16 August 2008

A Follow up on Andrew McKellar


Originally Published in August 2008

Do you ever get that ‘dirty’ feeling when you see something? I don’t mean dirty as in naughty, I’m talking about dirty as in ‘unclean’ and ‘violated

Anyway, on another note, I thought I would check in on Andrew McKellar…. the ‘healer’. "andrewmckellar.com"

If you remember I had had a look at McKellar some time ago following his complete disregard of The Cancer Act 1939 by claiming he can cure cancer.. Not only did he claim to cure cancer but he also had a ‘Testimonial’ from one of his ‘patients’ on his site whom he claimed to have cured. I found, with a little research, that this particular patient had actually died shortly after, of cancer. Yet McKellar still used this gentlemans ‘testimonial’ to peddle his services.

A complaint was made to Trading Standards about his website and his claims to cure cancer.

The testimonial from the dead man has since been removed, but the smell of disgust, and death, lingers on. 

There is a testimonial, or ’tribute’ as McKellar likes to call them, from a rather uniquely named ‘Gale Angel’ who was diagnosed with a tumour on her lung ‘the size of a walnut’. She tells us:

“Four weeks after seeing Andrew, I had another scan and the tumour had gone. The Specialists were astounded”

The name ‘Gale Angel’ is not a common one, I did a search for her. What I found was a heartbreaking site dedicated to a Gale Angel, who sadly died of cancer. Coincidence? Too much of one for my liking.

McKellar’s website Homepage is now taken up with a large sign saying:

“IMPORTANT NOTICE, CLICK FOR DETAILS”


Perhaps it’s an apology to the family of Mr Phil Hurst, the man who died of cancer and whose testimonial McKellar was using to sell his ‘cancer cures’? You think? No, me neither. 

The ‘important notice' is a pathetic attempt to justify his ‘work’. It reads as follows:

“Statement:

There have always been Sceptics who have tried to expose and ridicule the power of healing” 


There’s no ‘trying’ involved McKellar, we DO expose it. Ridiculing it is the easy part.

“Andrew has recently been the victim of a tirade of unfounded accusations”

Firstly, why are you talking about yourself in the third person? Secondly I’m not sure which definition of ‘unfounded’ you’re using. I’ve always understood ‘unfounded’ to mean without evidence and groundless. I previously accused you in my other article of contravening The Cancer Act 1939:

(1) No person shall take any part in the publication of any advertisement—
(a) containing an offer to treat any person for cancer, or to prescribe any remedy therefor, or to give any advice in connection with the treatment thereof;


You and your website did EXACTLY that. Groundless? Without evidence? I think not.

I also accused you of using a ‘Tribute’ from a Mr Phil Hurst praising you for curing his cancer. A man who later died from cancer. Tributes and Testimonials are used as a method of advertising your ‘services’ and ‘abilities’. I said you made ‘disgusting claims’. I stand by that remark, using the comments from a man who died of cancer to sell your cure for cancer is nothing less than disgusting. I could think of much, much stronger words to convey my feelings about it.

Unfounded accusations’? Really McKellar? Really?

“Recently his work has been attacked on the Internet and for no good reason”.


Yes, it has been attacked, by myself. As for ‘no good reason’, the sheer fact that you contravened The Cancer Act is enough for me, not to mention your dead clients testimonies.

“These critics have no experience, knowledge or understanding of Spiritual Healing and therefore it becomes an easy target for these headline-seekers”

You have absolutely NO idea how much knowledge, experience or understanding I have of it. But what if ‘Joe Public’ understands The Cancer Act and sees that you have broken it? Are you saying that you haven’t broken it if that person has no ‘knowledge of Spiritual Healing’? 

If you break a law, you break a law, regardless of anyone’s understanding of ‘Healing’.
Should I send my friends on a Spiritual Healers Course so they can understand your use of a dead clients testimonial for your own financial gain, or do you think they could just possibly scrape by using common sense? 

“Puerile comments made by these faceless attention seeking people is just vacuous nonsense”

Faceless attention seeking people? That’s a bit of an oxymoron isn’t it? If I was seeking attention, surely I would not be ‘faceless’? You don’t really think I’m a Meercat do you? No, surely not...
Vacuous nonsense? As I have already stated, my accusations were factual.

“They appear very interested in making a name for themselves and to wallow in sensationalism,”

I have no interest in making a name for myself, hence writing under the name ‘Meercat’. What I DO have an interest in is people making a financial gain by claiming to cure cancer.

“perhaps they would benefit from a little more time spent researching Spiritual Healing as they show total ignorance and very little understanding of the subject”

Which is it? Total ignorance or very little understanding? I can’t speak for anyone else but my research into Spiritual Healing has been pretty in-depth, and after that research I STILL think that claiming to cure cancer by ‘laying on of hands’ is bulls*it.

Perhaps if I spent more time researching the Tooth Fairy I may start to believe in that again? I’m now concerned that I may have shrugged off Father Christmas a little too casually. Perhaps if I just researched the whole ‘elves and toys’ thing a little deeper…..
Studying fiction does not turn it into fact.

“A percentage of the medical profession do recognise the benefits that are gained through a gifted healer,”

Well, I suppose even 000.1 is a percentage if you want to look at it that way…

“indeed over the past few years, Doctors, Specialists and Scientists alike have announced publicly and on Television, their findings and personal experiences of Spiritual Healing and being amazed by its results”

A classic ‘Woo’ appeal to authority argument. Aside from failing to mention who these ‘Doctors, Specialists and Scientists are, it makes little difference as to what trade they belong to. Is there a difference between a brick layer and a Doctor believing in something? What if you have a practising Muslim Doctor and a practising Christian Doctor? Whose choice of Fairy Tale is the right one, after all, they’re both Doctors….
ANYONE can be gullible or credulous.

“Andrew McKellar’s Healing speaks for itself with countless members of the public coming from all corners of the Globe, to attend his Sanctuary and personally experience his amazing ability to heal.”

There you go again talking about yourself in the third person. You realise that talking like that is number one in the WTN News ‘ten signs you’re taking yourself too seriously’ list don’t you?

