Psychics and mediums promote themselves as having a special ability or "gift" to tap into “the beyond” and Edwards is no exception.  His ability to communicate with the "OTHER SIDE" is what attracts viewers to his show.  He seeks to reunite those in the audience with: "messages of love, peace, and reconciliation from those who have passed over."  A typical reading goes something like this: “Edwards sees a male, his first initial is ‘J’, John, Jack, maybe James: someone is here to whom the number 3 or 9 is important.”  Here is a quote from the show’s website: “Validation Is Important! Since John does not know your friends and relatives, it's very important you give feedback. A simple nod of the head, a yes or no answer goes a long way in a reading.”  There are no passive audience members as everyone is a potential subject. For this reason, everyone admitted to the studio—"Gallery"—must agree to be "read" by Edwards and gives their consent to a post-interview session with the producers if they are "read".   The show's website further suggests those coming to the show bring a copy of their family tree. There is also a dress code and a few other "guidelines." 

Do you perceive a set up in the making to psychologically exploit  those who may be emotionally vulnerable, bereaved, disheartened, distraught and so forth?   Psychologists can affirm the fact that people in a highly charged emotional state—such as those who grieving the loss of a loved one—are easily taken in by self-professed psychics.  Many people attending an Edwards "reading" are psychologically predisposed to believe and accept any information about their departed loved one as true. These emotionally vulnerable people are looking for answers and comfort and will grasp at anything that is even remotely connected to their departed loved one. 

Psychic readings can be characterized by the saying, “someone in here is—breathing.”    Of course everyone is breathing and this is where the deception begins. Psychics start with the easiest and most obvious facts first and work from there.  In "Crossing Over" everyone in the audience has a departed relative—loved one!  This program is nothing more than a smooth well produced game of charades packaged for primetime TV!    Sadly in spite of the ostensible role-playing atmosphere on "Crossing Over"— people cannot or do not want see past this psychic deception. Note: I am not saying that Edwards is intentionally duping people, as I have no way of knowing this. I am asserting  that what he purports as true psychic ability is a fabrication of his and his audiences imagination!.  He may actually believe he truly has a bona fide psychic "gift."  Nevertheless it is my contention that psychic readings are nothing more than make-believe.

Since the earliest recordings of the ancient Egyptians, through Moses and the Old Testament  prophets, Grecian philosophers, and to our day humans have been fascinated and fixated on the spirit world and afterlife. Many ancient civilizations believed in an afterlife, reincarnation and such. Throughout the Old Testament  we read of magicians, soothsayers, witches, astrologers, and sorcerers attempting to tell the future and etc. Even Jesus’ disciples were inquisitive of the future (scripture). Note: clicking on a scripture link opens a new window.

Humans are naturally curious hence there is nothing sinful or wrong with wanting to know what lies “beyond.”  Most of us from time to time ponder what lies "beyond": where are our loved ones, how are they doing and so forth.  The Apostle John wrote in his Epistle: that it doth not yet appear what we shall be… but when [Jesus] shall appear… we shall be like him.  John also pondered the question of what lies beyond the veil.  What's more the Apostle Paul in referring to the "beyond" tells us that we have  another body waiting for us . . . not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (scripture)..

God had strong words for people claiming to have psychic or medium abilities:  Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them …A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death (scripture). God did not want his people to have any contact with psychics, mediums, witches and etc: Why?

WARNING! There is a spirit world (scripture). Sometimes it is referred to as the fourth dimension.  There are two opposing forces in this spirit world: light and darkness, good and evil, God and Satan (scripture).  Jesus made it very plain to his disciples that HE WAS FROM ABOVE and we are from below; he was created by God in his image and was made a quickening Spirit and we (humans) were created in the likeness of Adam meaning earthly, sinful, and we die (scripture). Why? Because when Adam transgressed God’s word in the Garden, he became a sinner and died spiritually.  Because of Adam's disobedience or transgression—Man—forfeited HIS power and ability to discern the spirit world. MAN possesses no innate power to restore himself to his former glory and place with God because man is dead in his trespasses and sins (scripture) Consequently, without Jesus Christ, humans are unable to discern or understand the spirit world or to tap into the unknown wherein lies darkness, evil, and the light of God .

The Apostle Paul warns us that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light and Satan also has ministers disguised as ministers of righteousness (scripture)  This is why Jesus said that not EVERYONE that says Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom (scripture). Mystics ALWAYS turn people away from God’s Word, Truth, and Power.  They claim their power is for good or a gift given to them by God, but keep in mind that Satan uses disguises, and deception. IF  perchance a psychic could gain access to the dark supernatural power of the spirit world--the psychic would be operating in a dimension wherein resides Satan and God: good and evil.  Satan’s greatest device and weapon which he uses against Christians is doubt--fear--unbelief!   The Apostle Paul writes that...the weapons of our warfare [against Satan and the flesh] are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.  These weapons are the shield of faith, the sword of the Lord which is the Word of God, and prayer (scripture)  Humans are so gullible and easily deceived that all Satan did to initiate the "fall of man" was to get Eve to question (doubt) God's Word! (scripture).

