Beliefs About Ghosts: East vs. West

Last month I came across a very interesting post titled “Oahu Ghost Tours” in my Google Alerts. You know me, if it’s got something to do with paranormal tourism, I gotta check it out.

It wasn’t so much that the title was so interesting as what I discovered in the post. I certainly didn’t find any of the ho-hum sort of thing I was expecting at first blush. Instead, I found ScottiTee’s post very enlightening and thought-provoking.

WHO’S SCOTTITEE?

ScottiTee’s blog is The Fox Spirit. Here’s the description of his blog:

An examination of the Fox Spirit found in Asia. Originated from China they are found in many parts of Asia. Kitsune, Huli jing, or Kumiho. This is my own personal opinion and experiences. A lot of information I have read elsewhere. I don’t claim to be an expert or authority on the subject.

I didn’t know what the Fox Spirit was, but I looked it up on Wikipedia. It doesn’t sound too good.

Fox spirit or fox demon may refer to:

* Huli jing, Chinese fox known for causing mischief and seducing humans

* Kitsune, Japanese fox which can be either benevolent or mischievous

* Kumiho, evil Korean fox over 1,000 years old, which seduces and kills human men

The term is also sometimes used to refer to the literal spirit of a fox in totemist or shamanist beliefs.

SCOTTITEE’S OAHU GHOST TOUR POST

It’s short, so I copied and pasted it to put here:

Someone sent me this link: http://www.oahughosttours.com/tour.htm

I guess in Hawaii and other parts of the US their is a trend to go ghost hunting.

I am not sure if they have this in China, but almost all people in China believe in ghost, where as in America many people don’t believe and want to see proof themselves. What many unbelievers don’t realize is that after they have proof, they cannot just walk away and say “Ok” I believe or have seen enough. The spirits will take your life in a second.

MY COMMENT

His last sentence freaked me out. I had to understand what he meant. Was there a language barrier or something? Here’s what I wrote:

Hey there! I write a blog about paranormal tourism. I found your post very interesting. So that you know of there is no ghost hunting tourism in China? It’s very interesting too you said most people there believe. What would they think of those of us in America and England seeking proof? And what did you mean by “the spirits will take your life in a second”? That was a curious statement to me. I’d love to know if you meant spirits are dangerous. Thanks.

HIS REPLY

Hello, I am not sure if Chinese will take you to see ghost, most people there are afraid of ghost. The ghost hunters, which I haven’t meet any personally yet are Taoist priest that perform exorcism. Ghost hunting is getting popular in the West, but people go in groups, try going to these places alone, by yourself….it makes a big difference.

Spirits will kill you. There are many mysterious deaths. If you make fun of them or disrespect them, somehow these people have died an early death or have bad fortune. non believers call these coincidences.

CHINA AND PARANORMAL TOURISM

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I was semi-aware beliefs about ghosts in Asia were different than here, but based on my exchange with ScottiTee I’m thinking unless some Westerner goes and sets up shop over there, you won’t see the Chinese jumping on the paranormal tourism band wagon anytime soon.

And, quite frankly, if they have mean ghosts, I’m not sure I want to mess with them!

I have to look into all this more now. If anybody has any China-related ghost stories, please share!

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3 Comments

  1. Really great post–great finding! I can understand that it would be critical that very controlling societies like China and religious groups like the Catholic church would give very tight parameters in relation to ghosts. They don’t want you thinking of taking on new beliefs or questioning the system. It’s like a parent telling a kid not to masturbate or they’d get hairy palms. You both test them for gullibility and also put fear in them to keep their boundaries very tight and not fluid. When I hear of a culture that has a dictatorship or communism or a religion that’s very fundamentalist, I know their doctrines will scare the bejesus out of people to keep them in control. Places like America where we have more freedoms and can explore our world all we wish, there are no absolutes. Guess that’s why I study theories. Hee hee. This was interesting. I’d like to hear more about other countries and their beliefs with ghosts.

  2. Author

    I hadn’t read your post beforehand, but today I’ll take you to another country: Poland, thanks to Nathan and A State of Mind!

    Although, I do have to say: WOW! You are SO amazing about how you succinctly sum things up. Man, do I admire that about you! You pin the tail on the donkey every time. Like how you explained a place like China and why it is like it is.

    But then you also always find a way to crack me up. (“Hairy palms”!! HAHAHA!)

    Thanks for such another wonderful comment!

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