“Unfortunately , a few small minded people will always be swayed by these plausible arguments, however , open-minded people will see right through these self appointed pundits”


You were caught red-handed McKellar, you claim, against the law, to cure cancer, you used a dead mans testimony to make yourself money. This has nothing to do with being open or closed minded, just facts, but being a ‘healer’ I’m sure ‘facts’ don’t matter too much to you. 
It’s a poor state of affairs if your only argument against people who don’t believe the woo that you’re peddling to the gullible, credulous and desperate, is that they are ’closed minded’.

“We all have one thing in common, one day we will die. No-one knows where, when or how?”

Genius, absolute Genius. Obviously University educated…. 

“If you are cured of a terminal illness through Spiritual Healing, this cure maybe permanent, however, it does not make you immune to death just as a medical cure does not carry a guarantee, you may get knocked down by a bus or have a heart attack some time later. You can be cured of on e thing only to die of something completely unrelated in the future. When it is your time there is no changing the inevitable.”


A fantastic bit of mindless rambling, you’ve really opened my eyes to the whole life/death issue. I seem to be missing the point here, was there one? 
Is this a poor attempt at explaining your use of certain ‘tributes’? Had Mr Hurst, and, if it’s the same person on your site, Gale Angel, died in a car accident or of a heart attack then you might start to make some sense. You see the issue here, and it’s a big one, is that you claim to have CURED them of cancer, and they DIED of cancer. You see where I’m coming from? It’s not exactly the best, and most sensitive way, of peddling your wares is it?

“Andrew was born to heal and help others and will continue to dedicate his life to others for as long as its needed”

Oh for the love of Bejeebus and Jaffa Cakes, you make it sound like you’re a volunteer in a war zone or running an orphanage in Sri Lanka using your own money! I’ve seen the videos of you ‘working’. You touch someone, and then make a profit from it. Not bad work if you can get it, good hours and no heavy lifting. No doubt you’ll tell us that it ‘physically and mentally drains you’ or you ‘get scuff marks on your aura’….

“Andrew says, ‘The mind is like a parachute, it only works when it opens. One of the greatest pleasures in life is doing what others say you cannot do”

Tim Minchin says “If you open your mind too much your brain will fall out”

Let me give you a huge amount of pleasure if it floats your boat to do things that people say you cannot. 

I say you cannot give up claiming to cure cancer……

“It is much easier to be critical than to be correct. To avoid critism, do nothing, say nothing and be nothing.”

A curious choice of quotes. The first from Benjamin Disraeli, one of those figures we have come to trust and believe, a British politician, and the second from Elbert Hubbard. Perhaps a more fitting Hubbard quotation would be:

“If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names”
Small minded, puerile, ignorant,… ring any bells Andrew? 

Finally, at the bottom of this ‘Statement’ there is a link to a ‘news’ article. One of McKellar’s clients, 81 year old (or at least he was in 2000) Harry Mowbray. Harry tells us that he has had 55 operations in 26 years to remove kidney stones, apparently he has had 450 stones removed. That’s 2.1 operations a year… call me sceptical but this man appears to be some sort of walking quarry….

McKellar ‘cured’ him! In just a few sessions so it seems. Not only did McKellar stop this man creating a natural rockery, he also cured his prostate cancer. 

Harry tells us that his prostate cancer was detected by x-ray. Curious… Although I’m no Doctor, I’m of that age where prostate cancer is obviously of some concern and I have done a little research into it... so to speak... Better to be safe than sorry I say. What I find curious is that as far as I’m aware, prostate cancer is not diagnosed by x-ray.
An x-ray is only used AFTER the cancer has been diagnosed to see if it has spread to the surrounding bones.

Harry tells us:

“Last November my consultant told me that, once again, there were stones in my Kidneys and x-rays showed that I had prostate cancer”


Again, I’m not a Doctor and claim limited medical knowledge, but I know that an x-ray cannot show if something is cancerous or not. Even if Harry had been given an ultrasound and not an x-ray, it would still not show if cancer was present. Only a biopsy would show this. IF he had been given an ultrasound and it had shown ‘dark patches’ on his prostate, without a biopsy the dark patch could very well be a cyst of the prostate, a region of inflammation, or it could even be a large blood vessel.

It was only AFTER Harry had seen McKellar that his GP gave him a blood test for prostate cancer and was told he didn’t have it. My point being is that Harry is claiming McKellar cured his cancer without actually being diagnosed with it in the first place. You can’t cure something that isn’t there….

Yours, desperately seeking attention and sensationalism,
Meercat.

10 August 2008

"Miracle Worker" - Andrew McKellar



Originally Published 10th August 2008.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Decency has left the building"

When not performing his favourite Elvis or Buddy Holly songs or combing his quiff, Andrew McKellar is curing the incurable.

andrewmckellar.com (best to use 'Wayback' to view his 'Tributes', his current site relies heavily on flash graphics and its easier to read the 'text only' sites)

McKellar has quite obviously never heard of the Cancer Act 1939:

By Meercat

Quote:
(1) No person shall take any part in the publication of any advertisement—
(a) containing an offer to treat any person for cancer, or to prescribe any remedy therefor, or to give any advice in connection with the treatment thereof;
(2) If any person contravenes any of the provisions of the foregoing subsection, he shall be liable on summary conviction, [to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both such a fine and such imprisonment.




You see, McKellars site is almost entirely about his ability to cure cancer. Including one person who was given just an hour to live.....

"Elizabeth, Southampton, UK: “I suffered with lung cancer… I was in hospital and given only one hour to live. My family called Andrew McKellar, the healer. He placed his hands on my upper chest and the heat was amazing! The cancer vanished and he then cured my arthritis.”

Yes, not only did he cure the incurable, he then went on to fix her arthritis as a finale.

I suggest a quick conversation with someone like a MacMillan nurse to find out exactly what state the body will be in in the last hour of lung cancer. 'Curing' someone of lung cancer in the last hour of their life is as close as you'll get to actually resurrecting the dead. This was indeed a miracle. You'll remember reading about it in the papers, and seeing it on the news. No? You're right, neither did I.

Lets have a look at some of his other miracle cures:

Quote:

Malcolm, Bournemouth, UK: “After being diagnosed with bowel cancer and given chemotherapy I was then told it had been unsuccessful and that I only had a short time to live. After seeing Andrew my cancer vanished - to the amazement of the medical establishment.”