Furthermore if you study how psychics, mediums, witches and etc. operate two things become apparent: (1).they claim to possess mystical knowledge, ability, or power; and (2) they usually want your money!  The prophet Daniel confronted the psychic charlatans of his day. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that terrified him yet he could not remember the dream. He demanded his magicians to tell him what he had dreamed and what the dream meant.  Of course they couldn’t and the King became enraged, accused them of deception and sentenced them all to death—UNLESS someone could tell him the dream and what the dream meant (scripture)?  Now that is a test for a psychic isn’t it?

             The  Prophet Daniel--being a part of the kings court--also faced death.  But what did Daniel do? He prayed!  The LORD gave  Daniel Nebuchadnezzar’s dream  and its interpretation.   Daniel declared that the God of his fathers had given him wisdom and might, and made known to him the king’s dream and interpretation: and that: (1) wisdom and might belongs Only to God (2) Only God can change time and seasons: (3) Only God removes kings and sets up kings: (4) Only God can give wisdom and knowledge” (5) Only God can reveal the secret things: and (6) Only God knows where the evil is (scripture).  In short Only God knows the past, present, and future. Humans possess NO ability to “see beyond” this natural world into the real of the spirit.  The spirit world is exclusively God’s  domain.              Consider the stark differences between a psychic’s claim of seeing into the “beyond” and Daniel’s claim.  Daniel makes it very clear to Nebuchadnezzar that he possesses NO natural ability to see into the spirit world--he gives GOD all the credit and praise.  On the contrary some psychics claim to personally possess the ability to see into the spirit world often declaring it is a gift given to them by God. You will be hard pressed to find any  prophet of the Bible that ever claimed to possess supernatural knowledge or power. Even Christ said the supernatural power and discernment he displayed came to him by HIS Father!              Moses and Aaron were not permitted by God to enter into the promised land because, in a manner of speaking, he  took credit for a miracle and did not reverence God before the people.  During the Wilderness journey the Israelites ran out of water. God told Moses  to speak to the rock before the people and the rock will give water to drink.  Unfortunately Moses had become fed up with the incessant whining of the people.  When he and Aaron gathered the congregation before the rock, Moses in a flash of anger said, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?  And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the people drank. And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them (scripture).  Consequently, we would be very wise to give credit and honor to whom credit and honor is due.
 

  Throughout time there have been many psychics claiming to have wisdom and knowledge of God and the ability to “Read or See.”  One well known psychic of the twentieth-century was Edgar Cayce (1877—1945). Cayce—who became known as the “Sleeping Prophet”—did over 16,000 readings between 1901 and 1945. His usual method was to put himself to sleep and have someone read to him the name and address of the person needing a reading. Cayce's biographers generally attribute his healing powers to an ability to tap into the "Universal Mind" or "Universal Consciousness."    He started giving these "health readings" regularly in 1901. From 1901 to 1922 Edgar Cayce's readings were aimed almost exclusively at finding medical answers for sick people.  Until 1923 there were two sides to Cayce. There was the Cayce who was an Orthodox Church going, Bible Reading man who believed Jesus Christ was the Son of God, the Bible as the Word of God, the reality of heaven and hell, and so on. Then there was the Cayce who saw visions, heard voices, and who performed trance-style medical readings and etc.  Cayce regarded himself as a Christian yet he assumed his “gift” was from God.  In 1923 Arthur Lammers asked Cayce to do a reading for him and from that point on Cayce changed.  What Lammers did was probe Cayce about astrology, mysticism, reincarnation, yoga, alchemy, theosophy, the cabala, the mystery religions, previous lives, and many other things related to the occult.  When the reading was over and Cayce was able to read the answers he had given to the questions put to him by Lammers, he was amazed and frightened. These new readings supported all sorts of occultist beliefs.Lammer was able to convince Cayce that reincarnation was compatible with the Bible.  Once Cayce embraced reincarnation, he accepted many other occultist beliefs.  Reincarnation became central to what Cayce came to believe. Cayce came to believe that Jesus was not the Son of God. He also claimed that Jesus was reincarnated 30 times before He became "the Christ."

It was the legendary illusionist Harry Houdini that spent a good deal of time and effort looking for a “true psychic”: one who could actually communicate from “beyond.” Houdini was well known as a debunker of fake mediums and spiritualists. His interest began during his bereavement after the death of his mother; Cecilia Weiss. Because of his background as an illusionist, he recognized the techniques of mediums who claimed to have contacted the spirit world. He exposed many frauds and concluded there is no such thing as a person that possesses "psychic” abilities to communicate into the "beyond". Houdini became a crusader against these charlatans who bilked grieving families of their money. He frequently attended séances in disguise in order to expose the mediums.

