevyn

You're coming off as saying "that's not true for everyone so don't post it". I apologize if I'm misreading it but that's how it seems. It should be self evident that what I post is my opinion, and if it's not I'll point it out again. I don't have to agree with John Edwards or doing that to say it's valid.

Not at all...I welcome posts with feelings and opinion, however it does strange things to me...like encourage me to post my own thoughts and opinions.


Originally posted by Raevyn

I would hope if it were me, and someone strongly disagreed with John Edwards or what he's selling, they'd help me find comfort in knowing my family and my babies have moved on, that their goals were reached. I would hope someone would let me know that they don't agree with spending money on going to psychics to communicate with my dead children, but would instead comfort me through accepting the truth and the hurt involved.

I do not believe that for a minute. If anyone tried to tell you that you were mourning the wrong way or seeking the wrong kind of comfort, you would hate them for trying to tell you what to feel. What you need to do to deal with your loss is not necessarily the same thing another person needs. The most important thing is that noone needs to be told that they are making a mistake when they are trying to deal with it.

I can understand if it were a situation where you see a friend literally contacting a psychic before making any move. That is not an option in this case because he is such a busy psychic that he doesn't have time for repeat clients right now.


Originally posted by Raevyn

I wouldn't want someone to say "oh well if it makes you happy to believe that..". It certainly wouldn't have served me to believe my children's spirits would be here.

But it might serve another parent very well.


Originally posted by Raevyn

Sorry, that's what I believe and that's all there is to it

You don't have to be sorry..that is the beauty.

[Semele]

Originally posted by Gwion

And referring to me as a "quack" is not a potshot?

Yeah, but it was smashed in with a point that you obviously missed!


Originally posted by Gwion

Really wearing your hypocrisy on your sleeve...You bore me. In fact, I don't think I much like your attitude.?

That's ok....Bye Bye!



Originally posted by Gwion

Let a beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at
the king's mess: 'tis a chough; but, as I say,
spacious in the possession of dirt.
Hamlet, Hamlet, V, ii

I knew you wouldn't let me down.

[Raevyn]

Originally posted by Semele
I do not believe that for a minute. If anyone tried to tell you that you were mourning the wrong way or seeking the wrong kind of comfort, you would hate them for trying to tell you what to feel.

You'd be surprised.

[Draca]

He may be a fake but he sure has a smooth act. I know a lot of people who claim they can talk to the dead. They make no money at this, I wonder if anyone can do this? I think there is something around that we call ghosts. So many people cant be crazy, at least I hope not.

[SuperHeroGirl]

i was acualy watching his showtoday and they had clips about Louis Acompora () theboy who died from being hitin the chest w/ a lax ball ) he went to my school and was in my grade. And you could reallytell ( mostly by his sisters face ) that everyhting he as saying was true. I think its really amazing.

[Drisel]

Okay so it may be lame to quote an online comic but I'm going to anyway as it expresses my opinion better than I could.
http://www.pvponline.com/archive.php3?archive=20020401
oh and take a look at the next few frames, if only for a giggle.

[SimplyStrange]

I'm always skeptical about stuff on TV, especially John Edwards. There was an awesome SNL skit I think it was about him. Everytime I watch him it takes him ten guesses, and it's always
"i'm seeing a father... "
Audience: *blank stares*
Then someone goes "i have a dead father"
John: I see older, older...and older man.
Audience Member: "Yes! He was old when he died"
John: Natural causes
Audience Member: No...
John: Non natural
Audience member: "YES!"
"Car accident"
"No."
"Murder"
"Choking"
"No"
"Ski accident"
"No"
"Explosion"
"No"
"Plane Crash"
"No"
"Fall"
"No"
"Hang gliding crash"
"No"
"...accident... of some...kind...?"
"YES!"

... I mean... come on, I could have done that. I suppose I'm one of those people that believes it when it happens to me. I do believe in psychics, but TV psychics weird me out, especially because how am I supposed to be sure if that's a real audience member?

All in all, I don't believe in making a profit off of your gift, so real or not, he loses points there with me.

[Garnet]

I saw an episode a couple of days ago, where he was pointing at a woman & saying, "There's a George that's coming through for you. He died of..." The woman nodded & waited for the next revelation. On the other side of the audience3, another woman burst into hysterical weeping that she had a dead George in her family. John E. never talked to her at all. He also did a reading for Gene Simmons & walked off because Gene wasn't agreeing with anything John said.
I've seen an episode of 'Beyond' with James van Praagh. Same show, different medium.

[Sovaan]

I'm with Gwion and Raevyn on this one. I've never met the man nor have I seen him live and in person, but based on what I've seen on his show, it seems pretty clear to me that he's doing "cold reading" (as someone else pointed out). Yeah, every now and then he'll hit on something that seems too specific to be a coincidence, but con artists have their ways of coming up with that sort of stuff.

Semele, with all due respect, I absolutely disagree with you that what's he's doing is OK or harmless and I find your comparison to being a bartender a spurious analogy.

Part of what makes us human is our self-awareness, which includes knowing that we are mortal. The knowledge of our own mortality shapes who we are and how we relate to other people and the world around us. It is one of the forces that have driven the human progress and culture.

