Harmless Fun?

[Kromovaracun]

I've often heard it said, in arguments with my more spiritually-sympathetic friends, that even if there is nothing in "psychic phenomenon", it's all just "harmless fun."

http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/2113-yet-another-sylvia-browne-fiasco.html

"... in 2004, on the totally irresponsible Montel Williams Show, “psychic” Sylvia Browne told Amanda Berry’s mom that her daughter was dead, causing her great shock and sorrow. And the mother, Jouwana Miller, went to her grave believing – only on Browne’s word – that her daughter had been murdered."

Here we have another money-grubbing parasite who has treated her clients like emotional playthings and left very real (and unalterable) emotional damage in her wake. I'm just looking forward to the moment where Browne charges Amanda Berry so she can contact her dead mother.

And what about Sally Morgan, Britain's best-loved psychic? In the following article, Simon Singh provides several examples (backed up with recordings) of lovely Sally giving medical advice (including suggesting that someone should not be tested for HIV) and commenting on the friendships of people she knows nothing about:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/aug/16/psychic-sally-morgan-deluded-harmless

Is this harmless fun? Or is it actually a rather callous, nasty and manipulative con?

[emmie]

callous, nasty, vile, she should be left in small room for one day, get the feel of how these poor lasses must have felt, i really detest these people.

[RATTER15]

Well said em10!!

[jomifl]

My wifes brother committed suicide by hanging himself in remote woodland the same day that he disappeared. A 'psychic' assured his wife that he was alive long after his death..they just make it up either for money of for egotistical reasons, that's all ther is to it.

[RATTER15]

TheFamousCash, These shows can only now be sold as "Entertainment" all advertising must make punters aware that these performances are for entertainment only. I'm not sure they can do much more. I think it is now down to people to make their own minds up and if the gullible or desperate get caught up it is just very unfortunate. Personally I would like to see them completely banned!