Question for the eternal skeptics out there

[ebtbmom]

I recently caught an episode of Long Island Medium, I wonder if she really believes what she's saying or is she openly running a scam? What do you think?

That John Edwards guy that was around a few years ago was shady as heck, I felt that he knew exactly what he was doing and had no shame about it. This lady strikes me differently though, I wonder if she legitimately believes that she talks to spirits?

 

[Robinrs]

I don't believe in anything she does but I do believe she believes in it... it makes her a ton of money, why not?

I don't see her as any different than the old fortune tellers who took cues from your reactions and built a story around it.

 

[minkydog]

I don't believe in anything she does but I do believe she believes in it... it makes her a ton of money, why not?

I don't see her as any different than the old fortune tellers who took cues from your reactions and built a story around it.

I agree. Her clients seem to be highly suggestible. She starts with broad questions--"who has lost a mother/father/child?" Then she narrows it down a little bit, but still keeps it fairly broad--"did he die violently/in an accident/due to illness?" She gets more free information. From there she makes soothing statements like "Your mother/father/grandparent/child want you to know that they are with you all the time/proud of you for whatever reason/don't want you to grieve. Do you understand this?" Lather, rinse, repeat. I don't for one second believe that she speaks to dead people, but she seems to be making a living at helping gullible people feel better.

 

[hereyago]

I am far from a skeptic. I do think John Edward was a big ol liar. As for as TC, I don't know. I don't need to pay for someone to tell me my departed loved ones are around me.

What would impress me is to see TC(and her tickets last year were not cheap_) for her to come up to me and say Your df says you don't need me to tell you that he is here because you all ready know.


She has said on the show and on interviews that our loved ones who have passed give signs and we just need to be open.

 

[WDWBarb]

I once saw John Edward at a gallery reading. I must say that I was quite skeptical but he did some things that blew me away. The only explanation would be that he planted those people in the audience. He was VERY specific.

I'm not saying that he didn't plant those people there, but reasonably, I can't imagine any other scenario that he could have done what he did unless he was getting his info from "the other side."

 

[JaneBanks]

I once saw John Edward at a gallery reading. I must say that I was quite skeptical but he did some things that blew me away. The only explanation would be that he planted those people in the audience. He was VERY specific.

I'm not saying that he didn't plant those people there, but reasonably, I can't imagine any other scenario that he could have done what he did unless he was getting his info from "the other side."

Same here. There is no way he got the info he did unless they were plants. My husband and I sat next to a family of about 6 or 7 and he read them and he was very specific. They didn't seem like plants and if they were, they all deserved an Oscar.

 

[ebtbmom]

http://www.re-quest.net/entertainment/movies-and-tv/tv/john-edward/

This is an interesting read and describes how these cold readings are done.

Read a bit farther down about the code that Harry Houdini and his wife created to communicate with each other after one of them died. That's a great idea! I've always told DH that if I go first I'll try to haunt him especially if he brings some other chick up in our house!

I am a firm skeptic, I just wonder if the "mediums" themselves are total scammers or if they actually believe what they are selling?

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I had a friend go to a JE show once. He knew some very, very specific things about her and her family. I don't know what the deal is, but she is a believer.

 

[Ceila]

I had a friend go to a JE show once. He knew some very, very specific things about her and her family. I don't know what the deal is, but she is a believer.

I believe I've read that the so-called "mediums" will research audience members using their names from their ticket sale information, and then choose who they talk with by seat number. I'm searching for the link, and I'll post it if I can find it.

Edit...still looking for the article about ticket sales. But, this is interesting reading:

http://www.csicop.org/si/show/john_edward_hustling_the_bereaved/

 

[leebee]

If you believe in an afterlife, why is it hard to believe that those in the afterlife might be able to communicate with some individuals? I know many people who have mentioned feeling comforted by their loved one's spirit, or feeling a warmth and just knowing the dead person is near. Is that just wishful thinking/delusion, or can those who've died maintain some kind of contact with those who are still alive?

I had a christmas cactus for about 8 years, and it never, ever blossomed. Didn't matter what I did, which suggestions I followed, the darned thing was HUGE but it never blossomed. One fall, my bff Diane was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and we knew her days were numbered. Several months before she died, Diane said if there was any way to do it, she was going to return in spirit to visit me. I told her no way, too scary, but if there WAS a way to maintain contact from beyond, she could make my Christmas cactus blossom. Diane died on the last day of August, 1988. My Christmas cactus blossomed every after that, for 17 years. In spring of 2005, I had a dream that I met a little girl on the beach. She looked at me and said, "I'm Diane, who are you?" I woke up, and realized that I felt calm, and that Diane was OK. My cactus never blossomed again. Wishful thinking? My sub conscience? Coincidence? Who knows? Regardless of whatever really happened, I found peace and comfort in this.

