Expert: J.M.J. West - 10/3/2008

Question
Dear West,

                I feel like maybe it is not my friend that is possessed I was doing some studying and it seems that if I talk about God or Christ I get a static in my phone, or the person on the other end is tortured by this dark spirit. My cousin brought an ouijia board to my house and I said to him get that thing away from my house put it in our car. He was 14 at the time. I said I dont want that thing in my house! I yelled at him he said its nothing I said how could you say that? It is a spirit board and I dont want you to play with it. He didnt listen. My friends started to play with it in my room I said OUT! I dont like that game STOP IT! I told him that I am surprized at him for buying this game for 1.00! He goes its only a game. His mother said I dont know how to get that toy away from him. I said if you want I could fake that I want to barrow the game and throw it out latter when he is gone she goes Ah good idea. So I did. And now I have this thing in my house I cannot get rid of. It is a tall figure about 6'2" And he wears a dark gray hooded sweat shirt and he has no face it is pitch black in the hood. He just starts at me and he is wearing Jeans and when he starts the room temp drops and I see my breath sometimes. What is this? What happened? Was it the game was it my cousin's stupidity of the game. This figure is dark and eeire. He is male too. I hear him say It isnt done I do not know what that meant. What is going on here? I forgot to tell you the rest of the story I just didnt have enough time before. Can you give me answers. It isnt a joke. It is serious I am scared and tired of this.

Answer
Jacqueline,

Phenomena like "static on the phone" and "room temp drops" are more often signs of faulty electrical equipment or an over-active imagination than they are of "paranormal activity".  They tend to come from people who have a certain expectation as to what a "possession" or "haunting" should be, and they work from there.

Most Ouija boards are from Parker brothers, and are not outright tools of the devil, but do inculcate an openness to unknown and often not well intentioned spiritual presences (demons).

I'll be honest when I say that your description sounds more like something from the sci-fi channel or a schizophrenic mind rather than an actual demonic possession.

THAT SAID:  If you even suspect something truly nefarious, do not contact me, as I cannot help you.  Contact a Priest.  Have him bless your house and investigate the matter further.  Every diocese has a particular priest who is the exorcist for that diocese, and if necessary, your priest can contact him.

I hope that helps.

Peace of Christ,

-J.M.J. West