Any information that deliberately misleads people about the nature of life and death is both dangerous and unethical, even if it's done with the best of intentions. Maybe Edwards makes people feel better and gives them some comfort, but that comfort is, in my humble opinion, inauthentic. It has nothing to do with accepting the loss of your loved one, grieving, and moving on with your own life. It's more about clinging to the loved one, not letting them go, and fantasizing that they are standing right by, always with you and watching over you. I think it's unhealthy, and I'll wager that psychologists who study death and dying would agree with me.

Furthermore, as a pagan, although I don't hold to an anthropomorphized notion of Death as an individual being (although I don't discount the possibility either), I do believe that there are gods, goddesses, and other beings/forces/powers that either have Providence over the realm of the dead and/or the experience of death and dying. Out of respect and reverence for those beings, I would not dare to pretend to know what happens in whatever existence lies beyond this one (if there is one). Although I can't expect Jon Edwards to act according to my belief system, I can't in any way support or justify what he's doing.

--Sovaan

P.S. I thought the South Park episode was *brilliant*. Not only did it do a good job explaining the scam Edwards was pulling, but offered a nice explanation for why what he was doing was WRONG.

[Sabrina]

Greetings:

I believe that at sometimes John Edwards appears to be 'searching' for ways and means to 'connect' with someone in his audience. After all, the setting wouldn't really lend itself to perfect readings now would it? Lights, camera, action sortof thing....and 1,2,3."John, Your ON..."
ouch
so I think under the circumstances the man does the best he can...and oft times why he seems to be either taking too fast or creating that connection as he goes along. I heard him speak on it once (connecting to the audience) and that sometimes his "messages" arent exactly clear...but he may feel "drawn" to a certain portion of the room...until things become more clear.

For me, however, the fact of wether or Not I believe in his abilities 100% or the circumstances under which he attempts to preform his 'gift' to interact between the passed and the living, isnt the most important part...
to me...the most important factor is that there IS a show about the afterlife on television and that it gains in popularity from week to week. Apparently more and more people are watching. I'd say that most are watching on a purely curious standpoint - but no matter...
it is in the medium of television that many people are reached these days - lets face it...radio and newspapers have taken a back seat to TV...
and if John Edwards can at least "intice" more people to believe that there is more to death than simply a hole in the ground...and he helps transports the human mind as to the potential that there's more to life than just what you can see with you eyes..

then I commend his work.

Possibly, more and more people can come to open their minds when they can see a psychic or paranormal educator at work?

At times does he seem to stutter into a discussion between the living and the passed? Sure he does...what psychic is 100% every moment? But if he causes more people to raise an eyebrow and at least muster that "I wonder if this is possible" feeling inside...then I say "Go John!!!"...

These type of occurances, activities and mysteries of life are all connected with the circle of life and death....all a part of the wheel of time and the seasons of the earth and ANYTHING that would bring these connections - or at least that they are possible - but bring such possibilities into the LIGHT....
then I say that they are positive.

[Sabrina]

Greetings:

I believe that at sometimes John Edwards appears to be 'searching' for ways and means to 'connect' with someone in his audience. After all, the setting wouldn't really lend itself to perfect readings now would it? Lights, camera, action sortof thing....and 1,2,3."John, Your ON..."
ouch
so I think under the circumstances the man does the best he can...and oft times why he seems to be either taking too fast or creating that connection as he goes along. I heard him speak on it once (connecting to the audience) and that sometimes his "messages" arent exactly clear...but he may feel "drawn" to a certain portion of the room...until things become more clear.

For me, however, the fact of wether or Not I believe in his abilities 100% or the circumstances under which he attempts to preform his 'gift' to interact between the passed and the living, isnt the most important part...
to me...the most important factor is that there IS a show about the afterlife on television and that it gains in popularity from week to week. Apparently more and more people are watching. I'd say that most are watching on a purely curious standpoint - but no matter...
it is in the medium of television that many people are reached these days - lets face it...radio and newspapers have taken a back seat to TV...
and if John Edwards can at least "entice" more people to believe that there is more to death than simply a hole in the ground...and he helps transports the human mind as to the potential that there's more to life than just what you can see with you eyes..

then I commend his work.

Possibly, more and more people can come to open their minds when they can see a psychic or paranormal educator at work?

At times does he seem to stutter into a discussion between the living and the passed? Sure he does...what psychic is 100% every moment? But if he causes more people to raise an eyebrow and at least muster that "I wonder if this is possible" feeling inside...then I say "Go John!!!"...

These type of occurances, activities and mysteries of life are all connected with the circle of life and death....all a part of the wheel of time and the seasons of the earth and ANYTHING that would bring these connections - or at least that they are possible - but bring such possibilities into the LIGHT....
then I say that they are positive.

[Wyrdsister]

Originally posted by Drisel
Okay so it may be lame to quote an online comic but I'm going to anyway as it expresses my opinion better than I could.
http://www.pvponline.com/archive.php3?archive=20020401
oh and take a look at the next few frames, if only for a giggle. Hee hee hee! I Love PvP! Yes, this thread was good. :)

Wyrdsister

[Epona44]

I can't really make up my mind about him. My mother in law, who just lost her husband of 42 years, watches that show religiously.

I've seen plenty of episodes, but I just can't decide either way. He's convincing, certainly. But, why is he doing television?

[ShadowStorm]

...but uses showbiz to play himself up.

He's too accurate NOT to be telling the truth.

Unless they have PAID everybody on that show to give away their secrets so that he looks good.

Who knows.

