Forums › Forums › Psychic Development › Ethics in Psychic and Mediumship Practice › Psychics and Missing People
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April 6, 2006 at 10:04 pm #65468RSLancastrParticipant
Hey all.
Old-timers on the board may remember me from ancient times. Five years or so ago, I was a regular here on the Friends’ boards. I was sort of the token skeptic, I guess you might say.
I’m still skeptical about psychic powers and such, never having seen any evidence that such thigs exist. I know that most of you here believe differently, and that is fine. I didn’t bring my skepticism up in order to start a debate or argument, but just in the interest of disclosure.
Pam told me about this Ethics folder, and, after looking through it, I thought that perhaps some of you would be interested in the following.
A Nebraska woman named Kelly Jolkowski, whose son Jason has been missing since 2001, decided (along with her husband) to help other families with missing children, and formed Project Jason to do so.
As part of Project Jason, she has kept a blog at http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/
Recently, she has been running a series of blog entries regarding the incredible emotional suffering which psychics (well-intentioned or otherwise, real or otherwise) often inflict upon families of the missing.
You may not agree with all of what she says, or her conclusions about psychics, but it all speaks volumes to the issue of psychics and ethics.
Here then are links to the relavent articles in her blog’s “Psychics and Missing People Series”:
(NOTE: If any here feel they are psychic, please do NOT offer this woman your psychic help. Read the whole series of articles and you will hopefully see why.)
Introduction to the Psychics and Missing People Series
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/30606-pmp-introduction-to-psychics-and.htmlLaying the Groundwork: The Vulnerable
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/3706-pmp-laying-groundwork-vulnerable.htmlLaying the Groundwork: A Primer:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/30806-pmp-laying-groundwork-primer.htmlThe First of Many, Part I:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/31106-pmp-first-of-many-part-i.htmlThe First of Many, Part II:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/31306-pmp-first-of-many-part-ii.htmlThe Guarantee?:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/31506-pmp-guarantee.htmlA Personal Journey from Mysticism to Clarity :
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/31606-pmp-personal-journey-from.htmlThe Business of Preying:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/31706-pmp-business-of-preying.htmlThe Shovel Lady:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/32006-pmp-shovel-lady.htmlNot a Psychic, Part I:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/32106-pmp-not-psychic-part-i.htmlNot a Psychic, Part II:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/32206-pmp-not-psychic-part-ii.htmlBut the News Said Psychics Are Real!:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/32306-pmp-but-news-said-psychics-are.htmlSylvia and Friends, Part I:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/33006-pmp-sylvia-and-friends-part-i.htmlSylvia and Friends, Part II:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/03/33106-pmp-sylvia-and-friends-part-ii.htmlSylvia and Friends, Part III:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/04/4406-pmp-sylvia-and-friends-part-iii.htmlThe Psychic Editor?:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/04/4506-pmp-psychic-editor.htmlContradictions, Not Answers:
http://voice4themissing.blogspot.com/2006/04/4606-pmp-contradictions-not-answers.htmlApril 6, 2006 at 11:12 pm #104013Pam BKeymasterWelcome back Robert!
As you know, we applaud skepticism, when defined as someone who doesn’t accept beliefs out of hand, but questions and seeks evidence. It’s cynicism we have a problem with here, when defined as deciding not to believe before the evidence is even considered fairly.
I also applaud the author’s writing, about what it feels like to be bombarded with “psychic help” when it hasn’t been requested. What I can’t agree with however, (and I feel she may loose the very psychics in the audience reading who need to read what she says), is her recommendation to present claims to the James Randi Education Foundation, which in my opinion does more harm to our society, than good. Ask any “psychic” if they agree with me.
Good, honest, respectable skepticism is necessary in this world, and the foundation missed the mark and doesn’t represent that ideal in my viewpoint. I feel the foundation exists to belittle other’s philosophical beliefs, not to shine a spotlight on the veracity of such claims, as we need. But that’s just my viewpoint.
That being said….every psychic who feels the urge to present “psychic information without being asked to” should read this woman’s blog. Hopefully they will think twice about offering such information.
Robert, thank you for posting these links. They illustrate, in a much better way than I could ever hope for, the need to have the family’s permission before offering or publicizing any information relating to the vicitm. Period. End of story, no if’s and’s or buts.
April 7, 2006 at 12:12 am #104016RSLancastrParticipantPam, as I think you know, I always tried to be respecful with my posts here. I imagine I wasn’t always successful, but I always tried!
I’m a card-carrying member of the James Randi Educational Foundation, so I know that you and I have differing opinions on whether or not the JREF has done good for society. :)
But I’m glad that we agree on the inappropriateness of unsolicited psychic help in the case of missing/murdered persons.
April 7, 2006 at 12:47 am #104018JBannisterParticipantA couple of years ago I exchanged some emails with Kelly, and grew to have a great deal of respect and admiration for her. I look forward to checking out the links, so of course having not done so yet I am not sure how much detail goes in to the strange disapearance of her son Jason. Also, she is not someone who boasts about the truely remarkable amount of work she has devoted to other families who have also lived through the unimaginable pain of experiencing a loved one who seems to vanish from the face of the earth, leaving behind questions often never answered, and devastation that time doesn’t heal.
Receiving Kelly’s letters and learning of her life from that day on inspired me to be even more vigilant about letting those I love know just how much I do, and to never take them for granted.
Julie
April 7, 2006 at 1:50 am #104019RSLancastrParticipantHi Julie.
Yes, what Kelly has done for others in the face of such personal adversity is truly inspiring.
April 7, 2006 at 2:59 am #104020Pam BKeymasterFor prior discussions on this subject, please see this thread:
April 7, 2006 at 5:56 pm #104032RSLancastrParticipantYes Pam, it was reading that thread which made me decide it might be appropriate to start this one.
December 6, 2008 at 2:42 am #121635sara31txParticipantIf I were to go to a psychic and ask about a missing person in my life, then they have the right to tell me what ever it is that they see. I came to them..it was not the other way around. Psychics are tools to help police. I know that some people are so sensitive, that they cannot handle anything negative..if this is the case, then you should not be going to a psychic to begin with. Go to the police instead. Psychics can be wrong, especially if water is an issue. Also, they may be correct in what they are saying, but they may be picking up on a different energy. I could never do what some of these psychics do..it would be hard..with all the negative energy out there just waiting for them to make a mistake. I say…try walking a mile in there shoes. It’s always easy to say things when you are not the one doing it.
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