Quote:

Jane, Southampton, UK: “I was diagnosed with an incurable lung disease and I was told that I was going to die. The doctor made me as comfortable as possible. Andrew McKellar cured me … to the utter amazement of the specialist.”

Quote:

Percy, Bournemouth, UK: “I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. The bleeding stopped one hour after Andrew placed his hands on me. On my next trip to hospital they found no abnormalities.”


Quote:

Peggy, Southampton, UK: “I had bladder cancer. I was told I would have to have an operation and a permanent colostomy bag. After seeing Andrew the cancer vanished.”


Quote:

Gail Angel, UK: “I was diagnosed with a tumour on the lung the size of a walnut. I was told that I would have to have chemotherapy. Knowing the risks of side-effects I refused it. I heard about Andrew McKellar’s success in being able to disperse tumours with his healing ability. May family and I were totally amazed. Four weeks after seeing Andrew, I had another scan – the tumour had gone. My medical experts were astounded.”


Quote:

Tracy Watson, UK: “I had a large mass of cancer on the spine and was told that not only was it chemo-resistant but that nothing at all could be done to treat it. It was suggested that I had little time left. I started to see Andrew and a recent scan showed that the tumour is now practically non-existent. To say that the specialist was amazed is an understatement. The heat from Andrew’s hands is awesome. My husband and I would like to thank Andrew for sharing with us his wonderful gift of healing.”


Quote:

“I suffered with bowel and lung cancer – not long to live. I went to Andrew and the cancer vanished. Lungs clear, bowel clear. Amazing. Thank you Andrew.”


Do you remember seeing all these miracles splashed all over the newspapers? No, neither do I. Wouldn't you think if not McKellar, the people cured would be shouting from the rooftops about these miracles? I know I would. 

So I thought I would search the Internet for these people and their miraculous cures. I found only two. A Tim Bayliss who features on McKellers video interviews on his site, and on a BBC local news program about McKellar:



Although other than that there is no mention of this miracle cure that I can find anywhere. 

Another person to appear in McKellars videos claiming that he had been cured from cancer is a Mr Phil Hurst. He also features on the written 'Tributes', first appearing on the site in January 2005:

Quote:

Phil Hurst, UK: “A few months ago I was told the shattering news that I had lung cancer – two tumours on my right lung. I was offered the option of having chemotherapy but after careful thought I refused it for fear of the side-effects. I’m a keen runner and have regularly taken part in the London marathon. My specialist told me that I would never run again. I went to Andrew for a course of healing and when I returned to my local hospital my specialist was astounded to find no trace of the tumours. What can I say? I can’t thank Andrew enough – the heat from his hands was extraordinary. My marathon running continues!”


Very sadly, when searching for Mr Hurst on the Internet, I found this from November 2006:

"The funeral service of Phil Hurst takes place today at St John's Church, Rownhams, followed by a private cremation."

"Link no longer working or archived"

"Family flowers only please, but donations, if desired to Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie Cancer Care"


"Link no longer working or archived"


Yet McKellar still uses Mr Hurst's 'tribute' and video interview as 'proof' off his miracle cures. 

Is McKellar mentioned in the Acknowledgements for Mr Hurst's funeral? No, Cancer Research and Marie Curie are. 

We have looked at some some disgusting claims on this site in the past, but this has to top them all. 

Meercat

8 August 2008

REVIEW: Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal - Episode 6: Angels and Demons



“The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike” - Delos B. McKown.

The first child introduced is Dalton age fifteen. He claims to see and feel spirits. He also claims they are angry at him. Another claim is that he can feel emotions. The show then cuts to Dalton’s dad, Larry. Larry is asking Dalton if he can feel a spirit right now. Dalton answers, “Yes, I can.” The striking thing about this is that it is not Dalton saying he feels a spirit but his father asking.

Dalton then seeking approval from his dad answers yes. From appearances, which can be deceiving, it looks as though Dalton and his father do not have much in common. Dalton is dressed in black and has died his hair black. His hair is also beyond the shoulder in length and Dalton lets it fall onto his face. Larry is wearing a camouflage hat and more hunting type gear.

The next scene is Larry talking about how he used to be skeptical. The parents in almost every interview claim to be skeptical at first, but also believed in ghosts or spirits before their children exhibited these phenomena. Larry says he came to believe because of Dalton’s accuracy.


Dalton is now talking about his first psychic experience. It occurred two years prior to the show. Dalton was with his dad and an unnamed friend, who was not interviewed, trout fishing. What happened, according to Dalton, was he started to get flashes of sadness, a blue truck, and a kid in the truck. Two weeks after Dalton had this experience, a missing young adult and a truck were found in the lake.

As this seemed extraordinary, I decided to research the case. The child was a nineteen year old sophomore at the University of Illinois by the name of Ryan Katcher. He had been missing for 6 years, Dalton and his dad both claimed 7 years. Ryan’s body was discovered by emergency crews while testing new equipment. Why were they testing the equipment on this lake? This lake was where they believed Ryan could be but their old equipment just wasn’t able to detect the truck. Ryan was found 50 feet deep (15 meters) and 100 feet (30 meters) from the shore. The truck he was found in was his own. It was the truck Emergency workers had been stating he was in for the last 6 years. It was a black Ford. (http://www.commercial-news.com/homepage/local_story_206143447.html?keyword=leadpicturestory)

Now looking at what Dalton and his dad said compared with the facts. The truck was black, Dalton claimed it was blue. Considering the truck color was known it is more amazing he missed on this. Dalton said the truck was in the lake. The truck was in the lake. According to the newspaper article, I found, the emergency crews had suspected that the truck was in the lake since Ryan was reported missing. Due to the depth of the lake and the conditions of the water, it was very difficult to find anything in the lake. The show made it seem like Dalton was responsible for finding the truck and body. There is no mention of any psychic help with locating the body. In fact it seems that Dalton and his father only told this story after the truck was found.

