"psychic" Coworker

[Tinkerlina]

So, this lady just started working with me about a month ago. She is a born again, non denominational Christian who claims to have "a gift" that allows her to look into people's personalities, futures, etc. At first, I'll admit I was intruiged and asked her questions and such, which was wrong of me (the more I think about what she told me, the more I realize how general it was, anyway). Now, even though she doesn't outright mention it much anymore, I am not sure that it's a good thing even to be around her? Although she claims to be a full on Christian and says that she rejects "misguided" people like Sylvia Brown who belive in reincarnation and other new age type of things, she seems a bit new agey herself to me. For example, she mentioned a "spirit guide" around me that kind of made me a bit uneasy. I was always taught that "occult" things like this were the territory of the devil. Part of me thinks she's just harmless (and I'll admit it, crazy) but I'm also a bit worried that there may be some demonic influence here? I don't want to be overly cautious and attribute everything to the devil but part of me can't help worrying that he's at work here? Any thoughts or suggestions on how to deal with being around her (because I really have no choice...)? Thanks! Katie

[Innocent]

A good place to ask such questions would be [url="http://saint-mike.org/qa/sw/default.asp"][b]the Spiritual Warfare Q & A section of the Saint Mike Website. [/b][/url]

Bro. Ignatius Mary, (a lay brother of a comparatively new monastic order called the Order of the Legion of St. Michael) has quite a bit of personal experience with spiritual warfare and he could give you a good answer.

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='Innocent' post='1446403' date='Jan 16 2008, 01:17 AM']A good place to ask such questions would be [url="http://saint-mike.org/qa/sw/default.asp"][b]the Spiritual Warfare Q & A section of the Saint Mike Website. [/b][/url]

Bro. Ignatius Mary, (a lay brother of a comparatively new monastic order called the Order of the Legion of St. Michael) has quite a bit of personal experience with spiritual warfare and he could give you a good answer.[/quote]

Thank You!!

[Church Punk]

See this is the problem with some born-again non denominational protestant Christians. They have no authority over them and it is easy for people to be lead astray into incorporating occult things into their daily life.

She may have a gift from God, she may not. I dont know. My only suggestion would be to look at the fruits of her Gift? is it selfless only to help other people? Or is it for her personal gain and wakes confusion in others?

[Tinkerlina]

Church Punk, I think you hit the nail on the head re: the need for Authority. And regarding the fruits, I can't see that much has come out of this either way, good or bad except for attention directed toward her, which may be a good hint...Thanks for the reply Katie

Edited January 16, 2008 by Tinkerlina

[Laudate_Dominum]

You might suggest that she submit her psychic powers to scientific evaluation since if her powers are proved real she will automatically get $1,000,000 and no doubt go down in history for kicking off the next great breakthrough in science, namely the discovery of authentic paranormal phenomenon.
She just needs to get in touch with James Randi via his website and setup a demonstration of her abilities. To date nobody has been able to demonstrate actual psychic abilities under controlled circumstances so the most logical explanation of this lady's abilities is self-delusion.

[url="http://www.randi.org/research/challenge.html"]http://www.randi.org/research/challenge.html[/url]

If she is convinced of her psychic powers and interested in the million bucks I would stress this bit of advice associated with the test:
[i]Several applicants have suffered great personal embarrassment after failing these tests. I strongly advise you to conduct proper double-blind tests of any ability you believe you can demonstrate, before attempting to undergo testing for this prize. This has saved many applicants much time and work, by showing that the powers were quite imaginary on the part of the would-be claimant. Do not choose to ignore the need for such a precaution. This advice is offered only so that the applicant might be spared these problems. [/i]

[jeffpugh]

Heh. Good call, L_D. My mom sometimes says she thinks she has psychic powers. I'm convinced though that she subconsciously reads situations or remembers things about other people... but I think it's from reading that Sylvia Browne fake.

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' post='1446575' date='Jan 16 2008, 04:11 PM']You might suggest that she submit her psychic powers to scientific evaluation since if her powers are proved real she will automatically get $1,000,000 and no doubt go down in history for kicking off the next great breakthrough in science, namely the discovery of authentic paranormal phenomenon.
She just needs to get in touch with James Randi via his website and setup a demonstration of her abilities. To date nobody has been able to demonstrate actual psychic abilities under controlled circumstances so the most logical explanation of this lady's abilities is self-delusion.[/quote]
LOL! Awesome idea. Really though, if I were psychic (not that I truly think she is) I don't think I'd start off my second day on the job telling my coworkers about it! Nutty.

[cathoholic_anonymous]

Once a priest from New Zealand came to our chaplaincy to say Mass.

He wasn't a real priest.

He made no mistakes during Mass and his sermon was fine. I don't know how I knew that he was an impostor. After Mass I asked our usual priest to take a closer look at this man's credentials. It turned out that his supposed home diocese had never heard of him and the parish he claimed to belong to did not exist.

I think that God sometimes places knowledge in somebody's head that they would never have been able to acquire otherwise, but I don't believe that people can read the minds of others at will.

[Laudate_Dominum]

OMGOSH! I've never heard of something so insane! Very neat that you sensed the bunkness.

[jeffpugh]

Wow. THAT was a gift from God...

I gotta story I'll tell later...

[cmotherofpirl]

Not all of God's gifts fit neatly into little boxes and categories. By their fruit we will know them.

[CatherineM]

If you're married long enough, you can finish your husband's sentences. I always know what he is thinking and getting ready to say. I used to know when my boys were about ready to get into some trouble. That doesn't make me a psychic, just a typical woman. Although it does unnerve my husband at times.

[Tinkerlina]

[quote name='Cathoholic Anonymous' post='1450077' date='Jan 24 2008, 01:56 PM']Once a priest from New Zealand came to our chaplaincy to say Mass.

He wasn't a real priest.

He made no mistakes during Mass and his sermon was fine. I don't know how I knew that he was an impostor. After Mass I asked our usual priest to take a closer look at this man's credentials. It turned out that his supposed home diocese had never heard of him and the parish he claimed to belong to did not exist.

I think that God sometimes places knowledge in somebody's head that they would never have been able to acquire otherwise, but I don't believe that people can read the minds of others at will.[/quote]

Wow, that's really strange...I agree that I think God can sometimes give people knowledge...I just don't think that's the case with this woman. It does seem to be a fake, attention getting thing, but it also does kinda creep me out!

[Deb]

I would sprinkle holy water in her office area when she is not there and hide some blessed medals in her desk. If of the devil, it could be fun to watch.