He's a nice looking boy at any rate!!!! :boing:

[Wyrdsister]

Originally posted by Epona44
... But, why is he doing television? To make money? *shrugs*

Wyrdsister

[Wyrdsister]

Originally posted by ShadowStorm
He's a nice looking boy at any rate!!!! :boing: Now, THAT I can agree with! hehe! ;)

Wyrdsister

[Stacy]

SimplyStrange :rotfl:

You are Right!!!! I've seen similar sceenes on his shows.. Than I stopped watching him..

I really don't know if he really feels something, or is he a fraud, or a good guesser, or he has real visions occasinally just manages to smoothly cover the times when he has no visions..

But no matter what he is, he's really good at that and I commend him on that!

[SimplyStrange]

Let's put it this way: Some people are going to believe and some aren't...

...then again, there are still people who believe the guests on Jerry Springer are real. :p

[Stacy]

Originally posted by SimplyStrange
...then again, there are still people who believe the guests on Jerry Springer are real. :p
:rotfl:

You know, I used to have a lot of fights with my ex bf about Jerry Springer.. He was completelly sure that ALL OF IT is real.. And, ok, I don't say that everything is fake (even though I do beleive that), but, come on! It seems soooo obvious on a lot of his shows..

[Mex]

Originally posted by Wyrdsister
To make money? *shrugs*

Wyrdsister

I read in his book that the reason he does readings on television is that it is part of his 'quest' to reach as many people as he can. Television gives him the opportunity to reach millions, no medium can do that in normal cirmcumstances. From what I can see he has only reached people in a positive way, personally I don't see anything wrong with that.

[adayinmylife]

I have watched his show many times and I think he is for real!!!!!Yes I know there are alot of cons out there but in my mind he has a gift. I would like to go see him but in a private reading only.. I'm affraid of what some of the people that have crossed would say.
I would love to hear from a few people.

[adayinmylife]

I believe in people power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I know that once I'm gone............I will find some way to talk to the people that are left here.If that takes a person with a gift like his......then fine.Mean while we all need money to live on earth and his gift is what makes him his money.What is wrong with that???? He doesn't force anyone to go to the show so if people pay for it then I don't blame him. I wish people would pay me for my gift......oh wait.. thats illigal hahahahaha. ok.....for real now.....how can any of you not believe in gifts like this?? You believe in taro cards but not a person havening the answers???? Come on!!!!!!!!! I do believe that some people have gifts and he is one of us. I have some psycic abillitys and yes........it runs in the family. I have been trying to build on them with some help. For example...the day my mom went into the hospital with conjestive heart faillier....I had no idea but my stomack felt sick.........after the phone call, I knew why. Also My Gram passed 3 years ago and has come to me in visions..........it was her with no doubt in my mind. So why is it so hard for you all to addmit that some people have "gifts"? A few do and have built them up to make a life for themselves. I would to if I could.........give me a bit and I might. I just know things....somehow someway.....I just know them. A gift??? I hope so. J.E. has a gift and I say "more power to him" Go John!!!!!

[SimplyStrange]

For one, we didn't all say we believed in Tarot cards.

And two, we're not saying that people do not have gifts. Most of us actually have said "I believe in psychics, just not him".

I strongly believe in gifts. I believe everyone has a gift of some sort... I just believe his talents come more in the form of acting. That's my opinion. But remember, he is just one of many out there.

[Danustouch]

my personal opinion of John Edward, is that he DOES have a gift. That he IS psychic. I've never been to his show, or to a private session....but there are sometimes that he is SO dead on, about SUCH obscure facts, that he couldn't possibly know..from anything BUT a psychic flash. I've heard the rumors that he looks for credit card records. I've heard the rumors that he "mike's" people waiting in line..etc...But...I try to keep in mind that the people who circulate these rumors, and try to debunk John Edward so much, are the people like "Skeptics" magazine..etc. These same people are the people who try to debunk Faith Healers, and Guru's, and anyone else who makes any sort of paranormal, or supernatural claim. They make the accusations, but...what are their sources? Do they provide the references for their research? The Evidence? Or just make claims which sound logical, and plausible? Why is it so much easier, to believe these skeptics, than to believe John?

I've experienced channelling. And i've experienced psychics. I've both given and received these experiences. So it is not difficult for me to believe that he COULD be real.

I will agree, that there are times where he "reaches" for the info. I'll even agree that there are times he tries to "force" the issues.. but...my opinion of that, is that John Edward is under TREMENDOUS pressure to EARN his "validity" in the eyes of others, and to EARN the tremendous fee's that he charges, and what he earns from his show. My opinion is that he probably DOES have a powerful gift...but... perhaps he has lost sight of it, in all the hype of media, etc. In other words..now he has become MORE concerned about using the media as a method of reaching MASSES of people, instead of reaching Individual people. Now..he is trying to PROVE himself, rather than trying to help people. Now..he is concerned about ratings, and funding, and advertising, and living up to the reputation which he has created for himself...so much..that he is willing to reach for things that aren't there. Or to sometimes take an easy route (such as eavesdropping, or checking credit cards)... simply because he feels so much pressure to BE right.

