Psychic readings....your thoughts?

podperson

I wouldn't presume to say that it is all rubbish as I don't think we can really know - but I do know that a lot of people who do it are fakes (as someone mentioned above Derren Brown has shown several times how it is done and did a show in America about them) and I think it's a really horrible thing to make money off people who are desparate to believe that their loved ones are still with them in some way. I know some people will claim 'oh, it gives them comfort' but I don't see that as an excuse for deceiving people for money.

tea_lover

Amanita wrote: »

Why? Do you expect your vicar to work for nothing for using his "gift"? Many would consider his beliefs and actions to be as valid as any psychics.

I don't give my professional knowledge away free ( well not very often anyway) so why is this any different?

Yes sorry, I probably didn't word that very well (trying to type and eat at the same time, my focus was elsewhere )

For me the difference would be that there's no obligation on the individual to pay for a vicar or his/her time. Yes of course they are paid, and that money comes from the congregation, but each person gives as much or as little as they want to and are able to. Plus each person's contribution can be anonymous if they choose, and no one else need ever know how much they have paid. There isn't a price list up front, and entry isn't barred for those unable to pay.

As I said before though, I totally appreciate this doesn't apply to all psychics. Many of them won't charge, or will charge very little depending on what people can afford. It's the 'fixed price, up front' payments for some (only some) psychics that seems a bit off to me personally.

POPPYOSCAR

teabag have you actually booked to see one? If you do go I would love to know how you get on.

Amanita_2

tea_lover wrote: »

Yes sorry, I probably didn't word that very well (trying to type and eat at the same time, my focus was elsewhere )

For me the difference would be that there's no obligation on the individual to pay for a vicar or his/her time. Yes of course they are paid, and that money comes from the congregation, but each person gives as much or as little as they want to and are able to. Plus each person's contribution can be anonymous if they choose, and no one else need ever know how much they have paid. There isn't a price list up front, and entry isn't barred for those unable to pay.

As I said before though, I totally appreciate this doesn't apply to all psychics. Many of them won't charge, or will charge very little depending on what people can afford. It's the 'fixed price, up front' payments for some (only some) psychics that seems a bit off to me personally.

Fair enough - but the psychics are self employed. They don't have the machinery of the established church behind them so if they don't have a charge up front then they don't get paid!

I make a charge for my time and professional expertise - If you can't afford me then you can go elsewhere ( which sounds heartless but I have bills and heavy overheads to cover). I don't discount.

They are doing exactly the same. They are not charitable institutions.

And whilst I sound like I'm defending them I have no time at all for the con artists.

POPPYOSCAR

tea_lover wrote: »

Yes sorry, I probably didn't word that very well (trying to type and eat at the same time, my focus was elsewhere )

For me the difference would be that there's no obligation on the individual to pay for a vicar or his/her time. Yes of course they are paid, and that money comes from the congregation, but each person gives as much or as little as they want to and are able to. Plus each person's contribution can be anonymous if they choose, and no one else need ever know how much they have paid. There isn't a price list up front, and entry isn't barred for those unable to pay.

As I said before though, I totally appreciate this doesn't apply to all psychics. Many of them won't charge, or will charge very little depending on what people can afford. It's the 'fixed price, up front' payments for some (only some) psychics that seems a bit off to me personally.

Do you not have to pay though for weddings, funerals etc? Is this not where they get most of the their money from? Will they conduct these services without payment do you know? Genuine question as I do not know the answer.

DylanO

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

The same could be said for the retailers of designer clothes and goods IMO!!

I don't think it can - not in the same way. I can't remember an instance when Christopher Bailey (for example) has said: "Come into my store. Buy a Burberry trench coat and I'll reunite you with your dead grandmother." Can you?

I'm not sure why you have singled out designer clothes and goods - almost as if you think Primark aren't doing exactly the same thing, only with much cheaper goods, more often.

tea_lover

Amanita wrote: »

Fair enough - but the psychics are self employed. They don't have the machinery of the established church behind them so if they don't have a charge up front then they don't get paid!

I make a charge for my time and professional expertise - they are doing exactly the same.

It's a good point! As I say, just my thoughts really, and not something I've really thought about a lot.

I think what makes me uncomfortable about it is that very often the people that choose to see a psychic are in a vulnerable place, often through bereavement. It does seem that sometimes, some people cash in on that. Charging people when they're bereaved, upset, and in some cases desperate just seems a bit I don't know... uncharitable maybe.

But I guess the same could be said about paying for all the aspects of a funeral, and they can be incredibly over-priced.

I've lost my train of thought now, I'm basically just rambling

tea_lover

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

Do you not have to pay though for weddings, funerals etc? Is this not where they get most of the their money from? Will they conduct these services without payment do you know? Genuine question as I do not know the answer.

There are charges, although these aren't always made for funerals if the family really can't afford it at the time (speaking from my limited experience within my own church).

I suppose for me the difference would be that although you may be asked to pay for say a funeral service, you wouldn't be expected to pay if you then wanted to attend a church service every week, or if you wanted to speak to the vicar in the middle of the night, or you just wanted someone to talk to following a bereavement.

victor2

Here's a reading for free.....

Your Aunt Doreen is trying to contact you regarding some unfinished business.
She's sorry she didn't pick up your daughter from school.

Say it to enough people and one will get excited and fill in the rest.

Amanita_2

tea_lover wrote: »

Charging people when they're bereaved, upset, and in some cases desperate just seems a bit I don't know... uncharitable maybe.

Sounds a bit like funeral directors to me

Sorry I know I'm giving you a bit of a hard time over this but no one is forcing them to see a psychic and they are not charitable institutions. They have bills and mortgages to pay like the rest of us.

Genuine ones would no doubt love to be able to offer free reading but most simply wouldn't be able to afford to unless they have another job.