The next child introduced is Ashley age thirteen. Ashley claims to see evil faces everywhere she goes. Her first experience was seeing her grandma’s face in her mom’s curtains shortly after her grandma died. Her grandmother died eight years ago. 13 – 8 = 5. Ashley was 5 years old. Ashley’s mom made her go to counseling for “a month or three”. She was 5 years old. Mom claims that as a child Ashley was always frightened. Mom sensed Ashley could see things. She was 5 years old. Her mom then took her to church where they believed that psychics are not speaking to the dead but to demons. She was 5 years old. It then states that Ashley does not believe the same as her mother. Ashley believes more along the lines of her Native American heritage, doesn’t say which one. Ashley says she believes all spirits are good. Her mother believes in angels and demons with nothing in between.

In the next scene, Dr. Lisa Miller and psychic Chip Coffey are seen driving to Ashley’s house. The show states that Chip knows nothing about Ashley. Chip makes the statement, “I had a dream last night about Native American things, the people, the culture, the land, but didn’t know what it meant.” Dr. Miller considers this amazing as the girl they are seeing is of Native American descent. Let’s take a closer look at what Chip said. He did not say he was going to see a Native American girl to help. He says this also as they are getting closer to where she lives, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. “The word Wisconsin has its origins in the name given to the Wisconsin River by one of the Algonquian speaking American Indian groups living in the region at the time of European contact (Wikipedia)”. All of Wisconsin is steeped in Native American history. There was no real way for Chip to be wrong.

Chip talks to Ashley. Ashley now claiming she hears demonic voices and wailing. This contradicts her previous statement of all spirits being good. This is also more in line with her mother’s beliefs. As they are talking, Chip stops and claims something just walked near them and that they are being watched. Ashley goes along with saying she feels like she is being watched all the time.

Dr. Miller interviews Ashley’s mom. Asks her if Ashley’s descriptions of when she sees things are different than her just imagining things. I have a few issues with this question. First, the question is automatically assuming that what Ashley is experiencing is real. Dr. Miller is giving credence to the idea that Ashley has paranormal powers. The second is Ashley’s mom cannot know if any of it is real or imaginary. Ashley’s mom answers of course yes. Dr. Miller follows this up with the most logical question in the whole episode. “How does it seem different?” The answer though fails logic. “I don’t believe she would make up something out of imagination or anything.” She was 5 years old during her first “psychic” experience. Imagination in children develops between the ages of 3 to 4. Also the experience of losing a grandparent at that age will have an affect on the child. There are plenty of articles on the internet discussing both of these issues. It is fair to say that Ashley’s mother affected how Ashley perceives the world now.

Dr. Miller then asks what it is that she thinks Ashley sees. Her mom answers Demons, fallen angels. The show then cuts to Ashley talking to Chip about the angel and demon thing. Ashley disagrees with her mom that all these things she sees are demons. She never disagrees with her mother’s views in front of her mother. Next is Ashley’s mom saying she wants Ashley to open up more to her.

Chip begins to talk to Ashley’s mom and they argue over whether it is demons or just lost spirits. Ashley’s mother says she will not let her daughter help others “cross over”. At this point Chip gets confrontational and tells the mom that her daughter doesn’t believe that everything is either angels or demons with nothing in between. I felt this was rather callous and insensitive of Chip. This was a discussion that the mother and daughter should have had in private. Chip did not have the right to just throw this in the mother’s face as a bargaining chip. He used this information for the shock value against the mother. The mother could only respond that she does not feel good about that. In my opinion, this showed that Chip, Dr. Miller, and the show do not care for the people they are “helping”, but instead are exploiting them for ratings.

Chip tries to convince the mother to let him “help” her daughter. Mom finally concedes with conditions. Ashley can do the exercises as long as she knows that she is communicating with demons.

The next scene is at the Inn where the two kids are going to meet. The East Park Inn built in 1893 in Racine, Wisconsin. There is some background about the house and how it is “haunted”. Chip makes another statement about feeling a child or young person died here. In 1911, the infant mortality rate for the US was 135 deaths per 1000 live births (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/short/103/2/478). So there was a good chance that a child died at the house. It is confirmed by the current owner.

The next scene is Chip and Dr. Miller interviewing Dalton. Dalton talks about his “finding” of the dead body in the lake. Dalton’s dad then talks about his 15 year old emo son having mood swings and how it “isn’t normal”.

The kids are then shown to be on a ghost hunt while the parents share stories. Dalton’s dad talks about how the teachers get on to Dalton for daydreaming in class. His dad explains that this daydreaming is actually a psychic vision. His dad also says he had a psychologist talk to Dalton. Dalton was declared to be a perfectly normal teenage boy. So why does his dad keep insisting on these paranormal explanations? My thoughts on this, having no background in psychology, is that this is something Dalton and his father can both talk about. It seems that as father and son they don’t have a lot in common except for these psychic visions. Even the first vision relates back to a time they are both doing something together. These are just my own opinions.

Chip and the teenagers are in a dark room. He asks how they feel. Both answer scared. They are in a dark room at night that Chip just told them was haunted, and they are both predisposed to delusions of ghosts. How does Chip expect them to feel? Now Chip asks them to find out any information on ghosts present in the room. Dalton claims that it is a nurse that used to live in the room. He cannot give a name though. The information about the house being a nurse school was given during the tour. It also wasn’t shown if the kids were given the tour or what they did during the day before that night’s ghost hunt.

It is after Dalton talks about the nurse that something happens. Chip and Dalton both claim to hear a voice say hello and then see a figure walk by the hall. One of the cameramen claims to have seen it too. The cameraman was not able to get a shot of it on his camera. He did give a description. It was a figure all dressed in black. It went down the staircase and looked up at them. He said it was like the figure was wearing a ski mask. The “ghost” then went out of eye range into the hall downstairs. When all three, Dalton, Chip, and the cameraman, arrived downstairs, it was gone. There are few things this could be. First, it could be a ghost. Second, the whole thing could have been made up by the members of the show. Third, it could have been someone who works at the Inn trying to drum up ghost stories for more publicity. I personally feel it is option three. It happened to fast for all three to make up the same story, although it could have been planned ahead of time. There is no evidence for the first option. The cameraman did not capture it on film, so all we have is anecdotal evidence. My main reason I believe it was staff there has mainly to do with what happens next in the show. Besides what happens next, it is also easy to explain away the disappearing of the ghost at the bottom of the stairs, if it was staff. They simply went into one of the rooms downstairs. The owners and employees would be able to set up the situation and know which rooms were unoccupied.