Is there any way to really KNOW for sure if there is contact from spirits or not? Like so many things, it's all a question of belief. If those who are suffering in their grief believe that Theresa brings resolution, peace, and comfort to them, isn't that good?

 

[Kim&Chris]

I really don't believe in that stuff. I know my loved ones are with me, and don't really need to pay someone $300 to confirm it.

Several years ago, my mom (who is unfortunately very gullible and naïve) became infatuated with Sylvia Browne. I can't begin to tell you how much money she threw away on books and appearances.

Something about Browne always screamed "SCAM" to me, but millions of people bought into her predictions hook, line & sinker. And she died a wealthy woman as a result, even though she made many, many incorrect & heartbreaking predictions.

Here's an interesting article, if you care to take a look.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/21/sylvia-browne_n_4317470.html

 

[Scornelius]

I fully believe in mediums, psychics, etc. I don't think everyone who claims to be one is one, just like people lie about being doctors, lawyers, etc. I think these people are just highly intuitive, which is why it comes across as cold reading or lucky guesses. Specifically, I think it's another sense, the same thing that lets you know someone is watching you, or that you shouldn't get into that elevator, etc. Just like some people are can identify a million different scents, or taste every single ingredient in a complex recipe, or see with incredibly sharp vision, I think some people pick up on "psychic energy" (for lack of a better word) better than others.

 

[kimblebee]

I don't know, I'm on the fence about psychics. I 100% believe in ghosts as I have seen one but I'm not sold on psychics. The thing that makes me a possible believer is when TC says what is is about a hair clip, balloon, the color blue etc and it really does relate to the deceased person. That's pretty specific information for just a guess.

 

[Aliceacc]

I don't know her personally, though I have seen her around town.

Everyone I know who does know her believes absolutely in what she says. These aren't people who are close friends of hers (though some are my own close friends), but people who shared PTA duty when her kids were young or who know her husband through his love for motorcycles-- the kind of people who have nothing to gain by their opinions.

 

[aprilgail2]

I recently caught an episode of Long Island Medium, I wonder if she really believes what she's saying or is she openly running a scam? What do you think?

That John Edwards guy that was around a few years ago was shady as heck, I felt that he knew exactly what he was doing and had no shame about it. This lady strikes me differently though, I wonder if she legitimately believes that she talks to spirits?

I have never believed in them at all but I have seen her a lot, she does a lot of charity work for a charity I am also involved in and I am amazed at some of her readings. I know many of the people she has "read" at these readings and they are spot on and they are NOT plants.

 

[snapppyd]

I like her, don't know if I believe or not.

I used to like the John Edwards tv show and believed in him. Then I saw him in person. I didn't believe anymore. It seemed completely like a scam to me.

 

[DLgal]

This lady is scamming everyone BIG TIME and she definitely knows it. She is highly intelligent and has a team of investigators that work for her.

A lot of people don't realize that IQ plays a very important role in these types of "entertainment" (psychics, mediums, hypnotists). The "performer" usually cannot be successful unless their IQ is higher than the "customer." Theresa has an extremely high IQ. She easily can convince many people that she is legit. The people on the show are "investigated" extensively before filming. ALL of the "chance encounters" are staged.

 

[aprilgail2]

This lady is scamming everyone BIG TIME and she definitely knows it. She is highly intelligent and has a team of investigators that work for her.

A lot of people don't realize that IQ plays a very important role in these types of "entertainment" (psychics, mediums, hypnotists). The "performer" usually cannot be successful unless their IQ is higher than the "customer." Theresa has an extremely high IQ. She easily can convince many people that she is legit. The people on the show are "investigated" extensively before filming. ALL of the "chance encounters" are staged.

We sold the tickets for the show and did not even take down peoples names that were coming so no way in heck could they have been "investigated"- there was no record of who was going to show up.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't know what to think about it to be honest. I am a skeptic of all things.

At some point if you are that huge and making large profits there has to be a disingenuous aspect to her business statistically speaking.

 

[eliza61]

I like her, don't know if I believe or not. I used to like the John Edwards tv show and believed in him. Then I saw him in person. I didn't believe anymore. It seemed completely like a scam to me.

You have to believe in mediums in order to participate. I have relatives in Louisiana who seriously believe in Vodoo. I mean highly intelligent, college educated, lawyers and business owners who know the Voodoo lady. And who will argue you down on how it's no different than a belief in a god you can't see.