Should a person be charged for Readings?

[Deatrix Nocturna]

Hello everyone.

This discussion stemmed from a discussion/debate that occurred in the Chat room on paltalk. A lady came in and 'proudly' announced that she charges people for readings.

I think it's wrong to do that, because what happens if the reading is wrong? She still gets paid. I believe everyone has the ability to read another, it's just other people are more aware of that ability than others.

It makes me sad that people do that. I do readings myself and am pretty accurate, and have helped bring people closure, and healed them. I have never charged a person for a reading because I find the healing and closure process much more rewarding. I really wish people who are aware of their abilities would stop taking advantage of those who aren't. That's like robbing the blind.

What do you all think?

[VoidTraveler]

I agree with you , if your helping some one and you take payment its not really helping is it? its more of a business relationship than anything and business relationships are more often selfish in nature, i would presume a more personal interaction with an individual would help the outcome be more helpful and accurate.

[Phoenix Alarius]

I definitely believe that people with abilities should never charge. There's no real system to manage fakes. How can you yell "fraud" when you can't even prove it exists. I fully believe people have abilities, but its just an extra sense. You don't charge a blind man to tell him what color his shirt is, do you? Same concept.

[Virginia Walters]

This is one subject I feel I need to comment on and of course this is only my opinion.

I have to agree with you.
I do not feel that it is right for others people to put a price tag on closure. I have done readings myself and majority of the readings I have done have been because the person in the living needed closure in order to move on with their life.There have been many occasions where I'll be talking to someone on the phone or in person and their family or friends will come thru from me to relay a message to them. I relay the message freely without putting a price tag on it and so do many of my friends who are intuitive.
So I guess my question to this person would be: "If you were speaking with someone on the street who was homeless and at the same time you were being told things to tell them, would you not relay the message because they could not pay you for the information?" To me, this is morally wrong and selfish.
I have never nor will I ever charge for this information. We have been given the ability to do this for a reason and I know it was not for monetary gain. "Help those who cannot help themselves." :)
But like I said, this is only my opinion.

[Deatrix Nocturna]

Well, you get Silvia Brown just debunking all the legitimate readers out there. She charges an arm and a leg for readings and yet she won't give them. Someone told me in the chat room last night that he read one of Silvia's books and in the book she states 'being a psychic is a gift and that no one else has'.

The lady who previously said that she was proud to charge people for readings, also said that god is with her when she does it.

I keep wondering to myself if that was a joke or was she serious?

[The Cauldron Brew]

I don't charge people to go onto my websites. My websites are educational and religious, and I don't think anyone should be charged for knowledge.

Knowledge and beliefs is free.

People should not be charged for readings, knowledge and belief.

[Duxinova Rei]

My opinion is a bit different.. People get ripped off all the time. Sometimes with readings, sometimes not. I think that it's really important to be an informed consumer. If you want something, reasearch about it if you can. You dont go to a car dealership and point out at some random car without checking it out first, do you? No. You get an idea of what car you want, you research..and if you're really a careful buyer you'll shop around looking for a good price. You want to pay what you feel the product is worth. People make readings into a product.

Is that insulting to what spirituality really is or should be? ..Thats up to each person as an individual I guess.. People exploit and stamp price tags on everything these days and religion/spirituality isnt untouched by that.

In my opinion, if someone wants to make reading into a business, that's up to them. If it's a person just looking for a quick buck in their pocket for giving out some bullshit then it's obviously just wrong. But if it's something the client feels is worth paying for, then that's up to them.

People like Sylvia Brown do make things more difficult for others. She's not even a real reader and yet charges 700-800 dollars per reading. It's pure bullshit.. But it's up to clients to wisen up...make better choices.
Next time a blind man asks what colour a shirt is, tell him it'll cost a dollar.. -- He'll tell you to fuck off.. :) 'cause that's the smart thing to do haha He knows he can get someone to accurately tell him for free.

I have never paid for a reading.. and honestly? I've have at times recieved the most awesome ones without even seeking them out - as I'm sure many of you have. Also I think that if those people who are so willing to pay hundreds of dollars for readings actually asked themselves what they're really looking for and if paying hundreds of dollars for readings is going to actually give that to them, they wouldnt be so willing to shell out the cash..and (hopefully) would spend more time searchin for their own answers (or at least a real "seer"/spiritualist/counseler/whatever word you want to use) instead..

That's my...eh..about 45cents worth...
Sorry for rambling.

[Deatrix Nocturna]

Well, yeah it is up to them if they want to rip others off, but then they are hypocrites to call themselves love 'n' lighters or spiritual. Because the point is, they are taking advantage of people who aren't as aware of the ability they have. People should be given a choice whether to pay or not. ie, donation. Not forced.

It discredits legitimate readers. it discredits sincere people who just want to help.

Most people who seek readings, are just looking for strength. Looking for help. These people are not as aware of their spirits than readers are, and they are vulnerable. A reader is more spiritually aware, and still takes advantage of the helpless person. Where is the morality? Did they charge people when they were kids? nope.

The point is, you have spiritual people taking advantage of less spiritually aware people.

That's like us charging a blind man more money for a coffee, because he can't see the price board.

That's the reason why I opened this discussion, for people to understand where their morals are.

:) donations are awesome and I do not argue that. at all.

[Deatrix Nocturna]

I agree, Shawna. I agree with donations and giving the person the choice.

[Sun Star Syzygy]

Yes I agree... Idealy I beleive when someone gives you a reading then you should pay it forward. Either through charity or an act of kindness... What goes around comes around.

[Duxinova Rei]

Simply having donations as an option is cool.. And I think it's marvelous that you have places you suggest for them to donate.

My point was simply that a person is going to charge if they want to... It's really up to everyone else whether they're going to pay out.. when, why, etc.. and that they should actually do their homework before going "hey here's 800 bucks for you, what's the season of my life? and tell Auntie Bob that i'm sorry for making fun of his lifestyle choice" Ya know?

I never charged for a reading when I used to read folks... Never wanted to nor felt like I should.. but if I did? It'd be up to the person to make sure it's what they really wanted. Personally I think paying for a reading is a waste of money..but to each their own.

[Anomalous Ghost]

People shouldn't be charged

[Ravana]

Really its hard to even think that there is a to not think about doing it for profit withthe way the why things are going now... But to look at as a honest person I thinl it all comes down to how you are being paid. I have a friend that never charged but let the other person deside what to do, some would make meals, help them around the house or even sing. Now really it all depends on how you look at to fact that its wrong becouse people do favers for other people all the time its just that money gets a lot furrther now in days...