It’s Halloween, the time when ghosts and ghouls come out. However, do Americans really believe in the spirits and Halloween origins? According to a recent Gallup Poll, only one out of three Americans believe in the paranormal. This has Syracuse Professor Garreth Fisher scratching his head.
“It certainly does not make sense to me that ghosts or belief in ghosts or the paranormal would have declined, right? And if anything," Fisher recalled, "I would expect it to have increased, and my reasoning is that we live in a society that is less institutionally structured in 2025 than the society of even 2005.”
Fisher teaches a religious course called Ghosts and Ghost Busters: a critical survey of paranormal experiences.
The Gallup Poll last took a survey on the paranormal in 2005. That data showed 3 out of 4 Americans believed in the paranormal. While skepticism of the paranormal is dying, it’s only growing at the Brae Loch Inn.
The Brae Loch Inn is a quaint, Scottish house turned into a hotel, and has been operating for over 80 years. Co-owner Valerie Barr has owned the hotel for over 30 years.
Barr claims guests have frequently encountered ghostly experiences during their stay.
“They saw a man come out of the closet and stand over the bed. We've had light orbs coming out of the fireplace, out of the closet, a little light show that has gone on for one of our customers, coming through the ceiling, and through the canopy, and actually answering questions,” Barr said.
For guests who visit the Brae Loch, they are told to be open to the ghostly possibilities.
Paranormal expert Brian Cano beleives everyone sees the dead differently.
“The Paranormal is never guaranteed. There's no place that could say you will have an experience. Well, you'll have an experience, but each one is different. It's unique because it'll be the first time you're there”, Cano said.
Regardless of what you believe, ghouls and spirits will rise at the Brae Loch this Halloween, and those who want to believe will have to hope they’re in the right place, at the right time, and in the right frame of mind.
