From a historical point of view, why is divination outlawed amongst Abrahamic religions?

Question

I know the bible says you shouldn't. So don't give me that answer.

What I'm asking, religious history/theology buffs, is why Hebrew law specifically would have outlawed this, when it had been common amongst tribal and other organized religions? One of the most common themes amongst mythology is petitioning god or the powers that be for information about the future.

Any theories? Opinions?

New King David -- you are right. I have no faith, nor do I respect the bible. This question is about the HISTORY of religion.

Answer 1

Two reasons, certainly:

1) It challenges god. Bad ju-ju (and bad Jew-Jew).
2) Priests were singularly bad at getting it correct.

There is nothing in Judaism/Christianity/Islam that empirically works. All discrete predictions are predictive disasters. Omniscient God put pi down as 3, twice. Tha's 4.5% too small by direct measurement. The simple fraction 355/113 is too large by 8.5 millionths of a percent.

Was god kinda shy about small integer fractions? This is the god reputed to have honchoed ten simultaneous elliptic-hyperbolic differential equations to make gravitation work. Was 355/113 (a numerologist's dream!) so difficult in comparison?

The "Book of Mormon" prophesies Columbus discovering America to the exact day! OTOH, The "Book of Mormon" was published in 1830.

Answer 2

for a couple of reasons.

one of the reasons is because it was understood to imply a lack of faith and trust in G-d.

the prohobition against divination probably would have been devastating to the people, because divination was the way ancient people, who lived in a world they perceived as chaotic and unstable, could give themselves a sense of control over their life and destiny. but right after the prohibition against divination, G-d reassures the people by letting them know they won't be completely alone in the world, because he will send them his prophets.

another reason, as somebody already said, is that divination is what the other religions did. generally the bible tried to makes its believers as different from everybody else as possible. in one passage,G-d tells the hebrews that he will "set them apart" as a people - make their beliefs and practices unique, and, in particular, more moral than the other religions and cultures of the time. but it didn't really work out all that well, since most of the bible outside of the five books of moses is a virtual documentary of people constantly abandoning morality, and G-d repeatedly sending to prophets to beg them to change their ways.

Answer 3

By Abrahamic, I presume you don't mean just Jews. I'm not a theologist, but I do like history. Divination implies more than one god and G-d told Moses (and in the 10 Commandments) that there will be no other gods before Him.

How did I do?

Answer 4

It's a sole spiritual reason. To look for a historical reason is just pointing out your lack of faith and respect for what these ancient women and men of the Bible died for.

Answer 5

It shows a lack of faith and a desire not to trust God for everything.
Divination comes from Satan!
Hebrews did not want to mix with other religions because of the influences of Satan.

Answer 6

I think that by trying to figure out the future, you are not putting your trust in God. You are showing worry and impatience, putting your faith in something other than the Creator.

Answer 7

Because doing so implies animistic beliefs and superstitions, multiple gods and worship of the dead. There is no god but God, One alone over all the earth.

Answer 8

Probably because the priests kept getting it wrong.


Rather than keep on looking bad they just said -' we can't tell you, it is against God's laws to do so.'