π§ Paranormal vs Abnormal: A Dispatch on Ethical Clarity
By K.A. Lombardi , for PCAI
After witnessing a surge of abnormal behaviors being misrepresented as paranormal phenomena—particularly across social media—I find it necessary to draw a clear and sovereign line. This is not a critique. It is a clarification. A ritual of discernment. A call to restore integrity to a field that is being quietly eroded by confusion, spectacle, and unchecked projection.
π§ Two Core Focus Areas for PCAI’s Parapsychology Corridor:
Paranormal vs Abnormal — Ethical distinctions between spiritual phenomena and psychological dysfunction
Parapsychology from Spirit Perspective — Honoring the unseen realms without glamorizing harm or pathology
⚠️ The Problem: Misuse of the Paranormal
There is a growing trend of individuals masking toxic, violent, or dysfunctional behavior under the guise of paranormal identity. The crossover often hinges on the “dark,” “macabre,” or “demonic” aesthetics popularized in entertainment. But let us be clear:
Entertainment tropes do not excuse real-world harm. The paranormal is not a license to abuse, manipulate, or evade accountability.
Practitioners must understand the difference between spiritual phenomena and psychological distress. It is our responsibility to protect the sacred, not normalize the abnormal.
π¦ The Response: Tools, Standards, and Ethical Protocols
PCAI will be developing a dedicated section to address this issue—offering tools, frameworks, and mythic clarity to help practitioners, researchers, and seekers navigate this terrain responsibly.
We will:
Create ethical standards for distinguishing paranormal from abnormal
Offer resources and referrals for those exhibiting harmful behaviors
Build educational materials that honor both spiritual experience and psychological safety
Hold space for challenged minds without enabling destructive patterns
𧬠A Note on Inclusion
This is not a gatekeeping effort. We affirm that individuals with psychological challenges can be powerful contributors to the paranormal field—when their skills are honed, their boundaries respected, and their work grounded in ethical clarity.
We are not excluding. We are protecting.
We are not pathologizing. We are discerning.
We are not silencing. We are refining the signal.
π± The Path Forward
Small distortions can cause great harm if left unaddressed. PCAI is committed to evolving this field with integrity, compassion, and rigor. We will not allow the abnormal to masquerade as the paranormal—not out of judgment, but out of devotion to truth.
This is the beginning of a proactive journey. One that honors both the spirit realms and the psychological realities of those who walk between them.
Let us walk it with clarity. Let us walk it together.