As a psychic, a tarot reader, and even someone who has channelled, I can tell you that there ARE times when I am NOT right about something. But...i'm not charging in most cases. In the cases where I DO charge for a reading, if I am wrong, I am able to say..."Okay... you know what..for whatever reason..I am realllllllly having trouble reading today. I am really not connecting with you...not feeling your energy correctly..getting interference" or whatever. And I'm able to say..."So...I'm sorry that this was a waste of your time, I hope you found SOMETHING in this to walk away with. But...this one's on me. No charge". John doesn't have that luxury. Corporate Sponsors, All the Network Advertising, all that stuff...get's in the way. In order to keep his reputation up enough to interest viewers, sponsors, networks, publishers, etc, he doesn't have the luxury of being wrong all that often. And when he is, he can't admit to it.

In other words, his pride, and the web that he has gotten himself into, has gotten in the way of his gift.

My feeling, is that as time goes on, he will become less, and less "right" about things, because more and more, he is losing sight of his ultimate goal. I believe he started out with good intentions, and a natural gift. But I also think that it is impossible to walk a line where you make millions of dollars a year for that gift, and NOT lose a bit of it... NOT compromise yourself.

Cold reading, as some call it, is still, in a sense, following your intuition. If that is what he is doing. And I see him doing that SOMETIMES..but then others, I see him honestly getting intuitive flashes. So...my opinion is that there was a natural gift in him....but he took it for granted, and lost sight of the responsibility, and reason why that gift was given.

[Azure]

I've watched him, and he does seem to me to have something beyond cold reading going on - and most "mediums" I've seen on TV are so obviously cold reading. But all his info seems so determined by the past, I tend to think he's just a plain old psychic tuning in on people's memories.

[Raevyn]

Originally posted by Mex
I read in his book that the reason he does readings on television is that it is part of his 'quest' to reach as many people as he can.

Oh that's certainly possible. I know many of us wish we could "reach" people. At the same time, you didn't expect him to write "hell I just want to make money!" did you? :)

Stacy,


He was completelly sure that ALL OF IT is real.. And, ok, I don't say that everything is fake (even though I do beleive that), but, come on! It seems soooo obvious on a lot of his shows..

An acquaintance of mine back in highschool was on Ricki Lake (which is basically a local copy of Jerry Springer) - he went on with a few of his friends. In exchange for a hotel stay, limo, gifts, and so on, they "exaggerated" their story. Instead of saying he made good money and understandably bought himself nice stuff with it, they told people that "they were fighting because he was throwing his money around and they were always having to loan him money because he wasn't paying his bills", or something like that.

And this is just the local rag - I have no doubt Springer's guests are paid to be more outrageous.

[Stacy]

Originally posted by Raevyn
An acquaintance of mine back in highschool was on Ricki Lake (which is basically a local copy of Jerry Springer) - he went on with a few of his friends. In exchange for a hotel stay, limo, gifts, and so on, they "exaggerated" their story. Instead of saying he made good money and understandably bought himself nice stuff with it, they told people that "they were fighting because he was throwing his money around and they were always having to loan him money because he wasn't paying his bills", or something like that.

And this is just the local rag - I have no doubt Springer's guests are paid to be more outrageous.

Hehehe..I KNEW it! :D

Thanks for posting that.

[SagaDraco]

A cold-calling con artist, who won the "Biggest Douche of the Universe Award" on South Park. I am amazed it's a 50-50 tie regarding this fraud! Throw in "ringers/accomplices" in the audience and you have a convincing psychic. REAL psychics are incredibly rare, with only a handful every generation, and most of those, not surprisingly tend to be insane or substance abusers.

[Danustouch]

A cold-calling con artist, who won the "Biggest Douche of the Universe Award" on South Park. I am amazed it's a 50-50 tie regarding this fraud! Throw in "ringers/accomplices" in the audience and you have a convincing psychic. REAL psychics are incredibly rare, with only a handful every generation, and most of those, not surprisingly tend to be insane or substance abusers.

Boy..with that, you've probably insulted half the membership here at MW. Personally, I don't think that Psychic ability is a "rare" or "Singular" gift. I think it is a gift that we ALL have, many people simply haven't opened themselves up enough to let it flow. How many times have you "intuitively" felt something negative was going to happen if you followed through on your plans to go out that evening? How many times have you intuitively felt that someone was "not a good person to hang around with". That is psychic ability...it's that little jab in the ribs that says.."Hey..pay attention...Warning signal..coming through!". But..alot of people DONT pay attention to that little kick. They are afraid of being seen as paranoid, or loony, or weak and afraid. I know that in my own life, I've ignored little psychic jabs on numerous occasions, and been much worse the wear for it.

When I do a tarot reading for someone, alot of times they will ask me if this is something you can learn, or something you are born with. I tell them that it's a little bit of both. I believe that we are ALL born with the ability to "see" into the future...born with intuition, born with psychic ability..but...there are those who learn HOW to access that ability, and those who continue to ignore it.

[Storm]

Danu, I totally agree with you both last post and the one prior.

I read both his books and I understand the process. It's like the spirits aren't having an actually conversation with him. That is more energy than they can give or he can handle. So he gets images. Things he knows and understands. For intance pink roses, body parts, stop signs..there are audio messages..he'll hear a song or a name but he's got to pay attention, some spirits are stronger than others. Also he said the message is never wrong..it's either him misinterpreting or the people he is reading missing something...many times it makes sense later. You know what, I am not a writer. I recommend anyone read his book. MY intuition tells me he is sincere.

People are under the impression that if you're psychic, you know what they are thinking, what's going to happen tomorrow, what team will win the superbowl, lottery numbers. It's not like that. Some people can communicate with the other side, some get glimpses of the future. It is imperfect at best.

