The Paranormal: A Bishop Investigates

The paranormal concerns happenings and experiences which defy rational or scientific explanation. Most people believe that they occur, but scientists tend to dismiss them as superstition, and the churches seem frightened of them. Experienced author, Bishop Hugh Montefiore, makes here a serious study of this fascinating subject. Never averse to controversy, he is not afraid to take on Professor Richard Dawkins, the well-known populariser of the natural sciences, who dismisses the paranormal out of hand. Here the subject is dealt with in a balanced and reasonable fashion. He cites many cases, giving reasons for and against accepting them as paranormal. Suggesting criteria by which to judge them, he leaves readers to make up their own minds, until the last chapter, where he gives his own conclusions. He ranges more widely than previous books on the subject by including the paranormal in religion. In the first part, he examines alleged cases of telepathy, precognition, automatic writing, mediums, ghosts, poltergeists and hauntings, and even astrology. In the second part, he considers the paranormal in religion, including near death experiences, exorcism and reincarnation. In the third part, he examines specifically Christian experiences, including visions and the extraordinary experiences of mystics. He even suggests that the paranormal is to be found in the scriptures. This remarkable book, which includes interviews with those who have experienced the paranormal, should prove to be irresistible reading.