For me I feel that I was given my sensitive abilties for a reason, and that is to use them. I feel that I do have a responsibility to help the spirits that I encounter in any way that I possibly can, whether that means crossing them over, talking them through past issues, or just being a friend. I do believe in crossing them over, but ONLY if they are ready and willing. If the spirit is not ready and still has unresolved issues to deal with, then they need to stay no matter how much they don't want to. Also, if they simply don't want to go, it's wrong to force them. Now, if it's a malevolent human spirit, they definitely have many issues to work through, no matter how long it takes and should not be crossed over. They also may need to be removed from their current location for the protection of the living. I do whatever I can to help, but I also recognize that some need to stay in spirit form in order to learn and grow (like my spirit-friends Brianna and Ryan), and others simply are too afraid at this time to face crossing over. These spirits have some work of their own to do before I can do anything for them.

Andys take on the "helping" paradox is in line with many hunters views

including my own. Helping people in our own world is complicated and difficult

enough. Throwing the veil of death and the unknown into that mix makes trying

to help seem like an exercise in futility. My dad use tell us when we were kids

"Never write a check you can't cash." Just my opinion. I truly do hope

that there is help and guidance out there for the lost.

I actually agree with both of you. I believe that it is the height of arrogance to believe that we know what's "best" for a spirit. As my friend, Bert Coates of NWPIA says, "How do we even know the Light is good?" I believe if a ghost is a ghost, they are in that form for a reason and when that reason is no longer an issue, then they will move on of their own accord. It is irresponsible for me to make any assumptions.

As I was reading all of the responses to the interesting question you posed, I kept asking saying these very things to myself.

Who the heck are we to decide what may or may not be right for someone or something? If we do decide that all "spirits" need to move on because of the ones that beg us to help, what about the ones who beg to stay or are perfectly content to reside in your house with you? Moreover, if both you and the "spirit" that inhabit your house are perfectly content to live together, who should decide otherwise?

I love the point you make of not knowing if the light people urge spirits to go to is even good. How true!! There is way too much that we don't know and can't know about "spirits" and the "other side" to be making arbitrary decisions.

This is a really interesting topic, so I thought I'd bump it to hear what the newcomers have to say.

I personally feel no desire to interact with spirits. They treat my house like a hotel, dropping in and out seemingly at will. I don't mind them visiting here as long as they behave themselves and don't frighten me or my pets. But I don't want to communicate with them in any way and I don't think it is within my power or my rights to interfere by trying to cross them over.

That is a very good comment. Too bad that there is not a NO VACANCY sign for the spirits to understand. I have read that motels and hotels are home to many spirits. Could it be that some people are just ghost magnets for whatever reasons?

Many years ago I lived in an old mansion like house that was converted into apartments. It was probably built in the latter 1800s. Looking at the house from the outside and the old woodwork inside, you would think that spirits would come and go there. In fact it was just across the street from a funeral home. I felt some uneasiness about the house but I never saw, heard or felt anything there. If there were spirits in that old house, they didn't bother me at all. I was there for roughly two years and I cannot recollect anything paranormal in nature.

Feeling that you have a "responsibility" to spirits seems very assuming to me……..

No one really knows if spirits can think, feel, or have a choice in their location. Is "helping to move on" really helping or sending them somewhere they don't want to be? Why does anyone think they have the power to influence a spirits existence???

If there is any responsibility, it would be to the living. To have them better understand what they are experiencing and to not be afraid of it……..

Not sure how I feel about this issue. While I don't feel any burning need to intervene on behalf of any spirits, I also don't think it right to exploit them either if that makes sense.

I would say that if I were to intervene on behave of a spirit, that is if I ever were to see one and at this point I haven't but I would intervene on behalf of a family member. Now I just wonder about the exploiting part. Does anyone feel that all these paranormal shows that go out looking for evidence of spirits are exploitng them?