At any rate I hope he doesn't lose site. He says his main goal has always been just to reach people, open minds.

[Malkosha]

I'd like to think that loved ones move on after they chunk the "old bod". It seems that everyone he talks to has spirits of dead relatives hanging around just waiting to say, “Hey! Since I’m dead and have nothing better to do, I’ve been hanging around watching you and recommend that you change toilet paper brands to avoid chaffing and that scratchy feeling”.

He has a slick production and asks just enough questions to make it believable, but I don’t buy it at all. I have no doubt that everyone has a special gift … they just need to search for it … but I question whether such gifts come so professionally packaged like old John’s are.

[Rani Drummond]

I'm interested to read the post from Superherogirl about someone she knows "coming through". Is there anyone else in a similar situation, or who has actually been to this guy's show live? Because I'm automatically skeptical about anything on TV, they can make anything look real if they want.
But, if he is gifted in this area, then why shouldn't he make a profit out of it? I would read "living" for "profit", and we all have to make one somehow. I would rather do it with my gift, than do something I don't care about, badly, to pay my rent! Especially seeing as just about any job which is ethically sound involves using what I would call one's gifts.

[Knight]

Hi! This is my first posting.

I've just finished reading the book "The Afterlife Experiments" by Gary E. Schwartz. He had also written "The Living Energy Universe". Basically, he and his wife have been conducting scientific experiments trying to prove or disprove survival of the soul after death. Their living energy theory predicts that some aspect of personality should survive death. They gathered several psychics, one of whom was John Edward, and conducted a series of experiments. Each round became increasingly rigorous, especially after convening a panel of "devil's advocates" to try to weed out possible fraud. They also consulted with a stage magician/ mentalist.

In the final round of experiments, in which Mr. Edward participated, the psychics began their "reading" ten minutes prior to the formal sitting. Then, the subject of the sitting called the psychic by telephone from a remote location. There was no direct contact between the psychic and the subject. An intermediary passed questions and responses back and forth so the psychic would have no physical or voice cues to work off of. For the first ten minutes before the call, and the first ten minutes on the phone, the psychic gave impressions without any yes or no responses from the subject.

All the subjects were chosen by the experimenters, and their identities kept secret from the psychics. Afterward, the information given by the psychics was transcribed, then graded by the subjects for accuracy on a scale from +3 for very accurate to -3 for very inaccurate. To try to eliminate wishful thinking by the graders, the tanscripts had no identification on them to let them know which transcript was theirs, and they were given another transcript at random as a control. All of the sessions were audiotaped and videotaped.

The results were, by the author's report, very convincing. The odds against random chance were very high. The stage mentalist told them that what the psychics were doing was not cold reading, or any other trick he could duplicate.

The book also touches on compulsive skepticism. That is, some people, no matter how much evidence, will never be convinced of anything they resolutely refuse to accept. One of the devil's advocates, when shown how high the odds were that this was not random chance replied, "That still doesn't prove it isn't random chance." If such a skeptic demands odds of a thousand to one against, and gets them, he will ask for a million to one. Or as one psychic put it, "There's never enough proof."

Perhaps the author is lying, and helping to perpetuate a scam. But what if he's not?

[Knight]

I just thought I'd add one of the "hits" from the book that John Edward made during a reading. He said he saw a box of Parliament cigarettes with something hidden in them that shouldn't be there. It turned out that the subject's mother had died of lung cancer, but she had insisted on smoking. Her brand? Parliaments. When the author asked his control group of college students to guess what brand the mother smoked, none came up with anything that obscure.

What was hidden in them? The subject's son had, in an attempt to alleviate his grandmother's pain, laced her cigarettes with marijuana. Again, when the student control group was asked to guess what was unusual about grandma's cigarettes, none guessed that anything like that.

It's this kind of weirdly specific information that makes it hard for me to call fraud. Again, they could all be lying. But if they're not...(cue the Twilight Zone theme).

[Blueowl]

I too have a hard time with Jonathan Edwards....they did a spot on him on 60 minutes last year and out of like 5 so called psychics, Jonny Boy had the highest instance of hits!!! I was impressed. I think he does have agift, but it shouldn'tb e exploited...like don't charge people money for tickets to come see your show and never have achance to help everyone...but thati sjust me...
On the humorous side of things, did anyone watch SOuth Park the othernight? Jonny boy was a star!!! lol if you didn't get to see it, it was pretty funny!! But then, I have an odd sense of humor!:apirate: :boing: :evilway: :smoke:

[Chibi-Fallon]

That South Park episode was the first thing I thought of. 8O

[Blueowl]

:rotfl:

ME TOO!!!!!!!! lollolololol I started to chuckle as soon as I got into this forum...kills me I lvoe that show!!! Di dyou also see the episode with the Poo Choo Express? And taking Christmas to Ahfganistan? That was a good one too!

[Tiana_Ecarias]

I can't say either way, I've never been there in person, so you miss a lot. (feelings and such about HIM;)

When I had lost some one very close to me die, I was glad there were a few close friends to remind me, "they are gone, you can't bring them back" so I didn't try and torture myself with con artists, or even those who CAN talk with the dead and try and get a hold of the person.

I guess it all depends on your point of veiw, the people he talks to WANT to believe, and
nothing ANYONE, even the loudmouthed people, can say will disuade them from that belief.

