A Haunting
A Haunting is yet another ghost show (because we don't have enough of those, right?) that once aired on Discovery Channel, and a sad testament to the sensationalistic and pseudoscientific channel drift
It's fun to pretend Paranormal |
Fails from the crypt |
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It makes this editor wonder if it even qualifies as pseudoscience peddling.
Plotline
The stories almost always take on the same basic plotline. A family/couple/woman always gets a fixer-upper house dirt cheap, or something very similar. As soon as they move in, they begin to feel very uncomfortable, which soon escalates into forementioned demonic/poltergeist attacks. Desperate and out of answers, the family usually seeks out some pseudoscientific help, and in most instances this is in the form of a psychic medium or paranormal "expert." Then the family generally either high-tails it out of there, or gets a preacher or priest to perform an exorcism. Note that those last two may not necessarily be in that order, in order to give the illusion of variety to the show's stories.
Religious overtones
While on rare occasions it’s a Wiccan or a medium that saves the day, 90% of the time its the good ol' fundy/Catholic Christian that saves the day. One particular episode (Spellbound) seemed rather intent on blasting Wicca in particular (like something out of a Jack Chick Tract). This has caused the show to be heavily criticized for having an overly Christian leaning/bias, or worse, being outright spiritual warfare propaganda. To insinuate Christianity is bogus by way of paranormal association but other religious beliefs are not would be erroneous.
External links
- The show's page on Destination America's website
- A Haunting (2005) Episode Scripts