Hot take:
Ghosts are real, as in spirits of the dead, and not (just) devils/demons.
Reasoning:
#1
First, we must dissuade the idea that earth and hell are separate and don't overlap. Why?
We know there are three heavens, sky, space, and the abode of God.
Similarly, there are three hells, sheol/hades, gehenna, tartarus.
We know the first heaven, the sky, intersects earth, so what prevents the first hell from intersecting with earth?
Nothing. We get a clue on what the first hell is, sheol, grave. GRAVE. Graves intersect with earth.
This takes care of man appointed once, the judgment. If hell intersects with earth, then the dead are in judgment.
#2
Bible commands against divination of the dead.
Why would the Bible command against something that doesn't exist, and not say that is the actual reason why not to do it?
It doesn't say divination of the dead is not allowed because it is impossible or that they don't exist. (In fact, the reasoning is the same for commands against horoscope, it says not to look at the stars because the heathen are dismayed at them, not that it doesn't exist)
Also, don't twist this as me saying we should contact ghosts or whatever. Yeah, don't.
#3
The encounter with my namesake Samuel the prophet by Saul and the witch of Endor.
Nowhere in the passage does it actually say it was impossible for Samuel to come up. The reasoning is often convoluted to try to explain away the encounter, like saying it was God who did it (God is not present in the text), or it was a devil impostor (except it gave a prophecy that came true).
#4
Jesus appearing as a resurrected in front of the disciples and them mistaking Him for a spirit, He did not say, "lol, dead spirits don't walk the earth, guys", He said, a spirit does not have flesh and bones. Why didn't' He settle it once and for all?
#5
The testimonies of atheists and other unbelievers in the deathbed. Many instances of atheists and others crying out they are in hell just before death. That is an example of intersection of hell and earth, even if just spiritual.
#6
The reports of ghosts themselves. Ghosts are often reported to be in a loop of suffering. This would make sense if they are in hell while also on earth.
This does not prevent the fact that the devils/demons can disguise themselves as ghosts, they can. But I highly doubt most reported instances are all devils/demons.