If he is a con, wich I doubt, I think he feels something, and just goes with it, where ever it may lead. Anyways, he will be found out, Miss Cloe was(what a poor example, no offence to her), but most con artists are exposed.

As for a show talking about the dead, about dang time. To long it's been a subject taboo for tv. Brining it out into the spotlight(in my opinion) makes it a bit easier to talk about I guess.

There are my 2 cense.

[Sylvan]

Undecided here. He is making a truckload of money off his readings, and the waiting list is years long. Hubby's aunt has been on the list ever since her father died suspiciously a few years ago. She and the rest of the family went to a taping of his show in Providence, and were convinced that Pepere would come through, his story was too tragic to be overlooked. But no mention ever came that they could say was for them.

On the other hand, the people he *does* talk to wind up so happy after they're done. Whether it's real or not, those people are getting closure, which I think is totally valuable.

I can only hope that when Aunt gets a face-to-face that she hears what she needs to hear, that answers are found, and that she doesn't feel gypped.

[Hoot]

I need to catch up with the world! I haven't ever heard of John Edwards the psychic. When I saw this, at first I thought you were talking about John Edwards, the politician...

:lol:

[Romani Vixen]

I think he has *some* gifts. But the majority of what I've seen on his show is a matter of numbers. He talks about a dead relative named John. Never some obsecure name.... "There's a woman" ... welll everyone knows women and most have at least one that died. Then to relation... he fishes... names... common ones and usually letters to start... It's a numbers game with a few instances of ... cool...

[Romani Vixen]

Anyone see the latest episode of South Park? :p
ohhh... what episode? when did it air?

south park freak with out cable,
FalconSong

[Romani Vixen]

Now Miss Cleo... there's a psychic! lol

Really, y'all should watch Robin Williams' Live on Broadway from HBO.

They can't be reall... a real psychic would live in the Biau (sp?) and would simply say "YOu gonna DIIIIEEEEE!!!"

lol

gotta go to work now...

FalconSong

[VelvetBlade]

John Edward is one of the few psychics I do believe in........

I'm with you OW....

~AW

[Cerulean]

I've read his books but haven't watched the show much. I have psychic ability and have been to a number of psychics. From reading his books I always believed he was real. I didn't question it.

[faylinn]

I think he is just a con artist. I mean, he is being payed all that money to say stuff where he probably talked to those families before the show. I don't even think they are real people that John Edwards is talking about. Well, I guess I am just leery of those TV phycics(sp?).

[VelvetBlade]

He was a psychic long before the tv show ever happened. If he wasn't relatively successful at it, his tv show would no longer be.


~AW

[FaeFollower]

I think he's a con artist. The mother of a friend of mine lost her youngest daughter to heart failure when she was four (the sister of my friend) and she watches the show religiously, buys his books and all that. It's a little sad to see her so attached to this show in the hopes of connecting with her daughter. John Edwards is just preying on the grief of people like her. If he was real, he wouldn't be so content to be making money off it.

[Lunacie]

I too have a hard time with Jonathan Edwards....they did a spot on him on 60 minutes last year and out of like 5 so called psychics, Jonny Boy had the highest instance of hits!!! I was impressed. I think he does have agift, but it shouldn'tb e exploited...like don't charge people money for tickets to come see your show and never have achance to help everyone...but thati sjust me...
On the humorous side of things, did anyone watch SOuth Park the othernight? Jonny boy was a star!!! lol if you didn't get to see it, it was pretty funny!! But then, I have an odd sense of humor!:apirate: :boing: :evilway: :smoke:
Several have said that it's wrong to make money off psychic talent or tarot reading. I just don't get that. David Bowie has a gift - a talent for music. Does he make money and make people happy with his music? Gramma Moses had a gift - a talent for art. Was it wrong for her to make money by selling her art, pictures that make people happy? John Lennon? Julia Roberts? Picasso? Stradivarius? Why is it fine for some talents to be bought and sold, but not psychic talent?

[Greywood]

The guys a hack. He's doing the same bit that Kreskin and Uri Geller used to do, ad nauseum. I've seen this schtick a dozen times over the years, by an equal number of "Psychics"

[skatha_mare]

After reading his book, watching the show some, and having my own experiences with the dead who come and go of their own accord (not all dead are "stuck here"). I think that the man has enough ability to make some very accurate and surprising hits. I also think that it is an ability that can not be "turned on" at will (i.e. camara's rolling), so some cold reading needs to come into play. Like a previous person said, he is giving closure for a lot of people who need it.

I've been to two psychics, one who sooo tried cold reading and got angry when I pointed out she was wrong (she finished the session there and then :wtf: ), the other was definately genuine. We argued about whether or not I owned red runes (I said no, she said yes). I found the rune set two days later in the back of a cupboard when looking for something else (that was an unnerving experience) :hmmmmm: . She also taught me about basic dowsing technique. For that I say thank you.

[Xeen]

Like someone said above, there is no real way of knowing for sure.

So I'm not really sure what to think about him.


Funny, though. I was just talking about him tonight, racking my brains trying to remember his last name. I remembered John, but couldn't remember Edwards. It was getting painful trying that hard to remember :)

[Koehnae]

I'm not sure. I'm a little leery about television/media psychics, readers, etc. :-/ I think that he does a lot of good...but at the same time, he takes all the credit and never thanks whatever it is he worships for endowing him with the gift of "seeing beyond the veil". I get worried when divinators lose their humility and become "starry-eyed".