This next scene convinced me the ghost was a setup by the owners. Chip is touring the house with the owner of the inn. The owner claims that her daughter is also psychic and senses ghosts. Now we are introduced to Mallory, age 14. Mallory and Chip are talking to each other about her experiences. In this scene, Mallory says she doesn’t think they are psychic experiences but feelings.

Next, the kids are talking to each other about their experiences. Mallory tell them all the scary stories of the Inn. At this point, Mallory is now talking about spirits and “energy”. This is quite different than the talk shown between her and Chip.

A couple of reaffirmations occur next. In the first one Dalton is talking to Chip about a ghost he sees in a graveyard. He says how he is scared of it. Chip tells him how to “protect” himself from evil spirits. Ashley talks to Dr. Miller about seeing her grandmother. Dr. Miller insists that it is Ashley’s grandmother and not a demon. It seems that Dr. Miller and Chip are just trying to strain the relationship between Ashley and her mother.

The next night, Chip and the kids are going to the basement because Mallory is afraid of it. Chip asks how they are feeling, in this dark, damp, noisy, old basement. Ashley is scared. Dalton is nervous. Mallory says she is getting a headache, apparently a sign of paranormal, and she feels like someone is behind her. Dalton confirms this. Not to be left out this time, Ashley claims to suddenly feel it, also. Chip says they had a visitor and says no more about it. They hear a noise, in the dark, damp, noisy, old basement. Ashley claims to see a face. Chip says someone is present. Dalton says he feels it now. Mallory claims to see something crawling, in the dark, damp, noisy, old basement filled with the pipes for water and heating and air. Mallory now claims something is messing with her. She can be seen pinching her nose and her nose starts bleeding. The little bit of blood from the nose is considered a paranormal attack according to Chip. The attack does not end the ghost hunt, oh no, they continue on.

Chip now tells Ashley to summon her grandmother to protect them, like Lassie, here girl come on girl. At this point, Chip asks Dalton and Mallory what they think they feel of Ashley’s grandmother, let the warm reading begin. I say warm because they already know it is her grandmother and we do not know what all they talked about during the day as only a 5 minute conversation was shown. It is very possible and likely that Ashley told the other children about her grandmother. Especially since Ashley’s grandmother is part of Ashley’s first experience. Dalton says cancer popped into his head. He did not say cancer of the lymph nodes, which was the cause of her death. One would think the dead would know what killed them. Mallory says breathing, breathing and changes that to hearing the word chemo, after Dalton gets his hit. Even if Ashley did not tell them that her grandmother died from cancer, it is still a generic guess. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2007 there were 559,650 deaths caused by cancer.

(http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp)

Ashley starts crying. The show states again that Dalton and Mallory knew nothing about Ashley’s grandmother, even though we never see what they are talking about during the days.

Chip then has Dalton and Mallory talk to Ashley’s mother. Dalton is to describe what he “saw”. The description Dalton gives is of very generic end of life cancer care. Tubes and monitors hooked up to the patient, again nothing specific. Mallory talks about how she thought heart first and then said chemo after Dalton got a hit with cancer. She then tells Ashley’s mother that she sees flowers. It was already stated that her grandmother was in a hospital. The common perception of hospital patients is people bringing them flowers, so this is a safe guess. Ashley’s mother says that flowers were the grandmother’s “thing” but she was not allowed to have them in the room with her. Mallory quickly adds that she felt it was a “mystical” flower in the room. So the flower guess was actually a miss but is quickly changed to a hit by making it mystical. Mallory then claims it is a red rose. Ashley’s mom confirms it was her favorite. The most popular cut flowers in the U.S. traditionally have been roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums.

Ashley is claiming 100% hits by the other two kids about her grandmother. Looking at it though, Dalton’s predictions were very generic and could apply to thousands of people in a single year. Mallory was completely wrong about the heart and the flowers. She was only right about the rose, which is one of the most popular flowers in the United States.

The show ends with updates on all three kids. Dalton is still afraid of a cemetery near where he lives. Mallory is no longer afraid of the basement. Ashley and her mother still argue about beliefs.

Again, a common thread among all three of the kids is that they each were only shown with a single parent. This is exactly the same as the last show I reviewed. I am not sure if they are single parent homes or if the other parent just wasn’t shown.

By BeamStalk

Self Regulating Mediums? A Look At The Spiritual Workers Association

Originally published 8/8/2008

As you may be aware, since the change in legislation with regards to Consumer Protection, a ‘new’ group formed from the objectors to the change. The Spiritual Workers Association.
spiritualworkersassociation.org.uk

The ‘association’ was formed by Carole and David McEntee-Taylor and Ian Jones who you may remember started an e-petition against the change in Law, the same petition that contained false information, stating:
"other than the Church of England, Spiritualism is the only other legally recognised religion in this country. The others are only tolerated"
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Clairvoyants/#detail

You will understand why some of us are wary of your intentions from the start if even your petition contains false information. Whether or not that information was put there with the intent to deceive or not, it still does not say much for your understanding of your OWN religion does it?

By Meercat:

What if someone had signed that petition purely because of that statement? Do you not think that would be misleading or dishonest? It sums up nicely the vast majority of the Psychics we look at on here.

These are also the same people who stated that the new law was discriminatory against them under the Equality Act 2006, an act which they have obviously not read, or have read but not understood. The Equality Act is in place for many good reasons, unfortunately for the SWA none of those reasons are 'freedom to charge money to talk to the dead'.

The e-petition also claimed "The Religious Discrimination Act states that all religions should be treated equally", the only small problem there is that there isn't actually a "Religious Discrimination Act". There IS the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, but once again it mentions nothing about having the right the charge money for a non-tangible service. Mind you, if you claim you're being discriminated against, it does help your case a little if you actually read the Act concerned rather than make one up to suit your purpose.

