Is John Edward's 'Crossing Over' a Hoax?

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The discussion centers around skepticism towards John Edward and his show "Crossing Over," highlighting concerns about his methods and the ethics of profiting from people's grief. Participants criticize Edward's apparent use of "cold reading" techniques, where he makes generalized statements that can apply to many individuals, leading to accusations of him being a fraud. Some express outrage at the exploitation of vulnerable audiences, suggesting that his show preys on those mourning lost loved ones. The conversation also touches on the broader acceptance of mysticism in society, with some arguing that this trend poses risks, particularly when it intersects with issues like medical treatment and education. Others defend the notion that belief in such phenomena is a natural human instinct, while emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and skepticism. The debate reflects a clash between belief in psychic abilities and a demand for accountability in the entertainment industry, with calls for greater awareness of the potential harm caused by figures like Edward.
  • #51
thus proving my point. I am not a spiritualist, however i am a moral and open minded person who doesn't put down every idea just cos they don't agree with it.
 
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  • #52
Originally posted by jimmy p
i tend to keep an open mind on things like this and if you think that I am just another lame-brained bozo then f**k you and your bigoted opinions. Why are you having a go at Klicks? isn't he entitled to his own opinion. Spiritualism is like a religion, spiritualists and psychics believe in God, and you are insulting someone (John Edward) because he may believe in what he does and other people may believe [bold added]
Your attitude aside, "debunking" is the word you are looking for. We're not attacking Klicks, we're trying to help him/her to see what John Edwards is: a fraud. Though its possible that John Edwards actually believes he has that power, the evidence I have seen suggests he is a purposeful fraud: he absolutely has to know that his show is dishonest at the very least with its editing.

Interestingly, the writer of the critique I posted was at one time a professional palm reader. But being scientifically minded, he responded to a challenge by a professor of his in college, found out he was wrong, and has since devoted his life to understanding the phenomenon: understanding why people believe this stuff and trying to help them.

Strong believers in this sort of thing(not the casual believer in astrology for example) are sick and need help. Not surprisingly, the strongest of the believers are those who just recently lost a loved-one and are in need of help in dealing with it.

And hey - welcome back Gale.
 
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  • #53
OK i suppose i have been a little bit oppressive but my mums side of the family are spiritualists. My dads side think it is nonsense but i keep and open mind.

I don't think half my family are sick and need help - the last family member on that side to die passed away back in 1991 so its not like they mourn a recent loss.

anyway, what do you mean "your attitude aside?"
 
  • #54
If he is an honest man and believes what he’s doing, he’s saying he hears voices in his head. But then he goes on and says things such as “I’m getting a feeling” or “I feel some pain in my chest”, which I’d like to point out if you ever see a person in pain, you start to image what their pain must feel like. Now wouldn’t you agree with me, if he really was communicating with a dead person, their pain, and their consciousness would cease to feel any pain? Even if he goes on to say you’re father or mother are proud of you, there is no actual communication, only attempts to prove that he knows what the dead person was once feeling. Maybe he should say the dead person says hello, and wants you to know that last night when you asked a personal question, (without actually voicing it) the answer is yes.

Strange world we live in!
 
  • #55
I doubt he 'feels' the pain but maybe he feels something about that person... I am not sure, my mums family are the typical mediterranean type, you know, really emotional and such-like. I am not sure, maybe 'psychics are really emotional people, so much that they 'feel' the pain of dead people, i dunno.
 

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