Why do ghosts have to be scary if they exist?

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I don't really believe in ghosts, but if they do exist, why do they have to be scary? Why should people be afraid of them?

I would say because most people are afraid of death in general? Ghosts are spirits of dead people so they're tied to death in that regard?

Humans are afraid of the dead because they remind us that we ourselves will be dead one day too.

I'm not afraid of ghosts in fact I had a supernatural encounter of my own once. The idea of ghosts being real should be thought of as hopeful because it is proof that we can continue to exist after death.

I also kind of feel like there's a guilt some people feel at seeing the dead and they might feel that the dead hate the living in some way?

A common recurring theme in horror stories and horror movies is the undead being wronged either by being murdered when they were still alive or having their final resting place disturbed by the thoughtless living. So they come back as these angry vengeful ghouls that want to hurt the living.

I guess that's partly why every human civilization does some form of burial and believes in showing respect for the dead?

IF ghosts were real (which they are not), then they would be harbingers of gloom and doom, if not death as well. Nearly every culture through written history has legends of ghosts feeding upon the living, haunting the sites of their murders, delivering warnings, begging for vengeance, taking over bodies, or just generally causing anxiety and discomfort to those of us who are "death-impaired".

Show me some actual proof that they are not real?

Nobody has ever proved that ghosts do or do not exist it's all a matter of personal opinion and some people (like me) have claimed to have had an encounter with the beyond that can't be explained.

Let's not get started on THAT again! The premise of this thread is "... if they exist". I am going along with that premise, and solely for the sake of the discussion. If you want to prove that ghosts exist, then go right ahead.

So many people refuse to believe that evolution is real or climate change is real or even that the world is round, but are convinced that ghosts, cryptid beings, and some 50-foot tall guy with a beard sitting up on a cloud watching over us all really do exist without any real proof. I just love the human race.

That being said, it's been "known" for centuries that the dead or have a desire to harm the living for some reason. Maybe they hate being dead, and are envious of people who are still alive. Or they were murdered by someone and seek revenge but can no longer tell the living apart so they'll attack anyone.

But since ghosts don't really exist we can always imagine them to be friendly or harmless, like Casper.

Or you can be afraid of them while knowing they don't exist.

Agree with fnord ^ . My problem with ghosts is that the only proof - I use that word loosely - we ever see is bad grainy footage on obviously fake TV shows and videos. Surely if they are really out there the whole planet would be infested with them, millions of people have died so it doesn't really make sense that there would be so few out there. Also with technology and cameras today we should be able to capture them with really good quality cameras, but it's always the same grainy footage...

I doubt ghosts are real. I once read that Michael Jackson's ghost has been seen moon walking in the windows of his home lol. Like most things like this, I think ghosts are nothing more than stories and faked up stuff for people to believe and watch. If there was proper clear proof then I would agree but until that day comes, if it ever does, I'll stick with not believing in ghosts. Pictures of distorted shadows and videos in terrible quality aren't enough proof for me.

I believe when you're gone you are gone, that's it, the final curtain... I like to think there's an after life but ghosts on earth? I doubt it.

Personally, I would like to see an actual ghost face-to-face (if they actually existed). There would be much to discuss.

What would you say? I'd probably faint. I'm pathetic like that.

All I know is I experienced something very strange at my aunt's house after her son died. That's all I need to know.

Well, that would depend on what it would be the ghost of.

A scientist? "How can you have form and volume without mass?" "How can you pass through solid objects without damaging them or causing injury to yourself?" "How can you be invisible and still perceive your surroundings?"

A criminal? "What crimes did you commit?" "Who were your victims?" "Where did you hide the bodies?" "Where did you stash the loot?"

... and so forth ...

I once saw a ghost which was a young man smiling at me as I woke up. Felt so real. He was beautiful, shining and made me feel at peace. Friendly ghost?

On that note - I was suffering severely from insomnia with 3/4 hrs sleep per night, if any. so hallucinations are more likely than ghosts!

Anybody remember a time when scientists thought giant squids couldn't possibly exist?