The Official Houdini Séance, held each year since the magician's death on October 31 1926, originated from Houdini's efforts to expose fraudulent mediums. He claimed that if there truly was a way to contact the living after one's death, he would do so. He set up a code with his wife Bess, who faithfully attended the annual séances on October 31 and awaited his return for 10 years, after which time she gave up.

The question still remains: what about the "other side" and the dead?  If you study the scriptures Jesus’ greatest miracles—those in which he clearly demonstrated he had authority over ALL things—occurred in the third  year of his ministry after his last rejection at Nazareth (chart).  One day Jesus took Peter, James and John with him to a mountain to pray. And as Jesus prayed, his face was changed and his clothing became white and glistering. AND Jesus talked with two men—Moses and Elijah (scripture).  This miraculous event has many spiritual implications but one fact is quite clear: Jesus had a two-way conversation with these two Old Testament Prophets--who had been dead for quite some time.  Peter, James, and John were eyewitnesses and ear-witnesses to this event.  The gospel writer tells us the nature of this conversation centered upon Christ talking to Moses and Elijah about his approaching death at Jerusalem! The apostle Peter years after later was still overwhelmed by what he saw and heard that day (scripture). In another incident Jesus told the Jews gathered around him one day that Abraham looked to see his (Jesus') day and rejoiced when he saw it (scripture)!    There is no question that Abraham, Moses, and others are dead!  Yet Jesus tells us that Abraham, Moses, Elijah and a host of others are not gone forever. They are just "beyond" the veil alive and well waiting for us! 

Not only did Jesus talk to people “beyond” the grave, he also reached past the veil of death and brought Lazarus, Jairus's daughter, and the widow of Nain's son back from “beyond the grave” (scripture). Jesus did these particular miracles for three reasons: (1) Miracles authenticated Jesus was the promised Messiah sent from God; (2) it repudiated the Sadducee's belief of "when you're dear you're dead" hence no resurrection; and (3) to settle the question of life after death, the resurrection, his power over death, and future judgment for the impenitent (scripture).

             You and I do not need a psychic to tell us if our loved ones are doing well beyond the grave and so forth.  Look to the Holy scriptures--God's Word--for comfort and answers.      
         

Sadly it appears that some people—and some Christians—are more interested in knowing the future than knowing his or her duty to God ((scripture). Danny Korem and Paul Meier wrote a book: The Fakers: Exploding Thy Myths of the Supernatural (1981). Korem is a world-class magician and Meier is a psychiatrist.  Korem takes the reader behind the scenes of the psychic or clairvoyant performance and exposes how  psychics and mediums work;  Dr. Meier explains how easily people are psychologically manipulated and duped by "legerdemain" and "cold reading" trickery (pages 38-44 & 102-120).  Korem reveals how he has used these so called "psychic abilities" during  live  performances to give "readings." Before he starts these "readings" Korem tells his audiences that the "reading" he is about to do is "FAKE," and is strictly entertainment.    He emphatically announces he possesses no mystical or psychic abilities: yet Korem performs the readings so convincingly  that people approach him after the show offering  him money for further readings!  It is a fascinating book to read.  Not surprisingly, it appears that Edwards uses "cold reading" and "legerdemain" techniques during his program.  Again, in contrast, while Korem confesses he possesses NO psychic abilities, Edwards claims he possesses real psychic ability.  

  Finally, it would be interesting (and sad) to know how many "Christians" are in Edwards’s studio audience. I wonder how many of them leave after the show believing he has real psychic abilities?   I pray that none of you reading this article consults Psychics, Clairvoyants,  Mediums, Horoscopes, Tarot Cards, Ouija boards, and so forth for guidance or help.  Furthermore I trust you would NOT consult any person that alleges to possess the ability to see "beyond" or see the future!              

             The reason why so many people—and even Christians—seek out mystics and psychics for help is they have doubts or reservations about the Word of God. 

                But the scripture is very clear that ALL have an appointment with God and NONE can escape that appointed day neither shall ANY escape the eternal consequences of an impenitent. sinful life (scripture). I pray your faith and trust is in God's Holy Word as spoken by  Holy Men of old as they were moved on by the Holy Spirit (scripture).  I have no confidence  in any words spoken by mere "humans" such as Edwards, Cayce, or even the heralded Nostradamus and his 942 quatrains (and I pray you don't either).

                Isn’t it interesting to see a disclaimer at the end Robert's TV show stating—this show is for entertainment purposes only!   If its ONLY for entertainment why don't  people thank the host for a good show, lots of laughs etc. Is this really only entertainment?  You be the judge!

—God’s Peace and Blessing,

Ed. Note; Although Edwards no longer has a syndicated show on Sci-Fi, this is still one of our most popular articles. We keep it posted in its original context.