Page 28 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - August/September 2017

28 Are The Warrens Actually Frauds?

Are Ed and Lorraine

Warren Actually Frauds?

by Nat Brehmer

Ed and Lorraine Warren are two of the most
divisive names in the paranormal field. Their
cases, of course, are legend. And they have
found even more success as the subjects of the
2013 film The Conjuring and its sequel, The
Conjuring 2. They also infamously investigated
the Amityville house and determined that it was
indeed haunted. They became prominent
experts in the field of paranormal investigation
and wrote several best-selling books about their
cases. One of their most infamous (even before
the movie) was the Annabelle case, but they also
covered everything from haunted cemeteries to
werewolf possession. They investigated the
haunting in Connecticut on which the feature
film of the same name is based.
Ed and Lorraine Warren worked family is still adamant about what they It is not just children suffering from this
hundreds of cases, many of which have been experienced in the house. Obviously things fear; many people having this specific anxiety
turned into films for either theatrical exhibition were very different from the film (the gripping disorder are middle-aged adults. Media, novels
or television and have themselves made third-act exorcism was more of a mild seance in (Stephen King’s novel and movie of the same
numerous appearances on paranormal shows actuality) but the family still insists that their name (IT) about Penny-wise the Dancing
like World’s Most Haunted and Paranormal story is true, as well as the investigation Clown- terrorized many adult Americans who
State. While Ed died in 2006, Lorraine conducted by the Warrens. The family’s oldest even resorted to wearing t-shirts which read
continues to make appearances every now and daughter Andrea even went on to write her own “Can’t Sleep-Clowns will Eat Me Alive”) are
again. She also runs a private occult museum books about the events that took place in their known to be major contributory factors in the
out of her home in Connecticut. They’ve home. mass hysteria or fear of clowns. Thus, King’s
achieved more success than virtually any other Ultimately it’s impossible to know for Penny-wise probably did to people what Jaws
paranormal investigators in history, and for a certain. If the Warrens speak the truth, they’ve did for swimming in the ocean and Hitchcock’s
long time provided inspiration for people seen some incredible and frightening things and Psycho did for showers. It is believed that the
looking to get into the field. But were Ed and they’ve relayed some amazing stories. Ed and idea of King’s IT might have originated from
Lorraine Warren actually frauds? Lorraine’s case files certainly make you wonder the author’s own life-long fear of clowns.
There’s a lot of debate on that subject what is actually possible in the world. Whether
and there’s no clear answer, really. To determine or not their stories are factual almost doesn’t What causes Coulrophobia?
that would require a clear answer on whether or matter on the entertainment spectrum. But there
not ghosts are real to begin with. Since that’s not are also families (the people behind the As stated above, representations of evil clowns
likely to happen, it all comes down to a matter Annabelle case, for instance) who feel that the in media is a big contributor for instilling this
of perception. First, you must have to have a Warrens were not always honest with them and phobia in young or anxious minded adults.
willingness to believe in the paranormal to some some who still have doubt as to whether or not Clowns and court jesters have been
extent in order to determine whether or not the anything supernatural ever occurred in their around for thousands of years. Even Emperors
Warrens were frauds in that field. homes. We may never know one way or the and kings in Egypt, China and Europe allowed
If Ed and Lorraine Warren are cons, it’s other, but Ed and Lorraine have always been a their court Jesters to mock them where no else
unfortunate as they’ve trained a lot of people to strong subject of debate in the paranormal field. could. It was a pretty important position in
do what they do over the years. The Warrens It’s doubtful that will change anytime soon. And court. The clown or the Fool was the ‘village
founded the first ghost-hunting organization in its unlikely that we’ll ever have an entirely idiot who was allowed to be blasphemous’. He
New England (New England Society for definitive answer as to whether or not Ed and might have been a harmless eccentric who was
Psychic Research) in 1952. On the side of the Lorraine Warren were frauds. [] ‘obscenely humorous’ or uninhibited in his
Warrens, their cases certainly speak for sexual acts. In fact: in many Pueblo tribal
themselves. Their stories are riveting and Fear of Clowns Phobia – celebrations, clowns performed sexual acts like
frightening. People have come forward and masturbation, intercourse, sodomy etc in front
claimed that the Warrens helped them Coulrophobia of the entire tribe. These associations are known
immensely and solved their problems. But other to exist in modern pop culture and media
families have suggested that they were duped The word Coulrophobia means a persistent and representations.
and conned into believing the story as the irrational fear of clowns. It possibly originates Psychologists also believe that, like in
Warrens relayed it to them. But Lorraine Warren from Greek Kolon meaning stilt or stilt-walkers case of other specific phobias, the fear of
continues to help families with paranormal which are often used by clowns. The word clowns could be deeply rooted in childhood,
issues, though she’s not as active in the field as clown might have even originated from Cloyne, mainly because children below the age of 4
she used to be as she is well into her eighties. Clod or Colonus- a rustic country bumpkin, years are highly reactive to familiar body type
One of the biggest detractors of the farmer, yokel or someone who lacks common and unfamiliar faces. One phobic, for example,
Warrens is neurologist Steven Novella, sense. recalls having visited a fair as a young girl
president of the all-too-appropriately named Coulrophobic individuals report feeling where she encountered a “foul-smelling,
New England Skeptical Society. He has spoken “shaken and traumatized” at the sight or even yellow-teethed clown who got in her face”. []
out against Ed and Lorraine for years, saying the mere thought of clowns. A study conducted
that they are nothing more than very good by a Hospital in UK showed that decorating a COMING SOON TO THE
storytellers. children’s ward with images of clowns actually SMALL SCREEN
As for the case that inspired The backfired when more than 250 children (in the The ‘X’ Zone TV Show
Conjuring, that happens to be one of the most age groups of 4 to 16) reported disliking the with Rob McConnell
backed up cases in the Warren’s case log. The images. www.XZONETV.com