Why do ghost stories still grip our imagination, even in an age
that prides itself on science, logic, and reason? What is it about
haunted houses, whispered voices, and flickering lights that
continues to unsettle and fascinate us?
In this talk, author and broadcaster Peter Laws explores our
enduring fascination with ghosts and hauntings, not simply as
spooky entertainment, but as reflections of deeper human needs and
questions. From ancient religious rites to TikTok ghost hunters,
our obsession with the dead tells us something profound about
ourselves.
Drawing on psychology, theology, and folklore, Peter delves into
the ways ghost stories have evolved to reflect cultural anxieties,
personal grief, and our yearning for connection. Are ghosts really
about spirits from the beyond or are they echoes of things we’ve
lost, people we’ve loved, or fears we haven’t faced?
Whether you’re a believer, a sceptic, or simply curious, join us
for an evening of eerie tales, strange truths, and surprising
insights into why, when we chase the dead, we might really be
chasing something else entirely.
Peter
Laws
Peter Laws is an
author, journalist and ordained church minister with a taste for
the macabre. He’s the creator of the acclaimed creepy crime novels
Purged and Unleashed (Allison & Busby, 2017) and also the
non-fiction book The Frighteners (Icon Books, 2018). He writes a
monthly horror movie column for the Fortean Times magazine and
presents the podcast and YouTube show, The Flicks That Church
Forgot, which explores the deeper themes of
horror.