The SWA state that their aim is to:

Quote:
"promote excellence and improve standards in the field of spiritual work."


and that they:
Quote:


"intend to offer both public and government an organisation with policies and working practises that


* Is representative of the majority of spiritual workers
* Shows how our organisation can succeed where the proposed legislation will fail
* That is self regulating"


They also state:

Quote:

"In time the association’s membership list will also be available to the public to enable them to find spiritual workers who they know are committed to high standards"


It all sounds very honourable doesn't it? They believe that 'self regulating' is far more effective than Legislation. 

Unfortunately 'Psychics/Mediums' and 'Healers' have constantly failed to 'Police' their own industry and it seems that within just a few short months of it's existence, the SWA has shown that 'self regulation' of their industry has again failed.

The SWA have what they call their 'Round Table', a list of 'Trustees' and 'Officers', and 'Partners'. 
Two of which are members of the 'International Community of St John the Divine', an Ashley Scoulding and a gentleman by the name of Barry Rathbone "Officer (Ministry)" who decided to start his own Church in 1992 called the 'International Community of St John the Divine' and 'The Order of the Holy Knights of St John the Divine' giving himself the title of :

"His Beatitude The Rt Rev Dr Barry Rathbone DD (hons) Dip LSR KGCSJ( OM ) ICSS Founding Moderating Bishop & Abbot of the Order. De Jure Bishop Metropolitan"

not to mention, "Grand Knight Cross and Abbot." Strangely, the 'Church' accepts and performs gay marriage but the 'Knights Order' does not permit women to be ordained as Priests.....

Now I have nothing against this particular 'Church' but I am very wary of people who feel they have to bestow themselves with such ridiculous titles and letters after their names in an attempt to give themselves more credibility.

Another of their 'Officers' is a woman by the name of Sarah Tyler-Walters 
(www.voicesofspirit.co.uk)

I had a little look at her site and found that she channels a 'spirit' called 'Master Chou' who 

Quote:

"lived in China prior to the birth of Jesus and died aged 102" 

There are a few podcasts available on her site enabling you to listen to 'Master Chou' speak. It' reminds me of Peter Sellers in "The Fiendish Plot of Fu Manchu"...

Now, with 'Master Chou' being a Chinese gentleman, and as he is speaking with such a peculiar accent, one can only presume that English is not his first language so I emailed Sarah asking:

"Hi,
Is it possible to have a reading with Master Chou in Chinese?
Kind regards"


You see, I have a Chinese friend whose English is good but not great and I'm sure he would love to converse with 'Master Chou' in his native tongue. The reply from Sarah?
Quote:


"All readings are done in English.

Harmony and Light
Sarah"


Now THERE'S a surprise.....

My biggest issue with the SWA 'self regulating' is the fact that they have as one of their 'partners', "Zerdin Phenomenal" (www.zerdinphenomenal.co.uk) a website that has seen fit to promote on their website none other than Andrew McKellar, yes, the Andrew McKellar who, against UK Law, claims to cure cancer and who used a testimonial from one (possibly two, we're still waiting for conformation on the other) client who died from cancer shortly after being 'cured' by McKellar. 

That’s right, using the testimony of a man who died from cancer to sell his services to cure cancer.

So 'Spiritual Workers Association', just exactly HOW are you 'self regulating' your industry when your own 'partners' are promoting people like this? It appears all you have done is create a website, made up an 'association' name and invited all and sundry to join you without ANY thought about how you are actually going to regulate anything. Are you, as usual, going to rely on sites such as BadPsychics to do it for you?....

Thank goodness for Legislation.

Meercat.

6 August 2008

Psychic Christine Hamlett Attempts To Fight Back...

It appears that Christine 'trying my best to make a name for myself by using the Moors Murders' Hamlett (you know the one, she's the woman who keeps telling people she's 'Psychic') is a little miffed about appearing on BadPsychics.

It seems that she has attempted to 'fight back' against myself and Jon on her website. A battle of wits? Maybe so, but she appears to have turned up unarmed.....

Christine, a small word in your ear, if you plan on producing another 'get your own back', get someone else to write it.

By Meercat

www.christinehamlett.com

Lets see how her 'retort' looks shall we? All sitting comfortably?
(I may have to paraphrase to remove some of the 'waffle')
Quote:

"AS MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE SEEN I AM ON THIS SITE I HAVE NOT SPOKEN OUT AS I WAS TOLD NOT TO.. SO I AM PUTTING MY OWN COMMENTS ABOUT ALL THIS HERE ON MY OWN SITE....."


Notice it's all in upper case, as is the rest of the piece. It's a well known Law of Woo that if it's in upper case, it's true.

Quote:
"I HAVE NOT SPOKEN OUT AS I WAS TOLD NOT TO.. "


By?.... Jesus? 'Two Trees'? Dwonk the Pixie?

Quote:
"JON DONNIS OWNER OF THE SITE BADPSYCHICS ....THERE IS PLENTY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUY ON THE NET ..."


Yes there is, mostly put up by people like yourself who have been exposed on BadPsychics, if not by 'Psychics' then the supporters of 'Psychics'. You really know you've hit a nerve when people develop websites dedicated to an individual trying to discredit the person rather than what they are doing. 
You may not have heard of it Christine but its called 'argumentum ad hominem', look it up on Wikipedia. I'll tell you what, I'll save you the time:

"consists of replying to an argument or factual claim by attacking or appealing to a characteristic or belief of the person making the argument or claim, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence against the claim. The process of proving or disproving the claim is thereby subverted, and the argumentum ad hominem works to change the subject."


Ring any bells Christine?....
Quote:

"CLAIMS THAT HE IS SIMPLY IN THE BUSINESS OF SLAGGING OF(sic) MEDIUMS FOR THE MONEY....AND THAT HE POCKETS THE MONEY DONATED TO HIS SITE TO USE FOR BEER"


Yep, we're all 'in it for the money'. I'm currently renovating my third yacht. It would be my fourth but the 23 illegal immigrants I have working for me are not pulling their weight. I shall beat them later with my diamond encrusted whip that I had custom made from the profits of exposing charlatans.

Are you open for a little advice Christine? You are? Good...
Stick with pretending to talk to the dead and don't go into investigative journalism. My point?...

Quote:
"HE POCKETS THE MONEY DONATED TO HIS SITE TO USE FOR BEER"


You see, the giveaway is the fact that it's called "The BP Beer Fund". It would come as no surprise to Watchdog or Donal MacIntyre that the money in a 'beer fund' is spent on....wait for it.....beer. Ta Daaaa!!
Quote:

"HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN MAY CAST THE FIRST STONE....."


