Can Christians Go on Ghost Tours or Paranormal Investigations?

When I was a child, my brother, grandparents, and I went on a State Capitol Ghost Tour in October. We learned about the history of the Capitol building, along with all the stories about hauntings in it. The tour guides dressed up in period accurate outfits and pretended to be the specters of the building itself. For me, it was a fun childhood memory. But for others, this type of spiritual engagement may raise concerns. Can believers, who affirm the authority of Scripture and the presence of spiritual realities, safely participate in these activities? Or are they dabbling with powers beyond their understanding?

The short answer is that Christians can attend ghost tours or explore the paranormal, but this must be done with extreme discernment, spiritual maturity, and theological clarity. While these experiences can be light-hearted or educational, as I outlined in the story above, they can also touch on very real spiritual dynamics that should not be taken lightly. Like with many things in the Christian life, the issue isn’t always about legalism, what’s allowed versus what’s not, but wisdom: what is beneficial, what is spiritually safe, and what aligns with one’s conscience and walk with Christ.

Let’s begin by recognizing that not all ghost-related activities are the same. Walking through a historic downtown area while listening to stories of alleged hauntings and murders may be more about theater and folklore than real spiritual danger. These tours are often historical in nature, highlighting local legends and offering an atmospheric encounter with the past. My own brother is one such tour guide, and in that role, they seek to give a fun experience while also educating the participants on the history of the buildings they tour. Many Christians can enjoy these as cultural or historical outings, much like visiting a battlefield or watching a dramatic play. As long as one is spiritually grounded, prayerful, and not participating in anything overtly occult or invoking spirits, these activities can be considered permissible under Christian liberty.

However, there is a distinct difference between casual ghost tours and more serious paranormal investigations. Once a person crosses the line from listening to stories to actively trying to contact or record spirits, they move into very different spiritual territory. Practices like using EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) devices, attempting to communicate with entities, and spending time in places believed to be demonically influenced are no longer simply cultural experiences. They become spiritual acts, ones that can open doors to deception, oppression, and even direct spiritual attack.

From a biblical standpoint, Scripture repeatedly warns against attempts to consult the dead or meddle with the unseen spiritual world outside of God’s revealed means. Deuteronomy 18:10–12 lists necromancy and spiritism among the detestable practices of the nations that God forbade Israel to imitate. While the modern fascination with ghost hunting often lacks the overt religious structure of ancient necromancy, the principle remains: seeking contact with spirits apart from God’s ordained means is spiritually dangerous.

This doesn’t mean that all paranormal experiences are demonic, or that curiosity about spiritual phenomena is inherently sinful. But Christians must be aware of what they are engaging in, and more importantly, who they are opening themselves up to. What many interpret as the spirits of deceased loved ones may, in fact, be manifestations of deceptive spiritual entities, not ghosts, but demons mimicking the dead. This belief is supported by both biblical teaching and the consistent testimony of deliverance ministers and exorcists across denominational lines. The devil masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), and the spirits that people believe they’re contacting may have far more sinister intentions than comfort or closure.

Still, there’s a spectrum of engagement here. Christians with a strong faith foundation, experience in spiritual warfare, and perhaps involvement in deliverance ministry may sometimes find themselves in situations that involve discerning or confronting spiritual phenomena. In these rare cases, trained and mature believers may be called to minister in such settings, not for curiosity, but for mission and healing. This should always happen under accountability, with prayer support, and with deep grounding in Scripture and theology. A Christian should never go ghost hunting simply for entertainment or thrill-seeking. Spiritual warfare is not a game. Those with exorcistic training or guided by seasoned, spiritually grounded mentors may occasionally step into these areas to shine the light of Christ, but even then, with great caution and respect for the spiritual realities involved.

For the average Christian, the best approach is a mix of wisdom, discernment, and personal reflection. Ask yourself: What is my purpose in participating in this tour or activity? Am I seeking entertainment, education, or an encounter? Am I spiritually prepared for the possibility of real spiritual manifestations? Am I comfortable walking away from something that feels off or unsafe?

If you find yourself disturbed after a ghost tour, i.e., spiritually heavy, emotionally drained, or experiencing recurring nightmares or fear, it’s worth examining whether you may have been spiritually affected. In such cases, prayer, confession, and pastoral counsel are wise next steps. The enemy thrives in fear and confusion, but Christ offers clarity, peace, and freedom.

At the end of the day, not every Christian will come to the same conclusion about ghost tours or paranormal investigation. That’s okay. Romans 14 reminds us that some matters fall under the realm of Christian liberty and conscience. What one believer sees as harmless, another may view as spiritually risky. Both must act in faith and avoid judging the other unjustly. What’s essential is that every decision be made with prayer, spiritual awareness, and a commitment to honoring Christ.

Christians can enjoy a historical ghost tour in good conscience, if it remains a culturally curious event, not a spiritual experiment. But more serious forms of ghost hunting and paranormal exploration should generally be avoided unless a believer is equipped, trained, and missionally focused. The unseen realm is real. It deserves caution, not recklessness.