What confuses me about trying to communicate with the dead is that it seems to go against the idea of an afterlife. Many people who beleive in heaven view it as as a paradise in which all is made right. If a dead relative really enters into this realm why do we assume they are still angry at us or don't understand our true feelings? Wouldn't the misunderstandings of earth be obsolved by an omnicient savior?

Becky,

Well the notion of the afterlife varies depending on who you ask. I don't think communication with the dead contradicts the notion of the afterlife, because the reality is we have no idea whether there is one or not, and even if there is an afterlife we still have no idea what it is really like we just have opinions, even if you were to use your own holy texts, it still isn't clear.

Anyway, good article. My assumption is that the author of this excellent article does not believe in an afterlife, I only infer this by the quote at the end, but I could be wrong:

"It's good to keep in mind that love is only possible with the living - you've got plenty to do without the regrets."

I really like this quote, because it reinforces the logic to live in the present and love in the present since the present is the reality we function in.

dr. peele is obviously a really smart guy, but his sentences could be easier to read. i think i'd like to be a therapist when i grow up. "working with crying people" is how i envisioned it today. i think i'd like that. maybe a lot! love that ricky gervais.