Oh please keep your Religious quotes to yourself, if you want to start playing the Religion game, how about :

Leviticus 19:31 'Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

I was going to quote Leviticus 20:27 but personally I've never agreed with stoning, even for Mediums....

Quote:
"HERE IS A VERY CHILDISH EMAIL FROM JON DONNIS AND I AM AFRAID I SANK DOWN TO HIS LEVEL IN MY REPLY....

Donnis email...

IT IS INTERESTING HOW YOU USE SARCASM TO DEFEND YOURSELF UNFORTUNATLY IT JUST EXPOSES FUTHER INSECURITIES YOU HAVE
I SUPPOSE THAT IS WHY YOU CREATED THE DELUSION OF MAGICAL POWERS MAKES YOU FEEL SPECIAL
WHEN IN REALITY YOU ARE JUST A NORMAL MIDDLE AGED WOMAN."


I see nothing 'childish' about that, it appears very straight forward to me.

Quote:
"my reply....

IT IS INTERESTING HOW YOU USE NASTINESS TO DEFEND YOURSELF..
UNFORTUNATLY IS JUST EXPOSES YOUR INSECURITIES THAT YOU HAVE
I SUPPOSE WHEN YOU GOT THE CALLING TO DESTROY THE THINGS YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND IT MADE YOU FEEL SPECIAL
WHEN IN REALITY YOU ARE JUST A SAD LITTLE MAN..."


Sometimes people should not be let near a keyboard. It's hardly literary genius to change a couple of words in a paragraph is it? The main point being, that Donnis, myself, and others who think that charging money to pretend to talk to the dead is disgusting, have nothing to defend. Nothing. We are not making the ridiculous claims that have to be defended, the 'Psychics' are.
Quote:

"NOTE HOW NONE OF THIS HAS APPEARED ON THE BADPSYCJHICS(sic) WEBSITE ......."


Unfortunately I have not been able to log into 'Badpsycjhics' but you can rest assured it will now appear on BadPsychics. Obviously had we thought it worthy of more than a cursory glance, we would have put it on sooner, but we aim to please.
Quote:

"JON DONNIS OR WHATEVER HE CALLS HIMSELF ALSO HAD THE NERVE TP(sic) PULL ME UP ON MY GRAMMAR ...."


'tp'? It's not just your grammar obviously...
Quote:

"YES I KNOW IT IS NOT GOOD BUT THAT'S ME ..."


But it's not 'just you' is it? This is the point we keep making time and time again. Why is it that 95% of 'Woo' websites contain such bloody awful spelling and grammar? Personally speaking, my spelling and grammar is appalling, I am the King of Typos, we all make mistakes, but I DO have a spell check (which sometimes fails admittedly) but if you produce a website to sell a service, don't you think you should at least get someone to proof read it first? 

'Psychics' tend to disagree, preferring to come across as illiterate instead of professional. Please, and not just you Christine, if you are selling something, at least give your customers the courtesy of making it look like you used a bit of effort. 
Quote:

"WHAT I DO OBJECT TO IS SOMEONE LIKE DONNIS PULLING ME UP ON MY GRAMMAR WHEN HE CANT EVEN SPELL IT....MISTAKES MADE BY DONNIS IN AN EMAIL TO ME TELLING ME HOW BAD MY GRAMMAR IS ....."


As I have stated above, everyone makes mistakes, in an email it doesn’t matter too much, but on a website that sells something? Would you really buy a car from a garage that advertises "Get yor carz from us, we is the bestest"?
Quote:
"I DONT USUALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SKEPTICS BUT THE SKEPTICS ON THE BADPSYCHICS SITE USE INSULTS AND CHILDISH BEHAVIOR(sic) TO GET THERE(sic) POINTS OVER"


No, not all of them, in fact we have some very articulate and polite sceptics (that's 'sceptics' Christine, we're not in America) on BadPsychics. 

Personally speaking, I'm in the 'insulting and childish' section, I sometimes affiliate myself with the 'offensive and rude' group and occasionally the 'downright obnoxious', but I still think I get my point across without having to hug too many people.

Quote:
"THERE REALLY IS NOT(sic) NEED YOU DONT HAVE TO BE AGGRESIVE AND RUDE AND DOWNRIGHT NASTY TO GET A POINT OVER .."


I'm afraid Christine that some of us view how you earn a living with such disgust that 'being nice about it' went out the window a long time ago. Some of us wonder how people like you sleep at night.

Quote:
"THEY REFER TO PEOPLE LIKE ME AS TRICKING GULIBLE(sic) PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR MONEY"


Yes we do. Not just the gullible, but also the grieving, the desperate, the vulnerable and the credulous.

Quote:
"I HAVE NEVER DONE THAT' PEOPLE COME TO ME BECAUSE THEY WANT TO I DONT(sic) NOT FORCE ANYONE.."


Whether you 'force' anyone is not the issue. Do you think anyone would come and see you if you said you CAN'T talk to the dead? No, of course they wouldn't. You prey on vulnerabilities.
Quote:

"AND FOR MANY YEARS NOW I HAVE TOLD MY CLIENTS THAT IF I OR THEY ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE READING THEN THEY DO NOT HAVE TO PAY"


And just how many people are too polite to actually complain?

Quote:
I DID READINGS FOR YEARS FOR NO PAYMENT AT ALL..


It's a shame you didn't carry on with that method.
Quote:

"I DO CHARGE NOW BUT ONLY BECAUSE THIS IS MY JOB NOW."


It seems you've realised there is money to be made by peddling an unproven, non-tangible 'service' that any second rate stage magician could provide.
Quote:

"I PROVIDE A SERVICE SO I GET PAID FOR IT NOBODY EXPECTS A SERVICE FOR FREE .."


Just exactly what 'service' do you provide, pretending to talk to the dead? How is that a 'service'?.....

Quote:
"THE CHURCH CHARGES FOR A WEDDING.. THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY BEFORE GOD IS ANYONE TELLING THE CHURCH THEY HAVE TO PROVE GOD IS THERE IN THE CHURCH ?"


