What exactly would you class a ghost as?

[Requiem's Sapphire]

I personally believe in ghosts, but before you can believe in something, you have to know what it is..

So, with that in mind, what do you all think ghosts actually are?

Spirits of the deceased?
Cross dimensional beings?

Do tell.

[Steve]

wow That's a good (but difficult) question !!
What do I class a ghost as ? Lets start with the dictionary !
'A Ghost is the spirit of a dead person when visible in some form to a living person'
This in my mind would include a full apparition, partial apparition and perhaps even an 'Orb' or mist. Although most people would probably class a ghost as a 'figure' or 'partial figure' But the dictionary definition states 'visible in some form', so do you think this would include orbs and mists ?

To take it one step further the dictionary definition of a Spirit is
'The force within a person that provides the will to live, this force as an independent part of a person, is widely believed to survive the body after death, and sometimes visible as a ghost.'

And also the dictionary definition of a 'Soul'

'The non-physical part of a person, with personality, emotions, and intellect, widely believed to survive in some form after the death of the body'

Personally I think a 'Ghost' is purely an 'energy' perhaps a vibration or magnetic or electrical energy in another plane. I believe that this energy can draw from our own energy or from man-made energy (Electrical, magnetic etc.) or natural energy (The earths magnetic energy etc) and using this energy can produce some visible 'form' or produce audio phenomenon, such as bangs, taps or even voice like groans, or move objects. I believe that this 'energy' comprises of the 'soul' or 'spirit' of the person, and that if it materialises then it will take on the 'look' of the person it once belonged to.

This is one of the most difficult things to put into words, and I hope it makes sense !

I Must reiterate that these are my personal opinions and beliefs, but I would be very interested in hearing other peoples thoughts and theory's !

Finally: Do I believe in ghosts ?
I think that about 15 years ago I did see a full manifestation of a member of my family, but this could have been a trick of the eye or mind ! I Would like to see the 'ghost' of someone I didn't previously know, I think that would be better proof !
But if a 'ghost' is purely 'energy' that can produce paranormal phenomena like noises or moving objects, then due to the amount of things I have experienced over the years, both on investigations and my personal life (see forum entry on 'is your home haunted') Then yes, I have to say I do believe.

But like a lot of people at Essex Paranormal, my belief will be sealed if or when I see a full apparition which is also witnessed by other people on one of our investigations. ( Or of course capture that undisputed photograph of a 'ghost' on my camera !)

Steve