Yes Bill I believe ghosts are real!  And yes, people do believe they are out there in the world.  And no they are not just being dumb.  
We never consider anyone dumb because of their beliefs.  Beliefs are the result of training, upbringing and life's experiences.  Most people are unable to or unwilling to change, or unaware of other belief systems. 

Here is what we believe ghosts are:

1)  The spirit of someone (be it human or animal) that once lived in the physical form.

2)  The electro-magnetic field left behind as the result of a highly charged and emotional situation playing out over and over again.  This is called an imprint.

No one is certain what a ghost truly is.  None can say that all ghosts are spirits that are unaware they are dead...clearly from all the investigations we've done and the investigations done by other groups this is not the case.  What we do believe is that the veil between physical life and spiritual life is a thin line and that line can be crossed by those who do not have physical restrictions placed upon them.  As a result they may be free to travel back and forth between the two planes of life without encumbrance.

Hope this answers your question!  Thanks for writing Eeeek!