Last year I wrote a blog about a movie called Paranormal Activity. What intrigued me about that whole thing was that over 1 million people requested it be released. One million! Clearly interest was peaked and when it came to the theater there was an explosion of activity on my blog.
Everyone wanted to know one thing…was any part of what was depicted in the movie Paranormal Activity real?
In fact, so much interest was generated on my blog, I wrote a second post called The Reality Behind Paranormal Activity. I even included a review of the movie (which I did finally watch when it came out on DVD) in my book, Escaping the Cauldron (being published by Charisma House, Sept. 2012).
Now, here we are a year later and what should I discover a few weeks ago but that the masters of overkill (no pun intended) in Hollywood are capitalizing on a) 2009's outrageous success of Paranormal Activity and b) the continued interest in anything paranormal and coming out with a sequel.
Yes, that's right…Paranormal Activity 2.
However, this time around the tension will be ratcheted up a notch higher as the unfortunates experiencing harassment by invisible beings are a family with a little baby and a dog. The movie isn't even out yet but interest is already beginning to churn as we near the middle of October.
I have no doubt this film will do well. It's highly possible that it may even prove to be a more entertaining movie than its predecessor as I'm sure they had a lot more money to spend this time around. However, I'm sure the question will remain the same.
Is the activity witnessed by the camera in Paranormal and/or Paranormal Activity 2 real?
Well, the most obvious thing people must understand about both the original movie and it's sequel is this…they are just movies. All of the action or activity seen in either film is manufactured by a special effects department. The people are portrayed by actors and nobody is actually harmed, killed, or disappeared forever never to be seen again (ala Blair Witch or The Fourth Kind ) in ANY of these so called "lost footage" movies. These movies are designed to give you a wiggins, make you jump out of your seat, and entertain you with "the big scare", particularly around Halloween.
One of the reasons these films are in fact so frightening is the writers and directors are fairly realistic in the portrayal of some paranormal phenomenon or activity. While they add their own "Hollywood flair" ( the unrealistic or fantastical things which occur such as Ouija boards bursting into flames, people being dragged out of bed by unseen forces, etc.) there are many experiences portrayed in the films which people have reported or have been witnessed in actual hauntings. Things like doors opening and closing, the sound of footsteps, hearing voices, tapping or knocks, swinging lamps, objects being moved, etc. These experiences are realistically portrayed in Paranormal Activity and I assume its sequel if it follows suit.
The big question is should a Christian go see a movie like Paranormal Activity, Paranormal Activity 2, or anything in a horror genre? Only if the person is mature enough in their relationship with God to understand the movie for what it is and have sense enough to not go looking for it afterward. True wisdom in this regard is to avoid such films completely and not fill our minds and spirits with these dark or frightening images but rather focus on things that are pure, lovely, and of good report (Phillipians 4:8 NIV).
Friends, there is a spiritual world around us.
Yes. Some of what you may witness in Paranormal Activity or Paranormal Activity 2 is based on real accounts of haunting phenomena. As I've said before there are legitimate hauntings and paranormal experiences but they are nothing to be sought out, investigated, or messed with other than to stand firm in Jesus Christ (assuming you have accepted Him as Lord and Savior) commanding any such activity (and accompanying spirits) to cease and desist in Jesus name. I think it's important for Christians with gifts of discernment be willing to listen and help people experiencing weird, unusual, or frightening situations with wise counsel and prayer.
For the record, I am called to this kind of discernment ministry and offer help to anyone who needs it either in person, through counseling by email or phone, or assisting people in finding local church's which understand and minister through spiritual gifts.
Honestly, the problem I have with movies like Paranormal Activity, Paranormal Activity 2 and all of these "psuedo-realistic docudramas" is they feed into an already over-whetted appetite for the occult, ghosts, ghost hunting, mediums, and psychics. They send a dangerous message that its okay to dabble or to "investigate"and record these kinds of phenomena rather than deal with it directly through prayer.
I don't know about you, but there are simply other films I'd rather invest my money and time in watching.
I am so thankful that you're putting this message out there!
I am planning a little trip down to Tombstone and Bisbee, AZ. While investigating activities in this area on Tripadvisor.com, I begun to read some of the comments from people who visited the infamous Birdcage Theater in Tombstone.
It was certainly apparent that tourists are seeking out "ghosts" as entertainment, and they were actually thrilled to have paranormal activity present. (Of course, I suspect that much of the activity was staged by the people who run the Birdcage Theater.)
These folks who seek out this kind of "harmless" entertainment don't realize what kind of fire they're playing with.
My recent post Parents Should Expose Children to Sign Language
Oh you are so right. Many ghost hunting groups will sponsor a "public hunt" for the curious, nearly every historic city has some kind of "ghost tour". People are seeking out experiences with the paranormal because it's spooky and fun with no real understanding of what they are actually seeking!
As much as I find this stuff fascinating…it scares the heck out of me. I can watch it on tv, but I don't think I could EVER seek it out by going on a 'haunted' tour.
I had a friend post on FB last week about 2 of her friends going to watch Paranormal Activity 2. She thought it was funny they were so scared. After I posted that I wouldn't be watching it – the two people chimed it and both said they hadn't been able to sleep (even thought of climbing in bed with their parents – they are 19/20) and finally slept with their Bibles.
My recent post Oinky Goodness
You make an excellent point, Lesley. When we open ourselves up to potentially frightening images or experiences (such as a "haunted tour" or scary movie) we can allow fear to affect our spirit. This is something (especially for a spiritually sensitive person) which can kind of leave you feeling vulnerable and play on that fear. Best to leave it alone and concentrate on what's good, pure, and right.
I will never ever See the Parnanormal Activity 2 it brings FEAR and Demons in to our life. Christian can see movies that demonic and occult. i have seen many movies with murder, torture, withcraft, parnamormal scene before and it brings fear etc to my life. But i am a warrior of christ and i hate things kind of movies. We have many demons in Norway.
I think you have taken a wise position.
When I was a junior in high school I was reading The Amityville Horror. The actual true story that was written by the family. (The movie is so off base its ridicules!!) Anyways my parents just moved us into an old farm-house with some land. We just barely moved in and I was sleeping on a mattress/ box spring on the floor with a suitcase of clothes. I read a chapter or so before going to sleep. I grew tired and put my book away and drifted off to sleep. I was woken up by breathing on my face, then a man yelling my name. My bi-fold closet door flew open and I heard pounding on the windows. Needless to say I was scared and I ran out of my room and slept with my sister in the room across the hall. Because of that experience I have had several other spiritual or haunting like experiences happen to me in other places that I've been and I can still remember them vividly. I'm now 23 and highly sensitive to whats around me. If it wasn't for the fact that my family is so religious things would have escalated beyond anything I could or would want to imagine.
Yes,I read The Amityville Horror (though you should know there is a lot of controversy over its authenticity). I grew up as a spiritually sensitive person long before I delved into the occult and became a medium (which I renounced in 2007 when I re-dedicated my life to Christ). I can imagine your experiences were very frightening. You say your family is religious. My question for you is have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Those who have done so have the authority of His name and are equipped for spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6).
Yes I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and it's because of that fact I was able to stop those situations I'm put in through either working at a girl scout camp in the middle of the woods or others that have happened.
Amen. It's good to know who we are in Christ and the authority of His name.