You pay for the Ceremony, after which you are legally married, you even get a certificate! They are providing a tangible service.

Quote:
"THEY CHARGE FOR FUNERALS CAN THEY GAURANTEE(sic) THAT THE DECEASED WILL GO TO HEAVEN?"


Exqueeze me? The money is not to make sure the deceased enters heaven, the money is to make sure the body is put in a grave/Urn and not left on the side of the road somewhere or stuffed behind a radiator. You pay for a tangible service, the burial/cremation.
Quote:

"I TRY TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIY TO PROVE LIFE AFTER DEATH I REALLY THINK THAT SKEPTICS(sic) SHOULD PROVE LIFE AFTER DEATH DOES NOT EXIST.. .INSTEAD OF JUST SLAGGING PEOPLE OF(sic) .."


You 'Psychics' never let me down, I was wondering how long it was going to be before you came up with "prove there ISN'T life after death". It really is quite a pathetic argument that has been beaten around the head so many times it's starting to look like Michael Jackson. Can I say this once and once only? All together now...

You cannot prove something is NOT there. It defies logic and critical thinking.

Come on people, there are kids in Nursery school who can tell you the same. It's a pathetic argument made by Woomongers who fail time and time again to provide ANY evidence that what they are saying is real and still charge people money for it under the umbrella of 'you have to be open minded'.

Quote:
"BADPSYCHICS SHOULD GO ABOUT THINGS IN A MORE PROFFESIONAL(sic) AND SCIENTIFIC MANNER IF THEY WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE THEM MORE SEROIUSLY(sic).. AT THE MOMENT THEY ARE REVELING(sic) IN THE PUBLICITY THEY ARE GETTING SO WHO NOW WANTS THEIR FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FAME ?"


There is NOTHING scientific about exposing 'Psychics'. There would be, but every time one is asked to be scientifically tested, they always find a reason or an excuse not to be. Come on Christine, why don't you stand by your remarks? Let BadPsychics 'scientifically test you', if you're genuine, you have nothing to fear, and if you pass, we will champion you, promote you and personally speaking, I will devote my time and money to making sure your abilities are known throughout the World. 

As for 15 minutes of fame, it's not something we seek. All we want is to expose people who prey on the vulnerable.

Quote:
"THE HIGHER YOU CLIMB THE LOWER YOU FALL IT WILL HAPPEN SOON."


Er....Eh?

Quote:
"ALLICATIONS(sic) MADE AGAINST ME ON BP SITE......THAT I AM TOUTING FOR BUSINESS ON THE MOST HAUNTED SITE .......I NEVER SENT THAT EMAIL TO THE FORUM MY DAUGHTER DID SHE WANTS ME TO GO ON MOST HAUNTED SO SHE SENT IT TO SEE IF THEY WOULD RESPOND ...."

That’s odd, you denied all knowledge of it originally, now it appears you’re blaming your daughter?.... In fact if I remember correctly you even stated that "someone had hacked into the LivingTV site" to put the post there.....

Quote:
"JOE TWO TREES .......I HAVE HAD A FIRST NATIONS GUIDE FOR OUITE(sic) SOME TIME I CALLED HIM TWO TREES ...THEN A WHILE AGO A MEDIUM SAID TO ME THAT WILL BE JOE TWO TREES ....SO STUPIDLY WITHOUT CHECKING UP I BELEIVED(sic) THIS PERSON I GUESS I AM ABIT(sic) GULIBLE(sic) THAT WAY ....I LOOKED UP JOE TWO TREES AND MISREAD THE INFORMATION ABOUT HIM ....I WAS GOING TO LOOK INTO HIS HISTORY ABIT(sic) MORE BUT NEVER GOT ROUND TO IT ...SO I THOUGHT HE WAS THE LAST OF HIS TRIBE AS THAT'S WHAT WAS SAID OF HIM ....I WAS WRONG I SHOULD OF SPOKEN TO MY GUIDE TWO TREES AND CONFIRMED THIS INFORMATION BUT I DID NOT AND FOR THAT I STAND GUILTY BUT IT WAS NOT DONE INTENTIONALY(sic) AND AFTER ALL I MAY BE MEDIUMISTIC BUT I AM HUIMAN(sic) FIRST AND BEING HUMAN I MAKLE(sic) MISTSAKES(sic) AND SOMETIMES TAKE THE LAZY WAY INSTEAD OF REALLY LOOKING INTO THINGA(sic) WELL THIS WILL TEACH ME IN THE FUTURE TO MAKE SURE BEFORE I PUT ANYHTING(sic) ON MY SITE .."


Hang on... this is YOUR Spirit Guide right? If you can't get the information correct about your guide who allegedly helps you, what chance have you got of talking to anyone else who's dead?
Quote:

I HAVE HAD A FIRST NATIONS GUIDE FOR OUITE(sic) SOME TIME I CALLED HIM TWO TREES "


For quite some time? You mean you don't now? You realise that looks the same as "I had a First Nations Guide called Two Trees until BadPsychics pointed out I was talking rubbish so now I don't have him any more"?....

Quote:
"WELL AT LEAST I DONT USE THE MONEY I MAKE TO DRINK IT ALL UP THE WALL ."


Oh dear.. the phrase you're looking for is p... oh forget it.....

Quote:
"I USE IT TO LIVE IT IS MY JOB....I HAVE HEARD THAT DONNIS DOES NOT HAVE A JOB I DONT KNOW HOW TRUE THIS IS .."


No you don't do you, you have no idea at all, but your arguments are so pathetically weak the only thing you can come up with is that? 
Personally I would rather NOT work than live knowing my money has come from the gullible, vulnerable and credulous.
Quote:

"WHEN HE IS LIVING OF(sic) THE DONATIONS SENT BY USERS OF HIS WEBSITE... "


If Donnis is getting enough donations to 'live on' I want a pay rise, at least 8% AND I want the company car replacing, its a bloody heap.

Perhaps Christine, and please don't take this as me 'having a go', I really do mean it in a positive way. Perhaps if you laid off the whole Spirit/Medium thing for a while and maybe put that time into helping people in an Adult Literacy class? I think both sides could benefit more than 'talking to the dead'.

Meercat