This is a question for believing christians: Is it wrong to explore and study the occult? Knowledge is great to have, but I know this along with pride caused the fall of Lucifer. Is it wrong to be a christian and have urges of studying 'forbidden' sciences?
2006-12-08 08:39:33 · 19 answers · asked by King of the Red plume 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am a Christian who is exploring witchcraft. All but a handful of Christians would say that is not possible and that I am rebelling against God, however they are entitled to their (mis)understanding. I do like the more open-minded view of the Bible. The places that have been translated as "witchcraft" in the Bible come from various words, the most common being Kashaph, which in context implies a person who uses supernatural powers to bewitch another person and manipulate their actions (often coupled with sex, such as in the case of Jezebel). Other terms that are translated as witchcraft are Pharmakeia (which implies drug use to enchant others), Anan (meaning cloudwatcher, or one who seeks to fortell the future based on changes in nature), and Ob (one who conjures up the spirits of the dead).
I suppose it would depend on where you believe the powers come from. Christians belive in magick, so long as it does not use that term. If, instead, they call them miracles, healing, prophecy, etc. then all of a sudden they are okay. Call those same things witchcraft and it's taboo because of various mistranslations in the Bible. I believe that God is the creator of magick, and that it is a gift that he has given us. It is a matter of how we use these powers though. They can be used in ways to glorify God, or they can be used in ways that would dominate a person. Even Christians will admit that we only use a small portion of our mind (isn't the saying that we only use 10% of our mind?) but rather than trying to use the full spectrum of the mind that God has given us, they call anything not normal to their thinking evil.
2006-12-08 09:05:31 · answer #1 · answered by Guvo 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Well knowledge is a great thing I don't think God discourages it. But there are things that you may not want to know a lot about for your own good.
I studied occult beliefs and folklore when I was in Bible College more out of a sociologic interest then of morbid fasination. I just plain found it interesting culturally and I have also been able to have educated conversations with neopagens without coming off like a witchburner. That said do not "explore" or "study" the occult because you watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer too many times. It is serious and tempting. Knowledge in and of it self is a gift but with knowledge like many gifts (ie wealth, power) come temptations. The occult isn't a "forbidden science" it is a variety of belief structures either devoted to pagan gods or satan. Do you really want to get mixed up in either?
2006-12-08 08:50:02 · answer #2 · answered by Constant_Traveler 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That's a good question, and it has an answer.
It is explained in my article here.
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Pornography and the Occult
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by Jim J. McCrea
There is a profound level of truth to what attracts people to the
*occult,* but there is an extreme danger at the same time.
That is why the Church forbids dabbling in the occult.
The occult is analogous to *pornography* (which is also
forbidden).
Generally, we do not say that we delve into pornography to
understand beauty better.
Why?
It is because of the nature of pornography.
What is it that makes pornography so alluring, yet so destructive at
the same time?
What is shown there is an exceedingly *brilliant* yet exceedingly
*narrow* reflection of the |||divine beauty.|||
All things on this earth that attract us are but some reflection of the
divine beauty, which really is God Himself.
It is the combination of the brilliance and the narrowness of the
divine reflection that makes pornography so attractive, yet so
destructive.
It is an *isolated* fragment of supreme beauty. Without having the
whole, where the right balance is found, this isolated fragment
tends to unbalance the human psyche and soul.
It is like a steel blade of great strength, yet exceeding narrowness,
that plunges into flesh.
How is the occult similar to this?
The occult is an exceedingly *deep,* yet exceedingly *narrow*
reflection of the |||divine truth,||| which again is God Himself.
It is a fragment of exceedingly deep truth that is separated from
the whole.
The whole is found in a legitimate science where it tends to balance
and enrich the mind.
The fragment (of great depth) tends to unbalance the mind and the
personality.
In fact, the occult can be far more dangerous than pornography,
because a truth, if it is deep enough, brings intellectual pleasure that
far exceeds sexual pleasure.
However, in heaven, where the blessed see infinite truth, goodness,
and beauty - that is God - face to face. Pornography or the occult
will no longer be a danger.
For all the goodness and truth that attracts the human mind about
them, will be seen in God in a pre-eminent whole. As a result, that
vision will render the soul infinitely blessed.
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2006-12-08 08:45:41 · answer #3 · answered by Catholic Philosopher 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is most definitely wrong to get involved with the occult. Being a Christian is about knowing Christ, and growing closer to him. The occult is about trying to put yourself on the same level with God (which can't be done). The Bible warns us not to get involved with the occult, and we should listen.
2006-12-08 08:44:06 · answer #4 · answered by Cylon Betty 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Romans 13:12
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
-If you are studying it so that you can know how to bring up a defense in the word of God that is one thing- but if you are "curious" about it- that is the enemy trying to lead you astray. We should all know about certain things to a point, so that we can show how it goes against God's word...it is good to be educated in that sense. But to "dabble" in it without seeking the Lord daily and His truth and wisdom you could easily be led astray....So just be careful. Once again we should have nothing to do with it-
1 Timothy 4:7
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;
2006-12-08 08:51:13 · answer #5 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
From a non-Christian point of view; "dabbling" is wrong. At least partly because it is dangerous. Either study, learn, and explore it safely, or stay out. If you're going to do it, know what you are doing, why you are doing it, and commit fully to accomplishing your goal.
2006-12-08 08:55:21 · answer #6 · answered by Lone 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
define non secular; for there are people who learn the occult and are area of a faith. some are even Christian. in spite of one's faith, i do no longer see how that's incorrect to be somebody's chum no remember what they suspect or learn. persons are people, diverse strokes for various people- The bible could 'say' that's incorrect to do magic, or seek for out a psychic and so on. yet i do no longer think that it says to no longer make acquaintances with people of different ideals. nonetheless I do think of that's fairly stupid that Christians are meant to be following the word of Christ and nonetheless revert to the previous Testiment for their "regulations" while Christ suggested himself, overlook the previous approaches, i'm right here to tutor you a sparkling and type thank you to God.
2016-10-05 01:39:20 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is not science. It is black magic and the occult that is wrong to study because is evil.
2006-12-08 08:43:33 · answer #8 · answered by cynical 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The occult is just another religion,
2006-12-08 08:44:04 · answer #9 · answered by jimbobob 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can explore it without getting involved in it. I do that myself. It is always good to be knowledgeable about any threat to yourself or others with regard to their souls and their spirituality.
But don't dabble, as in don't do any experimentation. Just study it, understand it. Know what it's all about.
2006-12-08 08:55:28 · answer #10 · answered by . 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