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Aidron]

I cannot say I believe or disbelieve in him. Perhaps he has unlocked talents or perhaps he is the fakest thing since Pamela Anderson's boobs and Michael Jackson's skin tone. Who knows.

Personally I find the media at large rather vile. To televise something such as this tends to rub me the wrong way. Whether he is truthful in his talents or not, I feel that it is nothing more than a cheap way to earn money, whether he is in on it, or simply a pawn to be used. That's America for you though.

[Marchosias]

perhaps he is the fakest thing since Michael Jackson's skin tone.


It's a skin condition, and he NEVER had surgery! :lol:

Eh, I needed that.


Oh, what Johnny E. does is called "cold reading". It really isn't that hard. If you would go to a live show, or closely watch a televised show, it becomes very obvious that he is just fishing around for something meaningful. When he hits that, he knows the person is feeling very receptive [read: gullible] and uses common sense to zero in close enough to give them some random BS message.

[Gala]

John Edward is one of the few psychics I do believe in........


Me too. I just feel like he is for real.

[Calzaer]

Don't get me started on this guy. :bastard:

If he could talk to dead people, he should be wallowing in Blackbeard's gold by now. But that's really beside the point. His shows are heavily edited, his cold-reading is so blatant that it makes me cringe, and his fishing expeditions are just embarassing. He gives all us real spirit-speakers a bad name. :meanface: I'm sorry, lady, but if you're dead dad is hanging around you trying to talk to you, you'd KNOW it without having to go to this crock.

I'm sorry, he just gets me so riled. Even moreso than Sylvia Browne does.

***
:fofftopic
Speaking of Sylvia Browne, did anyone catch her act on Larry King Live on December 5th? If not, this was the best call of the night:


CALLER: Shizuoka, Japan. Hello.

CALLER: Oh, hi.

KING: Hi.

CALLER: I'd like to ask about my mother. We had some unresolved issues.

BROWNE: Yes. But I don't know if you could have had any resolved issues with your mother because she was so very difficult to deal with. And I'm not saying that to be cruel. So, you see, the thing that you got to realize is when somebody goes to the other side, everything is OK.

CALLER: But she's -- you can definitely see her on the other side?

BROWNE: Yes. Little. She's little.

CALLER: Yes, well, the last time I spoke to her, she was alive.

BROWNE: Yes, but see, I don't -- she's not alive now.

CALLER: She's dead.

BROWNE: Yes.

CALLER: You're telling me my mother has died?

BROWNE: Yes.

CALLER: You're sure about this?

BROWNE: I'm positive.

CALLER: OK. Well, I'll have to get back to you after I've called her.

BROWNE: All right.

CALLER: Thank you.


Never did hear back. :lol:

</off topic>

[Muireannach]

I really had to have a laugh when they tested him on 20/20 and it took him forever to "focus in" on a particular loved one, and only managed to after asking them 50 quesitons...I think he is great...at being a con artist that is...

[DarkSidhe]

Notice how he never says anything bad is going to happen, or has happened...
People don't want to hear that stuph. Nothing about, "oh, I'm sorry, but your father's rotting in purgatory." Or, "She says that in no way is she sorry for abusing you, and would do it again if she were still alive."
It's just like all other cons, you can't get ppl to keep giving you money if you say that, "you're going to have an accident, and then lose your job, and end up in jail.", you have to keep lifting their spirits to keep being able to lift their purses.
Mundus vult decipi, ergo decepiatur - The world wants to be fooled, thus it is fooled.

[Mau]

I dilly dally with watching his show, but wouldn't make a real judgement unless I could see it unedited. There is one guy I like.and my mom is obsessed with..something Van Praag.
I love Sylvia Browne though

[TaysatWesir]

Don't get me started on this guy. :bastard:

If he could talk to dead people, he should be wallowing in Blackbeard's gold by now. But that's really beside the point. His shows are heavily edited, his cold-reading is so blatant that it makes me cringe, and his fishing expeditions are just embarassing. He gives all us real spirit-speakers a bad name. :meanface: I'm sorry, lady, but if you're dead dad is hanging around you trying to talk to you, you'd KNOW it without having to go to this crock.

I'm sorry, he just gets me so riled. Even moreso than Sylvia Browne does.

***
:fofftopic
Speaking of Sylvia Browne, did anyone catch her act on Larry King Live on December 5th? If not, this was the best call of the night:


Never did hear back. :lol:

</off topic>

Ah the funny I watched Sylvia Browne this morning on some talk show. Some guy asked the same question but his mother dead strange enough Sylvia answered his question the same way. :rotfl:

[~BEBZ~]

I've watched him a few times and I think he's completely full of crap! He fishes around, making semi-educated guesses until he hits on something. "Someone with the first letter of J has died" It's not coincidence that these "Psychics" almost always use J first. It happens to be the most popular first name letter. Just about everyone knows someone who's died who's name starts with J. "Someone around you died from cancer" Yeah, that's real hard to figure out! How many of us know someone who's died of cancer? This guy is so full of crap.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a non-believer. I do believe in psychics, but this guy just ain't one.

[Fang of Loki]

I've watched him a few times and I think he's completely full of crap!

Agreed.

[MoonDragn]

I used to think he was genuine but then on one show he specifically talked about someone was with god... Yet in another show he specifically said that the dead never comes back and tells him whats on the other side after death. So which was the truth?

