It's mainly superstition. The French Revolution was full of real - life drama, death, and upheaval. Ghost stories likely emerged as a way for the public to cope with the intense emotions and to pass on the stories of the revolution in a more engaging and spooky way. The events were so extreme that it's not surprising that people's imaginations ran wild, but there's no factual basis for the existence of ghosts in relation to the revolution.
It's a complex matter. There are some accounts that seem very convincing at first glance. For instance, there are stories where people exhibit strange behavior that stops after an exorcism. But when you look deeper, there could be other explanations. Environmental factors, like mold in a house causing hallucinations, or psychological stress could be the real cause. So it's hard to say they are completely based on facts. It's more likely that most are a mix of superstition and misinterpreted natural phenomena.
Some real exorcist stories might be based on facts. There are cases where people exhibit abnormal behavior that cannot be easily explained by modern medicine. In such situations, exorcism has been attempted, and sometimes, the person's condition has improved. However, there are also many cases that are likely just superstition, as people in the past were quick to attribute strange things to the supernatural without proper investigation.
Some real clairvoyant stories might be based on coincidence. People tend to remember the times when something was 'predicted' and it came true, but forget all the times it didn't. So, in many cases, it could be superstition.
A lot of real demonic stories are likely more superstition than fact. People in the past didn't have the scientific knowledge we have today. For example, sleep paralysis, which can cause a feeling of a presence and inability to move, was probably misinterpreted as a demonic attack. However, there are some cases that are hard to explain away completely, so it's a complex issue.
It's hard to say for sure. Some people believe they are based on facts because of the numerous eyewitness accounts. However, there's no scientific evidence yet. So it could also be superstition or misidentification. For example, a person might see a large bear standing on its hind legs from a distance and mistake it for a dogman.
Some might be based on real psychological or physiological conditions misinterpreted as possession. For example, certain mental illnesses can cause abnormal behavior. But in some cases, especially in religious contexts, people firmly believe they are dealing with the supernatural, so it's hard to say for sure. It could be a mix of superstition and misinterpreted events.
It's hard to say. Some might be based on superstition as there's no scientific proof of jinn. But many cultures have these stories passed down for generations, so there could be some elements of real experiences that got exaggerated over time.
Some of the Pripyat ghost stories might be based on real experiences, at least in the sense of the atmosphere creating a sense of unease. The abandoned city has a very eerie and desolate feel. People's minds can play tricks on them in such an environment, making them think they see things that aren't there. But as for actual ghosts, it's more likely superstition.
Mostly they are legends. While Lady Jane Grey had a very real and tragic historical life, there is no factual evidence of ghosts. But her story was so sad and full of political intrigue that it inspired these spooky tales.
Many of the stories are likely more superstition than fact. While the Star of India has a long and eventful history, the idea of ghosts is not scientifically proven. However, real events such as shipwrecks, battles, and difficult voyages may have provided the inspiration for these spooky tales. The stories have been passed down through generations, and with each retelling, they may have become more embellished and less based on actual occurrences.