[Morrighan61]

I used to think he was genuine but then on one show he specifically talked about someone was with god... Yet in another show he specifically said that the dead never comes back and tells him whats on the other side after death. So which was the truth?

Maybe both, you don't have to be TOLD to feel that someone is okay and with God/dess. He could have just felt that.

Personally, as far as I am concerned the jury is out, but after reading his books and getting how it seemingly works for him I am beginning to think he just MIGHT be the real deal.

There are just too many people that otherwise seem skeptical of this kind of thing that support the fact that he is genuinely psychic. Yeah, the debunkers like James Randi are all over him, but I've seen "cold readings" and what this guy does goes far beyond that. Either he has inside info, which he has obtained somehow, or he is probably legit.

A few months ago Edwards was here in my City. I wanted to go, just to see for myself but I didn't know till it was too late that he was here. The tickets were all sold out. I emailed his people on the off chance that they used local volunteers to man the book table or whatever in exchange for a peek. I was open about the fact that I hadn't made up my mind about him, and that I was skeptical...

Didn't figure I'd get go, and as it happened I didn't, but while I was at it, I also mentioned that we had a labyrinth right across from where he was going to be doing his show. I mentioned the best time for him to go, when he probably wouldn't be seen and said that I thought he'd probably find it an interesting spiritual experience if he chose to go. That it might recharge his batteries after so to speak....

I really didn't expect a reply, other than some nice form e-letter saying "Thank you for writing John Edwards, yah dah, yah, dah...." and yeah I got that, but later that next night a few hours after the show would have ended I got this strange email from an email address I didn't know.

It simply said

"Thank you...."

Written just like that, and it was signed JE.

Now, it might have been one of his people, I don't know, but my gut level feeling is that he did go and do the labyrinth, and that he got something profound out of it, and felt he should recognize that.

If so, I have to believe that part of what he doing just may be genuine. I can't see a con artist taking the time to say "Thanks" like that otherwise. Either this guy is real and/or thinks he is, and is genuinely spiritual about it, or he's the most mannerly con man on the planet....

I've read his books since, and though I am not willing to call him a bonafide miracle-worker, I am inclined now to give him the doubt as to his own character. If he's faking? I don't think HE knows it. For what it's worth the guy is supposedly deeply religious and in his books he clearly states that all he does is by God's grace, and in fact he's just apparently done a book on the rosary as a prayer device...

He doesn't take ALL the credit, far from it.

Is he real?

I don't know and I am not likely to since I am always too broke to be able to afford to go see him!

Maybe, maybe not, but I am inclined to think that just maybe his heart might be in the right place.

Yeah, he likes the money, but I don't think it's all about that with him...

Whether or not he can really reach my dead auntie Pearl?

I haven't got a clue...

:)

[memnoch]

he should teach Miss Cleo how to run a scam

[Bec_W]

I have trouble believing he's genuine. Even just from watching the show it seems like he's guessing. I'm not sure how true it is, but I've heard his seminars are mainly made up of him talking about his show and trying to sell his books, apparantly the last ten minutes are the only time he spends with the audience.

[morrigan]

i think you would have to see him live... tv edits too much to fit it in the time slot.. seeing him live would give you more of an idea as to what really goes on although i think he does have a gift, i have seen times where hes said something and the person had no idea about it until they talked to other family members at a later date and sent in a video message to confirm what he had said.

[Faeawyn]

I love John. I've been to see him and he's amazing. :whatgives:

[MockingbirdOxygen]

I can't believe I even came across this thread today! I was just telling someone whom I hadn't talked with in quite a while how much I believe in signs. Well, in the pm I sent her this morning, I made a Jon Edwards reference about the signs I received the weekend I went to see him...and I hardly ever talk about him or watch his shows anymore, because most of my free time is spent online here, yet I'd never come across any posts about him till today! So for me, this is another sign... _whistle_

Okay, I don't think that any psychic can be right all the time, but I do believe that he has talent, and while I did not get a direct reading from him, just being in the room with those others who did...you could feel this "energy" in the room that I cannot begin to put into words. :uhhuhuh: He makes good sense too...I understand why some people think that he is "fishing", but even if he had planted people in the audience, there is no way to fake the vibrations that were filling that room; I felt it personally.

So, yeah he makes money off of it...why not, it is a talent that takes a lot of opening up to tap into...I don' t think he's bogus, because he stressed over and over again that you do not need him to connect with your deceased loved ones, you just have to ask them for signs, and he emphasized asking, vs demanding, because you can not make them come to you...you just have to be open for what you get. That was something I'd heard before, but after hearing him explain it in person, I decided to do exactly that...and received a multitude of signs all the same weekend!

As for the people who wonder why he doesn't have BlackBeard's gold or whatever, I believe what it comes down to is the fact that you are supposed to use your psychic abilities to help others, and maybe help yourself grow spiritually. Using it for hidden treasure and winning lottery numbers isn't the way it's supposed to work, especially if having that kind of fortune might corrupt you and hinder your spiritual work. He did admit, when someone asked him why didn't he just get the winning lottery numbers...he said something like, "um yeah, don't you think I've already tried that?! That's not what this is about or what it's supposed to be used for..."

Anyone who doesn't like him, I'd encourage you to read some of his books, because he does make perfect sense, and even if it doesn't change your mind, he can be pretty funny, and if nothing else it might be an amusing bit of reading for you. Of course, I could be wrong about him, but just in my personal opinion, I think he rocks._travolta_